Leeds felt the full force of Mother Nature for two months in 1947 as daily snowfall and freezing temperatures caused untold chaos and inconvenience for residents in a city still recovering from the Second World War. It proved to be one of the worst winters on record, with the heaviest snowfalls since 1814. The extreme weather conditions were aggravated by the immediate post-war shortages of food, fuel and materials. Leeds resident Les Levi was seven years old and living in Harehills when the harsh snowstorms started leaving rivers frozen and cattle starving to death. "When we opened the front door we couldn’t get out, the snow was 8ft high in drifts! I managed to get to school though, nothing could stop me!" recalled Les, who has been sharing his memories with Leeds Homeshare, a scheme which matches people who are looking for extra help and company at home, with vetted sharers needing affordable accommodation who move into provide the support. The photos are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: 40 photo gems of Leeds city centre from the 1940s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
1. The winter of 1947
Otley Old Road at the junction of Tinshill Lane to the left and Farrar Lane to the right. A post office telephone van is in the centre. Cookridge water tower can be seen behind the houses on the right. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. The winter of 1947
Snow clearance on Gatelands Lane at Shadwell. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
3. The winter of 1947
A snow plough at work on Coal Road. The old windmill on Mill Green can be seen in the background. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
4. The winter of 1947
A wintry view of Kirkstall Hill looking south east towards the junction with St. Ann's Lane and Burley Road in February 1947. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
5. The winter of 1947
Beechwood Street in Stanningley after a very heavy snowfall in February 1947. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
6. The winter of 1947
The depth and severity of the snowfall can be seen on Back Lane at Farnley. The snow ploughs have revealed the amount of snowfall, on the right. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net