Continental.

 

Good news - at least in the short-term. News breaks that the Belvedere Community Centre in Mitchell Close, Lower Belvedere has got a reprieve after it was initially announced it was going to close permanently at the end of February. It has now been announced that it will at least for the next 3 months continue to stay open until a permanent management organisation can be found. For the short-term, the charity Age UK Bexley have announced that they will take on management of the community centre, so that the service it provides for local people will continue to operate. Age UK Bexley has had offices at the centre for four years and has now taken over with the agreement of Bexley Council. In an interview with the News Shopper website, a spokesperson for Age UK Bexley said that they stepped in because they knew how important the centre was for the people that used it. They said: “We decided we would like to keep the centre running as we know how important it is for the local community. Bexley Council has agreed, although at this stage, it is only for three months. Over that period, there will be consultation with the community and other charities before a final decision is made.” Previously, the community centre had been run by The Belvedere Community Forum,which had managed the centre since 1999, but who had recently said that they could no longer operate it. A spokesperson for the forum said: “It is with a heavy heart that we need to tell you that the Belvedere Community Forum is unable to continue running the Belvedere Community Centre and that unless the council or another organisation is found to run the centre, the community centre may have to close on 28 February 2025. If you have a regular room or space hire with us, you will be able to use the centre as normal until 28 February. We remain hopeful another organisation will be able to take on the running of the centre. We are actively seeking another organisation that can take over the management of the community centre to ensure that this vital resource remains available to you and the wider community. However, there is the possibility that this does not happen or there is a time between us ceasing to run the centre and another organisation taking on the responsibility. We deeply appreciate your support and engagement with the Belvedere Community Centre over the years. Your involvement has been invaluable, and we are committed to finding a solution that will allow the community centre to continue serving your needs. Thank you for your understanding and support during this challenging time.” At the time of writing it is unclear why the Belvedere Community Forum have decided that they can no longer administer the community centre - if you have any information regarding this, then please contact me in complete confidence at hugh.neal@gmail.com. Unfortunately even though Age UK Bexley will run the centre in the short term, there is still some doubt as to what organisation will manage the centre in the medium to long-term, or even if there will be someone willing to do so. The centre provides many kinds of activities and support to local residents, and it will be a major blow if it was to close permanently.

Back in June 2013, I was gutted to discover that the oldest continuously run business in Erith had closed due to a lack of customers. Owen’s Iron Monger shop had been in the town since 1905 and had been selling plumbing, electrical and building materials ever since. I had used the shop on several occasions, and it was a real pleasure to shop there – the two guys that ran the place really knew their stuff. Until a couple of years prior to the 2013 closure, Owens could also boast that it was the home to Britain’s largest cat, which used to sit in a cardboard box on the counter, watching the world go by. I recall that on one occasion when I was in the shop to buy some two core electrical wire, a scruffy and shiftless looking character in a hoody came into the shop with what looked like a pit bull on a very flimsy lead. The dog saw the cat and went berserk – barking and snarling and trying to lunge at the counter where the cat was sitting. Rather than running scared, the cat slowly and methodically climbed down from the counter and walked up to the dog, who was still making a fearful din. The cat swiped the dog’s nose with a paw complete with claws – the dog howled, then ran behind the feckless owner and looked terrified. The two chaps behind the counter were somewhat amused to say the least – they knew full well how territorial their pet was, and being as large as a bulldog, the cat had absolutely no fear. I do wonder if the animal was a cross with a Lynx or other wild cat, as it was so very much larger than any other domestic cat I have ever seen. Unfortunately the cat died a while prior to the shop closure, and from talking to the two chaps in the shop at the time, they still got customers coming in asking after it. Unfortunately the shop closed for good not long after. I guess that a combination of the downturn in the economy, and the spread of chain stores like B and Q and Wickes took their core business away. A real pity, as the place had a real charm, and you could still order things in Imperial measures if you so wished (though I did once hear a customer asking for a three metre length of two by four) – which got me intrigued – the owners did not seem to mind, and the wood was soon supplied just as the customer had requested.

The historic photo above (click on it to see a larger version) shows the old Pembroke Road Level Crossing back in 1970, along with a London - bound train which has just passed over the level crossing on its way to Belvedere Station. I can recall walking over this crossing with my Mum when I was very small, and remember looking into the gate operators little hut, to see him drinking tea and eating what looked like a fried egg and bacon sandwich. The level crossing was replaced with a metal footbridge back in the late 70's / early 80's. The road in the background has not changed very much, though the building on the left of the photograph is now a private house. I think back then it was a women's hair dressers, though I am not certain. Can anyone who has better knowledge please let me know? Comment below, or Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Following my article on Belmarsh Prison last week, I had a number of emails from readers outlining their own experiences - one of which I outline here. Please be aware that the message has been edited for security reasons and the author has requested anonymity. "Having worked in Belmarsh for ten years I feel there are some things worth repeating.  I left ten years ago so there may have been some changes.  First and foremost, as a civilian (I worked first in the *Redacted* part time and was then invited also to join the *Redacted* department also) the quality of the staff is of paramount importance. When I started I was unhappy with many of officers for various reasons, but God is good and they got sacked!  But it is not an easy job demanding patience, self discipline, integrity, empathy but insight and constant  awareness of the machinations of some of the inmates. And above all a good sense of humour. The really good ones are greatly undervalued. Security was viciously strict and people were sacked on the spot for seemingly minor infringements. This with no reference or aid in finding a new job. This is because it is a Cat A prison so even the Cat 4 perps, possibly only in for a fortnight, for giving lip to the judge in a traffic offence suffered the same regime. Even so it is notoriously difficult to cover every eventuality and it is a full time job keeping up with the malefactors so the staff must be applauded and vigilant. So too, many of the inmates. For some it is a question of "There but for the grace of God, go I."  A lot are easy to get on with, within the limits we set ourselves.  It was really rewarding to see the pleasure that a hardworking student took when they were successful. Often I found it was the first time anyone had praised them for their efforts. I had two regrets. The reduction in ongoing training for the staff for reasons of economy. Possibly the privately owned jails where costs were kept down by lowering standards may have influenced that. Maybe things have improved now. Also outsourcing provisions such as education and training seemed to me to increase costs while ensuring difficult problems could be shuffled between the prison service and the providing company and never fruitfully resolved.  This is just my opinion". 

One musical instrument with very strong links to the local are seems to have been largely forgotten nowadays. The 1960s. The Vox Continental organ. Its distinctive, transistorised tone became synonymous with the British Invasion, psychedelic rock, and garage bands, leaving an indelible mark on popular music history.  It was originally constructed in the JMI (Jennings Musical Industries) who used the trading name of Vox) factory in West Street, Erith, which is now a housing estate - not their Dartford factory, as is often incorrectly stated. Prior to the 1960s, organs were largely bulky, expensive, and often reliant on vacuum tubes / valves. The advent of transistors offered a game-changing alternative. They were smaller, lighter, more reliable, and consumed less power. This opened the door for more portable and affordable electronic instruments. JMI / Vox, a company already known for its amplifiers, saw the potential. In 1962, they unveiled the Continental, a transistorised organ designed with the gigging musician in mind. Unlike the Hammond organ, which relied on draw bars and a complex mechanical tone wheel system, the Continental featured a simpler design with rocker switches for tone selection. This made it far smaller and lighter, and thus easier to transport, a crucial factor for bands constantly on the road. The Continental's sound was its defining characteristic. It possessed a bright, reedy, and slightly buzzy tone, often described as "farfisa-like" (though the Farfisa organ was a distinct Italian competitor). This unique sonic signature was achieved through a combination of its transistor circuitry and the specific design of its oscillators and filters. The Continental quickly gained traction, particularly within the burgeoning British Invasion scene. Bands like The Animals, The Dave Clark Five, and most famously, The Beatles, embraced the instrument. John Lennon's iconic organ riff on "I Am the Walrus" is a prime example of the Continental's psychedelic potential. The Continental's popularity wasn't confined to the UK. As the British Invasion swept across the Atlantic, American bands also adopted the instrument. The Doors' Ray Manzarek became a legendary figure, his innovative use of the Continental defining the band's dark and atmospheric sound -  partly to cover the band's famous lack of a bass player. Garage bands across the country also embraced its affordability and distinctive tone, contributing to the raw energy of the era. Vox continued to refine the Continental, releasing various models like the Super Continental, which offered additional features and a more complex sound. However, by the late 1960s and early 1970s, the musical landscape began to shift. Synthesisers and other keyboard instruments emerged, offering a wider range of sonic possibilities. The Continental, while still used, began to fade from the forefront.  JMI / Vox eventually sold the production rights of the Continental organ to an Italian company - though Italian models were apparently of rather inferior quality - apparently the organ cases were mainly made of cardboard at this point. Despite its decline in popularity, the Vox Continental never truly disappeared. Its distinctive sound remained a sought-after element, particularly for musicians seeking to recreate the iconic sounds of the 1960s. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in vintage instruments, leading to a renewed appreciation for the Continental. Today, you can find original vintage models commanding high prices, and modern manufacturers have released reissues and emulations, ensuring that the distinctive swirl of the Vox Continental will continue to resonate for generations to come. The Vox Continental legal rights are now owned by Japanese musical instrument manufacturer Korg. 

The end video is a pedestrian walk around Dartford town centre. Please send all comments and feedback to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.