Work continues in Pier Road, Erith, outside of the Farmfoods supermarket. I understand that the work is in the council's language is designed "to improve the public realm". Very expensive mottled grey granite blocks are being used to replace the paving slabs, and the surrounds to the mature trees in the location, I have been told that the stone being used is the same that has been deployed in Erith Riverside Gardens, and also at the Pier Square. It is said that this is to match the colour scheme and aesthetic of these two other nearby locations - the cynic in me does wonder if the council got a job lot of stone, and are using it up. Nevertheless it is good to see the rather unloved area getting spruced up. What do you think? Are you in favour of the works, or do you think the money could be better spent? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
One of the most influential figures in British motorcycle racing - both as a rider, and later as a motorcycle builder came from the local area; here is his story. Colin Seeley was born in Crayford. Leaving school at fourteen, he started riding on his handyman-father Percy's Vincent Rapide when he obtained his licence at sixteen, beginning his working motorcycle career as an apprentice for Harcourt Motorcycles, becoming acquainted with Bernie Ecclestone at his nearby used motorcycle salesroom, followed by Halfords motorists' shop, both in Bexleyheath, and then as a mechanic for a driving school where Seeley also learned to drive a car. Another move was to the Schwieso Brothers bike business in Dartford, where he gained experience working with many different marques, also repairing and maintaining bikes in his spare time working in a wooden shed at his parents' home, using his bedroom to store parts. In 1954, after being rejected for National Service as unfit, Seeley had aspirations to own his own motorcycle business, securing rented premises in the Old Forge, a car garage at Stapley Road in Belvedere. Whilst his father Percy had progressed from Series A Rapide through Series C Shadow to a Black Lightning, Colin was using a Matchless V-twin sidevalve with a large box sidecar to transport motorcycles signwritten with advertising for his business. In 1956 Seeley established his first retail shop in nearby Nuxley Road, Upper Belvedere, where, with his father Percy, they traded as C.J.Seeley (Sales) Ltd., Motorcycle Specialist, keeping the Old Forge site for service and repairs. As agencies were difficult to obtain, Seeley started with sub-agencies (under the main-dealer umbrella) from Zündapp, NSU and Moto Rumi, also selling bicycles, clothing and accessories, later being appointed as main agents for AJS, Ariel, BMW, Francis-Barnett, Greeves and Matchless. Further expansion in 1958 saw a nearby new showroom, again in Nuxley Road, dedicated to selling and fitting sidecars. When Seeley was fourteen he would cycle to the nearest local race track, Brands Hatch, which had then converted from grass track to hard surface, where he was impressed by Vincent Motorcycles employee Ted Davis racing his Vincent sidecar outfit. Seeley entered his first race in 1954 at Brands Hatch, a one-hour endurance event, riding a solo 500 cc BSA Star Twin borrowed from a friend, where he completed 42 laps during the hour. Pressure of work prevented any further competition until 1957 when Seeley entered his first scramble on a part-exchanged Triumph twin, followed by grass track, hill climb and Ramsgate sprint using the same machine. By 1958 Seeley had acquired an AJS agency and purchased an ex-works 500 cc scrambler which he was uneasy with; also holding a Greeves agency, Seeley approached the factory for support and rode scramblers for them in 1958 and 1959. In 1960, Seeley with his friend – mechanic and employee Wally Rawlings – bought their first sidecar outfit, and ex-Eric Oliver machine based on a Manx Norton, entering their first race at Snetterton in April 1960. With only one other entry accepted during 1960 – at Charterhall in Scotland, 400 miles from his base in Kent – Seeley was disillusioned with the race-regulating bodies. In late 1960, as a rider-agent, Seeley managed to convince the AMC factory to sell him a new Matchless G50 solo race bike to be modified and used with a Canterbury racing sidecar, for which Seeley was an agent. After some encouraging results on local tracks, Seeley entered his first Grand Prix event, the Isle of Man TT in 1961, finishing in sixth place. Seeley raced in the British and world championship sidecar competitions between 1961 and 1967. He raced his own-design machines with Matchless G50 500cc engines and for the UK large-capacity class Matchless 650cc G12 CSR followed by Norton 650cc Dominator engines prepared by Paul Dunstall, but for Grands Prix the size limit was 500cc, meaning the only reliable, competitive engine was the BMW RS54 Rennsport. Seeley was one of the first riders to wear coloured racing leathers, using red suits together with passenger Roy Lindsay during the 1967 season, a trend started in 1966 by Derek Minter. During the late 1960s and early 1970s when almost all the major motorcycle manufacturers had pulled out of Grand Prix racing, the Seeley-designed chassis became the race bike of choice for privateer racers of the era. In the 1969 Isle of Man TT, Seeley placed four of his machines in the top ten in the Senior TT race with third, fourth, sixth and seventh-place finishes. His best result as a constructor came in 1970 when Tommy Robb rode one of his machines to a fourth-place finish in the 500cc world championship. Seeley later used other Japanese engines in his chassis, most notably using a Hi-Tac Suzuki T500 engine for Barry Sheene in 1971. Sheene used the bike to win the British national championship and declared it the best-handling motorcycle he had ever ridden. Following on from the Condor roadster, during the mid-1970s Seeley - under the name Colin Seeley International - produced a special, lightweight, single-seat sporting road bike with Honda CB750 750 cc SOHC engine and front forks, featuring his own fuel tank, seat and exhausts. As vintage racing increased in popularity, Seeley's motorcycles experienced a resurgence with a victory at the 1988 Manx Grand Prix. Since then, Seeley machines have won twelve times in vintage class racing at the Manx Grand Prix. His designs proved so successful in competition that he earned a reputation as one of the best motorcycle frame designers in the industry. In the 1970s, Seeley moved to automobile racing when Bernie Ecclestone hired him as joint Managing Director of Motor Racing Developments to work on Brabham racing car production, and in 1986 with the Brabham Formula One team. Today, with the resurgence of classic motorbike racing, Seeley singles remain among the most revered machines, while his substantial, two-volume autobiography, from which all proceeds went to charity, is considered one of the greatest of its type. Colin Seeley died following a long illness in January 2020. He was 84.
Thieves snatched 108,900 electronic devices from people in the capital in 2022, including almost 90,000 mobile phones. That total represents an increase of almost 40% – and means almost 300 were stolen from city residents and visitors every day. As the number of electric bikes and E-scooters on the streets has risen, the number of criminals using them to their advantage has risen too. Freedom of information requests commissioned by insurance company Direct Line found electric bikes were used in 1,397 gadget thefts last year. There were 424 carried out by people riding E-scooters too, meaning the number of thefts carried out by people riding the two vehicles rose by 185% in 2022. The true number is likely to be even higher, as some victims will not report incidents to the police. The statistics, supplied by Scotland Yard and City of London Police, also show the number of thefts involving knives and other weapons has jumped up. In 2021, there were 2,341 such incidents, but that figure rose by 6% to 2,480 last year. Even more people were injured by thieves carrying weapons too, with 180 recorded in the statistics. As I have written previously, E-scooters can only be legally used on UK roads if they are rented as part of a government-backed trial scheme. All privately owned E-scooters are only legal when used on private land with the land owners permission - in all other circumstances they are illegal.
There has been much talk in the press of the future of Artificial Intelligence, or AI. I thought I would give it a quick test - as I have accounts with Google's Bard and also with ChatGPT. I asked ChatGPT the following question - "Tell me about the London Borough of Bexley?" ChatGPT provided me with the following response - please note the use of American spelling, which I have left in its' original form:-"The London Borough of Bexley is a local government district located in southeast London, England. It is one of the 32 boroughs that make up Greater London. Bexley is situated on the eastern boundary of the city, bordering the county of Kent. Bexley covers an area of approximately 60 square kilometers and is home to a diverse population. As of the latest available data, the borough had an estimated population of around 252,000 people. It consists of several towns and neighborhoods, including Bexleyheath, Sidcup, Erith, Welling, Crayford, and Thamesmead. The area now known as Bexley has a rich history dating back to Roman times. It was once a part of the historic county of Kent and became a part of Greater London in 1965 when the local government system was restructured. Despite its proximity to the city, Bexley retains a suburban feel with a mix of residential, commercial, and green areas. Bexley boasts numerous green spaces and parks, providing residents with opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation. Some notable parks include Danson Park, Hall Place Gardens, Lesnes Abbey Woods, and Foots Cray Meadows. These areas offer walking trails, sports facilities, and scenic landscapes. The borough is known for its excellent educational institutions, including primary and secondary schools. Bexley Grammar School and Beths Grammar School are two well-regarded selective schools in the area. Bexley College, located in Erith, offers further education and vocational courses. Transportation in Bexley is well-served by several railway stations, including Bexleyheath, Sidcup, and Welling, which provide convenient connections to central London and other parts of the city. The borough is also accessible via major road links such as the A2 and A20. Bexley offers a range of amenities for residents and visitors alike. There are shopping centers, high streets, and local markets where you can find a variety of goods and services. The borough has a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with theaters, art galleries, and community events taking place throughout the year. In terms of governance, Bexley is led by the Bexley London Borough Council, which is responsible for local services such as housing, planning, education, and social care. The council consists of elected representatives who work to address the needs of the community and make decisions on local matters. Overall, the London Borough of Bexley is a suburban area with a rich history, green spaces, good schools, and convenient transport links. It offers a mix of residential areas, commercial centers, and cultural attractions, making it a desirable place to live and visit in southeast London". What do you think of AI? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
The photo above was sent to me by a reader some time ago. The photo (click on it for a larger version) shows a large freighter ship coming in to moor at Erith Pier. It was apparently taken in around 1968. As I have written in the past, one of the most underused and overlooked assets that Erith has is the pier. Erith Pier is the longest pier on the River Thames. It was originally constructed for commercial use for the unloading of goods from cargo ships that used to moor at the pier. Most of the cargo were large reels of blank newsprint from Scandinavian paper mills for what was then Fleet Street and the newspaper printers. Erith Deep Water Wharf provided many local jobs for years, but as container ports such as Tilbury took over, the wharf became less popular with shipping companies, and it was closed down – it remained empty for a number of years. Back in 1998 work started to convert the former wharf into what is now Morrison’s supermarket and the aforementioned pier, which opened to the public in 1999. Nowadays it is a pleasure pier, and somewhere well worth a visit in the warm weather. In my opinion it is one of the little known gems of the River Thames.
According to the cyber security company DataProt, the ‘Look who died’ scam is currently making the rounds on Facebook. Like other phishing scams, this one uses a sense of urgency to pique the curiosity of unsuspecting users on the social media platform. This phishing scam begins with a Facebook message from one of your friends, with the subject line “Look who died.” It then provides a link to a news article supposedly about someone you know. As you may have guessed, the article is fake, and it takes you to a phishing site. Victims are prompted to enter their Facebook username and password to read the article. While giving up this information freely is an easy way to have your Facebook hacked, the cyber criminals behind this scam could also use it to install malware on your devices. Another thing worth noting about this scam is that once the hackers have one person’s credentials, they then use them to sign in and lock them out of their accounts. With a brand new account in hand, they then forward the message to the victim’s friends, hoping to get even more people to fall for this scam. You have been warned.
Erith and Thamesmead MP, Abena Oppong-Asare has written a letter to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, urging a review of the Scrappage Scheme for the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) London-wide expansion. In a press release sent to me last week, Abena says that she shares the Mayor’s view that we need to tackle the triple threats of air pollution, the climate emergency, and congestion and agrees it is unacceptable that thousands of Londoners die prematurely every year because of toxic air pollution, and it is vital we explore proposals that reduce air pollution and help tackle climate change. The press release goes on to state:-"Erith and Thamesmead constituents, as with Londoners across the capital, are being hit hard by the Conservative cost of living crisis with soaring rents, energy and food bills. In Erith and Thamesmead, 12% of constituents are in fuel poverty and 15% of children aged 0-15 are in absolute poverty.However, I have some concerns about how the current proposals to extend the ULEZ will affect my constituents, many of whom do not have good links to public transport. In particular, I am concerned that lower-income families and small businesses may be unable to upgrade their vehicles to ULEZ-compliant vehicles. My constituency has no Underground stations, no access to the DLR, no trams and no rapid bus services. Many of my constituents therefore have no option but to travel to work or essential appointments by car. In light of these concerns and stories shared by constituents of Erith and Thamesmead, Abena is urging the Mayor’s office to consider potential avenues for accommodating those who are currently excluded from the scrappage scheme. Finding ways to support these individuals and businesses would not only be beneficial for them but would also strengthen the overall impact and success of the ULEZ expansion". Abena Oppong-Asare MP also said: “I welcome the £110m for a new scrappage scheme to support Londoners on lower incomes, disabled Londoners, charities and micro-businesses. However, many of my constituents, including struggling families and businesses, are not covered by the scrappage scheme. I therefore would strongly encourage a review of the scrappage scheme to support small businesses and an assessment of what additional support can be provided to families. Many of my constituents in Erith and Thamesmead strongly support the principle of ULEZ and the need for improving London’s air quality. However, many are also struggling due to the cost of living crisis and are rightfully considering what support might be made available.” I detect a bit of a subtext here. Abena is fully aware of how unpopular the expansion of the ULEZ scheme to the outer London boroughs is with local residents - her constituents. In my opinion she is aiming to distance herself from Sadiq Khan and his traffic policies. From feedback I have had from my readers there is widespread cross party opposition to the ULEZ expansion - something I am certain Abena is fully aware of. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
The end video this week comes from the well known public transport You Tube channel run by Jago Hazzard. It is a celebration of the first anniversary of the opening of the Elizabeth Line. Much of the content of the short video is centred around Abbey Wood Station, and it is well worth a watch.
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