Crayford.

Erith has been doing a respectable impression of the French Riviera over the last week or so; as you can see from the two photos above - click on either to see a larger version. The photos above show a commercial vessel making its way upriver, past Erith Pier, and the Pier Square Gardens in the foreground. The ship in question is the M.V Wilhelmine - a roll on - roll - off commercial cargo ferry that regularly travels between Vlissingen in the Netherlands and Dagenham in the UK.

I received a press release in the middle of last week from local MP Abena Oppong - Asare. The press release reads:- "Speaking in a debate in Parliament today, Erith and Thamesmead MP Abena Oppong-Asare, praised the support provided by hospices and highlighted the work of Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice. In the debate, Ms Oppong-Asare said: “I have seen first-hand how hospices play a vital role in communities and are going over and beyond and are truly heroic. I’ve seen how Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice in my constituency, where I’m a patron, provides compassionate end of life care. I wanted to ask the Shadow Minister if she agrees with me that it is vital that the Government recognises the issues that hospices have faced, particularly during the pandemic and also during the cost of living crisis.” Abena Oppong-Asare MP said: “I was proud to speak today in Parliament about the high quality, compassionate support provided by hospices up and down the country. In particular, I wanted to shine a light on the work of Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice which plays a pivotal role in end of life care in Erith and Thamesmead.” You can read more about Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice by clicking here.

Whilst researching the article on the prototype electric Caterham Seven sports car for the article I published last week, I came across a story of another once well known, but now quite obscure automotive company that also had its' beginnings in Crayford. Crayford Engineering, also known as Crayford Coach Builders, was a British company that became well-known for its car conversions and modifications. The company was founded in 1962 by David McMullan and Jeffrey Smith in Crayford. They had started work together in 1959. David McMullan (sales manager) and Jeff Smith (R & D) were working together at Lambretta-Trojan in Croydon. They worked on various Lambretta projects together, and then even more closely together under the supervision of the Group Chief Engineer, Ian Williams, on Kart racing projects. They worked by day at Lambretta, and in the evening worked in a garage owned by a brother in law at Throwley House, Strood. David had a flat at Bexleyheath. The flat telephone was on the Crayford exchange, and answering the phone with the word 'Crayford', the name soon stuck and so Crayford became the name of their unborn Company. Crayford initially started as an engineering firm specialising in various automotive projects. However, it gained recognition and popularity for its convertible car conversions. The company became While still working at Lambretta in Croydon, Jeff and David formed a lifelong working and personal partnership. They also shared a dream to produce a car of their own making. At that time the revolutionary Mini was still new so they sketched out the idea of producing the world's first convertible Mini. Unable to afford a brand new car, they started work on a 1959-registered car, AFO 887, supplied by Jeff Smith’s brother-in-law Tony Brookes who owned Central Garage in Brecon, Wales. for its ability to transform regular production cars into stylish and open-top vehicles.  One of Crayford's earliest and most notable projects was the conversion of the Ford Cortina Mk1 into a convertible model. This modification attracted attention and garnered positive reviews, leading to increased demand for Crayford's services. The success of the Ford Cortina conversion allowed the company to expand its operations and take on more projects. In 1969, Crayford launch the Capri convertible, called the Caprice, based on the then all new Capri Mk.1, ‘the car you always promised yourself’. Crayford sell over 35 units and have some direct competition as Abbott's of Farnham make and sell 9 convertible Capri cars and Carbodies built 2 Capris with power hoods for Ford to evaluate, then dump the cars as unprofitable to build in volume. The Crayford BMC 1300 Cabriolet is launched for Kent BMC dealers Caffyn's who had a branch at Westerham, next to the Crayford Factory. A Complex re-design of a hatchback into a convertible, it cost from £1,519 and only 12 were sold. The "Exterminator" a 4.7 Litre V8 Capri Saloon Q-car is shown at the Earls Court Motor Show. Orders for 30 cars, for one delivery to Spain are taken, Spain also import many V6 engined Mk.2 Cortina saloons. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Crayford worked on a wide range of car conversions, including models from various manufacturers such as Ford, Vauxhall, and Triumph. They offered both soft-top and hard-top conversions, depending on the customer's preference. Crayford's conversions were known for their high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, often resembling factory-built convertible models. In addition to convertible conversions, Crayford also undertook other modifications such as estate car conversions, where they transformed regular sedans into practical and stylish station wagons. They also offered luxury interior upgrades, custom bodywork modifications, and performance enhancements for select vehicles. Crayford's reputation grew further when they began collaborating with major automobile manufacturers. One of the notable partnerships was with Mercedes-Benz in the late 1970s. Crayford developed a four-door convertible version of the Mercedes-Benz W123, which became popular among celebrities and affluent individuals. Unfortunately, despite its success and popularity, Crayford faced financial difficulties in the 1980s, leading to the closure of the company in 1986. However, Crayford's legacy continued through enthusiasts and collectors who appreciated the company's unique conversions. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Crayford conversions, with enthusiasts restoring and preserving the original Crayford-modified vehicles. The Crayford Owners Club was established to bring together owners and enthusiasts of these rare and distinctive cars. Overall, Crayford Car Conversions played a significant role in automotive history, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. Their expertise in creating convertible and modified vehicles showcased their innovation and craftsmanship, making them a respected name among car enthusiasts and collectors. Comments and feedback to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

On Tuesday morning I was sitting on a bench on Platform Two at Slade Green Station, waiting for a train to take me into Kent. As I sat, minding my own business, an apparently retired couple who appeared to be in their late sixties came to sit next to me, They were discussing the view opposite the station - which showed the large open park land between Whitehall Lane and Bridge Road. The women asked the man why there was a haze in the sky over the adjacent park land. He responded with - "that's obvious - it is the government and their chemtrails". I had to bite my tongue and walk away from the couple, as I could easily see myself getting into a row with the deluded man and his partner. I have written about the chemtrail conspiracy theory in the past, but I feel it is time to re-explore and update information about the phenomenon. The chemtrail conspiracy theory posits that certain trails left by aeroplanes in the sky, often referred to as "chemtrails," are actually chemical or biological agents deliberately sprayed for undisclosed purposes. This theory suggests that these trails differ from normal contrails (condensation trails), which are formed by the water vapour in aircraft exhaust interacting with the cold air at high altitudes. Proponents of the chemtrail conspiracy theory claim that these alleged chemtrails contain harmful substances such as toxic chemicals, mind-controlling agents, or even pathogens, and assert that they are part of a covert global operation carried out by governments, secret organisations, or other entities. However, it is important to note that the chemtrail conspiracy theory is widely debunked and considered a baseless claim. Multiple scientific studies, including those conducted by government agencies and independent researchers, have consistently demonstrated that the trails observed in the sky are simply contrails formed by aircraft engine exhaust. Contrails are composed of water vapour, similar to the visible breath you might see on a cold day. The exact appearance and persistence of contrails can vary depending on atmospheric conditions, including temperature, humidity, and wind patterns. Contrails can spread and persist for longer periods under specific atmospheric conditions, leading to their characteristic white lines in the sky. The scientific consensus firmly rejects the existence of chemtrails as described by conspiracy theorists. The World Health Organisation (WHO), various government agencies, and reputable scientific organisations have all refuted the claims associated with chemtrails, stating that they are not supported by credible evidence. In conclusion, the chemtrail conspiracy theory is not supported by scientific evidence or credible sources. The trails observed behind aircraft are normal contrails formed by the condensation of water vapour in the exhaust, and there is no scientific basis to support the notion that they are part of a secretive global operation to disperse harmful substances.

The long demolished Britannia pub shown in the photo above - click on it to see a larger view, was located in South Road, opposite Thanet Road on the Erith / Crayford border. The Britannia pub features in the book "The Lost Pubs of Bexley" by local historian Jim Packer. The photo above was taken in 1980, but I gather that the pub was not actually demolished until 1991. 

A report was published last week that stated that the UK's smart meter roll out is years late and less than two thirds complete. UK energy companies are only 57 percent through the roll out of smart meters nearly four years after the government's first deadline for the £13.5 billion project, according to the public spending watchdog. In the report published last week, the National Audit Office (NAO) also found that indicative saving from smart meters equated to £56 annually per household, a little less than £5 each month. Back in 2012, the UK government created a legal obligation on energy suppliers to make sure they completed the roll out of smart meters by the end of 2019. Subsequently, it pushed back the deadline three times, first to the end of 2020, then 2024, and then 2025. As of February 2023, the government launched a consultation on plans to have smart meters installed in 80 percent of homes and 73 percent of small businesses by the end of 2025. In 2019, the government estimated the project would cost around £13.5 billion between 2013 to 2034, in 2011 prices. In that period, the overall benefits might be £19.5 billion, it found. Estimated total savings over 20 years might mean very little to households currently struggling with energy bills. In a statement published online, Gareth Davies, head of the National Audit Office, said:- "The roll out is now at a crucial point – and the department should ensure it has robust information on both the total costs and benefits of smart meters to make decisions from an informed position to maximise value for money. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) must work with suppliers to get the programme on track, for the benefit of millions of consumers and small businesses and government’s wider environmental goals," Installations are approaching the 60 percent coverage that DESNZ estimated in 2019 would be needed for electricity networks to begin securing benefits from smart meters, for example, through better informed decision-making on network reinforcement and outage detection and management. Nonetheless, the National Audit Office found three million, or 9 percent, of meters were not operating in smart mode as they should. Meanwhile, customers were struggling to maintain smart functionality when they moved to a new supplier. As of May 2023, suppliers had not moved around four million first-generation smart meters to the central platform service to ensure they maintain smart capability when customers switch. "In January 2023, [energy watchdog] Ofgem published stakeholder consultation responses which identified concerns that the central platform service was too focused on supporting future services rather than ensuring its reliability. In addition, some stakeholders told us that, at times, they found the service was unreliable and meant they were not able to achieve their expected benefits from the system".

I took the photo above some months ago, when the announcement that The Wrong 'Un - the Wetherspoons pub located in Bexleyheath Broadway was first put up for sale by the giant discount pub chain. After around nine months on the market, the pub has now been sold. From what I gather the Wetherspoons will be closing soon. At present I have no information as to what business will replace the pub - or if indeed it will continue to operate as a pub under a new owner. The building has been a strange location for a public house - internally it has no windows and no natural light, except at the frontage. Nevertheless it seems to be quite popular. One person recently joked to me that the Wetherspoons did offer one vital public service - keeping undesirables away from the excellent nearby Robin Hood & Little John in Lion Road. In reality the two venues attract different customers, and I feel that they do not compete with each other. I understand that the main reasons Wetherspoons have sold the Wrong 'Un is that they already have a pub in Bexleyheath - The Furze Wren, adjacent to the central shopping area, and conveniently across the road from Bexleyheath Police Station. 

The end video this week features a 1966 Ford Consul Convertible by Crayford Engineering. Please ignore the somewhat annoying background music in the short clip. As always, comments and feedback to me at the usual address - hugh.neal@gmail.com.