DLR?

The photo above - click on it to see a larger version, shows Lower Belvedere on the River Thames, and a number of ships, including a freighter moored at ADM Oils, which was offloading a cargo of oilseed rape seed for processing into vegetable oil and soft spread. ADM Oils is the largest producer of edible oils and vegetable fats in Europe, and one of the largest in the World.  The ADM Oils facility is located at the end of Church Manor Way. If you have bought a supermarket ready meal in the UK, the oil used to cook it will have come from ADM Oils in Lower Belvedere. It is also one of the largest local employers, with around 1,200 workers, many of whom live in the local area. The company originally started up in 1908, when it was known as Erith Oil Works – the business then was similar to now; they crush and process all kinds of seeds, to extract their natural oils, which are used in foodstuffs, cooking oils and animal feeds. The seeds, then as now are brought upriver in large bulk freighter ships. The distinctive huge concrete silos that are still present on the ADM Oil site were constructed in 1916, where they are some of the earliest surviving examples of reinforced concrete construction in the UK. They were constructed by Danish structural engineering company Christiani and Nielsen, who invented reinforced concrete construction techniques. ADM Oils have in the past been guilty of causing the terrible smells that we have experienced in the local area. The reason for this was that the filters on the oil seed boiler chimneys used to not be changed as often as they were supposed to be. Lately ADM's plant engineers seem to have been a lot more conscientious in this respect, and the sickly and pervasive smell has now been largely absent, thankfully.

I have written in the past about my concerns in respect of one particular bus driver on the 99 route between Bexleyheath and Woolwich. I have in the past been a passenger on a 99 bus when the driver failed to stop at a compulsory stop, even though passengers had additionally rung the bell. When I questioned the driver he looked at me vacantly and appeared to "not be with it". Reports have been published of a serious incident in Bexleyheath yesterday involving a 99 bus hitting and seriously injuring a 9 year old girl and her 5 year old brother in Watling Street, Bexleyheath - which is not part of the 99 route, but I assume that the bus was going to or from its depot. I have no way of knowing if this serious incident involved the driver I encountered. You can read more about the case here. Additionally the BBC News covered the story here.

Transport for London has rejected calls to extend the Elizabeth Line or London Overground but will press ahead with plans to take the DLR to Thamesmead. TfL announced on Friday that, after positive feedback from a consultation, it would now progress to developing the business case for connecting Thamesmead to the Docklands Light Railway, probably via a new tunnel under the River Thames. However it admitted the proposal, which is currently unfunded and could cost up to £1.7bn, “would likely require funding from the private and public sectors” and is unlikely to open for at least a decade. Others, including local MP Abena Oppong-Asare, and Bexley council, called for the DLR not to terminate at Thamesmead but be extended further into the borough, ideally to Belvedere and possibly beyond. Personally I do not see this happening in any way for the foreseeable future. Many in central government and TfL see Thamesmead, Belvedere Erith and Slade Green as being the back end of nowhere, and thus do not give the area any priority for development, despite Abena championing local causes such as this.

I took the photo above, of an industrial sized canister of Nitrous Oxide last week, in Slade Green, outside of the Christian Fellowship Church in Slade Green Road. I am certainly not suggesting the any member of the church had anything to do with the empty and dumped canister. The sale of Nitrous Oxide as a recreational drug was banned as part of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, the legislation aimed to curb the growing popularity of the gas, often referred to as 'laughing gas'. However, anecdotal evidence and limited official data suggest that the ban has had minimal effect on its availability and consumption. Despite the legal restrictions, Nitrous Oxide continues to be readily available through underground channels. The ban has inadvertently driven the trade of Nitrous Oxide underground, creating a lucrative black market. Online platforms and social media have become hot spots for the illicit sale of the substance, making it easily accessible to young people. With the removal of legal channels, prices have risen, potentially increasing profits for criminal gangs involved in the trade. While the sale of Nitrous Oxide for recreational purposes is prohibited, the substance is still legally available for legitimate uses, such as in the food industry and dentistry. This has created a loophole that has proven difficult to close. Suppliers can argue that their product is intended for these purposes, making it challenging for authorities to enforce the ban effectively. Online retailers, often operating from overseas, have filled the void left by legitimate suppliers. tackling the issue has proven challenging for law enforcement agencies. The widespread nature of the problem, coupled with the relatively low priority given to Nitrous Oxide compared to other substances, has hindered effective enforcement. There is a dearth of reliable data on Nitrous Oxide use. While some surveys and studies have been conducted, a comprehensive picture of the extent of the problem remains elusive. This makes it difficult to assess the impact of the ban and to develop targeted interventions. While often perceived as a relatively harmless substance, Nitrous Oxide can pose significant health risks. Prolonged or excessive use can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, nerve damage, and even death. Additionally, the gas has been linked to accidents, including road traffic collisions, due to its impairing effects. Back in September 2021, thanks to the British Compressed Gases Association—the trade association that covers the legitimate use of Nitrous Oxide—the then Home Secretary wrote to the advisory council asking it to review its finding. In her letter, the Home Secretary cited statistics showing that 550,000 16 to 24-year-olds had used Nitrous Oxide in the previous 12 months—that is significant use.

Following my story from last week regarding the new security cabinets protecting the high value alcoholic drinks in Erith Morrisons supermarket, I had a couple of emails during the week from Malcolm of the excellent "Bexley is Bonkers" Blog. Malcolm writes:- "Given your interest in supermarket check outs you may wish to know that Sainsbury’s at Abbey Wood station removed all but five of its traditional tills over 48 hours weekend before last. All the freed space has been given over to self service with ‘half’ of them suitable for trolleys. On Saturday when I was last there maybe nearly half were not working, In fact the original (basket) seIf service checkouts have been mainly out of order for weeks if not a couple of months with consequent queues. I was there briefly most days last week and none of the old fashioned tills were open. Barricaded off. So nothing but self service available ever". Malcolm then went on to expand his observations:-"I have been conducting my own informal census; for many weeks there has been a grave shortage of baskets. Baskets are available at the store entrance on fewer than half the occasions I have visited. My visit this morning confirmed only five regular cash points and once again all closed. Not opened at any time in the past week or so as far as I can see. There is often a very high out of order count in the basket check out area and it was bad again this morning. To avoid a wait I dodged into the trolley self service area and inadvertently put my basket on to the check out shelf. This put the machine out of order because it did not recover from my mistake when I removed my basket. I merely jumped ship to an adjacent check out and made sure I put the basket into the right place. There was only one lady monitoring every check out in the entire store so she had to cover a long distance. Hence no time to take the pile of empty baskets to the store entrance. As I left she came haring along almost the entire width of the store (from the far end of trolley check out area) to attend to someone at the far end of the basket area. As I passed I heard her apologising profusely for keeping someone waiting but with only one attendant for every till in the shop delays are inevitable. All the above circa 9:30 this morning. I have been there on all but two days since 20th July. Taken to just getting a few things and then run!" Malcolm then followed this up with a further message to me on Thursday of last week:- "Another visit today, arrival 12.50 departure 13.00. No baskets available, no traditional check outs available. The only assistant on site was not wearing the usual maroon uniform so not very obvious and in the basket check out area two customers were calling out for help. It can’t be winning them any friends. In fact a neighbour says she is using Lidl more but that is frying pan to fire". What experiences have you had of Sainsbury's at Abbey Wood? Email me at the usual address - hugh.neal@gmail.com.

A historic warship that sank in violent circumstances has been found in the Thames Estuary off Southend. The the warship, called The London was built at Chatham Historic Dockyard in 1654-1656 during a time of great political upheaval after the English Civil War (1642-1648) and the First Anglo-Dutch War (1652-1654). The ship played a pivotal role in British history forming part of a convoy sent in 1660 to collect Charles II from the Netherlands and restore him to the throne. The protected wreck of the London lies in two parts off Southend Pier in Essex after detonating and subsequently sinking in 1665 due to a gunpowder explosion. Recently bronze and iron cannons from the ship have been discovered by divers working for Historic England. The newly discovered cannon on the London wreck is believed to be a Commonwealth medium-sized 8 feet by 6 inches Demi-cannon, cast by George Browne 1656 -1657. It is part of a set made for the London which was placed on the lower gun deck of the ship. This type of cannon is larger than a culverin and smaller than a regular 42 pounder (19kg) cannon. At the time of its sinking, the London was one of only four English naval ships to have a full complement of 76 bronze cannons. Each gun carriage would have been unique because the London’s guns were not standardised and originated from different countries and different periods in naval history. Large cannons were in short supply and were expensive to make, requiring significant amounts of bronze or iron and individual casting. As a result, captured cannons from enemy vessels and from other shipwrecks or decommissioned ships were often used to help equip new warships such as the London. Based on historical documents and modern records, it is estimated that around 41 of the 76 cannons that went down with the warship have been recovered.

In the early 1800's two Scottish engineers, Tom Chalmers and David Ross Fraser, emigrated independently to the USA to further their studies. It was a coincidence that they met, and after working in various manufacturing places, realised that their knowledge and experience warranted them starting their own business. A mining engineering works was then established by them in Chicago in 1847. In 1891, with a well won international reputation, they set up a similar works at Erith in what is now Fraser Road, under the supervision of D.R. Fraser, which became one of the largest employers in the Borough. The land sold to Fraser and Chalmers for the works consisted of an 18 acre site which had been excavated for valuable foundry loam and subsequently part was used as a recreation ground. The machine shop of the factory is said to have been built on the site of several historic cricket matches played from 1884 to 1890 between Erith and Australian teams - On Saturday 20th September 1884 a local team of sixteen played an eleven raised By a Mr. H.H Hyslop - a local businessman, from the Australian touring side of that year. Hyslop's Australian team won. A similar match took place between another scratch Australian team again put together by Mr. Hyslop on the 3rd May 1890. The Erith local team was composed of eighteen local men, pitted against a visitors team which included nine members of the Australian test side. This match resulted in a draw. Hopes for a rematch were dashed when the cricket ground was sold and the Fraser and Chalmers factory was built on the site. Nevertheless, local historians refer to the matches as "when Erith took on the Australians". The principal products produced were initially machinery for mines, including prospecting plants, crushers for rock and ore, and engines for running machinery. Over 90 percent of the Erith products were exported. During the Second Boer War the works had a slack period and the nearby Maxim gun factory made an offer of £300,000 for the Fraser and Chalmers factory, which was rejected. The firm began to recover in 1902 and were receiving success in the home market with the growth of conveyor belt and turbine production. Access to the works was improved in 1906 by the construction of Fraser Road alongside the factory where only a rough track existed before Conditions in the factory were explained in a small book entitled "The Rules and Regulations of Messrs Fraser and Chalmers Ltd, Erith Works, Erith" dated 1900. Every employee was provided with one of the books. It stated that the working week was to consist of 54 hours, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5.45 p.m. and Saturdays 7 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. No-one was allowed to enter the works after 8 a.m. without special instructions. Workmen were not allowed to bring intoxicating liquids onto the premises or to harass their fellow employees. A medical officer had been appointed after several accidents at the works. In the pre World War I period there was a marked expansion of trade and intake of workers. Then, on the outbreak of war, men leaving to join the forces were told that their families would be supported up to 10/- a week (50p in today's currency). The heavy mechanical work carried out at Erith during the 1914-18 War was attracted to the attention of The General Electric Company Ltd. After a period of negotiation the company was acquired by them on 1 April 1918 to complement the GEC works at Witton. The Fraser and Chalmers name was retained. The plant was heavily involved in work for the War Department, and it was also one of the largest employers in the local area; including a large number of women, in what had previously been a male dominated industry. Workers at the factory assembled armoured cars and military tractors which were sent over from the USA in kit form; controversially close to the end of WWI, the Fraser and Chalmers Erith works manufactured hollow shell casings ready to be filled with chemical agents - something that would later become illegal under international law. They also made most of the explosives handling and conveying equipment for The Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. As if this was not enough, the Fraser and Chalmers works was also one of the largest manufacturers of marine engines in Europe. They made triple expansion coal fired steam engines for the use in fishing trawlers, and large scale steam turbine engines used in both British and French naval vessels. They also were one of the very first companies to introduce turbocharging to their smaller petrol and diesel powered motors. Eventually GEC closed the Fraser and Chalmers site, and it was converted into what is now the Europa Industrial Estate in Fraser Road. 

The end video this week is a short tour of the Guru Nanak Sikh temple in Lower Belvedere. Comments and suggestions to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.