Oh dear! January and February can be hard enough on business without a massive fall of snow. They say every cloud has a silver lining and I am trying to find it for you!

It is a ‘good deal time’ and you can get some serious bargains, so increase your margins by negotiating the best rates for your stock – special offers everywhere.

Events diary from North Somerset web page – a monthly account of all events in the county, free – you just have to ask. It is the networking season. Early mornings, lunchtime, evenings – go and visit them all and join the best for your business. Call us on 01934 418118 for location and timetable.

And finally

Make a resolution. We do them at home, do one at work. Give yourself a new year challenge, but make sure it is achievable – KISS – “keep it simple, stupid”!

Terry Gilbert is Business Support Manager for the North Somerset Enterprise Agency www.northsomersetenterpriseagency.co.uk as well as being the director for the Weston Town Centre Partnership and Chair for Weston 200 and Weston Arts Social Enterprise.

According to the latest weather reports, Weston could be in line for a further flurry of snow this weekend. With tempertures dropping as low as -8C at night, the snow which is still covering most of our minor access roads and has turned them into ice rinks looks set to last for a while longer.

The Weston Echo is launching a plea to all able bodied residents to stop moaning that no-one has cleared the roads and do what they do in every other snowbound country in the world: Pick up a shovel and start digging the snow off your section of pavement outside your house, and if applicable the road too.

If you live near someone who might struggle to get outside in this weather, go and check they are all right and help them clear their path and pavement and do what ever you can to help those who can’t help themselves.

I can guarantee you that almost all of the accidents on our roads in the past few days have been caused by idiots! The simple fact is no-one really knows how to drive in the snow, yet we carry on as though its not even there. Our advice to motorists is to keep your speeds down, there is no rush; Don’t drive in too low a gear, more power will be transferred to the wheels causing them to slip; Do not use your brakes when travelling above 5mph, I can’t stress this one enough. If you need to slow down on snow-packed roads, change down through the gears using your clutch to control your speed, when the car is almost at a stop gently apply the brake and the car will come to a gentle stop.

Use common sense and you can stay safe. Keep watching the Weston Echo for more information on the weather.

Matthew Stone is the Editor of the Weston Echo. He is also an established I.T. Professional working for a local database marketing company

The snow which left more than 40% of the nations workforce stranded at home, has caused travel misery for countless others is causing more problems in the form of black ice, in un-gritted areas the snow has been compacted and smoothed by cars and pedestrians and another freezing night has turned many roads into an ice rink.

The local council has kept most of the major routes clear which has meant that buses have resumed main road only services on most routes, however all of the large housing areas such as St. Georges, North Worle, Bournville, Oldmixon and the Coronation have been left without bus services due to the slippery conditions.

Despite the doom and gloom that faces commuters, with local schools and colleges still closed, children and teenagers (and their parents!) continue to enjoy the wintery weather.

The current weather forecast shows no more snow due until possibly the weekend, although tempartures will stay low meaning the snow and ice could be with us for a longer than expected. Keep watching the Weston Echo for more information on the coming weather.

Matthew Stone is the Editor of the Weston Echo. He is also an established I.T. Professional working for a local database marketing company

Heavy snowfall overnight has brought over 5 inches covering Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding region. Most of the major routes into Weston have become blocked by careless drivers shunting into each other, whilst others have been unable to climb the approaches to various bridges around town.

The Hildesheim bridge was blocked by a jacknifed lorry, Bristol Road leading from the motorway to Sainsbury’s was also partially blocked by a lorry that became stuck after losing traction on the hill over the bridge, cars that diverted through St. Georges found that the level crossing over the railway was shut due to the risk of cars getting stuck on the crossing.

The advice to motorists and pedestrians alike is not to venture out if you don’t have to, and if you do have to drive, keep your speed down and use the engine to slow the car by changing down gears, brakes will not work in the snow!

The sad fact is our country is not prepared for snow, partially because we don’t normally get much, but mostly because drivers just don’t know how to drive safely in adverse weather, so stay safe and enjoy it while it lasts!

Please visit the North Somerset council website for more information on local school and college closures: www.n-somerset.gov.uk

Matthew Stone is the Editor of the Weston Echo. He is also an established I.T. Professional working for a local database marketing company

A large storm system that has recently dumped a large amount of snow across the eastern seaboard of the United States is currently tracking its way across the atlantic giving hope to many that the UK is due for a White Christmas. Although the current forecast in Weston looks to be warm with a possible chance of rain, there is a slim possibility that this may change and we will see the first White Christmas in the town in more than 3 decades.

Keep checking this page for more updates on the weather

Matthew Stone is the Editor of the Weston Echo. He is also an established I.T. Professional working for a local database marketing company