Friday, 10 February 2017

Remembering the West Hendon Bomb victims - Service this Sunday 12th Feb

The sad tale of the "West Hendon Bomb" of 1941 has been a topic of much discussion on the BBC Radio London Robert Elms show this week. As the chronicler of all things London Borough, good, bad, sad, happy, interesting and mundane, it seemed to me that we really should pull the story together for posterity.  The short version of the story so far is that every Wednesday Robert Elms does "Notes and Queries" just after 10am. This section of the show allows listeners to ring in and ask other listeners to call in to fill in the details of events and items of interest from our amazing city.

This week, Jasmin from Hendon called in. She was interested in the fate of the rough hewn cross, fashioned from the wooden detritius of the site of a huge German bomb that devastated West Hendon, killing 75 people in February 13, 1941 (you caan here here call by clicking this link and forwarding to 18:05 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04qq7dl ). Jasmin reported that the cross was taken away by the "Hendon Parish Council" council during the early 1960's for "safekeeping.
Pictures of the Cross, courtesy Broken Barnet blog

Jasmin wanted to know what happened to the cross. She said that Barnet Council claim to have no record of it. Now I happen to know Jasmin. She came down to collect "community Campaign of the Year" for her work in West Hendon.  She is a tireless campaigner and has also been recognised by The Guardian. She is what the Barnet Eye believes community is all about.

She also mentioned that the annual memorial service for the victims will be held this Sunday. Last years service received a write up in The Guardian.  The area where the service is held is known as "York Memorial Park". Rather oddly, the council appears to have claimed that no memorial services or memorials have ever existed on the site. Rather sad really considering that this is possibly the largest single loss of life in London of the Blitz period.

My fellow Barnet blogger Mrs Angry has written a couple of excellent blogs on the subject ( http://wwwbrokenbarnet.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/a-ghostlier-heritage-or-forgotten.html - http://wwwbrokenbarnet.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-last-word-shall-not-be-with.html )

There is a nice write up on the BBC peoples war website. 


Sadly Roberts show failed to solve the mystery of the missing cross. Jasmin stated that she was trying to locate the cross as it would be fitting to have a permanent memorial to the victims. Today Robert read out an email giving some more information (listen at 21:10 -  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04qq7pv ). From the information he read out, it seems a stone memorial was also installed at some point. It seems the cross was removed in the 1950's to make way for temporary housing. This gave way to a memorial stone, which is shrouded in mystery.



I'll give the last word to the then Dean of Hendon, from his words at the 1941 memorial service for victims. If you can, try and get down to the service this Sunday.
The last word shall not be with the destroyer. That is the meaning of our service, and of the simple Cross under which we stand ... Such scenes of desolation as this form a terrible monument to the wickedness of those who pursue brute force without reference to the God of Righteousness, and Justice and Love, before Whom they must one day render account for their deeds.

The 'Little People' of London's suburbs, whom they sought to smash, live on bearing the unquenchable torch of Freedom, and the rough wooden Cross at West Hendon remains as a symbol of the spirit that prevailed against the greatest peril of oppression humanity has ever had to face.


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The Friday Joke - 10/2/2017



 Have a great weekend. Here's a joke to set you off on a good footing.

A lawyer meets with the family of a recently deceased millionaire for the reading of the will.
'To my loving wife, Rose, who always stood by me, I leave the house and
$2 million,' the attorney reads.
'To my darling daughter, Jessica, who looked after me in sickness and kept the business going, I leave the yacht, the business and $1 million.'
'And finally,' the lawyer concludes, 'to my cousin Dan, who hated me, argued with me and thought I would never mention him in my will. Well, you were wrong. Hi Dan!'
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Thursday, 9 February 2017

Thameslink - When will the government do something to end commuter misery?

Yet again, Thameslink has got my day off to a rotten start. As ever, at 07.08 I checked the Thameslink website to see if the trains were running on time. It stated that the 07.17, the train I wanted was running on time. So I made my way to Mill Hill Broadway station. I got there to find it had been cancelled.



If nothing else, this gave me a chance to write this blog. Every day Thameslink reports on the previous days performance. Today as I write this they still have Tuesdays figures up


As you can see, over 40% of the trains on Tuesday didn't arrive on time.  This is a huge number of disrupted journeys. I thought I'd have a look at what my MP Matthew Offord had to say about it. Interestingly he uses a tube train, not a Thameslink train as his logo on his website. I wonder why?



His "plan" says


A better deal for train users

As a Hendon resident I am a regular user of the Northern Line and understand how important it is that hard working commuters and other Tube and train users have a smooth and comfortable journey.I will continue to campaign for improvements to the Northern Line and Thameslink and am Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group to improve the Thameslink line.
He has asked for your thoughts on how to improve the service

One of my priorities is a better deal for public transport users. Living locally and using public transport, I am aware of concerns about Thameslink, the Northern line, station access and facilities, cycle routes and bus services.
Many residents are frustrated by delays, overcrowding or cancelled services. This can badly affect working lives, recreational activities, holidays and visits to family and friends.
To help me make the best representations possible to public transport providers - Govia Thameslink, Network Rail, Transport for London (TfL) - I would like to hear about local residents' views and experiences. Please therefore support my campaign by completing my Transport Survey below.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/matthewoffordtransportsurvey
One would have thought that after seven years in the job, he might know what local people thought of the service! I suppose we get the service we deserve and with such a clueless MP it's no surprise that Govia are getting away with it!

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Wednesday, 8 February 2017

Brexit - Lemming MP's vote to throw away the parachute

I am speechless at the stupidity of our MP's. In the Brexit debate yesterday, they voted to ensure that the final Brexit vote will be on a "take it or leave it" basis. This means that if the PM gets a rotten deal or one which the house believes needs amending, they will have no choice butto approve it or throw it out completely. They have voted to wash their hands of all responsibility and give the maniac #Brexit mob running the government a totally free hand.

In the referendum their was a small majority for Brexit, fuelled by a whole stack of lies, such as the £350 million a week for the NHS. In the circumstances a cautious approach would be more than justified, but in the mini coup that followed, all of the important roles were hijacked by hardline Brexiteers, who have now conspired to give themselves a free hand.

To his eternal shame, Jeremy Corbyn has conspired with these dangerous men to ensure that a bunch of hard line right wingers get exactly what they want. The right wing press labels remain supporters as remoaners and whingers, forgetting the 42 years that the Brexit mob disagreed with a far greater mandate in the first referendum. What sort of MP votes to throw away his parachute when he's on a crashing plane? It seems that the majority of them in the house of commons. Lord help us.
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The Wednesday Poem #11 - The Thames Tide


The  Thames tide goes out,
the beachcomber appears
bones and stones exposed,
 under ancient wooden piers,
The Thames tide goes out,
the frenzy of the gulls,
looking for a meal,
between the beached hulls,
Now the tide has turned,
reclaiming in its wake,
the secrets of the past,
right up to traitors gate.

Copyright 2017 Roger Tichborne

Every Wednesday, we feature a poem and a picture about our neighbourhood. If you have a poem and a picture you'd like to feature, just email to me using the link in the sidebar. I've written poetry for many years, for my own amusement. It was suggested that I share some of it. I hope you enjoy it, I'd love to feature anything you have written.


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Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Bercow and Clarke - Two principled Tories I'd vote for

In the last week or so, we've seen two of the finest examples of proper politicians doing the job we pay them to do. The first was Ken Clarke in the debate on serving notice on section 50. Clarke proved what many of us have known for years. He is a proper heavyweight, a man with huge experience of government, over many decades with many leaders. Myself and Clarke do not agree on aspects of economic policy, but he is a man of sound judgement and if you want to pick an argument with him, you need to know what you are talking about. He is also a normal human being. He has a love of Jazz and used to enjoy the fee Jazz music that Ken Livingstone was getting the GLC to put on, back in the 1980's. When challenged as to how he could watch Livingstone supported Jazz, Clarke simply responded that when Livingstone did something sensible like makin Jazz accessable to all, it was sensible to go along and have a great evening. If you'veever heard Clarke on a phone in show, it soon becomes clear that he's a far from one dimensional politician and person. That is the type of politician we need. I'd vote for him, simply because we need people who know their own mind and are not afraid to speak out.

Another example of this breed of sensible and brave Conservative was shown yesterday with John Bercow stating that Trump wasn't welcome at The Houses of Parliament because he is a racist, a sexist and does not support the rule of law with his attacks on the judiciary. I was not expecting this at all, but am delighted that the case against Trump has been called about in Parliament. Like Clarke, Bercow has a life beyond politics. His colourful wife Sally is a real character, who is a Labour supporter and clearly not a demur housewife. Bercow comes from a Jewish background and knows exactly what happens when you get leaders who are racist and don't respect the judiciary and the laws of the land. He deserves the support of every decent person in the country for his intervention.

I'd vote for the pair of them.
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Sunday, 5 February 2017

The Tweets of The week - 05/02/2017

Onwards and upwards. Here we go again! Don't forget to follow any Tweeters who tickle yur fancy!

1. Ray Holden is rather keen on Edgware.

2. Sadly Mark Amies takes a rather dimmer view.

3. Former Finchley resident Vera Lynn has released an album at 100!


4. Barnet Rebel seems to have developed an obsession with shearing? All he needs now are a few sheep!




5. Support this cause and protect the green belt




6. Good to hear that Barnet Police are looking after the old dears of Barnet
7. Some nice shots of the Heath from the Heath and Hampstead society on their Sunday walk
8. Fancy some quality Jazz in Mill Hill this week
9. Great piccie from Nelsons Nose of a classic Mill Hill Village car

10. Seems like there was a Sausage Dog Frenzy on the train to Mill Hill!
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Saturday, 4 February 2017

The Saturday List #116 - Ten films that are better on a second viewing

Last night I went to see Trainspotting T2. I was actually pleasantly surprised. The reviews I'd heard had been negative and dsmissive. I thought it was actually quite good. Prior to the film, we had drinks and a meal with some friends. The subject of the original came up. I made the bold statetment that "It was better on the second viewing". On the first viewing, there were elements of shock that were taken away with it. On second viewing, many of the subtlties that got missed on the first viewing came to the fore. So the inevitable question that always comes up in my company when such discussions are made came up. What are the top ten films that are better the second time you watch them? Here is my list.

1. 2001 - A Space Odyssey.
The first time I saw this I couldn't make head nor tale of it. The second time, it actually made sense and I realised it is a masterpiece. I suspect that the scene below may well be an allegorical view of how the apocalypse will play out for humanity. I wonder whether Arthur C. Clarke knew that when he wrote it.
2. Tommy.
The story of a deaf, dumb and blind boy, put to music by The Who. The first time I saw it I enjoyed it as a musical vehicle for the music of The Who and found the story to be secondary. On the second watch (many years later on TV), I realised just how powerful it was. I discussed it with a mate who said the same. He said it looks better on TV and I have to agree.

3. Black Hawk Down.
First time I saw it, I just saw a great action film with a thinnish plot. On second watching I got what it was about properly.

4. High Noon.
On first watch, a great Western. On second watch, a great and very clever bit of cinematography, set in real time. Very claustrophobic and powerful.
5. The Life of Brian.
On first watch, I thought it was hilarious. The comedic elements alone are great. But on second view I realised that it is also a very clever film. Many aspects of what is shown sum up just what a silly species we really are.
6. Trainspotting (the original film).
On second viewing, I got a few of the subtleties I'd missed on first view and some of the deeper interelationships between the characters. I rather changed my opinion of some of them.

7. Ben Hur.
Charlton Heston at his finest. A truly spectacular watch. But as with many high budget, spectacular films, rather overwhelming on first view. On second watch, I realised why they'd spent so much money on the story.

8.  Harold and Kumar get the munchies.
When my middle daughter was about six, her elder sister was away at a swimming gala. As a treat I took her to Blockbuster video and said she could pick a film. This was what she picked. She liked the cover and thought it looked funny. As a terrible parent, I didn't even bother checking and didn't realise that it had a rather more grown up theme. We settled down to watch it. Fortunately she was so young and innocent that the more adult themes passed her by and she thought it was hilarious, I gave a running commentary that explained some of the more extreme elements in a sort of "alternative truth" manner (Donald would be proud). When my wife returned, I watched it again with her. It was even more funny, but she was furious that I'd let a six year old watch it. My daughter has turned out to be quite sensible so I am not too ashamed.

9. Woodstock.
The documentary film of the epochal sixties music festival. On first watch as a teenager, I liked the celebration of 1960's counter culture. When I watched it again, I realised that there were some awesome peformances by artists who you wouldn't really classify immediately as 1960's stoners. It is worth watching for Santana, Sly and The Family Stone, Ritchie Havens and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's performances - these are awesome.


10.Brief Encounter.
When I saw it the first time I was bored stiff and hated it. I was  a teenager and wanted to impress a rather bookish young lady by pretending I was into cinema.  A few years ago, we watched it again at hpome, when nothing else was on telly. I realised that it is a brilliant film, but I suspect you have to be a grown up to really enjoy it.
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Friday, 3 February 2017

The Friday Joke - The Worlds Worst Pub Promotion

The first Thursday of every month, myself and the guys who I play football on a Thursday evening with go for a beer after our match (some of us go every week, but it is convention that we all make a special effort to turn up first Thursday). We also meet up with guys who used to play, but have retired from the playing side (the codgers). Our venue of choice was until today The Three Hammers in Mill Hill. As of today, I suspect we will be changing the venue. The reason? Well let me share a sorry tale of woe with you. The sorry tale started when I spotted this promotion on the Hammers Facebook page yesterday.

https://www.facebook.com/The-Three-Hammers-Mill-Hill-1583053201970052/
What could possibly go wrong? A bunch of blokes who like a drink. A pub. A promotion presumably subsidised by a brewer to promote a new brand of beer. I made sure all of the guys knew of the promotion. I rather hoped this would  ensure  a good turnout amongst the boys. On a cold and damp early February night, we don't always get the best turnout. It worked. Some of our squad are pensioners now, we've been playing together for rather a long time. One poor old boy is having a hip replacement in April and had to wait for a 240 bus from outside his house at the bottom of Hammers Lane to the pub at the top, in the rain. Another had to wait until his wife who is poorly had dozed off to sneak out. All arrived thirsty, in anticipation of some subsidised libation.

The first two arrived and ordered two pints of Hop House 13. When it was poured, they presented the page as requested on their mobile phone. Sadly the friendly teenagers who man the beer pumps were flummoxed "We don't know anything about this?".  Our team is a persistent bunch. They insisted that a free pint had been promised and a free pint was expected. One of the helpful teenagers checked Facebook on his own phone. Sure enough, the pub was offering a free pint. At this, the teenagers decided to check with the manageress. Sure enough, it seemed that the promotion had been offered. The free pints were duly despatched. Then the rest of us arrived. As with the advanced party, we ordered our Hop House 13. Sadly we were informed that the barrel had run out. We asked if it was being changed "Oh no one can do it right now. Come back later". As most of us have a couple of pints, Carlings were ordered instead. We could have the free Hop House 13 as a second pint. The anticipation would make it even more tasty.

So then the time came for the second round. We went to the bar in eager anticipation. The helpful teenagers announced "We can't change the barrell because the cellar is locked and the manageress has the key". We queried  "So lets get this right. You've run a promotion on Facebook to get people in the pub. Then when they arrive, there isn't enough beer and the cellar is locked, so it can't be rectified and the manageress won't come down and open the cellar?" The teenager helpfully replied "Erm, sort of yes".

Well much as we all wanted a free pint, we were thirsty. So an Estrella, five pints of Carling and an IPA were ordered. With that  we said "Can we have two bags of Cheese and onion crisps, two bags of Salt and vinegar, a bag of Ready Salted and a bag of nuts please?".  The helpful teenager responded "Sorry we can't get any crisps, they are in the cellar". So no free beer, no crisps.

You can imagine how we felt about the whole thing. We've been going regularly to the Hammers for at least 17 years as a group. Since Ember Inns took the venue over, guess how many free beers we've had. The two tonight, before the "barrell ran out". Guess how the pub have shown their appreciation for our custom over the years? Well about six years ago we were given a plate of Sandwiches for free! We were mightily impressed. We enquired what the occasion was. The repsonse "Oh nothing, there was a funeral earlier and we had a plate of sandwiches left over". As I usually drive to the pub from football, I usually have a pint of lager shandy and give a few of the boys a lift, As such I normally have the cheapest lager. This used to be Carlsberg. About two months ago I was informed that Carlsberg was no longer served. The reason? It was cheap and the pub made more money on more expensive premium lagers. I kid you not, that was what the helpful teenagers told us.  Oh how we laughed. Of course there is no reason to keep a bunch of blokes who are regular customers happy, is there. We will just keep coming back, won't we?
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Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Bereavement - coping with an unexpected death

Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of my fathers death.  At the time it was totally unexpected. I was 24 and the shock was immense. My father had a sudden heart attack and died the day after returning from Florida, where he'd been on holiday. To make matters worse, he'd returned for the funeral of my mothers sister. I was living away and didn't even know he was back in the county until my brother called at 8am to say he had died.

At the funeral, I was numb with a sense of unreality, my father was a towering figure in my life and it had never occurred to me that he was mortal. To make matters worse, I was working at BT and my boss was completely unsupportive, even lying to me about my compassionate leave entitlement and telling team members I was 'off skiving'. As a result, I left BT, unable to work or respect her.

Emotionally I was in tatters. None of my friends had suffered a similar experience, my family were all struggling to cope and I felt totally isolated. I was in a state of total denial and my preferred coping mechanism was alcohol. It probably took me two years to get back on a totally even keel.

Several things helped, all of which were the result of circumstances rather than active management of my issues. The first thing, which was fairly tragic was one of my friends fathers passed away. At his funeral I broke down in tears and had to leave. I was finally mourning my own fathers passing. A friend quipped 'I didn't know Roger was so keen on Steves Dad'. Sad though his passing was, it was the cathartic experience of being able to finally let go. It also helped to be able to discuss my feelings with a friend.

The next step was when I started doing Yoga. We had an excellent teacher and there was emphasis on relaxation and dealing with issues. This also helped greatly. About 18 months after, I had a long chat with my mother. She confided that she was angry at my father for leaving her alone. She knew this was irrational, but that was how she felt. I encouraged her to go on a cruise and said 'you've got to let go of the anger mum and start living again'. She took this on board and started a new phase of her life. My Yoga teacher had told me that letting go of the past is the only way to move forward. This was the greatest lesson.

If there are five things I learned, they are as follows.

1. It takes time to grieve when you lose someone unexpectedly.
2. You need support from people who understands the experience.
3. You need to support others family and friends and they need to support you.
4. Your colleagues at work must be supportive and sympathetic. If they are not, get a new job, if you possibly can.
5. When the time comes, be prepared to let go and move on.

Nothing will dull the hurt or pain. But with the value of hindsight, I can see that you can eventually move on. Never be afraid to cry and ask for help.
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