It was the moment they had been waiting four days for. A tractor appeared on the horizon, which signalled a possible final escape for the majority of the 33 people snowed in at the Tan Hill Inn, Britain’s highest pub.
Hugs were shared, phone numbers swapped. But in the end, there was not much time to say goodbye as those in 4x4s and those with snow chains on their tyres scrambled to leave in the wake of the snowplough, driven by the local farmer.
The urgency was necessary – strong winds across the tundra-like landscape meant the cleared roads were covered in snow drifts moments later and completely impassable in a couple of hours. Time was of the essence if the convoy of vehicles was to get out – and there was no guarantee they would do so on the steep and winding North Yorkshire roads.
The swift exit came after a lively and emotional evening when, on Monday night, a goodbye party of sorts was thrown in the Tan Hill Inn’s function room, known as the barn.
The main instigator of the bash was Kelly Dunn, one of the bar staff, who had worked incredibly long hours to keep the stranded group fed, watered and happy.
“Come on everyone,” she said, herding the crowd into the room, which was lit with disco lights.
Any initial reluctance fell away and it was not long before virtually everyone was on the dancefloor throwing shapes – some more irregular than others. Frederick Swift, a hairdresser who had previously been a professional dancer, scooped people up into impressive lifts, while four-year-old Edison Goldspink performed numerous improvised numbers to a receptive crowd.
Tender moments between couples were also shared, especially between Chris and Janine Miles, who had got engaged in that very room in 2023.
At midnight, a video call to Dunn’s daughter, whose 18th birthday she was missing, concluded with the majority of the pub singing a rendition of Happy Birthday at full volume. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Dunn gushed.
Most of the residents had had a turn on TV or radio at some point during their four-day stay, due to the global fascination with the story of the people “living the dream”.
The Australians Naomi and Paul Wright with their grownup son Declan, had spent a large part of the previous evening talking to breakfast television presenters in their home country, where it is the middle of summer.
On Tuesday, shortly after they had left, word came back that they were through and had a train from York to London booked, which meant they would make their flight to their home in Katherine, near Darwin.
Four guests – plus one dog – decided not to attempt the journey.
Barry Newitt from Southend was one of the people who decided to wait it out a couple more days until the snow has melted and the roads are clear. He was in no hurry, he said.
“This is one of the best times of my entire life,” he said. “I mean, look out there. Have you ever seen scenery like that?”
He said: “I love snow. It’s just brilliant to be in the motor home and give it a good test! This is the best place to do it in the whole world.”
The bar staff refused to ask for money for the rooms supplied to those who were hosted. Instead, the managers asked for donations to their local mountain rescue.
A helicopter was chartered for Tuesday lunchtime from nearby Catterick by the pub’s owner to bring in a new roster of staff and provide a break for those working, some of whom had already been there a week.
However, the winds were too strong and it was unable to take off, meaning the six workers at the pub would be staying until their colleagues could drive in to relieve them, albeit with fewer guests to look after.
“If you do get out, will you get me some fags?” joked Dunn, who had smoked her last one the previous day. “Or on second thoughts, maybe now’s the time to quit.”
