A few years ago this site was the home of Marconi Underwater Systems. The site was closed, and the Marconi buildings and surrounds became derelict. The site has remained an eyesore for many years.
Around 2012 I, as a member of the Waterlooville Residents Forum, attended a presentation on behalf of a potential developer. At that time, per the presentation, the plans were to build a 60 bed hotel and restaurant. They also planned a car showroom and a drive thru restaurant. The developer went to great pains. He assured us that the drive thru was not going to be another McDonald’s.
Outline Application APP/12/00652 was submitted 4th October 2012. The recommendation was that permission be granted for this application. Since that time, the Marconi (BAE) buildings were demolished but the site remained undeveloped.
Until that is, along came Lidl and, yep, McDonald’s. But the remainder of the site remained untouched.
And now the council appear to have given the go ahead for a new KFC, Aldi, and Costa.
It’s not as if our little town doesn’t lack for coffee shops and cafe’s. As for fast food drive thru’s, we are surrounded. Nor are we short of Aldi stores, we actually have seven within a ten mile radius. Costa Coffee is even more pervasive with ten in a four mile radius.
There is a significant amount of residential construction in and around Waterlooville. With all the new residents I would agree that there is a need for eateries. But I would argue that there is a greater need for entertainment centres. Waterlooville residents frequently call for a cinema complex / bowling alley. Sadly nobody hears the call
And so, the construction of these three businesses leaves me disappointed. I feel that we, the residents of Waterlooville, have been let down again.
Per my recent post, on Sunday, 14th April, I had the great pleasure of attending the annual Members Meeting, held at the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit.
This was the 81st Members Meeting. It’s amazing to think that this annual event has been going for so long.
Thankfully, the weather was kind, dry with some sunshine throughout the day, although the temperatures did drop later in the afternoon.
But hey, this post isn’t about the weather. Let’s get on to the main event. It’s all about historic cars, some of which are over one hundred years old, being raced around the Goodwood circuit.
So here are some photos of some fabulous cars, oh and motorcycles.
Getting us started is a fairly modern vehicle by Goodwood standards ….
1972 Alpine A110
This was just one of an array of Alpines lined up to greet us as we arrived.
Alpine Display
Close by there was this fine display of monster Bentleys.
Bentley
On arrival we were just in time for the first race.
Let Get Racing
Here we are on the grid but no sign of the cars.
1954 Kieft-Climax GP, 1953 HWM-Alta F2, “Monoposto”, 1953 Connaught Type A, 1953 AC-Bristol Monoposto1948 Alvis ‘Goodwin Special’1936 ERA B-type R7B
These guys were all lining up to compete in the Parnell Cup, a twenty minute race for Grand Prix, Formula 2 and Voiturette cars. These cars are of a type that raced between 1935 and 1953.
Next up was the Derek Bell Cup. a twenty minute race for 1-litre Formula 3 cars that raced between 1964 and 1970.
1968 Titan-Ford Mk31968 Lotus-Ford 41XAll lined up ready for the off.
Yes, all lined up ready for the off. Unfortunately the race start was delayed for a few minutes.
One of the many stalwart volunteers, without whom events such as this could not go ahead.Red Flag – Race StoppedAmbulance DeployedGrid reformed ready for a restart
Unfortunately, due to a racing incident the race was red flagged, an ambulance was deployed and all the remaining competitors had to return to the grid for the eventual race restart.
For a totally different form of racing we move on to the Sidecar Shootout. Racing sidecars was a first for Goodwood. The shootout featured eight of the quickest pairings from the Sidecar World Championships.
The riders, or is it drivers, and their passengers have to be truly insane. One of the competitor vehicles was clocked at 144 mph.
Steven Kershaw & Ryan Charlwood, LCR-Yamaha YZF-R6Kevin Cable & Charlie Richardson. LCR-Yamaha YZF-R6
Between each racing event, the McLaren cars would come out to play.
Presumably checking that the circuit was clear of any debris prior to the next event.
Which in this case was the Surtees Trophy. The Trophy race is for unlimited sports racing prototypes that raced between 1960 and 1966. The race duration was twenty minutes.
First the formation lap …..
And then they were off.
Charging into the first corner.
Here are a few detail shots …..
1965 Ford GT401965 McClaren-Chevrolet M1B1964 Crossle-Oldsmobile Mk551966 McClaren-Oldsmobile M1B1965 Lola-Chevrolet T70 Spyder1963 Cooper-Ford T61 ‘Monaco’Ford GT 401965 Ford GT 401965 Ford GT40 with the 1963 Monaco hard on his heels1966 Chinook-Chevrolet Mk2 leading the 1966 Atilla-Chevrolet Mk3
As we headed into the afternoon it was time for a Mustang or two, or thirty. Yep, thirty Ford Mustangs headed out onto the grid for the Ken Miles Cup. This forty-five minute race was for first generation Ford Mustangs that raced up to 1966.
Unfortunately, due to a racing incident, the safety car had to be deployed and the track cleared before racing could continue.
And then we were racing again …..
Sadly, this guy didn’t get to the finish line …..
But the Members Meeting isn’t all about racing. Some of the events are demonstration runs. On this occasion there was a real treat in store for motorsport fans, Can-Am. The Can-Am series introduced some of the wildest, most extreme race cars of all time.
Following the Can-Am demo we were treated to a real vintage display. Part 2 of the S.F. Edge Trophy. A five lap race for Edwardian racing cars, and Aero-Engined Specials, from the early 20th Century. Here are a few of my snaps …..
1911 Fiat S76 and 1907 Mercedes 120hp1918 Hudson Super Six Leading The Pack1911 Fiat S761913 Talbot SB1906 Bianchi leading a 1914 Peugeot Indianapolis into the curve1916 Sunbeam Indianapolis1906 Bianchi 28/40hp1913 Theophile Schneider Aero1903 Mercedes Simplex 60hp1913 Monarch GP 100 & 1914 Talbot 25hp Sporting Model1913 Oakland Romano
And now, back to the future. Here we have a Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 “Mule” supercar
Travelling back in time, just a little, we were treated to a demonstration of Niki Lauda’s McLaren MP4/2B……
And then as time was marching on, at around 17:00, we had the final of the Sidecar Shootout.
Steven Kershaw & Ryan Charlwood ready for th off, on their LCR-Yamaha YZF-R6Todd Ellis & Emmanuelle Clement on their LCR-Yamaha YZF-R6
Finally, as we were getting ready to leave the circuit for the day, there was much activity on the grid as Goodwood prepared for the Peter Collins Trophy, a twenty minute race for sports racing cars of a type that would have raced between 1948 and 1955.
We didn’t actually see this race get underway as we were heading to the car park, but all in all we had a fabulous day. Once again Goodwood put on a spectacular event.
Thank you to Goodwood
Thank you to all the competitors and demonstration drivers.
Thank you to all the owners who allow these fabulous machines to driven as they were intended.
I’m of an age that I remember some of these vehicles racing, watching them on a Saturday afternoon, in black and white, on the BBC. Certainly I can’t get enough of them and all being well, I will definitely be back for the 82nd Members Meeting in 2025.
Read this article yesterday. I am always amazed that, so often, it requires a study to discover the obvious.
Only a few days ago, I posted that I felt my wife’s stenosis diagnosis was delayed by up to twelve months due to the lack of face to face time with a doctor.
Much of a doctors diagnosis has to do with “observation.”
You can not “observe” via a telephone consult.
We have been forced into using e-consultation tools. My experience is that they do not allow sufficient space to describe symptoms fully. On several occasions, when I have used the e-consult tool, I have found the questions leading you down a path to either diagnosis of a brain tumour or diabetes when you are suffering from a broken toe. Invariably, the tool tries to abort, telling you that you need to see a doctor, which is where we came in.
You can not “observe” via an e-consult.
Last year, we were told by a nurse practitioner that nothing had changed, that we were getting the same level of service from our GPs as we always had.
What total and utter nonsense.
Another issue with the current level of service is that there is no continuity. In the “good old days,” not only could you get a face to face appointment with a doctor, but it was the same doctor each and every time.
Continuity would allow the doctor to “observe” physical changes in the patient between appointments.
So, back to the article, anyone with more than a single brain cell could have seen that patients are not getting safe and accurate diagnosis under the current level of NHS care.
I can not even begin to imagine what thought processes were in play when cutting down this beautiful tree seemed like a good idea.
Photo: Paul Flannigan Photography
Det Ch Insp Rebecca Fenney-Menzies said: “The senseless destruction of what is undoubtedly a world-renowned landmark – and a local treasure – has quite rightly resulted in an outpouring of shock, horror and anger throughout the North East and further afield.
So far, a sixteen year old youth and a sixty year old man have been arrested.
I’ll leave the final words on this senseless act to Paul Tavernor Art ….
Gaol time would be to good for them and just add to the existing strain on our prison service.
“Bring back the birch” was a popular saying, not so long ago. Something is needed. Maybe public floggings or perhaps bring back the stocks. Some kind of public humiliation is likely to be more effective than gaol time which is seen by some as a badge of honour.
The bus was attacked by youths throwing stones. One of the windows alongside the nurse shattered, bringing about the panic attack.
One can only imagine the thought processes going on inside the heads of these morons. They certainly have no concerns about the potential consequences of their actions.
This is yet another example of the same moronic behaviour that sees youths attacking all of our emergency service workers.
Who on earth thinks its a good idea to attack our firemen while they are trying to save lives at risk in fires and road accidents. And who thinks its a good idea to attack our ambulance crews and paramedics while they are attending those same incidents.
And then we have the police having to stoically endure interference on a daily basis, whilst putting their own lives at risk, going about their business, to protect us from these same idiotic morons.
Presumably, these are the same thought processes that make firing fireworks at peoples houses. As was happening, in Portsmouth, only a few weeks ago.
This imbecilic behaviour isn’t restricted to the Portsmouth area, rather it is endemic to the whole country.
I don’t understand the whys and wherefores and I don’t pretend to have a solution. What I do know is that the ASBO scheme isn’t good enough. Some youths see being awarded an ASBO as a badge of honour.
When I was a youth, the older folks used to say “they should bring back National Service”. I find that I am now of the opinion that is a good idea.
Going further back in time, to the 16th and 17th centuries, there were the stocks and pillory. Now the idea of these really appeal to me.
Throwing rotten fruit and veg at these miscreants would give some instant feelings of retribution to their victims. And, just maybe, these morons would be too embarrassed to offend again. They would certainly be a very visible reminder to other would be offenders.
I think today’s society could learn something from our ancestors.
I believe the UK government is reluctant, as they have been all along. Reluctant to take the required steps to get us through this crisis.
It is that reluctance that has led to the haphazard implementation of restrictions across the country. It has also contributed to the levels of distrust by Joe Public.
It is due to the disturbing results of the REACT study, and the actions of the French and German governments, that lead me to believe that our government needs to act swiftly and firmly.
Australia’s response had been “light years ahead” of the US and the UK
At the start of this year I was in Australia and witnessed their government’s actions, taken to control the virus and protect the population.
At the same time I observed, from afar, the UK’s actions, which I believe were too little, too late.
And now I believe we are experiencing the results of those actions. That is the haphazard and chaotic implementation of further restrictions.
Had the UK followed the Australian pattern we would be in much better shape. Acting quickly, shutting internal and external borders, enforcing quarantine wherever you were travelling from and so on. Had the UK Government followed this pattern we would have experienced fewer deaths and infections, and we would not be continuing to damage the UK economy.
So, I say well done Melbourne and well done Australia.
WrAnTz 