I took the photos above yesterday at The Exchange. The event was a very well attended and was described as:- "An event celebrating Ghanaian food, culture and poetry. Patti Sloley is a chef on a mission to introduce the world to the glorious and exciting African food that she was taught to cook by her mum growing up in Ghana. Join her for an exuberant exploration of the country through flavour and storytelling, alongside opportunities to play the strategy game Oware, try your hand at a bit of Kente weaving or see some traditional craftwork on display. This is the first event of AKWAABA, a programme of events that explore Ghanaian culture and heritage, curated by local resident Pauline Brobbey".
The controversy around the expansion of the ULEZ to cover outer London boroughs has heated up over the last couple of weeks. As I have previously written, I don't have a personal axe to grind on the issue, as I am not a driver - though I do hold a full UK driving licence. I have not owned a car in 25 years, and rely solely on public transport. I know from recent correspondence that many readers are strongly opposed to the ULEZ expansion, as are a number of Outer London borough councils. Since my last Blog update, it has come to my attention that some locals have resorted to a form of direct action - they have taken to damaging newly installed number plate recognition cameras across London in opposition to the Mayor Sadiq Khan's planned expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone on August 29th. The handful of cameras, 300 of which have already been installed across London ahead of the expansion, appear to have had their cables cut, with opponents of the project sharing the images on Facebook group 'ULEZ camera locations' along with supportive comments. In one location at the top of Knee Hill in Abbey Wood all four cameras at the junction, mounted on top of traffic light poles, have apparently had their cables cut by persons unknown. According to figures obtained by City Hall Conservatives 312 of the 2,750 cameras needed to enforce the new expanded ULEZ had already been installed by the end of January 2023. As of the same date though none had been installed in the four Conservative run boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon who have petitioned the High Court to block the Mayor from rolling out the scheme later this year. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
Since my article last week on the demolition and redevelopment of the former Great Harry pub in Parsonage Manorway in Upper Belvedere (the photo above shows the pub when it was still open, prior to being boarded up), I have had numerous correspondences from interested parties. For various reasons the parties have chosen to be anonymous - at least for the time being. One reader and local resident, who chooses to remain anonymous, writes:- "Thanks for highlighting the Great Harry recently. The company before Stonegate had tried for years to develop the site but couldn’t due to a council protection order. Because of this they deliberately run the place down so that it wasn’t viable (A common practice in the UK). I know first hand from a previous manager, the financial pressure that they’re put under. James had turned the Harry’s fortunes around between 2017-18, it was thriving again. He’d decorated at his own expense, always had a great bar selection, live bands, quality food available. To start with, the drinks could only be purchased through the pub co at extremely over inflated prices which limits any profit to start with. As soon as the takings improved the rent was increased by a large margin and was told he now needed extra insurance, through a company that they owned. In the end they priced him out of making a fair living and he subsequently moved on. New inexperienced managers came in and it went back to being a quiet pub again before COVID hit. It’s a prime example of corporate greed & cashing in on the price of urban land, stripping away community assets. The Great Harry could easily be a thriving, quality family friendly food establishment like the Earl Haig or The Yacht (for example) if given the chance. I even had councillor Wendy Perfect knock on my door with concern over the development, assuring me she would be opposing any change of use in the future. Unfortunately, having an apartment block ticks all the boxes when it comes to housing in the borough. Another pub bites the dust".
Regular reader and occasional contributor regarding all things technology related, Miles sent me the following message after reader my article about a possible particulate tax being levied on all road vehicles - internal combustion engine and electrical alike last week - this would be in addition to the already mentioned and widely opposed outer London ULEZ expansion as previously mentioned. Miles writes:- "PM2.5, I wonder how long it'll be till log burners are banned throughout London? Naively I had my chimney converted shortly after I moved to Erith assuming it would be a good addition to my general attempt at 'going off grid' - not a cheap endeavour either! Whilst I absolutely adore the log burner, it creates a great atmosphere, lovely smell (in my opinion) but it's absolutely filthy. Unless the fuel you use has an incredibly low moisture content, typically around 10% a good portion of the fuel goes un-burnt and ends up as tiny particles. Whenever it's cold, you instantly know people on the avenue are burning wood because the cars are covered in ash. Whilst the aroma does remind me of living in Dorset/Cornwall sticks, it's probably not that healthy. I believe the traditional chimney sweeps and log burner retailers have also clocked on to the same prediction as many have sold up, retired or reskilled. I wonder what will become of the "old" log burners, will they just become features, or maybe converted to Electric? Something will likely have to be done as they are a fanatic, and an oddly paradoxical heat sink - they suck the warm air up the chimney creating a mild cold breeze indoors. Secondly, I made a quick trip to Morrisons. Sigh - no baskets again, but they had tomatoes so that's something. Erith high street has finally had a partial resurface, which is great because the busses had created some incredibly large pot holes. What's odd is they appear to have removed or lessened the effect of the speed bumps. It appears people are already taking advantage of the smooth surface to pick up speed beyond the limit". If you have an opinion or story that has some relevance to the local area, then please get in touch with me - guest authors / contributors are always welcome - email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association published the following announcement last week:- "Neighbourhood Watch Launches BETTER PLACE TO LIVE Campaign, Aiming to Boost Community Participation and Reduce Crime. Neighbourhood Watch has launched its biggest recruitment drive in recent times with the BETTER PLACE TO LIVE campaign. The campaign aims to increase community participation, particularly among underrepresented groups, including 25 to 40-year-olds, Black and minority ethnic groups, and those living in high-crime areas. The campaign will run until the end of the year and will use a range of media and resources to invite people to play a more active role in their communities and register with the charity. As part of the campaign, Neighbourhood Watch has adopted a new modern and inclusive logo, called the 'today' logo, to sit alongside its traditional logo. The campaign will have a particular drive during Neighbourhood Watch Week between the 3rd and 9th of June and has been launched on social media platforms and the Neighbourhood Watch website. John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, said: "The cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic have highlighted the importance of neighbourhood and community connections in tackling loneliness and isolation, as well as our vital work in crime prevention. We have a proven track record of bringing communities together and helping them to feel safer in a more uncertain world." To encourage participation, the charity is supporting its tens of thousands of volunteers to spread the word in their community. They are providing printed and digital resources and online workshops throughout the year to help coordinators increase their membership and encourage others to start their own groups. Coordinators can also support each other in tackling local issues through an online forum and training opportunities. The campaign hopes to address reservations people have about joining their local Neighbourhood Watch scheme and increase participation and membership, particularly among underrepresented groups. To reach a younger audience, the charity has recruited a young people's project worker and a young trustee and established a presence on Instagram. Neighbourhood Watch has been established within communities for over 40 years, helping people build more vibrant neighbourhoods and preventing crime. Its Community Safety Charter enables local people and businesses to stand up against crimes in public spaces such as antisocial behaviour, hate crime, intimidation, and harassment. More information on the campaign can be found at ourwatch.org.uk/betterplacetolive".
I took the photo above - click on it to see a larger view - recently in All Saint's Church in Nuxley Road, Upper Belvedere. It is the memorial plaque for a significant person in the history of the local area. Sir Culling Eardley 3rd Baronet was a British Christian campaigner for religious freedom and for the Protestant cause, one of the founders of the Evangelical Alliance. Born in London, his father, Sir Culling Smith, 2nd Baronet (1768–1829), was of Huguenot extraction and his mother, Charlotte Elizabeth was the daughter of Sampson Eardley, 1st Baron Eardley, and hence the granddaughter of Jewish financier Sampson Gideon. Though the title Baron Eardley had not survived, Charlotte Elizabeth was heiress to much of the Eardley estate. Smith attended Eton College and Oriel College, Oxford where, though he passed his BA examinations, he never graduated, having become a convinced evangelical Christian. He succeeded to his baronetcy on his father's death in 1829 and married Isabella Carr (died 1st May 1860) in 1832. They had one son, Eardley Gideon Culling Eardley (1838–1875), and two daughters. He inherited Bedwell Park, Hertfordshire from his father. From his cousin William Thomas Eardley-Twisleton-Fiennes, 15th Baron Saye and Sele he inherited the family properties in Belvedere, Erith, and the Eardley estates in 1847 and changed his name from Smith to Eardley by royal licence. He served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1838.An instinctive campaigner with an interest in reform of the poor laws, Eardley was briefly Whig Member of Parliament for Pontefract from 1830 to 1831. Though he stood again, unsuccessfully, in the 1837 general election, his principal driver was his religious faith. Eardley was raised in the Church of England and despite his subsequent convictions, in particular his condemnation of State religion, remained a member. His beliefs were closely related to Congregationalism, though he never left the Anglican church. In 1839 he became chairman and treasurer of the Evangelical Voluntary Church Association, which campaigned for disestablishment. When the Association was dissolved in 1844, Eardley became chairman of the Anti-Maynooth Committee and Conference which campaigned, without success, against the Maynooth Grant. In 1845/ 6, with evangelists Ridley Haim Herschell and Edward Steane, he became, one of the founders, and first chairman, of the Evangelical Alliance. He attempted to return to politics to create a platform for his campaigning zeal, fighting Edinburgh in 1846, against Thomas Babington Macaulay who supported Maynooth, and the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1848. However Eardley and the Evangelical Alliance had become interested in campaigning internationally for freedom of religion. In 1852 he campaigned on behalf of the Tuscan prisoners of conscience Francesco Madiai and Rosa Madiai. They had been imprisoned when they announced that they had become Protestants causing such international interest that Lord Palmerston had offered to pay their legal fees. He established an influential international network that included Giuseppe Garibaldi, Christian Charles Josias Bunsen and Frederick William IV of Prussia. He was treasurer of the London Missionary Society from 1844 to 1863, and of a fund for relief of Lebanese Christians after the 1861 massacres. He worked hard to maintain broad friendly relationships with all creeds and strove to improve relationships between the Church of England and nonconformists. In 1844, he gave financial support to Ridley Haim Herschell's Trinity Chappel in Edgware Road, London. However, he was a particularly strong supporter of those who felt themselves excluded from the Church of England by the practices of the Anglo Catholics. From 1850 to 1853, he sponsored, and gave financial support, to the construction of an evangelical church at Furrough Cross, Babbacombe, defying Henry Phillpotts Bishop of Exeter. He also built a church on his Erith estate. He was also a prominent supporter of Giacinto Achilli's, ultimately discredited, evangelical campaign in Britain. In July 1854 Eardley was a founder member and chairman of the Turkish Missions Aid Society, an evangelical charity set up to support missionary work among Armenian Christians in Turkey. The charity is known today as Embrace the Middle East. Culling Eardley lived in Belvedere from 1848 to 1858 and also had a house at Frognel, Torquay in the 1850s. He suffered from poor health in later life and died, aged 58, at Bedwell from an adverse reaction to a smallpox vaccination. His generous gifts to the local area include All Saint's Church and the adjacent vicarage.
It has been widely reported that the HS2 rail link will be delayed and the scope of the project may be reduced in a cost saving measure; what has not been so well publicised is that the flagship Lower Thames Crossing, a £7bn tunnel and road scheme linking Essex and Kent, will be deferred for at least two years, into National Highways’ next five-year phase of road building. In a written statement to MPs, the transport secretary, Mark Harper, said other transport investment projects would also have to lapse in “difficult decisions”. Active travel budgets, including cycling schemes in cities, will also be slashed for the next two years to a total of about £100m, compared with £850m in the last three years.
The end video this week was suggested by a reader, who chooses to remain anonymous. It is a short documentary which seeks to explain why so many pubs are closing and being replaced by blocks of flats. This refers back to my earlier piece on the fate of the Great Harry. Comments and feedback as always to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
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