Bernard Lamb

Very interesting, thanks. Induran comes out rather well. Tactics seem to be different these days which might explain some of the anomalies, with a preference for a late attack rather than going hard from the start. Funnily enough Induran is one of the few former top riders who is probably as fit in retirement as he was in his prime. I saw him a few years ago on the Toumalet and he had ridden out, done the climb and was going to ride home, giving a ride of a bit over the 100 mile mark. Bernard

So far this thread has been free of ultra right wingers such as you. When somebody makes an honest comment there is no need to jump in with you sarky remarks. I did try to point out the attitude of our main political parties regarding spending on their own behalf and spending public money. I agree. A plague on both their houses. A prominent Labour spokesman is now using the word murder. Bernard

Nobody knows the troubles i've seen. Bernard

I did mention in a previous post that when I had worked on jobs that involved fire doors we had the structures tested by the BRE. I presume that nobody consulted them in this case. I always found them to be very rigorous in both their testing and their reporting. Toughest of all checks were those done by the Agremont Board, I think these days know as BBA. With them you not only had to get the product to pass a test, you had to comply with a statistical chance of any item failing by working to a set standard deviation. Ironically this could result in a failure, as if the sample tested was too good in certain respects the calculations applied a down rating, as the calculation did not like a wide range of results. Bernard Bernard

Try Vera Lynn. Now is the hour. Bernard

I was talking to a chap at lunch time who has to pass the tower almost every day. He is the Chief Bouncer at a well know London club and as such is something of a hard man. He was very moved by the event. One remark was that although he did not believe in ghosts he felt the spirits moving the next day. He did make one comment that I have not heard from official sources though hints have been dropped. He expects the death total to reach 120. Bernard

The Churchill Barriers in Orkney carried roads as a secondary use and there was a narrow gauge line laid to aid their construction. Bernard

So you test in in the situation in which you intend to use it. Perfectly simply but costly. To go back a few pages. If the likes of LUL, other examples are available, can work to practical procedures then why can't others. Even the much maligned motor industry does in general make an attempt to maintain standards that involve safety. Bernard

Rather more than a feeling, as it was clearly stated at a very early stage. There was even a phrase used about saving the tenants money by reducing their fuel bills. Bernard

How long you got? I thought it was a very smart response to my post. In very different ways it looks as though Ivan and myself have come across the same people. Bernard

David Lammy did a very good interview on TV this morning. He talked about a crime and the lack of any further reports from the police. Particularly apt in the light of comments about cyanide poisoning. As others have pointed out crime as most people would see it or crime in the strict current legal sense would seem to be rather different. The only tower block I have worked on was office rather than residential and that was Millbank Tower during a refurbishment. I will not name the client to avoid embarrassment and for security reasons. You can get a good shot at finding out the name if you search for past occupants. Or at least you will narrow down the choice. They insisted on top of the range products. On a job like that you do not just fit 30 minute fire doors. You check the suitability of the frame and fixings and how the whole caboodle fits into the wall. There were several tests carried out on samples of the products at BRE Garston and some of the manufactures claims were found to be rather dubious. No problem once you know and are able to take the appropriate action. Given a very large amount of cash I have even seen fire doors with vision panels fitted on other prestige projects. It can be done if the will is there.From the published information we do seem to have a two tier system based on hard cash in the UK. The mood of the people in London might just start to trigger a change. That would be a fitting memorial if it saves the lives of others and improves the living conditions of many. OK, I am getting on a political hobby horse but change has to come. Both as regards how we do things and how the legal situation can provide protection to prevent people becoming victims. Bernard

Being but a simple soul I have restricted my contributions to places that actually include the word "Halt" in their name. I have another local branch on my list to visit, so with luck I will try to post a couple more next week. Totally OT but prompted by your photo. I have a photo of a J39 and a train taking evacuated children from Walthamstow to Aspley Guise around 1940. Any one suggest the route that this train would have taken? Bernard

I thought that line had full blown stations rather than halts. I do like the photographs even if I am a bit of a pedant. Bernard

Having worked on the odd project for LUL I agree and would go further. They have the same degree of control in their procurement programme. When I was involved in the supply of items to be used on escalators the detail and tests required on the paint finish, just to quote an example, took some hard work to tender an acceptable specification. If the people behind the subject of this thread had been as rigorous, even if the cladding did comply with all regulations, we almost certainly would not be having this exchange. So sad and so avoidable. Bernard

That is roughly in line with what I was thinking. Hence my comment about forty years is very much in the ball park. In general terms for much of London that can be described as a well established community. Bernard

It has changed. But how long ago did it become Bangladeshi? A good while from memory. Far earlier than many other parts of Tower Hamlets. I had an uncle who was in charge of the schools in Walthamstow when they went comprehensive. At that time it was roughly 1/3rd each British, West Indian, Asian. Now it is very much Asian dominated. Bernard

Oddly enough the area around Brick Lane has probably had as stable a population in terms of ethnicity as any where in London over that period. Certainly more stable than in some traditional white working class areas where no local families can afford to buy. Bernard

Just as much a minefield as in other scales. I have settled on the Roco type as currently also available from Hornby. At first I used them on coaches and the relevant locos but quickly adopted them as standard as a lot of my stock came with them. They work fine and are fairly bomb proof but don't like any variation in height. But that rider applies to several other types. Bernard

It should of course read Allen Gardens. I think it is rather well done. Bernard

Two comments re the last post. If this had been in France people would probably have been arrested by now. We have a magnificent organization that is based fairly near who I an sure would have willingly taken over the relief effort. They are called Oxfam. Bernard

But they are real people. When I was first told about this forum by a member of another forum It was mentioned that they were such nice helpful people on here. Almost without exception that has turned out to be the case. Unlike Facebook they do not send me silly adverts and other junk. Bernard

I do not accept offers from people to be friends full stop. I think it is a stupid idea. Bernard

Good of you to keep us informed. But where is the piccy? Bernard