TRAM TO NOWHERE

This is not the Blog I intended to write when I arrived home on Tuesday 8th November 2016. It was going to be a lighthearted review of nice couple of days at the seaside, following up the London to Brighton veteran car race, then a ‘Sensational'60s' concert with some big names from that great musical era.

But when I had almost finished my piece, something awful happened, and my blog seemed frivolous and inappropriate.

I Iive in the town of New Addington, part of the London Borough of Croydon in Surrey. It mainly consists of a large Council estate, in a pleasant semi-rural setting. It is however one of the poorest areas of Croydon, much subject to 'social engineering' and general neglect by the council. However, it is a town with a great sense of Community, which has been evident on several sad occasions in recent years, notably after the murder of Tia Sharpe.

But on Wednesday 9th November, we suffered a blow like none before. On a chilly Wednesday morning, scores of people said goodbye to their loved ones and set off on their usual everyday busness. They caught the always packed number 3 tram from the New Addington terminus at the bottom of my road, just before 6 a.m., and 15 minutes later seven of them lay dead and 50 or so suffered injuries, some life changing, in and under that tram which had derailed on a sharp bend, which it transpires, people had already voiced their worries about.

The first of the dead to be named was a 19 year old lad who attended my local school, (where i had been a governor for decades, and where my children and now grandchildren have been educated) as did his friend who was also injured. This town being as close knit as it is, the names of some of the other casualties are already known locally; everyone knows at least one fatality, and, so far I know 3 of them, including a colleague's husband, whom I knew from his work as a governor at the primary school which now forms part of the new Academy I only recently retired from.

A Caring Hub was immediately set up at the soon to be demolished Community Centre, with counsellors, helpers and advisors from every group in the area volunteering their services, and local cafes providing tea and snacks.

On Thursday I set off to chair a meeting of our cancer support charity. I had wondered whether I should have called the meeting off out of respect, but decided to walk to the Community Centre where our room is at present located, and offer our assistance too if appropriate. As I approached the hall I realised the Thursday indoor flea market was setting up for business as usual, in spite of the presence of various film crews and journalists. The atmosphere was sombre.   We had our meeting and made arrangements for our fundraising stall at the Christmas fair; a Christmas we were very aware that would be a time of sorrow for many grieving families this year.

Friday 11th November 2016. Armistice Day. Four more tram victims formally identified. And a twofold day of remembrance in this family, when we remember a cousin who perished on HMS Hood during WW2, sunk by the German battleship the Bismarck, as well as all our brave men and women lost in Wars. We also remember my Grandmother who lived just long enough to see her sons and sons in law return from overseas service in WW2, my own Dad being the last to return, having spent most of the war in Burma. Nan died on Armistice Day 1946, aged only 56, having been a widow since 1930, with ten children to raise.

The Croydon service was well attended and the British Legion standard was proudly carried by a member of the New Addington Branch, my friend Tony, in spite of his personal bereavement. After the 2 minute's silence for our war dead, a further minute of silence was observed to remember those killed and injured in the tram tragedy. It was very emotional.

I carried my deep sadness inside,until Saturday, when I shed tears at the sight of the tram, covered in tarpaulin, being driven away through the Croydon streets on the back of low loaders.

And now it is Remembrance Sunday, 13th November. All seven tram victims have now been named and identified, and once more tears came as familiar faces appeared online on TV and in the newspapers. Five of them were New Addington residents, the other two from Croydon.

The usual Service of Remembrance for those who fought died and suffered in recent conflicts was held at our local church, this year incorporating prayers for the tram victims and their families. Wreaths were laid in the churchyard before the parade of scouts, brownies, guides, cadets of all services, and of course veterans, moved off down the high street, all carrying their flags and standards. Many could not contain their emotions as the parade paused at the New Addington tram stop, where the ill-fated tram had begun its last journey. Led by my friend Tony once again, the British legion and other flags dipped in salute to the dead of the tram tragedy, before continuing their march to lay wreaths at the war memorial at the local British Legion branch. A local Councillor also laid a bouquet of seven white roses for those who died on the tram.

Since Wednesday, a veritable field of flowers ,Crystal Palace memorabilia, candles etc, has sprung up near the accident site; and now the New Addington Market Square is also filling with tributes, including many Crystal Palace items. It says a lot for the closeness of this community that even cans of lager laid down for lost mates haven't been nicked, and as soon as candles flicker and die, someone replaces them.

 It has been suggested today that the tram driver was texting on his mobile phone and failed to slow down on emerging from the tunnel on to the bend. I do hope this will not prove to be the case; imagine the burden of grief and guilt the man, and his family, will have to carry for the rest of his days if this is so.

Maybe we will know more tomorrow, Monday, when I publish this Blog. People will find their way back to work and school perhaps on the tram replacement buses that have been laid on for the crisis. Schools will be working on their Christmas nativity plays, and the local community will continue with plans for the Christmas lights switch on and fireworks in two weeks’ time.

Life will go on, one way or another.