Breakdown.

I took the photographs above - click on either to see a larger version - on the building site that is Erith Riverside Gardens. I was initially made aware that the refurbishment work to the only place in the entire London Borough of Bexley where you can see and access the River Thames was scheduled for completion by Christmas 2024. We are now only four weeks from Christmas Day, and there is absolutely no way the work is going to be completed by then. The entire project appears to have been beset with delays and problems since its original inception. Several readers have commented to me that little actual work seems to be going on, and for much of the time the site is deserted. On the rare occasion that construction workers are present - as in the photos above - they don't actually seem to be doing much in the way of work. When I visited the site, the workers were mainly standing around drinking bottled water and chatting. Personally I doubt a completion date for the works will be any time before Easter 2025, and this may actually be somewhat optimistic. What do you think? Please email me to the usual address - hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Some time ago I wrote about the introduction of E10 petrol, and the potential changes that it might make to motorists; it would seem that many of those changes have indeed already happened - including one issue that I felt was going to have negative effects on many motorists. E10 petrol contains a higher percentage of renewable fuel - bio ethanol - meaning that it is better for the environment due to the lower levels of carbon emissions that bio ethanol fuel additives generate. Despite it being greener than existing petrol, it' is not working for every road user with a number of people reporting issues. One of the main problems with E10 petrols is its lower energy density than conventional unleaded petrol - the bio ethanol additive. In practical terms, modern vehicles' engine management systems will automatically adjust the fuel / air mixture and advance or retard the ignition timing to keep the power output level that same as before - at the expense of increased fuel consumption. The Department for Transport's Introducing E10 petrol study confirmed drivers would experience lower fuel economy under the new E10 grade. They confirmed fuel economy may drop by up to two percent using the new compound, but they said this was ultimately down to the “driving style” of motorists. The revelation came after concerns were raised by a quarter of private individuals in relation to fuel economy in the consultation. Drivers questioned about the changes warned this could “mitigate emissions benefits” and could have a “cost impact”. The DfT said: “We have considered the impact on fuel economy and decreasing MPG, which is due to the lower energy density of ethanol compared with fossil petrol, when developing our proposals". According to the RAC, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) claims the energy content of ethanol is around 33 percent lower than Unleaded. This means vehicle fuel economy may reduce by around three percent when using the new fuel. A number of drivers have reported suffering from fuel efficiency problems when using the new fuel.

The photo above - click on it to see a larger version - shows the modern Premier convenience store located on the corner of Manor Road and Appold Street in Erith. The store originally was a local pub called the Royal Alfred. Some years ago the pub was converted and extended into the current store with luxury apartments added above. The site has a lot of local history, which I will now explain. The following historical article was originally published back in 1925 in the Kentish Times - it was written by "Tumbler" Bell, the pioneering sportsman and union activist of late Victorian times who became a chronicler of old Erith in the pages of the then local newspaper. He wrote:- "Prior to the establishment of Messrs Easton and Anderson’s Engineering Works on the river bank at the bottom of what is now known as Manor-road, Erith, what was known as the Round House stood on the site.  A short distance away was Anchor Bay Farm, occupied by old Mr and Mrs Harry Graham, who saw the rise, decline and passing of both the engineering works and Messrs J R White and Co’s brickfields. They lived to a ripe old age, deservedly respected by all who knew them. To provide housing accommodation for the workmen, the houses in Appold-street, Wheatley-terrace, James Watt-place, and Rumford-place were built, and owned by the proprietors of the engineering works.  Houses were also built on one side of Manor-road, including the Royal Alfred public-house.  After sundown the locality was very dark, the exception being the well-lighted Royal Alfred, consequently the spot for congregation was the “New Light”, and by that name the house was generally known. The youths of the neighbourhood used to meet outside this house to discuss Rugby football, quoits, running, etc. There were English, Irish, Scotch, and Welsh lads.  Many could play fifes, whistles, etc.  A fife and drum band was formed; practice was allowed in the “Shant” (a long, narrow wood building, in which Easton and Anderson’s workmen took meals).  When proficient, the band paraded the streets, and a good show it made. All went well till the day it was discovered that the side drummer’s mother had converted the drum into a cinder sieve. The band broke up as a consequence. The “New Light” was used by workmen from both the works and the brick fields.  Lively arguments took place as to who could run the faster, which usually ended with the men taking off coats, waistcoats, and boots, toeing a line in the centre of the road, and racing each other along the road, round the houses, or round the backs in the brickfield.  That soon started the running craze, and young brick makers and foundry workers were soon finding quiet spots for practising to prepare for racing each other at a given distance. When talking to admirers or critics some of the runners boasted of remarkable running feats done.  One evening one of them visited the “New Light”.  After drinking a quantity of liquor, he began to boast, and got so speedy that those present deliberately doubted his statements. “How far is it from the ‘Light’, up Manor-road, to Beadle’s Bridge, round Crescent-road, to the bridge at Whittingham’s shop, and back to the ‘Light’, and how long would it take you to do it?”  He told them.  Challenged, he took off coat, waistcoat, and boots, and toed the line in the road. Watch in hand, the time-keeper and starter got him off, and immediately stopped the watch.  All went back into the “pub”, to wait.  After a time the runner stumbled into the bar, panting heavily. The judge showed him the watch, and said, “You’ve done it in no time.”  “If I hadn’t fallen down twice, I’d have done it much quicker,” said the runner. Amusements would be arranged to take place on the same day as major events.  A farmer’s four-wheeled waggon was stood opposite the “pub”, to be used as a platform for singing contests, bobbing for apples, eating treacled rolls, etc.  A well-greased pole with a leg of mutton tied at the top was erected for a climbing competition.  Running races and other items took place.  On these occasions Don Andrews (a local comic singer) would climb into the lamp frame at the top of the lamp standard nearby, and recite the words of a ditty, and finish each verse with “Sing, brethren, sing,” and the assembled crowd would join “Don” and sing wholeheartedly." Comments to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

It would appear that the seemingly inexorable advance of Artificial Intelligence - AI may be slowing. Those using personal computers with built-in AI services are less productive than those using traditional PCs, according to a study conducted by computer chip maker Intel. The survey found that people lose on average 15 hours a week on what the firm characterises as "digital chores." Some of these mundane tasks – a set of activities that includes tasks such as writing emails, transcribing meetings, managing files, and so on – can be delegated to generative AI, Intel argues, thereby saving perhaps four of those 15 squandered hours per week. The Intel sponsored study explains: "Many AI users spend a long time identifying how best to communicate with AI tools to get the desired answers or response. Organisations providing AI-assisted products must offer greater education in order to truly showcase the potential of 'everyday AI'." Intel and its partners clearly have a lot of promotional work to do to convince the public that they can benefit from AI PCs. According to the study, 86 percent of consumers have never heard of or used an AI PC. Lack of familiarity with AI PCs leads to what the study describes as "misconceptions," which include the following: 44 percent of respondents believe AI PCs are a gimmick or futuristic; 53 percent believe AI PCs are only for creative or technical professionals; 86 percent are concerned about the privacy and security of their data when using an AI PC; and 17 percent believe AI PCs are not secure or regulated. Getting the word out about the wonders of AI appears to have some impact on AI PC appeal. Just 32 percent of respondents unfamiliar with AI PCs said they'd consider purchasing one for their next upgrade, whereas among those who have already used an AI PC, that figure rises to 64 percent.

I took the three photographs above last Friday. They show a 99 bus which broke down in Slade Green Road in Slade Green. I was travelling on the bus when I noticed a very strong smell of burning. The driver had also noticed the smell, and pulled the bus over at the next stop at the Erith end of Slade Green Road, close to the roundabout. The driver then ordered all of the passengers to evacuate the bus whist he investigated the source of the burning smell. He checked the engine compartment as you can see in the photos above - click on any one to see a larger view. He was unable to identify what the cause of the problem was, and subsequently took the bus out of service. Fortunately we only had to wait a few minutes for the next 99 but to turn up and for the stranded passengers to get on board. I have heard from a couple of reliable sources that bus company Arriva are running their existing bus stock "into the ground" as they now have little to nothing to lose, as they have now lost the right to operate a number of local bus routes in the local area to a rival company. Some time ago I reported that I overheard a conversation between two bus drivers that seemed to indicate that the current bus operating company - Arriva - has recently reduced the frequency of mechanical servicing on its buses from once every week to once a month in an effort to reduce operating costs. It would seem that this seems to be a false economy, as the frequency of bus breakdowns appears to have substantially increased, as I have personally witnessed on a number of occasions. I would not be surprised if the cost of recovering a broken down bus and subsequently repairing it far exceeds the bill for a weekly mechanical service. Comments and feedback to me at the usual address - hugh.neal@gmail.com.

The owners of Crayford Greyhound Stadium have revealed they are pulling out of the site stating it is no longer financially viable to run the venue, as support and attendance continue to fall. They made the following statement:- “We are saddened to announce the intended closure of the Crayford greyhound track. We have been exploring various avenues to avoid this decision for some time, but ultimately, it is no longer viable for us to continue operating the site. The dwindling support for the venue has led to insufficient trainer interest to fulfill our schedules, fewer competitive race days, and, therefore, lower attendance which has sadly driven our decision to close. Ladbrokes have a long history in greyhound racing, helping to build and open the Crayford venue in 1986 so the decision has not been taken lightly. Impacted colleagues have been informed of our intention to close the track and we will shortly commence individual consultations with colleagues to discuss the support/options available to them. We will also continue to support all trainers impacted by the disruption and hope that many of them will continue to race their dogs at other UK greyhound tracks. We remain committed to the highest levels of animal welfare. As such, every affected greyhound will be cared for through an enhanced investment and re-homing strategy. We are looking to expand our infrastructure to re-home dogs, develop new re-homing partnerships in the UK, US & Canada and support trainer and greyhound transition to other tracks in the UK. We will continue to fulfill the current fixture schedule at our remaining tracks at Romford, Hove & Monmore."

The end video this week is a short history of Thamesmead by YouTuber Jago Hazzard, and is well worth a watch. Comments and feedback to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.