How did I end up at Euston!

I set out to go to Broadway Market in Hackney and ended up at the Angel Islington and Euston. It is a long story but I will keep it short for the evening is warm. The Central Line to Bethnal and a bus and there it was – just as I found it a few years ago.  And the outdoor table tennis stone table was still there – it was the first one I had seen i9n London and now they are everywhere.

Walking through the stalls I sussed out where I might but a piece of cheese and some fresh crusty bread for my supper. The chicken and ham pie looked tempting at £4 a slice. I asked the young lady to cut it up for me – and it crumbled. The man standing by – her father perhaps? – told her to give me another piece but I said I wanted to eat it and I like crumbly pastry. You can have it for two quid, the man said – and they both laughed as I took their photograph. Sitting on a wall in the park to eat, O told a lady who was there with her daughter about the pie. They both laughed too!

There were few strawberries to be seen so I bought two packs of raspberries which will go well with the meringues and fresh cream we are having for Sunday lunch. The man assured me they came from a very good farm and I believed him! The Regents Canal was calm with a slight breeze which made watching the antics at the lock pleasurable – as I did not have to heave the gates open.

I spotted that a bus would take me to the Angel Islington and here I noted that another bus would go to Liverpool Street Station. What I failed to notice, however, was the direction in which the bus I boarded was going – until it struck me that Euston is not Liverpool Street. It was hot! A bus to Holborn and another took me where I wanted to go.

There is something about London Markets that fascinate. My favourite of Borough, but Broadway comes a close second. I heard it said that the square in BBC TV’s EastEnders was based on Broadway Market. Although Broadway is one long street and not a square!

Supper with the Dean and the Lady from the Philippines . . .

Yesterday Jenefer and I went to the St. Paul's Cathedral Friends Festival. It was a gloriously sunny day with a slight breeze which made it enjoyable. As it was something of an occasion I took my jacket (which I carried!) and wore a tie with a shirt sleeved shirt and shoes.

On the way we walked through Paternoster Square where the tennis-lovers sat in deck chairs watching Wimbledon on a giant screen, serenaded by a school choir who stood there in their full uniforms, singing like angels but oh so very warm!

We are not permitted to take photographs inside the Cathedral, but here is one I took last September when photographers were given free reign for an evening. Graham joined me. This is one of my favourite parts of the Cathedral - the steps leading to the pulpit with part of the North Transept where I often have the feeling that Yvonne is up there looking down on me! I usually sit near here at services.

The Friends met on the OBE Chapel for their AGM but I have been to so many AGMs in my long years that I am sad to say that I dozed off somewhat! Sung Evensong was inspirational with full choir and organ. The chorister singing 'O for the wings of a dove' took your breath away with his clarity and tone. This was followed by a recital by the Choristers whose final item was 'The Lord is my shepherd' as per the Vicar of Dibley. Just magic. The choir boys were interviewed, answering questions from the Friends. with humour and lively young voices.

A buffet supper in the Crypt brought the evening to a close. A garrulous lady hailing from the Philippines enthralled Jenefer and me with her quick whit and charismatic approach to life until we were joined by the Dean. What happened was that the Dean arrived late for supper having escorted the Duchess of Gloucester. Casually walking by our table for four, our new found lady friend sent me off to find a chair as she literally captured the Dean who gave in with good grace - for he and I know when we are beaten by charismatic ladies. The Very Reverend Dr David Ison - for it was he - was an interesting supper companion, generous with his time, kindly and a good listener.

Outside we caught the 26 bus to Liverpool Street Station, driving slowly through the City as it prepared to close down for the night, passing Sweetings (the Fish Restaurant where I first tasted Chablis in the 1960s thanks to Willis Faber and Dumas, Lloyds Brokers no less) and the Mansion House (where Yvonne and I attended a Queen's Scout Reception in the 1970s and Lady MacLean took Yvonne on a tour of the building as she had heard Chief Scout Sir Charles MacLean's speech many times before!). On the Central Line we ran into a happy family returning from EuroDisney. I recognised one of the girls as a GCSE student at the examinations I had recently invigilated - but she looked so different with her Mickey Mouse ears. We all laughed! John kindly met us at the station whilst Jenefer insisted on seeing me across the road and into my house, which was kind for I could have tripped and stayed there in the road all night, dreaming of the lady from the Philippines who assured me that she will be inviting me to dinner with a few of her chums in the Temple! Jenefer has said she will accompany me . . .

My garden

I have just walked down my garden. The butterflies are gorging on the buddlea and the honey bees from two gardens away are enjoying the salvia - Africa Sky, bought at Hampton Court Flower Show this time last year (and I have cultivated another three pots with cuttings). How fortunate I am to be able to step into a wilderness of weeds in one part, wildflowers in another and cultivated plants elsewhere. Tomatoes are ripening in the hanging baskets. The garden is hard work and I am not always up to it, so that there are times when I think I should downsize, but if I did I would do miss this oasis. So many front gardens are paved - inducing flood risk. Mine is one of the few around here that are cultivated. Passers-by stop to look at the trailing verbena, the geraniums, the bay trees, the rose that Joan gave me - Loving Memory it is called - in memory of Yvonne. 

I am so very fortunate and for that I give thanks.

The farce that is Redbridge Council!

I have circulated the following today and though my BLOG readers might like to have a chuckle!

Aldborough Hatch Defence Association

To: Members of the Association and interested residents

On Thursday 29^th June 2017, the planning Committee of the London Borough of Redbridge approved by six votes to five Planning Application 2089/16 to extract sand and gravel from Areas E and F – Aldborough Hatch Farm (land bordering Aldborough Road North, St. Peter’s Church and Close, Oaks Lane, the Central Line and Fairlop Waters) and Hainault Farm.

The workings will come within 100 metres of the 155-year-old highly fragile Grade II Listed St. Peter’s Church and Aldborough Hatch Chapel, and closer to residential homes in Oaks Lane, St. Peter’s Close, and Aldborough Road North, including the farmhouse and cottages at Hainault Farm. There can be little doubt that the water table will change yet again, threatening structures in the area.

Some 50 or so members and residents attended the Committee. Those unable to gain entry to the public gallery in Ilford Town Hall were placed in a room elsewhere in the Town Hall with totally inadequate facilities to relay the debate in the Council Chamber. Those in the public gallery were little better off for the acoustics were such that the mumbled presentation and answers to questions by Council Officers were often totally inaudible. Questions from Councillors fared little better. We would strongly recommend that LBR needs to update its sound system in the chamber as a matter of urgency and instigate a training regime for both Officers and Councillors on how to use a microphone and project their voices to be heard by Council Tax paying residents who bother to attend their meetings.

The agenda placed application 2089/16 first, with a dozen or so other applications to follow (those involved with the other applications waited patiently for some two hours – and even joined in our protests!). It should have been recognised by whoever planned the agenda that an application to which over 140 residents had objected needed to be given sufficient time to allow at least a reasonable number of objectors to address the Committee and for Councillors to debate and consider with care the application before them. However, the Chairman declared ruthlessly that time was pressing and debate would be curtailed, whilst only three speakers would be permitted in accordance with standing orders – one of who was the applicant, Brett Tarmac. The Chairman of the AHDA and the Proprietor of the Busy Bodies Pre-School Day Nursery were given two minutes to speak and both were asked questions by Councillors.

When the Revd Kate Lovesey, Priest-in-Charge, St. Peter’s Aldborough Hatch, was refused permission to speak, members and residents in the public gallery called upon the Chairman to allow her to do so. Some members noted that the Chairman kept looking impatiently at his watch and was heard to comment that time was running out and that he might go outside for a cup of tea! Those in the gallery chanted “Let the Vicar speak” for a full minute, but the Chairman would not budge as he engaged in whispered conversation with the two Officers flanking him. Interestingly, the security staff did not emerge from the tunnel for some time after the chanting started and when they did so they just stood there!

Six or so of the eleven Councillors asked questions. Some had very obviously read the 76-page document, asking pertinent and intelligent questions; others asked questions which made clear that they had not a clue as to what they were talking about (despite the fact that a site visit was said to have been paid the previous Saturday – although we do not know how many Councillors attended). Other Councillors sat in stony silence and might just as well have stayed at home or gone to play bingo!

The Chairman was flanked on both sides by Council Officers who were constantly whispering in his ear which gave the impression to those in the public gallery that the Chairman was being manipulated by Officers.

Ron Jeffries majored on the health issues, especially the danger of increased mortality from cancer. He drew the attention of the Committee to the evidence of two highly qualified cancer specialists Dr Anup Vinayan and Dr Archana Ambily in their objections dated June 2016 published on the Planning Application and, therefore a public document. Dr Vinayan was in the public gallery and was prepared to answer questions from Councillors but no-one took advantage of this offer. Indeed, Councillors were advised by Officers that health issues – such as the increased mortality from cancer – are not grounds for refusing the planning application. If this is so – and it must be seriously questioned as to whether or not it is correct – something is seriously wrong with planning legislation that allows a project to go forward that is potentially harmful to the health, safety and well-being of residents and children.  

Two Ward Councillors, Debbie Kaur-Thiera and John Howard, made impassioned speeches calling on the Committee to reject the application. Wes Streeting MP and Ward Councillor, was unable to attend due to a Three Line Whip on the Queen’s Speech, but he sent a letter to the Chairman which I have seen, but which the Chairman failed to acknowledge or bother to read out. Par for the course, I guess.

Brett Tarmac’s representative commented that a Liaison Group will be set up to include residents, chaired by a Councillor. No remit was disclosed. I would object to the group being chaired by a Councillor as LBR has a vested financial interest. An independent chairman is vital for the group’s credibility.

Those who attended the Planning Committee were saddened by what was a farce of local democracy.  Councillors voted on party lines on what was clearly a done deal.

This is a brief summary and I apologise for that. I would be happy to answer questions. An informal gathering of the AHDA Executive, together with the Revd Kate Lovesey (St. Peter’s), Mary Garrett (Aldborough Hall Equestrian Centre) and Gerald Padfield (Hainault Farm) will be held on Friday 7^th July to consider future action.

Ron Jeffries

Chairman

37 Spearpoint Gardens

Aldborough Road North

Aldborough Hatch

ILFORD, Essex IG2 7SX

TEL:020 8599 7250

Mobile: 0797 488 2724

Email: ronjeffries@live.co.uk

TEXT: Ron Jeffries

Chairman I speak for the Aldborough Hatch Defence Association - and the 140 or so residents whose objections are reduced to meaningless summaries in the papers before you. There is anger, despair and horror among residents - who fear further years of noise, dust, pollution and the spread of cancer.

Why has the Environment Agency’s strong recommendation that the haul road is constructed of concrete or asphalt been ignored? A dirt road will throw up dust onto riders at the Equestrian Centre and walkers. Why is there no controlled crossing of the permissive footpath used by school children?

Why have objections of two highly qualified NHS cancer specialists been totally ignored?

In their objections dated 7^th June 2016, Dr Anup Vinayan and Dr Archana Ambily state that: “Health Hazards associated with increase in particulate matter is well documented with the World Health Organisation detailing the risks of PM10 and PM25 resulting in aggravation of asthma, respiratory symptoms and increase in hospital admissions. There will also be increase in mortality from cardiovascular disease and lung cancer”. Dr Vinayan is here this evening

The 76-page document before you omits to mention the word ‘cancer – referring just to ‘health risks’ - and fails to rebut the substantial research evidence of 14 recent studies over eight European countries which demonstrate that risks are significantly associated with the incidence of lung cancer.

We can only assume that this omission is an intentional and deliberate cover-up to mislead Councillors on the Planning Committee and as such is shameful in the extreme and must be exposed.  

The objections on health grounds are nowhere mentioned, nor is the evidence submitted rebutted. I call upon the Planning Committee to refuse the planning application as Officers have failed to take into account the overwhelming evidence of the dangers of an increase in lung cancer and other respiratory diseases among both children and adults.

I understand that the Revd Lovesey is not being permitted to address you regarding the almost certain damage to the 155-year-old St. Peter’s Church. I appeal to you to allow her to speak.

The ‘stand-off’ of 100 metres from the Grade II listed St Peter’s and Aldborough Hatch Chapel is totally unacceptable. I have proof from the Planning Department for a precedent for 150 metres if you wish to see it. We urge you to insist on 200 metres minimum. If the church is damaged who will pay – not Brett Tarmac but your Council.

Noisy pumps vibrating 24/7 within yards of St Peter’s Church – will disturb services and multi-cultural community groups using the halls.

We appeal to you – do the decent thing and reject this application

Chairman, Aldborough Hatch has cried out: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

No more gravel! No more cancer!

London on 2nd July

My day started with Sung Eucharist at St. Paul's Cathedral. The setting was by Hayden with the London Synfonia joining the organ and the full Cathedral Choir, Superb and inspiring.

By bus then to Trafalgar Square to join in the Celebration of Eid - at the end of Ramadan. This wads a very happy occasion with Mayor of London gibing a statesmanlike speech and Cat Stevens (Yuref Islam) on stage to greet with the words of the Peace Train. The choir of children dressed in white with Peace on their fronts was glorious. I had a happy afternoon, talking to anyone who wanted to chat. No problems - no violence - no shouting - just folk having fun and being together in the sunshine.

Fairlop Fair 2017

A happy multi-cultural event on our doorstep in good warm weather with capacity crowds.