14th June, 2018.
No, really …
I’ve got something serious for you.
That’s if you don’t mind me burbling on about my street?
Here …
That video’s the result of many things.
Partly? It’s a response to the Grenfell Tower fire: today’s the first Anniversary, so you know.
But ALSO … ?
If you don’t mind me being blunt, it’s ALSO a response to the area I’m in.
I live in Brentwood: near the station.
My particular part of the area has — as I feel the video shows— always been heavily congested: with parked cars impeding any emergency vehicle access.
That’s something that’s been concerning me for the decade I’ve lived here.
And something — if memory serves — that also affected emergency vehicle access around Grenfell Tower, this time last year.
The congestion is something I thought — initially — wouldn’t last long. The other end of Rollason Way was still a building site, when I moved in.
How long, I asked myself, would it stay a building site?
About three years, as it turns out.
Now … ? The congestion’s being caused — mostly — by parked cars and delivery vans …
And the building work around the corner.
The more things change …
~≈§≈~
That’s ONE thing.
The other?
We have what’s called a ‘stay put’ policy in place.
In other words? In other words, if a fire breaks out in one of the flats on Rollason Way, other people are supposed to stay in theirs.
The compartmentalisation in these buildings is supposed to protect us.
One thing I DO know? Is that the Grenfell Tower enquiry has highlighted the fact that — when it was refurbished a few years ago — the various works done affected this compartmentalisation: meaning the fire spread faster.
The blocks, here, haven’t been refurbished: they’s still relatively new.
But?
That was enough for me to contact my landlord: to see if the policy was to be reviewed.
I’ve not heard back.
Oh, I’ll contact my landlords.
And possibly the fire brigade.
But it is rather worrying …
~≈§≈~
As is one final thing.
RIGHT now, the BBC are reporting a fire in a block of flats in Lewisham.
One that sounds like it could’ve been worse.
The report …
Highlights the fact the alarms hadn’t gone off.
Don’t even get me started …
We don’t have communal fire alarms …
~≈§≈~
Let’s move on, shall we?
Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga* and Debbi† putting in their answers: with Olga scoring five out of five, and Debbi on three!
Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?
Q1) 14th June, 1381, saw the leaders of the Peasants Revolt, met the king. Which King?
Q2) More to the point, they met him, were: Mile End, Bethnal Green or Stratford?
Q3) Congressman Steve Scalise was shot: on 14th June, 2017. Whilst practising what?
Q4) A block of flats caught fire: on 14th June, 2017. What was that block called? (Unfortunately, this will be easy to answer.)
Q5) Finally … 14th June, 1961, saw the UK government announce it would be replacing zebra Crossings … with what … ?
Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 13th June, 823 AD saw the birth of Charles the Bald. Which Imperial title did he hold?
Q2) 13th June, 839 AD saw the birth of Charles the Fat. Which Imperial title did he hold?
Q3) 13th June, 1910, saw the birth of TV campaigner, Mary Whitehouse. Famously, she was critical which science-fiction show?
. (Debbi, did you say people tell you you look like Ally Sheedy … ?)Q4) 13th June, 1962, saw the birth of actress, Ally Sheedy. In which 1983 film does she play Jennifer Mack?
Q5) Guernsey’s parliament voted on 13th June, 1996: to legalise what?A5) Abortion.
Here’s a thought …
“I suspect S.F. has an individualistic, antiauthoritarian trend to it not least because so many of the people who read and write it (not all by any means, but quite a few) are inner-directed introverts who make neither good leaders nor good followers. Am I talking about myself? Well, now that you mention it, yes. But I ain’t the only one, not even close.”Harry Turtledove, born June 14, 1949.
And a song …
Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.
Have a good day.
* I’ll say nothing more, then, Olga! Debbi will only get upset! :D At ANY rate, enjoy the trip! Send us a post card … !
† Oh, hang on Debbi, Olga’s getting curious! Don’t tell her! (Where ARE you … ? I’m really trying to avoid the geeky answer … :D)
Q1) Richard II
ReplyDeleteQ2) Mile End
Q3) Baseball (for charity)
Q4) Grenfell Tower
Q5) Panda crossings
I don’t think you saw it (and you probably already know about it) but I shared the link to this review on Twitter yesterday (through DM). Just in case:
https://www.scifiandscary.com/doctor-who-the-vault-review/
As long as it’s good news for Debbi, I don’t mind. It seems that my friend’s husband, who’s been suffering from health problems for several years now, is unwell again and is likely to be undergoing tests while I’m there. I offered to change my visit, but I think she’ll enjoy having some moral support at the very least, so I’ll be going as planned.
I agree with the worrying situation, not only in your street, but as you say, in many (there were no high rise buildings where I lived, but it was a cul-de-sac, up hill, and people parked on both sides, making it almost impossible for a big vehicle to come through in the evenings, when everybody was back from work. (Ah, and for some bizarre reason, considering how many vehicles there were already, people would decide it was the best place to come and turn around…). Let’s hope they do something… You definitely are.
Oh, my gosh! I'm not there! I will admit to having had quite the crush on Patrick, though. He was ... amazing. In more ways than one. Gifted, even.
ReplyDeleteI saw your video about your flats. Hope I'm saying that right. Anyway, I gave it a RT. :)
1. Richard II
2. Mile End
3. baseball
4. Grenfell Tower
5. panda crossings