24 January 2007
Residents, school children and businesses were all affected when a cut in main gas supplies left the town of Framlingham to suffer the cold.
Concerned neighbours went out of their way to make sure that the local elderly population was being looked after according to Suffolk and Essex online, providing extra blankets, clothing and electric heaters.
One resident, Betty Mockford, told the local press that someone had already taken an electric fire to an elderly friend who relied on a gas-fired Aga for heat.
"People are rallying round. It is that kind of town," she added.
National Grid, which is responsible for gas distribution, did set up an emergency centre at a closed school and gave out over 600 fan heaters and 300 hot plates to tide locals over while they fixed the energy supply.
Graham McQuarrie, a spokesman for the supplier, confirmed that the National Grid's priority was to re-connect properties occupied by the most vulnerable people, including the elderly and the infirm, as quickly as possible.
"We are very aware that the temperature is plummeting and speed is of the essence but there is a great deal of work to be done and it will take time," he said.
The Sir Robert Hitcham Primary School, which was used as an emergency centre by the supplier, had already suffered a catalogue of energy errors in recent weeks, with a previous electricity outage causing havoc a fortnight before.
"I have never experienced a time of so much disruption affecting the school," said headteacher Colin Hirst.
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