“The wind in our sails”.

"Or the wind in our homes” and I am not talking about the after effects of too much figgy pudding. Renewable energy is here to stay whether you like it or not and whether you feel it is cost effective and environmentally friendly or not.  Ramsgate harbour is a major centre in the South-east of England for the construction of off-shore wind farms and as such maintains a working element to the harbour which had previously diminished with the decline of fishing fleets throughout the country. 

 Vattenfall is already installed in the port to service Thanet off-shore wind farm and London Array’s HQ building is under construction adjacent to the ferry terminal. The London Array building as featured on ECR’s blog promises to be “more than a shed” with some interesting architectural features lifting it above normal industrial building styles. New pontoons are planned for the port area for 10 wind farm vessels and a wave breaking pontoon in the outer harbour where the fishing fleet moors. With pontoons and working wind-farm craft the port and harbour have a real working future, I am sure the marine experts associated with this type of operation will ensure the council keeps up with its dredging responsibilities. Thank goodness the slipways have been protected as a marine amenity to this real working harbour.

Quality craftsmanship in the public sector?

Many Ramsgate residents live in listed buildings or in a house contained in one of the many conservation areas dotted about the town. When deciding to do repairs or alterations to your listed or conserved building you have no doubt come across the many restrictions placed on their owners. One particular requirement is the quality of craftsmanship and appropriate materials used in the works.

 

The picture above shows a “quality” repair carried out to a Grade II listed structure on behalf of KCC, after the brick pillar leapt out in front of a stationary vehicle which happened to be passing at the time. I will leave it to your opinion as to whether or not you think this is an appropriate repair. As least it shows what quality of workmanship is acceptable in the public sector. If the vehicle’s insurer had to pay for this repair I wonder whether they would be happy with a similar quality on a vehicle repair.

 While I am banging on about this subject, I thought it right to mention Eastcliff Lift, you know, the one renovated with “loadsa” money from a Lottery fund, complete with beautiful tiled floors. Another inappropriate repair!. There may be an excuse of no money for restoration but there is no excuse for spending good money on shoddy repairs to good buildings.

What PARTY are you joining?

Politics?  What Politics?  Election?  What Election?

No, I am talking about enjoying yourself,. Friday 29^th April is a Bank Holiday for the Royal Wedding of Kate and William. Many street parties are being organised to celebrate the event, so get organised and get the party started. No need to worry about a hang over, you will have three days to get over it, before you crawl back to work. And I hear you may get a grant for it?

Sounds good to me! Hope the sun’s shining!. Lets get the party started!

ERROR or Mis-information?

I read with great interest the Thanet Press Release which publicised the proposed Solar Park at Ebbsfleet adjacent to the Richborough Power Station. The press release stated the output would be 4000 to 5000 Mw, whereas documents attached to the planning application stated 4 to 5 Mw(p). Not being an electrical engineer I thought that I may be missing some subtle difference in these two output claims.

I have now taken expert advice and have been informed that an output of 4000 to 5000 Mw is ridiculous and cannot possibly be achieved by 12 Ha of solar panels. In fact if this power output were possible the world’s energy shortages would be solved.

The reason for writing this post is that the press release was issued by Thanet District Council, who is also considering the planning application. It is imperative that the planning officer dealing with the application is aware of the true output of this solar installation to be sited on 12 Ha of prime arable land, 4 to 5 Mw is about the same output as ONE wind turbine.


Additional Post.

I found this on Wikipedia which puts things into perspective.:
 "A typical coal powered power station produces around 600-700 MW (megawatts)."

Having read the planning documents in greater detail it would appear that the council press release is confusing Megawatts with Megawatt hours.  Megawatt hours is the output times the number of hours per year, interestingly 4000 to 5000 Mw hrs for a 4 to 5 Mw output gives 1000 hours per year which divided by 365 days in a year means the solar panels are operating only 2.74 hours per day on average

How NOT to win friends and influence people?

 
I never cease to be amazed at our council’s warped sense of serving the community. Four years ago we were asked to vote for the people who would represent OUR wishes and carry out the administrative functions in our locality. We will be asked once more in May to endorse these people again, or say “no you did not carry out our wishes”. Here are some of examples of their interpretation of “CARRYING OUT OUR WISHES”

The HOOT enquiry

Local residents desperate to save their tennis courts from asset disposal and development, organised an application to have the area designated as a village green. The council proceeded to employ expensive barristers at a cost to the taxpayer in excess of £20,000 to fight the residents in a public enquiry. Following that public enquiry at which the residents were unsuccessful in receiving village green status, the council then removed the land from asset disposal claiming some sort of “victory” that they acting in the best interests of the residents all along.

Elected Mayor

It was a statutory requirement that the council held a public consultation asking OUR views on what kind of future leader we wanted for the council. The statutory period of the consultation was not observed and required publication of the consultation was not adequately discharged. Not surprisingly a low response was received to the consultation, however the responses received had one thing in common, they all were in favour of an elected mayor.  At an extraordinary meeting which only took a few minutes all of these responses were ignored and a council elected leader was approved, on the grounds that the government may change the rules in the future. I just hope central government don’t mention they are considering the return of hanging or transportation!

Landlord’s Tax

Margate and Cliftonville landlord’s are being asked to cough up £500 per year in an attempt to kerb anti-social behaviour of their tenants. This would become a blanket charge on all landlords whether or not their tenants behave and no doubt if successfully extorted at Margate and Cliftonville it would be rolled out Isle-wide. The council and the landlords are already legally required to curb anti-social behaviour and there is no justification for a blanket charge across the board on good and bad landlords.

Is this really YOUR representatives working for YOU?

COUNTDOWN CO-INCIDENCE ?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

Number of days to opening of Turner Contemporary = 68  (Thanks Tony)

Number of days to the Local Elections = 87

Co-incidence or WHAT ???

ROLL up! ROLL up! For the greatest bout of the century.

THANET PROMOTIONS proudly present the contest you have all been waiting for on this sunny southern Isle. Two nationally acclaimed giants of the leisure scene come head to head for an epic battle of the Titans.

In the azure blue corner with white yachts bobbing is the reigning Champion a favourite with Kings for centuries and holding the royal crown to boot. Their success through the ages has been acknowledged by famous celebrities from all over the world and continues to draw the crowds on hot sunny days with spectacular aqua events unrivalled in the country, the world and the universe

Iiii giiiive yoooou THE Royal Harbour. Ramsgate

In the sunset red and stormy sea corner , The young contender backed by multi-millionaire investors and bringing a whole new art to the game, Nimble on their feet and with a very modern outlook hoping to attract a whole new range of spectators to the sport. Precariously perched and untried but showing every sign of promise.

Iiii giiiive yoooou THE Turner Contemporary, Margate.

12 rounds, 30 or so days in each round, we need a good clean fight with no underhand tactics, before a re-match next year when both contenders will be older and wiser. Referees for the event will be the residents of Thanet, hoping to spot an advantage in one area or another, they can build on for future success

This is Chalky Walker handing you back to the main studio with the words:

 “For Thanet’s sake – let’s hope they are both winners.”