Going To Hillsborough
The trip to Sheffield Wednesday didn’t start too well, as I got almost to the Angel on the bus to Kings Cross station, when I realised I’d forgot my pills. It wouldn’t have been too important, if I’d not gone back, as I planned to be back in my house about nine in the evening with some food to cook for supper and I could take the drugs then.
But I decided to go back and get them and in the end I just made the 11:03 train to Leeds. I would change for Sheffield at Doncaster and take a train to Meadowhall, where after lunch, I’d take a tram to the ground.
The trip up was excellent in First Class on East Coast. It was also notable in that the service was excellent with copious amounts of tea in proper English china cups from Stoke-on-Trent.
Tea In A China Cup On East Coast
We arrived on time at Doncaster and then it was one of the dreaded Pacers to Meadowhall.
If George Osborne wanted to buy votes, a large order for something like London Overground’s Class 172 to replace the Pacers would be an easy way to do it.
I did see the New Measurement Train or Flying Banana at Doncaster, which I’d seen a couple of years ago at Basingstoke.
The Flying Banana At Doncaster
There is an interesting difference in British and Japanese attitudes to names illustrated by the Flying Banana. The Japanese call their equivalent trains, Doctor Yellow.
I do wonder how many of the redundant Inter City 125’s will live on in this role. I wouldn’t be surprised if a couple even get exported to countries with long railway lines that need to be checked. After all to put the equipment in a brand-new train will be expensive, but to use a redundant and reliable diesel train, would be a lot cheaper. When checking overhead wires, I suspect that a diesel train may even have an advantage, as it doesn’t interact with the wires! And there aren’t many diesel trains that can do the testing at 200 kph!
Terry Miller’s iconic creation, never ceases to make fools of us all! But good engineering does that!
I had intended to go to Carluccio’s at Meadowhall for lunch, but after locating the restaurant after slaloming through, the hoards of obese people, who always seem haunt shopping centres, I was too short on time. Often these people make matters worse by pushing equally obese children in enormous buggies.
So I resorted to Plan B and bought some gluten-free sandwiches and a still lemonade in Marks and Spencer. This store incidentally, is by the bridge from the station, so is quick and easy to get to. One thing I noticed at Meadowhall is that they actually have proper Left Luggage lockers and lots of them.
Left Luggage Lockers At Meadowhall Station
So if you are going to an event like the football, Meadowhall is the place to unwanted bags (or babies), whilst you visit the city.
I did have one problem, as there was nowhere convenient to sit and eat my sandwiches.
The Tram Arrives At Meadowhall
This picture was taken as the tram arrived. Note the lack of seats. One of the London shopping centres has a garden, where you can sit in the sun. Eastfield certainly will have, as it is just a short walk to the Olympic Park. Meadowhall should provide something!
On my trip to Hillsborough, I didn’t see any seats at stops at all. Here’s the stop at Fitzalan Square.
Fitzalan Square Tram Stop
Note the improvisation on the left. At least most stops seem to have proper information with a map. One unique thing I saw as I walked down from the tram to Hillsborough was this sign.
A Unique Sign
So often, you approach a strange ground and there are no obvious instructions as to which end of the ground you go. That excellent sign at Hillsborough must have cost an absolute fortune, otherwise why don’t other grounds have them?
Fun At The Hackney Records Office
I wasted an hour or so this afternoon at the new Hackney Records Office by Dalston Junction station. The welcoming and competent Sian showed me where everything was and I quickly got all the information I needed. Printouts were just tens of pence each.
I’ve used other Records Offices in the past and Hackney was streets above all the others.
How About An Electronic Message Badge?
There are certain things that really annoy me as I walk around London and other places. I usually just want to get about my business in the quickest way possible.
- Perhaps the biggest annoyance, especially at the Angel is chuggers or charity muggers. I support various charities, but I won’t support one that uses chuggers. Many incidentally are ones, that C or myself have supported in the past. I don’t support them now! I can’t be the only person who feels this way and I do wonder whether using chuggers has proved unprofitable for some charities.
- And then there are shops, like W H Smith,that constantly offer me offers I don’t want. Most seem to be for chocolate based snacks or fast food, that I can’t eat as I’m a coeliac. Some assistants are so persistent, I only seem to be able to shut them up by being rude.
- The real annoyance are obese smokers, who block the pavement with their vile habit, thus forcing me into the road.
It strikes me that I coud have an electronic display on my shoulder perhaps controlled by a simple device in my pocket. It would display an appropriate message. For the three examples I have given, the message might be.
- I never give any money to anybody who approaches me on the street.
- I am a coeliac. Please don’t offer me foods that will make me ill.
- My son died of a smoking related cancer. Your behaviour disgusts me.
Obviously, you would make sure that the messages were not offensive or preached violence.
But it could be also be used for advertising or information such as.
- I am an electrician with good references. Contact me on 07xx-xxxxxx.
- Next week is Victoria Park Carnival. A free day for all the family.
- I’m getting off this train at Scunthorpe. I must be mad.
- We are sorry your train was delayed. There was a suicide at Finsbury Park.
The last comment illustrates how the display could be used in crowds to impart information and give answers. I was at Portman Road to see Ipswich Town today, and I feel information badges would be of use in crowd control. Today for instance, there were a lot of messages over the PA, asking supporters in some blocks of the stadium to take a different route out after the match. Stewards badges could have displayed the message.
Obviously as the messages would be under control of the wearer or their employer, either through wi-fi, Bluetooth, SMS or directly, appropriate messages could be displayed quickly as required.
The Anonymous Widower 