Hackney Does A Bicester
Hackney is developing a name for being a centre of designer outlet stores.
It’s certainly a lot closer than Bicester Village.
There’s also quite a few railway arches leading towards Hackney Central/Hackney Downs station complex, which could make a whole lot more designer outlets or fashion workshops.
But at least the Council has its finger on the pulse and are consulting about what to do with the area.
Let’s hope they get it right!
Labour Alienates The Jews And Drivers And Owners Of Diesel Vehicles
I come from mixed Jewish/Huguenot lines and my philosophy is probably humanist, although I’m a confirmed atheist.
But if I’m wrong, finding Heaven could be a bonus when I die!
This article on the BBC is entitled Labour ruling ‘fails Jewish community’, says Chief Rabbi.
Individuals, like Livingstone have no place in an inclusive political party.
This article on the BBC is entitled Date announced for London ultra low emission zone.
I am not against the ultra low emission zone, just the way that it is being brought in unilaterally in London.
We need ultra low emission zones all over the country and there is many things we can do.
- Cross-city railways and trams.
- More hybrid and electric buses when they are available at an affordable cost.
- Park-and-ride facilities.
- Trucks should be more environmentally and cyclist friendly.
- Grants will probably be needed to scrap older diesel vehicles and invest in new trucks and buses.
The one thing that is right is to bring in the zone in 2019, which will be just after the Central London section of Crossrail has opened.
There needs to be measures from Central Government, but as ever, staying in power comes first.
I have a feeling that London’s ultra low emission zone will not be good for Sadiq Khan in London, as it’s going to cause inconvenience for many in London.
The Pop Group That Saved A City With A Little Help From Their Friends
It is the fiftieth anniversary of the release of one of the best albums of all time; Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
I bought the album and still have it somewhere.
But I don’t think most people understand how the Beatles changed a city completely.
Liverpool in the sixties had nasty undercurrents of violence and religious hatred. But in the five years, I lived in the city, these changed for the better, with the rivalry being transferred to support for your favourite group or football team.
Liverpool acquired a belief that it could take on the world and win.
Now, when I go back regularly, I find a confident, bustling, modern and friendly city, that compares to any in the world.
But what would have happened if the Beatles hadn’t?
Jeremy Corbyn On Brexit
Replying to Theresa May’s announcement of Article 51, Jeremy Corbyn gave a speech that was probably nine month’s late. If he had been so anti-Brexit last summer, perhaps the result of the Referendum would have been different.
Trump’s Plan Won’t Reverse Coal’s Decline
That is the title of this article on FiveThirtyEight.
It explains that coal’s problem is not Obama and his legislation, but that natural gas is so much
This is a paragraph.
Trump — along with many of his supporters in coal-producing states — blames Obama’s environmental policies for the coal industry’s struggles. And it’s true that U.S. coal consumption dropped precipitously during Obama’s time in office. But the timing is largely coincidental: Coal’s biggest problem isn’t regulation — it’s natural gas.
There are several interesting graphs worth looking at.
I think we should all be worried about Trump’s mental health, as he is showing all the logic of a typical East European mad dictator.
Forget Trump: The Private Sector Is Still Going Green
This is title of a piece by Irwin Stelzer in this week’s Sunday Times.
Read the article if you can. It talks about how large companies like Exxon and Shell and individuals like Bill Gates are putting prices on carbon and backing reliable clean energy.
The last paragraph sums it up nicely.
Presidents come and go. The private sector will be engaging in long-run research and long-lived investments, perhaps more efficiently than the government has been doing. The profit motive might just turn out to be more productive than the vote-getting or ideological motives of politicians.
I think he could be right!
Think of all those successful projects, that were were done without any Government support or blessing and think of all those government projects that sunk without trace taking millions of pounds with them.
And also think about all that legal money slushing around the world looking for a home in an innovation that will be a wothwhile investment.
A Visit To New Brighton
I hadn’t been to New Brighton since C and myself went during Panto Week, to see Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Fortunes at New Brighton Tower Ballroom. Tickets had been sold in aid of Panto Week.
I don’t remember much of the night, except for Gerry Marsden complaining about the piano and walking off.
The Fortunes rescued the night by playing both spots.
Liverpool Pier Head On A Sunny Morning
When I was a student at Liverpool University in the 1960s, this area was so different.
I can only remember, the Three Graces and the Memorial to those with no known grave.
Incidentally, I talked to one of the volunteers in the Tate Liverpool and he says that Friday is often quiet in Liverpool. The gallery certainly was, but they were between exhibitions.
The statue looking out to sea is of Captain Frederick John “Johnnie” Walker, who was the most successful anti-submarine warfare commander during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Drought Caused Brexit
According to Al Gore, drought in Syria was one of the causes of refugees flooding to the EU.
It’s an interesting thought!
Why Aren’t More High Streets Like Liverpool?
These pictures were taken early on a sunny morning in Liverpool’s main shopping street.
No buses, cars and taxis, only a few deliveries and little street clutter.
Imagine Oxford Street like this. Except you can’t as it’s not wide enough!
Both my local High Streets; Angel and Dalston are even main routes for trucks.
The Anonymous Widower 