Rod.

Over the last week there have been press reports that a disabled woman with an assistance dog was prevented from entering Asda in Bexleyheath by a security guard. Elanor Maxey was told she could not bring her dog, named Genie, into the Asda, Bexleyheath Broadway supermarket during an argument with a security guard who asked to see ID or a dog licence. The lady, named Elanor Maxey later wrote on social media:- "Today Genie and I have now been officially banned from every Asda in Britain simply because I didn't present her "Service ID" (something that doesn't exist). I also was asked for my dog licence... something that hasn't ever existed within my lifetime. They also claim I was rude (it's all video recorded as evidence) and breached the Data Protection Act by recording staff. I am just so thankful there were some brave people who tried to advocate for me and while the store ignored them it's wonderful to know there are kind people who will speak up when they see human rights being violated". The Equality Act 2010 is a UK law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination and requires reasonable adjustments to be made for them. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on a person's ability to do normal daily activities. Disability is one of the protected characteristics in the act, which means that discrimination on the basis of disability is unlawful. The act requires employers, colleges, venues, and service providers to make reasonable adjustments to make things accessible for disabled people. For example, this could include providing ramps, designated parking spaces, adapted toilets, or lifts. It is unlawful for a service provider to treat someone badly because they have complained about discrimination or harassment under the act. The UK has agreed to the UN Convention on disability rights to protect and promote the rights of disabled people. After the story about the way a member of Bexleyheath Asda security staff had treated Elanor Maxey reached the press, the Asda public relations team were quick to react in order to limit damage to the companies reputation. They issued a press release which stated:- "This falls short of the welcoming culture we strive for at Asda. We are clear that assistance dogs are welcome in all of our stores and we will be reminding our colleagues of this policy as a matter of urgency". Despite the Equality Act 2010, there has been a disturbing number of cases where assistance dogs have been prevented from entering establishments over the years. Coincidentally similar issue happened recently at a Bavarian style bar and restaurant called Albert Schloss in Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End of London. A disabled person with an assistance dog was told by Albert Schloss staff that they could only be admitted to the upstairs part of the bar, and not the beer cellar in the basement. The disabled person went on to say that refusing service downstairs is still refusing service. They said: “It’s not an equal experience. You’re discriminating because you’re not providing an equal level of experience. That’s indirect discrimination under the Equality Act.” This discrimination, often stemming from ignorance, poor training or misunderstanding, causes not only inconvenience but also significant distress and humiliation for those affected. The Equality Act 2010 explicitly states that service providers, including supermarkets, cannot discriminate against individuals with disabilities. This includes refusing access to those accompanied by assistance dogs. These highly trained animals provide vital support to their handlers, enabling them to navigate daily life with greater independence and confidence. The question has to be asked, why do certain venues not permit assistance dogs? The reasons are multiple, and can include, but not be limited to:- Lack of Awareness: Some staff members may be genuinely unaware of the legal rights of assistance dog handlers. Misconceptions about Hygiene: Concerns about hygiene are often cited, despite assistance dogs being meticulously trained and adhering to strict cleanliness standards. "No Pets" Policies: Blanket "no pets" policies can be misinterpreted and inappropriately applied to assistance dogs. Fear of Dogs: Personal fear or prejudice against dogs can unfortunately lead to discriminatory actions. Being denied access with an assistance dog can have a profound impact:- Loss of Independence: It restricts the ability of individuals to carry out everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping. Emotional Distress: It can lead to feelings of humiliation, anxiety, and isolation. Reinforcement of Stigma: It perpetuates the discrimination and social exclusion faced by people with disabilities. 

With Halloween approaching in the next few days, I thought it appropriate to recount a completely true spooky story that I have published in the past. It has been some time since I did so, and in the meantime I have picked up a fair few new readers who will probably not have heard the story, so here goes. The photos above were taken by me in the summer of 1992. It shows the Radio Caroline ship, the Ross Revenge, moored in the old Dover Eastern Commercial Dock - click on either photo for a larger view. The ship had broken its' anchor chain during a heavy storm some months earlier and had drifted onto the Goodwin Sands, from where she was only the second ship in history to be successfully salvaged. She was taken to Dover, where a crew of Caroline staff and a lot of volunteers attempted to restore the ship after being continuously at sea for around nine years. She was cosmetically rough, but basically sound. I was still working for Radio Caroline at the time, and spent much of my time living on board. One gloriously sunny day, a magnificent forty five foot ocean going yacht sailed into the dock and moored, stern in, behind the Ross Revenge (to the right of the upper photo). The yacht was skippered by a young and very good looking chap who introduced himself as Rod. We invited him on board the Ross Revenge, and gave him a guided tour of the ship, complete with studios, transmitter room and the mess. Over the next week or so, we saw a lot of Rod; he had just sailed up from the Falkland Islands, where he had been chartering for a group from the National Geographic, making a documentary on the penguin population of the islands - he showed us some photos from the expedition, and they were very impressive. Opposite the dock was a local pub, called The Dover Castle which was used by the sailors and dock workers. The Caroline crew were regulars - the landlord was a big fan, and would invariably put "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond on the Karaoke, then sing the track - unfortunately he could not hold a tune in a bucket, and the end result was painful. The upside was we got lots of free drinks, and there were lock - ins several times a week. I recall several occasions when we returned to the ship as the sun rose over the ships' antenna masts, and on one particularly memorable occasion having the rather overly refreshed station manager in a wheelbarrow to get him back on board and into his bunk. Rod joined in with all this with vigour. We found out he was an ex army officer who had inherited a substantial amount of money upon the death of his parents, and he was making a living, travelling the world and hiring out his yacht for all sorts of adventures. This was nothing unusual for Radio Caroline - we tended to attract colourful and larger than life characters, and Rod was just the latest in a long line of individualists. One Sunday evening, we returned from the pub at about 11 pm; Rod had promised to treat us to a traditional Sunday Roast, complete with all of the trimmings - he had spend hours preparing it, and we were all licking our lips in anticipation. We all followed him down the steps into the luxuriously appointed main cabin on his yacht - the vessel was obviously worth a fortune, but it was a seaworthy, working ship, not a rich playboy's toy. True to his word, Rod excelled himself, producing a very large and succulent joint of medium rare roast beef, which he carefully worked on with a large and very sharp carving knife, whilst we helped ourselves to roast potatoes, cabbage, shallots, carrots and home made gravy. The meal was a great success, and a really great shared memory of our time moored in Dover. The next day Rod popped over for a cup of coffee and a chat. He said he had plans to sail down to Gibraltar for a fashion photo shoot - the yacht was to be the backdrop. He asked me and a couple of the other Caroline crew if we would like a working holiday to help him crew the yacht on its' passage. There would be no pay as such, but he would buy each of us a return air flight. Myself and one other crew member seriously considered it, but for various reasons had to regretfully decline. He said "no hard feelings - see you around". The next day his yacht was gone - he had left on the early morning tide. We were all a bit sad to see Rod go - he fitted in well with the Caroline crowd - we were all a bit eccentric and most definitely ploughed our own furrow. I recall a couple of days later, sitting in the Ross Revenge mess room eating my lunch (a cold roast beef, mustard and onion salad sandwich made from the leftovers of Sunday dinner, which Rod had generously given us) and watching the BBC lunchtime news. The headline story was a feature on how the Royal Navy had stopped a British yacht in international waters and arrested the skipper; the video footage showed our very own Rod and his yacht - Rod was being manhandled and handcuffed by some very efficient and burly Royal Marines. The story went on to say the man, whose full name was Roderick Newall, was wanted by the Jersey Police for the murder of his mother and father! It came out in court that he and his brother had killed their parents in order to obtain a very large inheritance - you can read more about the case here. Rod served thirteen years in prison for the double murder. What made it even worse was that there were very strong forensic indicators that the carving knife Rod had used to slice our delicious roast beef joint was the very same weapon used to dismember the corpses of his Mum and Dad. I could not make it up. Comments and feedback to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Things have not been kind to users of Thames Road in Crayford over the last few months. The road has repeatedly been partially closed due to extensive roadworks which has caused traffic jams and severe delays, which cause congestion all around Crayford and Slade Green. There have been several sets of roadworks over the last quarter. These have been due to power cables being sunk under the road surface to link the new waste burning power station in a Lower Belvedere with the National Grid at Dartford. Unfortunately the communications and planning of these roadworks has been exceptionally poor. I know that Bexley Council are not happy with the situation, but the works are statutory and are not controlled by them. The image above shows the notification for the latest set of roadworks and consequent disruption for local people which will take place between the 25th of November and the 8th of December. Unless of course they overrun which has happened in the past. 

There currently is a smaller set of roadworks in the local area, which nevertheless may be quite disruptive to drivers. As you can see in the photo above - click on it to see a larger view - there are roadworks located near the junction of Appold Street and Crescent Road in Erith, which will be in place for the  next ten days or so. Appold Street is one of the turnings off Manor Road - one of the main roads in Erith, and much used by commercial traffic. Crescent Road is a quiet residential street which runs parallel to Manor Road, which is lined with Victorian cottages that overlook Morrison's supermarket and car park. The works are on behalf of Thames Water and their adjacent pumping station; pipework to the pumping station is to be replaced, and an access manhole installed in Crescent Road. When Manor Road is busy - usually when there is disruption to the Dartford River Crossing, or as now when there are on / off roadworks in Thames Road, some drivers use the Appold Street / Crescent Road route as a cut through to try and jump the Manor Road traffic queues. Drivers who try this in the next couple of weeks will be in for a bit of a surprise. Comments to me at the usual address - hugh.neal@gmail.com.

The advert above dates back to 1901, so the "20th Century Cycle co." would have been an extremely futuristic brand at the time. I think it strange that it does not give an address for callers though. An eye catching design, nevertheless.

The end video this week is a documentary on Woolwich from back in 1964. It is a really good historical document showing what Woolwich and its' people were like sixty years ago, and it makes for fascinating viewing. Comments to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.