In our local paper they are reporting

Total nonsense from a local rag. It's already mid-October and there is no indication from the Met Office that the next week is going to be anything but typical for the time of year.
Reliable UK forecasts (so far as these things go) are available at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast - before they've been edited by newspapers trying to sell a couple of extra copies with scaremongering.

No doubt everyone in that town will be out emptying the supermarket shelves on a daily basis - it's all good for trade! Oh and don't forget to buy the trolley load of bread that you need to see you through the 36 hours when the supermarkets are closed 8pm 24 December to 8am 26 December.

Well Diane, I haven't heard anything but I think we could be in for a hard winter too. All the old tales come to mind when I see the berries out there, food for birds through a long hard winter. Last year was not too bad and the year before, though very wet, we were on flood alert for ages, but it wasn't really a cold winter. Yes Diane, I think it's coming our way and El nino doesn't help. I remember the winter of 1963 well and will stay in if it gets like that.
I agree Urbanite that people do panic easily over these reports. As an "oldie" I've always got a well stocked cupboard and freezer so we won't starve and I agree with your comment re Christmas closure. Up in the village here the shop opens anyway,Christmas,Boxing day, Easter.

Please can I hibernate. ......Now !
move over...... ?

Hi Diane, on the north west weather forecast tonight, the presenter mentioned this, and said there was no chance of anything like that, and temps would be around average for the time of year, if slightly cooler overnight, because of the clear skies.
It seems to have been a quiet week news wise, so I think they have just thought up something to put in the paper, something like this always sells papers, it seems to be a case of; if it's quiet, put a weather story in, works every time, Derek.

No matter what the weather...hurricane ......blizzard...petrifying cold.....scorching and unrelentless heat.... As long as the toilet flushes everything is ok.

It is always a good idea to be ready but until we get more notice I am enjoying the best weather we have had all year in Scotland.

I saw it on the web Diane, it was on our local radio as well, think it became a good talking point for the day, englishmans favourite pastime, chatting about the weather, I have never forgotten Michael Fish getting into trouble for ignoring a warning about the great storms, if I remember correctly he actually took the mickey whilst doing the evening weather report, look what havoc that caused, it does no harm to be prepared for the winter, its a flipping fact we cannot change it no matter what it brings and like Linda I too have been enjoying the recent good weather, not today though, its been a right miserable day and cold enough for the heating to be turned on.....

Why do we always criticise the source of unwelcome information ?
If we dont like it, we blame the 'messenger'.
I bow in humility to those cleverer than I.
I hope its just a mild winter.
Am stocking up anyway.
Have brought my Winter Pansies in their pots from the greenhouse, into my lounge, am very pleased with their effect, peeping out of the window.
Never thought of doing this before.

When one has the head down in a bow one never sees the look on the face of the person they are bowing to.

What will be will be....but as we are on overhead electric and clearly remember 2010 I for one will stock up on candles etc.....then again I do most years in the fervent hope we don't need them!

At the garden centre the lads went into roars of laughter when I bought 6 weeks supply of Gerbil litter and bedding.
I realised they were not born in 1947 and 1963. Had absolutely no idea what its like. I remember phoning the school to tell them a severe blizzard was forecast, and they turned all the children out of the school to walk home down the hill. They were crying with the shock of it. The school bus driver took his load of children to the chip shop and bought them hot chips to eat, he didnt get them home to the villages until 8 p.m. A wonderful man.
We had the corner shops then, most people worked in their home town, so could walk there. We just worried about the coalman turning up with our weekly fuel. Even then thousands took the £10 fare when it was all over, and went to Australia.

Remember to support your Garden Centre during the coming winter months. Most do meals, cards, Christmas
gifts etc. They have to continue to pay wages no matter
whether we can get on our gardens or not.

I went to an independent gc yesterday, the cafe had beed extended and was still packed with big queues....
( more than at the garden centre tills!)
the food was really nice and freshly made....I had a baguette with mozarella cheese, tomato and avocado with balsamic dressing, excellent......and the cakes , I had to hide my eyes ?

Diane this is very old news, apparently this worse winter ever is trotted out every so often, in the hope that one day it will be!! and then it will be ...well we told you all didn't we!!
As my OH says there is nothing we can do about it, so no point in worrying, we have fleece at the ready, and shops under 10 mins away, the grandchildren will be delighted, if it snows......and snows....and then some more!
Our garden centres are never empty all have cafes and christmas gifts, and organic food sales, so I won't have to worry about them too much..
But, I will believe it when I see it, in the mean time I am enjoying the late Autumn sunshine, and a lovely drop of rain today, much needed for a very dry garden!