There was ‘room at the Inn’ as motorists were stranded in rural village.
A vicar in East Sussex who helped with the rescue of stranded motorists caught out by heavy snowfall said he really felt his community rose to the occasion as people were forced to abandon their cars on impassable roads and seek refuge.
Revd Thomas Pelham is the Rector of Burwash, Burwash Weald and Etchingham. He and some of his parish residents helped the occupants with moving their stranded cars out of danger and offered to put people up for the night.
However, The Bear Inn in Burwash came to the rescue, providing hospitality to around 40 people including children, offering them hot drinks, log fires, and food.
“I really feel that the communities in my parishes have once again risen to the occasion, and I was delighted to be able to help stranded cars up the hill, alongside a number of residents – some who have lived here a long time, others very newly arrived. I know that on the other hills in this area, other groups of helpers were aiding stranded traffic, so we weren’t alone. “
One of the stranded motorists, Dr Alexandre Loske said dozens of people, including babies, children and elderly people, took shelter in the Bear Inn, and described the scene as "biblical".
Revd Thomas added: “One of the striking things about the ministry of Jesus was his reliance on people bringing him into their own homes and hosting him, and there is a long Christian tradition of hospitality to those in need, so I was really pleased to be able to offer my spare room to a number of people stranded in Burwash, even though in the end no-one took my offer up as the Bear Inn was so very accommodating.”
You can read the full story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-63941122