Andover, a landlocked town in Hampshire, has become the UK's heatwave epicentre, with temperatures reaching 36°C. Unlike coastal areas, this bustling town lacks the cooling effects of sea breezes or lidos, leaving residents to swelter in conditions that experts warn could become the new normal.
Residents Struggle with Unbearable Conditions
Natalie Colebrook, 45, a lifelong Andover resident, manages a charity shop on Bridge Street in a 200-year-old building with no air conditioning. 'The building is not built for this kind of weather,' she told The Mirror. On day four of the heatwave, staff rely on fans and water, but the heat remains oppressive. Her eldest child had to take the day off from secondary school due to the temperatures. 'The schools aren't built for this heat, and the heat rises day after day. He's losing out on schooling by being at home, which isn't ideal really,' she added.
Climate Change Impacts Becoming Evident
Matthew Ward, 36, who has lived in Andover since childhood, has noticed a stark shift over the last four or five summers, describing them as notably drier. He recalled that during last summer, the town's green spaces 'were turning brown, especially up at the cricket pitches,' and hosepipe bans have become a familiar occurrence. Fair-skinned Matthew has been left with painful sunburn across his arms and legs. 'I can't walk too fast anywhere,' he admitted. 'I always have to take breaks, and if I walk too far without a drink, I just feel dehydrated.'
Community Spirit Amid the Heat
Despite the challenges, community spirit shines. Friends Sue Griffith and Lucille Chance, both 69, enjoyed coffee in the sunshine. Having lived through the 1976 heatwave, they are not overly concerned. 'I won't complain about the sun because you don't get enough of it,' Sue smiled. 'It's just about being sensible.' However, Sue expressed concern about reports that council planning officers in other parts of the country have ordered residents to remove air-conditioning units over carbon dioxide fears. 'If that's going to go nationwide, I think that's a very bad decision,' she said. Lucille, who has given her air-conditioning unit to her son, added, 'We've all got air conditioning, and we've got to do something to keep cool.'
Businesses Adapt to the Heat
Beverly Botha, originally from South Africa, has been serving gourmet gelato at The Travelling Cupcake bakery. She noted that a 36°C day would be 'a normal day' back home. The shop has been running air conditioning on full blast, and 'our gelato has been going crazy, which has been great,' she said. 'We've been making it non-stop, just trying to keep the freezer fully stocked.'
Need for Long-Term Solutions
Councillor Iris Anderson, who keeps a fan in her handbag, has been heartened to see locals helping each other, from the Bridge Cafe giving away free ice cream lollipops to a Turkish barbershop distributing ice-cold water bottles. Neighbour Care actively checks on elderly residents. However, she warned that community kindness cannot protect against the ravages of climate change. 'Things have got to change,' she urged. 'Whether it's how businesses operate, our working hours, how we keep the shops open during such a global change. We need to start thinking seriously about the shop workers - how long they work and serve customers. We also need to think about our nurses and doctors. It's extremely hard in these hospitals, and they have to do their work and their duty.'
