Great Western Coffee Shop

The solar weather: looking forward a couple of days it's terrible. Perhaps, that day, stay away from the electrical equivalent of the Dawlish sea wall.

Mark

https://www.spaceweather.com/

Or the Met Office version

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/space-weather (https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/space-weather)

which seems more opaque (textually)

That might explain why, after 6 months of almost non stop rain, Wiltshire and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service (what was wrong with "Fire Brigade" ??) have just issued an Amber wildfire alert...............................  ::) ::)

Most became a 'Service' in 1974. Wiltshire was one of a few outliers, retaining 'Brigade' until 1998. Today, only London and Cleveland retain 'Brigade' in the official name of their fire and rescue services.

Have you thought of going into politics ? Your response was a classic in the "Today" programme interview genre...............you supplied 3 answers with lots of impressive  information.....but....my original question went totally unanswered.   ;) ;)  :D

This approaching solar storm MIGHT have serious consequences for radio communications, including cellphones and GPS  and for large power grids.
Not that likely IMHO,  but possible.

Undesired currents may be induced in long metallic structures including pipelines, long wire fences, and RAILWAY LINES. Maloperation of railway signals is possible.

See this thread also http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=28255.msg341608#msg341608 (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=28255.msg341608#msg341608)

Well, the 1974 politicians' answer is, "There's nothing wrong with brigade, but we've reorganised the counties and renamed/rebordered them, changed the emergency services areas, so we may as well rename them too."

Probably a bit of 'forward to the future' too. 'Brigade' is just so old fashioned.

Vote JayMac. On the ballot paper as, Mr None of the above. :P

At least none are called Department or Agency - yet.

I would vote for ANYONE who stands for the "none of the above" party...................

Hmm.  ::)

My local example is clearly an anachronism: https://www.avonfire.gov.uk/contact/

Think this thread is careering towards And Also or the Lighter Side….

Suggest splitting this thread and moving the fire brigade/fire service remarks to the lighter side, but retaining solar storm warnings here, for now at least.
There is now a rare RED warning for solar activity.

Long live Avon. Another of the 1974 Brave New World.

No storms but the Aurora was pretty spectacular over Taplow last night...........

I have heard of some disruption to the grid system in New Zealand, but am not aware of any significant effects in or near the UK.