1st February 2001
Graffiti more
widespread
and the rain has no affect!
During walks about the
town, the increase in graffiti is noticeable. Apparently the
council will eventually come along and remove it, well, paint
over it anyway, though often the offending scrawl is still visible
beneath. At a certain point in the town which we will not actually
name here for fear of further malicious damage, the scrawls are
extensive and quite obviously the work of more than one individual.
The same 'style' of scrawl is often repeated at other points
in the town and so each example must be the work of the same
individual, although the number of different images suggest that
more than one person is responsible.
Although we have photographic evidence, Thamesweb
will not give those responsible the satisfaction of seeing their
efforts publicised here.
It is disheartening when this vandalism is so widely
repeated, but it is more saddening that little is done either
to remove the mess promptly or to identify and prosecute the
offenders. Amazingly the penalties for such vandalism can be
as much as 10 years in prison! Such are the laws of this land
that damage to property can be punished far more harshly than
injury to the person. Whilst we would not endorse punishment this harsh,
we heartily urge the Borough to take on board the fact that graffiti,
when left, encourages more of the same. Graffiti should be reported
and removed within a few days at most, and the culprits actively
pursued and prosecuted.
In the meantime schools and colleges should make
sure that their students are fully aware of the penalties and
that local residents are now on the war path!!!
If anyone would like to join us in this battle, do
get in touch!
Would that the rain would do some good for a change
and wash away the mess... seems not, although not for the first
time this winter we are reporting yet more heavy rain this weekend,
3rd and 4th February.
See also
April 2001
|
8th February 2001
River levels on
the rise again
Once again we are reporting
that the Thames at Windsor is on the rise. Following significant
rainfall over the last few days, levels have risen to about two
feet above normal. From midday Wednesday 7th to the same time
Thursday 8th February levels have risen by almost one foot, 30cms.
More rain is forecast and The Environment Agency has once again
issued a Flood Watch for the Thames from Marlow to Windsor. River
levels will continue to rise "very slowly" with "localised
over-topping" of river banks.
20th February 2001
River levels up
and down
like a yo-yo - and catches out
Flood Relief excavator driver!
It is hard to keep track
of the river levels these days. In my youth - in the fifties
- the river would rise once, maybe twice in a winter and it would
be the cause for some local comment, though rarely concern.
During the week ending
Saturday 17th February the river level rose once again following
a reported 1" of rain upstream in the Oxford area over the
previous weekend. The rise in the river has become almost a monthly
event! And not just by an inch or two, one foot (30 cms) is not
unusual and on Friday 16th February water was just beginning
to cover Baths Island once again.
Here in Windsor last week,
we enjoyed clear blue skies, following morning mist or fog, sunshine
being very much a rarity this winter. But the very long term
view, as featured on the television news of 19th February, is
that the United Nations committee reporting on these matters,
suggests that 'Global Warming' may be occurring faster than previously
thought, and that increased rainfall, and hence further flooding
may become rather more commonplace than in the past. Whilst The
Thames cannot possibly be under the same threat as the vast coastal
regions of, say, Bangladesh, the chances are that the Flood Relief
Channel may be put to the test rather more often than the '60
year Worst Case' scenario that it is claimed to handle.
Whilst on the subject of
the Flood Relief Channel, it was amusing to note, as the river
rose last week, that at the southern end of the channel, adjacent
to Black Potts, Pococks Lane, a less than attentive driver had
left a large earth moving trailer and its tug rather lower in
the channel excavations than was perhaps wise, so as the river
rose, water lapped around the rig up to a depth of probably three
feet. And there it stayed for several days! There is something
ironic about Flood Relief construction vehicles getting caught
in the floods... but I can't put my finger on it right now.
Views of the River Thames - December 2000
Flood Relief Scheme
Environment
Agency Flood Warning Scheme
|
