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News and Comment September 2022

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30 September - 30 days of rubbish

Bexley Council will resume its programme of meetings next week after its long Summer recess; meanwhile there is not a lot to report. I went to the Cost of Living Crisis meeting in Abbey Wood on Wednesday and it was nothing like what I naively thought it might be. Interesting nevertheless and lots of notes were taken a summary of which will appear here soon, probably tomorrow.

With a Sainsbury’s branded item I used to buy regularly having gone up in two stages from £2·30 less than six months ago to £4 this week there is certainly a crisis. I didn’t buy it, not because I didn’t have four quid but because at £4 it is very poor value for money.

This month has been taken up by a lot of DIY work. Until very recently I never hired a tradesman to do anything and September has seen me indulge in plumbing, electrical alterations, carpentry, bricklaying and computer fixing with another two old PCs waiting to be mended and obstructing my front door. In the past I have replaced gutters, installed kitchens and on one occasion my own double glazing.

However it gets to be increasingly difficult. I gave up building my own radios and amplifiers 30 years ago when they became controlled by microprocessors and the amateur had no access to that sort of technology. Basic electrics are to some extent going the same way. If I modify my solar panels and associated electronics various authorities have to be notified and they will only deal with registered contractors. So called professionals have to be employed.

I asked one to quote for a job nearly two months ago and it seemed to be a reasonable price at the time so I asked exactly what equipment he had in mind to fit. I was sent the maker’s name, model number and two photographs. It was entirely unsuitable equipment and I emailed to say so. For more than a week I was ignored but eventually told less than gracefully that 400 similar jobs had been completed this year so far and no one else had queried their choice of equipment. I still maintained that their plan was unviable and provided several reasons.

Much to my surprise a sub-contracted electrician turned up at my door, roll-up dangling from his mouth, and told me he had come to carry out the work. I asked him what he planned to do and was told “I am not here to talk to you, if you have questions ask Joe in the office”. I told him that I had and attempted to explain why the plan sent out by Joe was entirely unsuitable. His response was that he would not “listen to a silly old man” and went to leave. I encouraged him to do so.

Subsequently the boss of the company confirmed that I was entirely correct and the wrong equipment list had been sent to me. A pity that he ignored my immediate protestations but he is the registered MCS installer and I am the silly old man. Not a bad month, racist and electrically incompetent to boot.

Across the road SloppyStyle Recycling’s mess goes from bad to worse and this morning their collection staff thought all the road’s brown bins were mine. A good job they are numbered and could be returned to their rightful owners.

Bins Bins Bins Bins"

Note: The initials MCS are not explained on their website but it is the body that maintains the central database of solar installations.

 

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