If you sweep the endless stream of snow pictures and hysteria of the last few days to one side, it’s clear to see that the power of social media in Fife has definitely been a force for good during the whiteout.
I’ve been critical in this column in the past about the likes of Twitter and Facebook and its tendency to attract, for want of a better word, numpties, but individuals, businesses and organisations across the Kingdom have used the technology at their fingertips in its finest and most helpful form amid all the snow chaos.
One couldn’t fail to be heartened by the many, many stories – too many to actually document properly here – of communities rallying around to clear snow from blocked streets, dig out cars and generally offer help and assistance where needed.
The way Fife’s schools managed to mobilise young and old into helping clear paths, entrances and car parks to get at least some schools back open today really was a sight to behold.
Tribute must also be paid to the local farmers or plant operators who lent their weight to the clean-up operation, particularly on impassable rural roads, and of course the gritter drivers who were out there around the clock tackling priority and main commuter roads to get the region moving again.
Twenty-four gritters and ploughs, 18 JCBs, 39 tractors and more than 150 staff from the parks service were out and about clearing roads and paths, and each and every one of them deserve credit.
And, of course, if medals were going to be handed out for going above and beyond the call of duty then those involved in health and social care who sometimes walked for miles on end — or worked for hours on end — to keep vital services running would certainly be eligible for one.
I heard of 13 nurses staying overnight at Stratheden Hospital due to the snow, and they were back in the wards in the morning to cover the early shift. That sort of dedication was replicated across the region.
Some people were quick to criticise the council, or wheel out the typical ‘How do they survive in Canada?’ riposte, but spending billions of pounds to ensure Scotland can handle all too infrequent bursts of wintry weather would be folly.
Canada, Sweden et al have their infrastructure built to cope, so in Fife we’ll just have to grin and bear it when the white stuff does cause problems.
Here’s hoping we can all put our wellies and winter jackets away for a bit soon, and look forward to that barbecue summer I think we all deserve. Or at least a few months where we can turn the heating down a bit…