Wimpy.

Central Bexleyheath is a bus only area; if you are not a bus user it may surprise you as to how many buses serve the town. I took the two photos above recently - click on either for a larger view. They were taken at the Geddes Place bus stand, which is a central hub for bus services covering all of the London Borough of Bexley and beyond. As I have previously written, reliability issues still plague the local bus services run by Arriva. 

Coincidentally, yesterday I was on a 99 bus which drew up at the bus stop next to Electricity House in Erith town centre; as I looked out of the window I noticed two young girls - each no more than eight or nine years old; they were both puffing on vapes. I have to say that I was shocked to see such young children vaping. I have seen teenagers vaping on very many occasions, but not this young. While often marketed as a "safer" alternative to cigarettes, vaping poses significant dangers to children and young adults. Despite misconceptions, e-cigarettes are not harmless, and their potential consequences for developing bodies and minds are alarming. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance. For children, whose brains are still developing, nicotine's impact is even more potent. It can harm attention, learning, memory, and impulse control, setting the stage for future addiction not only to tobacco but also other substances. The developing brain is vulnerable to the damaging effects of nicotine. Exposure during this critical period can hinder the formation of essential connections between brain cells, impacting cognition, mood, and even long-term mental health. Studies show a worrying link between vaping and future cigarette smoking among young people. Experimentation with e-cigarettes seems to "prime" the brain for nicotine dependence, making the transition to traditional cigarettes easier. Even nicotine-free vapes contain harmful chemicals like heavy metals, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds. Inhaling these substances can damage the lungs, increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses and even cancer later in life. The colorful liquids and attractive designs of e-cigarettes can be enticing to young children. Accidental ingestion or skin contact can lead to nicotine poisoning, causing nausea, vomiting, and even seizures. You may have recently read in the press that a group of five school children in Eltham were hospitalised after using vapes which contained the illegal class B drug Spice - a synthetic cannabis variant. One of the five, all of whom were aged fourteen to sixteen, was put into an induced coma. It comes after public health officials in Wales warned of people consuming Spice-laced vapes, saying many thought they instead contained cannabis oils or liquids. The Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances service. (WEDINOS), said their latest showed that of 196 samples of liquids submitted to them in 2023, almost a third contained the class of chemicals to which Spice belongs. The effects of the drug are similar to cannabis but stronger, and has been described as leaving users in a “zombie-like” state. Side effects can include nausea and mood swings. It comes as the Government last month confirmed it would ban disposable vapes amid concern at their take-up by children. Measures will also be introduced to prevent vapes being marketed at children and to target under-age sales. Comments to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Ukraine's Territorial Defence Forces recently made the following announcement:- "At the beginning of 2022, more than 30,000 Maxim machine guns were retrieved from storage – and the vintage water-cooled weapon proved to be highly efficient on the cutting edge of air defense against the "Shakhed" drones due to its ability to fire for several minutes in a row." I was aware that Ukraine had reactivated a number of Maxim and Vickers machine guns, but I had no idea they had so many. As I have written in the past, Erith and Crayford were the home of Vickers Limited, who had factories in both locations which made a whole range of armaments and ammunition, principally the Vickers Machine Gun – which was an easier to produce, lighter and cheaper version of the original Maxim Gun, invented by Sir Hiram Maxim. The Maxim factory was in Fraser Road Erith - now the home of BATT Cables. The Vickers machine gun or Vickers gun is a name primarily used to refer to the water-cooled .303 British (7.7 mm) machine gun produced by Vickers Limited, originally for the British Army. The machine gun typically required a six to eight-man team to operate: one fired, one fed the ammunition, the rest helped to carry the weapon, its ammunition and spare parts. It was in service from before the First World War until the 1960s, with air-cooled versions of it on many Allied World War I fighter aircraft. The weapon had a reputation for great solidity and reliability. Ian V. Hogg, in Weapons and War Machines, describes an action that took place in August 1916, during which the British 100th Company of the Machine Gun Corps fired their ten Vickers guns continuously for twelve hours. Using 100 barrels, they fired a million rounds without a failure. "It was this absolute fool proof reliability which endeared the Vickers to every British soldier who ever fired one.” The Vickers machine gun was based on the successful Maxim gun of the late 19th century. After purchasing the Maxim company outright in 1896, Vickers took the design of the Maxim gun and improved it, reducing its weight by lightening and simplifying the action and substituting components made with high strength alloys. A muzzle booster was also added. The British Army formally adopted the Vickers gun as its standard machine gun on 26 November 1912, using it alongside their existing Maxims. There were still great shortages when the First World War began, and the British Expeditionary Force was still equipped with Maxims when sent to France in 1914. Vickers was, in fact, threatened with prosecution for war profiteering, due to the exorbitant price it was demanding for each gun. As a result, the price was slashed. As the war progressed, and numbers increased, it became the British Army's primary machine gun, and served on all fronts during the conflict. When the Lewis Gun was adopted as a light machine gun and issued to infantry units, the Vickers guns were redefined as heavy machine guns, withdrawn from infantry units, and grouped in the hands of the new Machine Gun Corps (when heavier 0.5 in/12.7 mm calibre machine guns appeared, the tripod-mounted, rifle-calibre machine guns like the Vickers became medium machine guns). After the First World War, the Machine Gun Corps (MGC) was disbanded and the Vickers returned to infantry units. Before the Second World War, there were plans to replace the Vickers gun.  However, the Vickers remained in service with the British Army until 30 March 1968. Hundreds of thousands of these guns were manufactured in Erith and Crayford over several decades, and during both World Wars, this meant that the towns were legitimate wartime bombing targets. During both World Wars, the area economically benefited – for example in 1914, the number of trams run in Crayford and Erith was increased to transport the large number of munitions workers many of whom worked for Vickers making ammunition for use on the Western Front. With most of the young men volunteering for military service (conscription was yet to begin) many women entered paid employment for the first time, something that directly led to the start of female emancipation with the Representation of the People Act 1918. Now both the Maxim machine gun and its simpler and cheaper version the Vickers gun are back in active service in Ukraine, well over a century after they were originally manufactured. Thanks to regular reader and occasional contributor Shane for the photo above, and for bringing the update to the story to my attention. 

Recently an item once found in many living rooms and kitchens has started to come back into fashion. Nowadays sparkling water can be found from many sources - mainly bottled, but also available from specialised kitchen taps. The original source of fizzy water was the soda syphon - an item mainly popular from the mid 1930's to the mid 1960's, although it is reputed to be making something of a comeback. Whilst several companies produced soda syphons over the years, the world leading range was produced by a company called Aerators Ltd, who were founded in 1896, using the trading name of Sparklets, and who were based in Crayford. The early 20th century saw the soda syphon take centre stage. Sparklets, with its iconic wire-mesh encased glass models, offered a stylish and practical way to carbonate water at home. Sparklets' success hinged on two key innovations: Sparklet bulbs: These small, CO2-filled cartridges were screwed into the syphon, releasing gas to carbonate plain water. They were safe, convenient, and refillable, unlike earlier methods. Stylish design: Sparklets syphons weren't just functional; they were works of art. From elegant Art Deco Streamline models to the sleek, futuristic Globemaster, they graced kitchen counter tops and bar carts alike. The 1920s and 30s were the golden age of the soda syphon, with Sparklets dominating the market. They offered a variety of flavours and syrups, allowing people to create their own custom drinks. However, the rise of mass-produced, bottled fizzy drinks after World War II began to chip away at the syphon's popularity. Sparklets continued to innovate, introducing the larger-capacity Globemaster in the 1950s and expanding its reach with international partnerships. At its peak, the company boasted a global presence and a diverse product line, from syphons to cream whippers. The rise of disposable fizzy drink bottles and changes in consumer preferences posed a challenge in the late 20th century. While production continued, the iconic glass syphons eventually gave way to metal models. In the 1980s, ownership changed hands, marking the end of an era for Sparklets. Comments and feedback to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

On a similar theme, regular reader and occasional contributor Miles has been in contact with me regarding something I have covered in the past, but now has an additional twist. I am keen that people are encouraged to recycle as much as possible; but sometimes certain individuals need some motivation to do this. Miles has drawn my attention to a new scheme in the Republic of Ireland. On February 1st, 2024, Ireland took a significant step towards a cleaner future with the launch of "Re-Turn," a nationwide deposit return scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans. This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize the country's recycling habits, tackle litter problems, and contribute to a more circular economy. When purchasing a beverage in a plastic bottle or aluminium can with the Re-Turn logo, consumers pay a small deposit: 15 Euro cents for containers under 500ml and 25 Euro cents for larger ones. Upon finishing their drink, they can return the empty and undamaged container to any participating retailer, regardless of where it was bought. Two return options are available. Reverse vending machines (RVMs) - These automated machines accept containers, verify their eligibility, and issue vouchers redeemable for cash or in-store purchases. Manual returns - Consumers can hand over their containers at designated points in participating shops and supermarkets, receiving cash refunds directly. Public support in Ireland for Re-Turn is high, with surveys showing over 80% of consumers in favour of the initiative. The initial weeks have seen a positive response, with many people embracing the new system and returning their containers diligently. While the scheme is still in its early stages, initial impressions are positive. Public feedback highlights convenience and ease of use as key strengths, while environmental benefits remain a strong motivator for participation. If a relatively small European country like the Republic of Ireland can successfully organise a bottle and can deposit return scheme, I cannot see any reason why the same cannot be said of the UK. What do you think? You can email me with your comments and suggestions to hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Recently there has been a great deal of press coverage of the new Apple Vision Pro 3D virtual reality headset, even though it has not yet gone on sale in the UK. Personally I have doubts if it will ever get released outside of the USA, for a number of reasons. Firstly the price - in the USA the headsets retail for a huge $3,499, secondly at present there is no "killer application" for the Apple Vision Pro; thirdly many early adopters have found that after a few minutes wearing the virtual reality headset they experience disorientation, headaches and nausea. In the USA, pre-orders for the Apple Vision Pro began on January 19th and the machines went on sale to all-comers from February 2nd. Apple has reportedly sold around 200,000 of the virtual-reality headsets. The Apple Vision Pro comes with a 14 day "no questions asked" return period, and it would appear that many of the early adopters are taking advantage of this and returning the product to Apple. One user reported online:- "It's heavy… wearing it on your head, no matter which of the two straps you wear, it really is heavy". Another user wrote:- "This week I bought an Apple Vision Pro, but sadly have to return it. It gave me a bad headache and motion sickness". Another added: 'It's hard on your eyes… if you ever wore glasses for the first time or contact lenses for the first time, you know what I am talking about. That's the same feeling with the Vision Pro.' Parker Ortolani, product manager at The Verge website, who first reported the issue, also returned his device, claiming the 'physical trade offs are just not worth it.' Another initially enthusiastic user changed their opinion and wrote:- "It's a very expensive toy". From my research I have come to the opinion that Apple have released the Vision Pro too early, and that unusually for them, the product is not fully developed. What they have put  on sale would appear to be a prototype that needs substantial further work before actually going into production. I suspect that this has happened because Apple were concerned that a rival company such as Samsung might beat them to the market with their own product, and Apple did not want others stealing their thunder. I think it is quite likely the bungled launch of the headset will actually damage Apple's reputation for innovation. 

Bexleyheath is home to Britain's oldest branch of Wimpy. The restaurant is located in Bexleyheath Broadway and first opened in 1964, meaning that it has been in operation for 60 years. It has been owned and run by the same family since 1967. It was the first franchise restaurant to open in the UK, paving the way for countless others to follow. The Wimpy chain itself faced difficulties in recent years, with many branches closing down. The end video this week is from a YouTube channel called Gary Eats, Gary visits the Bexleyheath Wimpy and gives an in depth review of the restaurant. Comments and feedback to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.