Arthur Street.

The upper of the two photos shown above was taken by me on the second of July, and the lower photo was taken by me on Tuesday the 20th of August last week. The former Belvedere Police station has now been completely demolished to make way for a block of apartments. Now that the bulk of the building is down, the actual very large size of the plot of land can be ascertained, especially if you are a passenger on the upper deck of a 99 bus passing the location, which gives you a very good platform to look over the demolition site. Nuxley Road (NOT Nuxley Village - there is no such place, as I have outlined in the past) is undergoing some major changes to its character; not only has the Police station gone, but historical buildings further South in the road have been demolished - including the former Walk - Around shop, which is now a residential block with shop spaces beneath. Flynn's Bakery, next to the Royal Standard pub, which closed at Christmas, with the owners retiring; the bakery has been empty and unused since. On top of this, the popular newsagent Nikins News / Premier store at the junction of Nuxley Road and Albert Road has also been closed for some months. I cannot recall a time when so many shop units were empty in the area.

In a surprise move, the plan submitted by Orbit South Housing Association to demolish the old Arthur Street Estate in Erith, opposite the new Erith Park Estate has been rejected by Bexley Council's planning department. The somewhat unexpected decision was published by Bexley Council on Friday. The details of the rejection are outlined in a letter to Orbit, via their architects CBRE reads thus:- "Development At Arthur Street, Arthur Street, Erith, Kent The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended), Schedule 2, Part 11, Class B. I refer to the application which you have made on behalf of your client, Orbit South Housing Association, for prior notification of the demolition for all existing buildings on site to be demolished comprising 3 x 13 storey buildings and 3 x low rise housing blocks alongside associated structures, which was received on 29th July 2019. Having considered the submission, I can now advise you that this Council’s prior approval as to the method of demolition and any proposed restoration of the site is required, and that such prior approval is REFUSED, for the following reasons: London Borough of Bexley. 1. Insufficient information has been provided as to the proposed restoration of the site, as required by paragraph B.2(b)(i)(aa) of Schedule 2, Part 11, Class B of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended). 2. The Local Planning Authority consider that the project is an “Urban Development Project”, which is urban development and involves the demolition of approximately 250 homes (including affordable homes) on a site over 1 hectare in size, and does not secure their re-provision (unlike the proposal which is the subject of planning application reference 18/03154/FULM), would have significant effects that are of a markedly different nature to the existing use of the site. As such the project is considered to be a Schedule 2 Environmental Impact Assessment development, and this being the case, permitted development rights do not apply as per Article 3(10) of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).
Yours faithfully
Mr R Lancaster
Head of Development Management." I suspect that this will only be a temporary impediment to the regeneration of the old and crumbling Arthur Street Estate. More affordable housing of good quality is required; indeed a vast majority of the existing Arthur Street Estate residents voted for the regeneration to go ahead when they were consulted at the start of the project. 

Bellegrove Road in Welling is possibly going to be the location for a new Micro Pub. An application has been submitted to Bexley Council for a new opening in a former shop unit. The News Shopper have reported that a potential new Micro Pub may be joining the existing ones in the borough, which include, but are not limited to the the Penny Farthing in Crayford, The Kentish Belle in Bexleyheath, The Broken Drum in Blackfen, the Bird and Barrel in Barnehurst, and The Door Hinge in Welling – which was the first of its kind in Greater London. It is the case that the Hangar (courtesy of their Untappd account) sells Birra Moretti, Meantime Lager and very little cask beer by comparison to gassy mainstream, commercial keg lagers. This seems to suggest that the operators of the Hangar in the Oval, Sidcup, may have misled the Bexley Council licensing team when applying by saying they would be selling cask ales, and calls into question if their new Micro Pub application for Bellegrove Road will be much the same, and will try to get money from a congested market being only a few hundred metres from Wetherspoon's New Cross Turnpike and many other mostly-lager pubs in the town. A source suggests at least one Councillor has challenged whether the Hangar should have door staff or have to go to the licensing committee due to their sales of lager in large amounts as lager traditionally attracts yobs and undesirables. It is understood that the Council may now insist that the Hanger has door staff, as is now pretty much the norm for bars and pubs that principally sell gassy and tasteless lager, and thus attract yobs and other violent undesirables. As far as I have been able to determine, there has yet to be a record of Police attending any genuine Micro Pub in the UK. Micro Pubs are a return to traditional pub values - no music, no TV, a ban on the use of mobile phones (hooray!) and hand pulled or gravity driven cask conditioned real ales and cider. The whole Micro Pub philosophy is designed to encourage conversation between people who might otherwise be strangers. I heartily support the whole Micro Pub movement, but feel that anyone that tries to hijack it in order to open a mass market lager emporium needs to be exposed for what they really are.

The graphic above is a proposal for the Erith Think Tank stand at the forthcoming Erith Pier Festival on the 21st September. Project advisors Paul and Kate say of the proposal:- "The Think Thank’s intention for the Pier Festival is to create an interactive space aimed at promoting citizen engagement with the development of their town. We want to use it as a platform to celebrate Erith, its history and the opportunities for its future. The plot will consist of a gazebo with a colourful, interactive map (still in development), with floor vinyl footprints leading to the space. The community can then label their favourite places; memories from the past or things they’d like in their community in the future. It is also intended to have a photographic element to relate to social media – questioning ‘my Erith is?’ photographs of community members with signs of frames commenting on their town and what it means to them can then be shared. We intend for this to be a playful celebration of the town for all ages and to promote interaction between various demographics and age groups. This will then tie in with the Think Tanks goal of gaining a full understanding of the aspects of the town that people most cherish, that are intrinsic to the towns identity. We are looking to promote awareness of Think Tank in order for it to represent the diverse community of Erith. We're pleased to let you know that our submission to take part in the Erith Pier Festival has been successful! Thank you to Bexley Council for having us on board, and thanks again to Paul and Kate for leading on this project. Can you please put the following dates in your diaries: September 5th - all group meeting, @ the Exchange, 7.30pm. Topics of conversation to be announced shortly.  September 21st - Erith Pier Festival. October 10th - Councillors Louie French and Joe Ferreira will be presenting to the group about Bexley Council’s regeneration plans for Erith. This will be followed by a Q and A session. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Questions are being asked about Cory Environmental and their plans to construct a second waste burner and a large data centre in Lower Belvedere. The News Shopper has reported that a very rare species of insect called the shrill carder bee, which is named after the high-pitched buzz they emit. The insect, which has a distinctive grey-green body and a black band across its body (or thorax for the smart ones), has lost much of its habitat to human development and can now be found at just seven sites across the country, including the Thames Gateway, in which Crossness is located. Other rare insects found in the area include the spined mason bee, a solitary bee that nests in empty snail shells, and a pair of conopid flies, which parasitise bumblebees. How the construction of the new waste burner and data centre will affect these creatures is not yet known. One tends not to think of the local area as being one that fosters much in the way of agriculture; a fairly unglamorous South East London / North Kent suburb is not exactly the kind of place one would expect to find much in the way of food production. In many respects this may be the case, but in one particular area it is most definitely not true. Erith, Slade Green and Dartford are renown for the quality of honey that is produced in the area; indeed Dartford Bee Keeping Club have just won an award for producing some of the best quality honey in the country. I guess that this is due to areas such as the Slade Green Marshes, with the large open areas covered with heather, wild flowers and bulrushes. For what is thought of as a predominantly urban area, we actually have quite a large amount of uncultivated, wild wetlands and other places which bees find attractive, one of which is the relatively newly created wild flower garden adjacent to The Bookstore Cafe in the old Carnegie library in Walnut Tree Road. Operators The Exchange have planted the garden to encourage bees and other local fauna; indeed, they plan to have their own beehives to make honey to be used in The Bookstore Cafe in due course. You can read more about Dartford Bee Keepers on their website here. I must warn you that the text on much of the site suffers extensively from rogue apostrophes – “bee’s” occurs on multiple occasions, amongst other misuses of possessive apostrophes. The site is obviously a labour of love, created by someone with rather more knowledge of bee keeping than good web design, or indeed English grammar and punctuation.

Morrisons has got another price hike in store for its plastic bags — this time to 30p each. The supermarket is trialling the increased charge in some of its Welsh stores. The supermarket chain has already hiked the cost twice this year,  from 10p to 15p in January and to 20p in April. The 30p tag — which is three times higher than most rivals, is being trialled in a few stores with a nationwide rollout planned. Morrison's management say they are encouraging bag reuse — but customers accuse them of cashing in. By law shops must charge 5p for “single use” plastic bags with the money going to good causes. But most, like Morrisons, sell robust “reusable” ones for higher prices — and there is no obligation for the cash to be given away. The 5p charge for single-use plastic bags that was introduced in Wales in 2011, then Northern Ireland and Scotland before England finally caught up in 2015, has been considered a success. The seven main supermarkets in England gave out 6bn fewer bags between in the first six months of the charge than in the corresponding period a year before. However, last year supermarkets sold 1.18bn of the thicker “bags for life”, prompting fears people were using these as single-use bags instead. The Environmental Investigation Agency has said bags for life should cost £1, rather than the 10p many supermarkets still charge. In Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose they are 10p each, while in Asda they are 15p. Morrisons, which is also increasing the cost of its paper carrier bags from 20p to 25p, says profits from bags are being invested in plastic reduction initiatives. Alongside many other people, I have noticed that not only are Morrison's shopping bags more expensive than those of their rivals, but the quality is inferior. 

I know that a number of my regular readers are radio enthusiasts - some are licenced radio amateurs, and others have an interest in broadcast band radio. Years ago, I used to subscribe to what was then a very popular publication - Shortwave Magazine. Back in the late 90's and early 2000's I found it to be very informative and an entertaining read. You can see an online repository of almost every edition os Shortwave Magazine in PDF format by clicking here. I also have subscribed to RadCom - the RSGB official magazine - since I became a qualified radio amateur back in 1997, though I must admit that RadCom can be quite a challenging read at times; the magazine if very text dense, and many of the articles are of a very technical and specialist nature. In 2005 Shortwave Magazine was rebranded and relaunched as Radio Active, and subsequently as Radio User. I bought it for a few editions, but it was not for me - the widened scope of the magazine, which then covered all sorts of radio, felt "dumbed down" and I simply stopped buying it. Last week my sister unexpectedly gave me a gift - the latest edition of Radio User. I am very happy to say that in my opinion, it is now excellent, and the best all - round magazine on radio currently in print. In the many intervening years, the editor and production staff seem to have improved the publication beyond all recognition. You can take a look at their website by clicking here. Let me know what you think - Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Fields in Trust announced on the  22nd of August that Danson Park had been voted the winner of the London Region in its UK’s Best Park competition. It will go forward to the next stage of the competition, with the winner due to be announced on 12th of September. Hall Place and Gardens was included in the south-east region by the Trust. It was one of seven spaces in the south-east in the top 20 percent of nominations and was awarded “Much Loved" status.

Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly a report from Barnehurst ward:- "Firstly the good news, another week with no burglaries. Unfortunately we continue to be hit with vehicle crime, with four theft from motor vehicles reported three of which were theft of catalytic converters. On Thursday the 15th August between 9am and 5pm a catalytic converter was taken from a vehicle in Normandy Way. Overnight of Monday 19th August a vehicle was broken into in Eversley Cross, the front window was smashed and an empty bag was taken. A vehicle had its catalytic converter taken in Hurstwood Avenue but the owner can't be certain when it occurred. On the afternoon of Tuesday 20th August a catalytic converter was taken from a vehicle in Downbank Avenue. A white transit van was believed to be involved in the catalytic converter thefts. During the day of Tuesday 20th August there was a theft of cycle from Barnehurst Railway Station. We are hoping to roll out Smartwater for Westfield Road in the next couple of weeks. Our next community contact session will be at Barnehurst Golf Course on Thursday 29th August at 3pm. We look forward to seeing you". Belvedere ward:- "We have identified and issued another section 59 warning to a male driving an off road motorcycle in Lesnes Abbey Woods. The male was caught on camera and easily identified. The warning lasts for one year. If this male uses this motorbike or any other vehicle in the year period in an anti-social manner then the vehicle he is using can be seized and may be crushed. Same if he rides / drives off road. We had a burglary in St Augustine's Road in the middle of the month. The thieves went in through an open window and stole mobile phones and a laptop. Please shut all windows of a night time or when you go out. There was a recent burglary at 8 Claytonville Terrace, a property which is currently a house of multiple occupancy (HMO). Entry was gained via an internal door and no items taken from within however certain items of property belonging to the occupant were damaged. On Saturday evening last weekend, between 7.30pm and 9pm there was an attempt made to forcibly enter a property in Elstree Gardens whilst the residents were away from the location for a few hours. Damage was caused the front door handle and lock. Entry was not gained however and no items were taken from within. There was a racial incident in Osborne Road recently. The victim knew the suspect and a warning was given for their behaviour. The team came across a vehicle on Poplar Mount that had its front driver's side window smashed and the car rummaged through. This happened on Wednesday 14/08/2019 sometime between 1520 and 1728 hours. The car was parked near to the junction with Lower Road. More anti-social behaviour has been reported in Coleman Road. A certain household is being targeted by youths. Some have been identified and visits made to their parents. Our next Street a Week event is taking place on Friday 23rd August in Calvert Close. Our next ward panel meeting has now been arranged for Wednesday 28th August starting at 7pm which will be held at the usual venue – Belvedere Community Centre, Mitchell Close". Bexleyheath ward:- "There has been no burglaries this week which is good news. However we have had other crimes and some quite concerning, details as follows:- Sunday 11th August 1430-1630 – not previously reported until 14/8/19 theft of catalytic convertor from vehicle parked Church Road j/w Upland Road Wednesday 14th August overnight – Theft of Motor Vehicle from Bromfield Road (BMW) Friday 16th August overnight – Martens Avenue car number plates stolen Saturday 17th August 1030 – 1230 – Wenvoe Avenue, Ladders stolen from fraudsters, who cut down a few branches off of trees in Lavernock Road and then charged the occupant £3000 for the work. Sunday 18th August overnight – Marriott Car Park car damaged by writing being scratched into car Tuesday 20th 1540 Nando's Bexleyheath motorbike stolen. Wednesday 21st – 1540 Albion Road Car Park behind HSBC Handbag stolen from a vehicle when the door had been left open as occupant walked around the car. Sadly we have had a rogue trader theft from an elderly resident on the ward this week. They stated they would do some gardening work cutting of tree branches and when they go to collect the agreed payment (£350) the price has increased to £3000, one of the suspects went with the victim to the Bank and they got away with £1300. No further work completed. Please do keep an eye on your neighbours and ensure that they call someone if they have this type of person knocking at the door. Also encourage people to not do door step trading and to source legitimate companies for any work which needs doing around the home. DERRY YARD CONTRACTORS LTD 0207511240 White van.  The team regularly conduct patrols along drug hot spot areas and ASB areas on the ward and conduct regular stops & searches where necessary. If you do wish to pass on information to Police then please contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111 If you are after crime prevention advice, please look at the Met Police website which has lots of information that you may find useful. Remember in an emergency please dial 999 and 101 for non-urgent reporting".

Crayford ward:- "Unfortunately there has been a commercial burglary this week. On Sunday Sunday 18th August between 21.00 - 21.14 a burglary took place at Euro Car Parts at Optima Park. Items were stolen from under a glass counter to the value of two thousand pounds. The suspect used a paving slab to smash the window. £700 worth of cigarettes were stolen from a black Land Rover in Maiden Lane on Monday 19th August at 13.15. Pallets were stolen from the rear of Smyths toy store and put on an open backed truck by two IC1 males on Tuesday 20th August at 6.05 - 6.25. A red bicycle was stolen from the Ellenor Charity shop on Friday 16th August at 13.30. Between Saturday 10th August and Sunday 18th August a male came twice to Hubbard Close to steal items from outside property. Other crime around Crayford has been vehicle related. Between Thursday 8th and Thursday 15th August a catalytic convertor was stolen from a black hybrid Toyota Prius parked in an underground car park at Marshalls Court at Perry Street. Between Tuesday 13th and Saturday 17th August two watches (a Hugo Boss and Fendi branded) were stolen from a vehicle parked in Green Walk, it is unknown how the thief entered the vehicle. Overnight between 23.00 on Friday 16th August and 09.00 on Saturday 17th August two locked vehicles parked on a driveway in Old Road, nothing of consequence was stolen. A vehicle was broken in to outside Bike Alert at Thames Road on Monday 19th August between 8.45 -13.30, the passenger window was smashed and a dash cam was stolen, the suspect is a male on a pushbike. A catalytic convertor was stolen from a grey Honda on Tuesday 20th August between 11.20-13.45 in Iron Mill Lane. Our next community contact session will be held on Wednesday 28th August between 16.00 - 17.00 at Vintage Lindy Lou's at Waterside Gardens in Crayford town centre". Erith ward - no reports received this week. Northumberland Heath - no reports received this week. Slade Green and Northend ward - no reports received this week. Thamesmead East ward:- "Once again the ward has been hit with Vehicle crime this week. Burglaries: None. Motor vehicle Crime: theft from a motor vehicle St Martins Close Wednesday 14/8/19 between 1am – Thursday 15/8/19 8:30am Victims side window on vehicle smashed, wallet and driving licence removed by suspect/s unknown; theft from a motor vehicle Holstein Way Wednesday 14/8/19 between 9:30pm - Thursday 15/8/19 12:50pm victims front and rear registration plates removed by suspect/s unknown; Thursday 15/8/19 at 6:35am Kale Road Victims neighbour saw suspects inside vehicle and scared them off. Apparently suspects arrive at the scene selling perfumes and cameras from the rear of a van before gaining entry to the victims vehicle; Theft from a motor vehicle Thursday 15/8/19 St Brides Close between 2pm – 3:11pm victims side window on vehicle smashed and rummaged through, paperwork and driving licence taken by suspect/s unknown; Criminal damage to a motor vehicle Thursday 15/8/19 Pointer Close 5am – 7am Victim returned to vehicle to find it had been keyed all over; theft of a motor vehicle Thursday 15/8/19 between 11pm – Friday 16/8/19 9am Thamesbank Place Victims motorbike stolen by suspect/s unknown; Theft from a motor vehicle Thursday 15/8/19 between 6pm – 7am Friday 16/8/19 Lytham Close. Unknown Suspect/s has broken into the Victim's vehicle while parked at the venue and ransacked. It is not known if anything has been removed or how access was gained. Victims boot left open and door found ajar; Theft of a motor vehicle Saturday 17/8/19 between 2pm – Sunday 19/8/19 Lensbury Way vehicle stolen by suspect/s unknown". West Heath ward:- "Unfortunately we have had a burglary in Heath Avenue reported to us this week. This incident took place between Sunday August 4th and Monday August 15th when the victim returned home from holiday. Entry was gained via a conservatory window and golf equipment and jewellery were stolen. One criminal damage to a motor vehicle Between Wednesday August 14th at 10am and Friday August 16th at 10.00am where an exhaust to a vehicle was tampered with. Theft of a catalytic converter in Woolwich Road Stolen overnight between Thursday August 15th at 8pm and Friday August 16th at 09.30am. Theft of loose change, a bus pass, camera from a motor vehicle in Powys Close between Monday August 19th at 8pm and 9.30pm. The team have been focusing as usual on proactive patrols, stop and searches and locating wanted offenders. A police drop in surgery will be held on Tuesday August 27th at 4pm in the Bostall Library in King Harolds Way".

The end video this week features the bell ringing team from Christ Church, Erith. Please feel free to leave a comment below, or alternatively Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

The Big Sky.

I took the photo above a while ago; it shows the River Thames at low tide, exposing the historic Erith wooden jetty that is still used by Erith Rowing Club to launch and recover their canoes. The photo really shows what I call Erith's "Big Sky" - something that you cannot see anywhere else in the London Borough of Bexley.  More on the view from the river front at Erith, and its unique properties later in this update. 

In the 12 months to the end of June of last year, Tesco distributed 430 million "bags for life" – the highest number for a supermarket. Environmental Investigation Agency figures show Sainsbury’s gave out 268 million, Morrisons 140 million, Aldi 52 million, Co-op 28 million, Waitrose 22 million, Marks and Spencer 14 million and Iceland 3.5 million bags.  Environmental campaigners are calling on retailers to increase the cost of bags for life to at least £1 in order to clamp down on their use. Environment Secretary, and current Prime Ministerial candidate Michael Gove is reportedly planning to hike the price of these bags to a minimum of 20p, which some supermarkets have already voluntarily done. He is also expected to extend the charge to small shops, which are currently able to give out plastic bags without making customers pay. Mr Gove is not planning to take any action on plastic bags for life. Some people just find it an inconvenience but will stump up the 10p or 20p to get their shopping home. Those are the people who have never and will never have their own bags with them when shopping, and regard the whole bag charge as a cost of going shopping. The problem with the 20p "bags for life" issued by many shops is that unlike their more expensive versions, which can cost up to £2 each, the 20p bags tend to be relatively fragile, despite containing twice the amount of plastic than the single use versions. In addition reusing such bags also can raise the risk of food poisoning, Bags for life pose a food poisoning risk if they are used to carry raw foods such as meat and fish, a consumer watchdog has warned. The Food Standards Agency says even if there is no leakage, packaging can harbour traces of harmful bacteria that can cause stomach bugs. Shoppers should have separate bags for raw foods, ready-to-eat foods and household items such as detergent. Reusable bags could be colour coded or labelled to avoid any mix-up, it says. If there has been visible spillage, soiling or damage, plastic bags for life should be replaced, while fabric ones could be washed or cleaned. "Even if there are no obvious spillages or staining after several uses, we would recommend that cotton/fabric bags for life be machine-washed regularly if they have been used for carrying raw items," warn the FSA. It is all so much more complicated than many, including me, had ever realised. Morrison's supermarket have been particularly clumsy in reacting to the changes; firstly they hiked the price of their entry - level plastic carriers from 10p to 20p each, with no increase in the extremely poor quality. Last week I used one for only the second time, and one of the handles came off, entitling me to a free replacement - but with each plastic "bag for life" containing twice as much plastic as one of the older single use bags, it does strike me that Morrison's at the very least are trying to be seen to do the right thing, without necessarily actually doing it. On top of this, I am a keen user of the Morrison's self service salad bar - on the occasions that it is actually open. Previously customers filled various sized salad containers and took them to the checkout, where the container was then wrapped to prevent leakage - the containers have a snap lid, but they have a tendency to break open and leak, which can cause quite a mess, especially if it happens whilst on your way home. Now the bags that are used to wrap the sometimes leaky salad containers are no more. Please don't get me wrong - I entirely support the move to reduce the prevalence of one time use plastics, and I am a very keen recycler. What I do object to is the virtue signalling of the big supermarket chains, where they make changes that are detrimental to the customers in the effort to be seen to be green. I am keen that the big supermarkets make changes that are less harmful to the environment, but please actually think things through rather than taking a "knee jerk" reaction to the public mood. The law of unintended consequences has seemingly come into force yet again; I have been talking to a couple of (anonymous) contacts I have in retail management. It would seem that the ban on giving away free plastic carrier bags at supermarkets has been successful in reducing the number of disposable bags shifted by the stores, but it has had an effect that has at the time of writing proved to be far more economically damaging. What has happened is that criminals are now able to walk around supermarkets with large reusable shopping bags on their arms, and can easily shoplift items into the anonymous bags. For shop security staff, someone carrying a large shopping bag around the store used to be a significant indicator that they could well be a shoplifter, and the security staff would consequently pay them more attention. Now that virtually all shoppers carry their own bags round the store, the criminals can far more easily blend in with the innocent shoppers. I have been told that the increased levels of stock loss have completely wiped out the lowered costs of supplying single use shopping bags in many high - street stores, but the management do not want to highlight the issue for fear of being thought of as "anti environment".  What do you think? Leave a comment below, or alternatively Email me in confidence at hugh.neal@gmail.com. 

Groundwork London, the consultancy that is currently advising Bexley Council regarding improvements to the public realm in and around Erith, published the following press release last week; it reads thus:- "Several more events are planned following the success of two open days held in April at 68 Pier Road Erith, when over 200 local people came along and gave their views on the improvements planned to begin in Erith this year.  Local people can give their views on the Riverside Gardens improvements at two more consultation events, that will be held as part of the Erith Kitchen, at Pier Road on Friday 14 June 4pm–9pm and Friday 12 July 4pm–9pm. There is no need to pre-register for these - simply turn up on the day. An online survey is also available for community input into the refreshed Riverside Gardens in Erith. Cllr Louie French, Bexley’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth said: “The support of the local community is essential to help Erith become a vibrant riverside town again.  Its’s important to us that we get the input of local people at an early stage and that we ensure the improvements benefit everyone’. That’s why we’re running lots of different consultation events and have commissioned the specialists Groundwork to help us run the co-design and engagement process for the Riverside Gardens, and GCDA, who helped us deliver the open days at 68 Pier Road. There will be lots more opportunities to tell us what you think and you can always contact us via the Greater Erith website.”  Daniel Brittle, Community Programme Manager, Groundwork London said: “We’re delighted to be working with London Borough of Bexley to reach out to the community and find out what residents, businesses and community groups would like from the Riverside Gardens. We’re looking forward to hearing the creative suggestions that local residents come up with.” Residents can fill out the survey online www.greatererith.com/riversidegardens and community groups will also be invited to give their views at a Riverside Gardens Ideas Forum in May. There’ll also be the chance to get involved in outdoor activities celebrating Erith such as wellbeing walks and heritage talks. The details of which will be publicised on the Greater Erith website. The Improvements proposed to start in 2019 will be funded with £1.6m the Council secured from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund.  As well as the upgrade of the Riverside Gardens, improvements include bringing Units 66 and 68 Pier Road, that have stood empty for some years, back into use and securing the long-term future of 70 Pier Road.  Funding will also be used to support business start-ups by providing new office space in the town centre to showcase their products and services and the pedestrianised area on Erith High Street will be brightened up. The improvements will build on previous regeneration work funded by the Council and the Mayor through their partnership project, the ‘Greater Erith Programme’. This includes the upgraded public areas at Erith Station and the soon to be renovated public space at the entrance to Erith Pier, as well as the renovation of the Carnegie Library building. Find out more about the planned improvements and tell us what you think at www.greatererith.com or follow Greater Erith on Facebook and Twitter.  

A technology birthday happened last week, and almost nobody even noticed; Microsoft's Bing search engine had its tenth anniversary. The engine was launched back in 2009 with the hope of persuading people to adopt yet another verb and "Bing it" rather than "Google it". Microsoft has sunk millions of dollars into Bing in the last decade, with almost no effect. Currently worldwide web searches using Bing account for 9.4 percent of the total, whilst Google's share of search (which does not include China) now is 75.48 percent. The USA is pretty much the only country where Bing has any kind of traction - with a creditable 34 per cent of the market (as of 2018) with 6 billion monthly searches. Around 19 per cent of UK searches are performed using Bing (405 million monthly). It is worth remembering that those figures are from the Bing team and include Yahoo! searches. Bing itself was a replacement for Windows Live Search and was unveiled by then CEO Steve Ballmer on 28 May 2009 with Yahoo! jumping on board in July of that year to have its search powered by Ballmer's baby. The Microsoft team has spent the years fiddling with the search engine in an effort to speed things up and make the results more relevant in order to tempt users away from the Google behemoth - even paying users to search with the thing, in the form of Microsoft Rewards, has not made much of a dent in Google's global search dominance. Incidentally, I once met the aforementioned Steve Ballmer. My encounter with him was very brief; I attended the UK launch of Windows XP back in 2001 in London, after managing to blag a ticket to the event through my job (there were occasions when working for a household name multinational blue chip professional services firm had its benefits). I was sat in an aisle seat in the Royal Festival Hall. There was a big opening video with a track by Madonna, then Ballmer came running down from the back of the hall, all WWE wrestling style. Had I known Ballmer was  running past my seat a couple of moments earlier, I could have stuck my leg out and sent him flying. Anyway, at the end of the presentation, a few members of the audience, myself included were invited for a corporate “meet and greet” session. I said hello to Steve Ballmer; he took one look at me, and the polo shirt I was wearing, and his look was pure poison. He blanked me completely. I have to say that I was very impressed with this reaction; the polo shirt he had taken such offence to was a sober grey in colour, but on the right  hand breast was embroidered Tux – the Linux mascot; this was at around the time that he said of the open source movement  “Linux is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches.” Understandably he was not too impressed with my appearance! Steve Ballmer is retired now, thankfully, as his record as a business leader was patchy at best, and I personally found him to be a boorish loudmouth. 

There has been much speculation regarding the fate of the former Cairngall Medical Centre in Erith Road, Upper Belvedere. The building had been used as a GP surgery for the last half a century, but due to the owners of the building being unwilling to renegotiate the lease with the partnership who operated from the building, the doctors practice closed permanently earlier this year, and all of the patients were forced to move to other nearby medical practices. It had been thought by some locals that the prime development spot might well result in the current building being demolished, but recently information became available that the owners of the building actually plan to turn it into a pre - school children's nursery, as you can see from the architectural floor plan drawing above - click on the image to see a larger version. Workers have been active on the site over the last few weeks, mainly clearing the garden and the small car park that is next to the main building. A series of skips have been on site, and it would also appear that the interior of the building has now been stripped prior to alteration work commencing. More on this story in the weeks to come. 

Many regular Maggot Sandwich readers are familiar with my writing about Hiram Maxim, the inventor,  engineer and very successful businessman whose main factory works were located in Fraser Road, Erith for many years in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. There was a second foreign born engineer and inventor who worked in Erith at around the same time as Hiram Maxim; his name was Thorsten Nordenfelt. He was a Swedish born and educated man who married a British woman and moved to the UK; initially they lived at an address in the Uxbridge Road, Paddington, after migrating to the UK in 1867. Thorsten and his British brother in law started a business trading high quality Swedish steel for British railway rails and engineering fittings. After a while, he founded the Nordenfelt Arms and Ammunition Company, which manufactured a variety of medium calibre deck mounted guns for arming motor torpedo boats and coastal patrol vessels. The guns were manufactured in Erith (as you may gather, in Edwardian times, Erith was a major centre for weapons manufacture, and many locals were employed in the factories). The problem that Thorsten Nordenfelt had was that he  was an excellent engineer, but an absolutely terrible businessman. His arms factory was losing money hand over fist, and after much pressure from his bank – Rothschilds – Nordenfelt was forced to merge his company with Maxim to form the Maxim Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition company, with Maxim as the majority shareholder. Two years later Nordenfelt was declared personally bankrupt, and lost complete control of the company, leaving Maxim the benefactor. Not to be deterred, Nordenfelt and his family upped sticks and moved to France, hoping to start afresh. He set up a new company designing arms, and developed a revolutionary new breech mechanism for the French 75mm field gun. This all went swimmingly until he received a letter from Maxim’s lawyers, reminding him that he had signed a non compete clause that Nordernfelt had signed upon leaving the Maxim Nordenfelt company. The case went as far as the House of Lords, and was found partially in Nordenfelt’s favour, but by this time he had grown heartily sick of the arms business, and decided to go into the then brand new submarine business instead. He formed a new company with a vicar and keen amateur naval architect called the Reverend George Garrett. They jointly designed a new submarine – the Nordenfelt One, which weighed in at fifty six tons, was 19.5 metres long and had a range on the surface of 240 kilometres, powered by a one hundred horse power steam engine which gave the vessel a speed of nine knots. It was armed with a single torpedo, and a deck mounted gun. It had to shut down the steam engine before it could dive. It was accepted by the Greek Navy, but never saw active service, and ended up being scrapped in 1901. A Nordenfelt Two submarine was later built, followed by a Three, which was larger at thirty metres long; It did have one claim to fame – it was the first ever submarine to successfully fire a torpedo at a target whilst fully submerged. The final Nordenfelt submarine was the Four, which was commissioned by the Russian Navy, but in sea trials it proved to be unstable and very unseaworthy, and ended up running aground off Jutland. The Russians refused to pay for it, in yet another commercial disaster for Nordenfelt. He then decided to call it a day and retired to Sweden, where he died in 1920 aged 78. Some small signs of Thorsten Nordenfelt do still exist in Erith. Nordenfelt Road, off West Street is one link, as was the Nordenfelt Tavern at 181 Erith Road – a local pub named after the man; it is now long closed and converted into flats, and so another link with our past is severed.

Now for the weekly local safety and security reports from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly the report from Barnehurst ward:- "On Tuesday 28th May 2019 between 02.30 and 03.30am an attempted burglary occurred in Coniston Close. Unfortunately a side gate was left open and suspects have entered and taken plastic piping. It is believed suspects have attempted to enter the property by trying a rear door handle, this triggered the house alarm and suspects fled. A burglary occurred on Monday 03/06/2019 in Cumbrian Avenue between 06.00am and 23.30pm nothing was taken however a television was smashed. It is believed entry was gained through an open window. In Hillingdon Road there was a theft from motor vehicle on Saturday 01/06/2019. The item taken has since been recovered by the owner after seeing it for sale on eBay. In Hurstwood Avenue a mobile phone was taken from a vehicle, the window was smashed and glove compartment was also searched. Our next community contact session is on Tuesday 18th June 2019, 4pm at the Barnehurst Golf Club. Please come along and join us for a chat. From Member of the Public - in Downbank Avenue:- I was walking my dog in the grounds of Barnehurst Golf Club when 2 unaccompanied Rottweilers ran from the rear of a property backing onto park and attacked my dog. I lifted my dog up and the 2 dogs continued to attack me and my dog. After a few minutes the dogs must have been called off by someone from the house, although i could not see who. My dog needed the vet's attention. It was a very frightening experience". Belvedere ward:- "We had an attempted garage burglary on Wednesday 29th May in Elstree Gardens. The lock was broken and door opened but nothing was taken. It happened overnight. On the same night we had a burglary at the Chestnut Nursery on Nuxley Road. Access was gained through a window. A camera was taken. CCTV enquiries are on-going. On the Thursday 30th May we had a report from a resident that a male was seen to be loitering in a back garden in Mossdown Close during the day. Police attended but the male had gone. If anyone sees someone in their back garden please do call Police as they are probably up to no good. There has been some criminal damage to a wooden door leading to a rear garden in Albert Road. This has happened three times, once during the half term and twice last weekend. Garage burglaries are continuing, this time in the Albert Road estate. Locks have bene broken off and doors opened but nothing taken. If you see anyone loitering that looks suspicious and out of place please contact Police. The Wellbeing Centre had a window damaged during the half term week. The window was smashed, nothing was taken from inside. No exact date and time known. There was a distraction burglary on Tuesday 4/06/2019 in Court Avenue. At approximately 1500 hours two males knock at an address claiming that the homeowners roof is damaged. While the owner stays with one of the males the other goes into the address and steals a large sum of money. If you have any cold callers and are not happy with them never let them into your property or step outside, leaving the door open. Do not give any personal details over. If you have any concerns about a cold caller please let us know. Any descriptions of the people or any vehicles they ae using will be helpful to build up an intelligence picture. Our next drop in surgery will be held at Belvedere Community Centre on Monday 10/06/2019 at 10:00". Bexleyheath ward:- "Theft of motor vehicle reported on the Friday 31/05/2019 along North Street Bexleyheath between 1pm & 7.30pm, vehicle was left secured; Another theft of motor vehicle reported between the Wednesday 29/05/2019 & Thursday 30/05/2019. Vehicle was taken over night at some point; A theft from motor vehicle was reported on the Thursday 23/05/2019 along The Green Bexleyheath, cash and bank card used and card used to make transactions; Number plates were stolen from a vehicle along Heversham Road at about 2100hrs on Thursday 30/05/2019; On Tuesday 28/05/2019 – Another theft from motor vehicle was reported, vehicle was broken into on the victims drive along Mayplace Road East. Incident happened overnight; On Monday 03/06/2019 – There was a report of a theft of purse in the ASDA store at about 10am. Purse was taken from the victim's shoulder bag. Also on Saturday 25/05/2019 an elderly female had their bank cards and money taken from an unattended handbag.  Regular patrols are being conducted around the war memorial as the team have received complaints about ASB and drugs, also the car parks are regularly patrolled". Crayford ward:- "A metal barrier was stolen from Tower Retail Park on Sunday 19th May between 12.00-midnight. A white Skoda was broken in to whilst parked at Mill Place between Monday 27th and Wednesday 29th May, a sat nav, Apple watch and wallet were stolen. Number plates were stolen from a vehicle whilst parked in Greyhound Way between Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th, OX06 LZG should be on a blue Audi A3. Between 13.00 – 17.30 it is believed there was an attempted burglary in Crayford Way. Keys were heard in the lock outside, keys were in the lock on the inside of the property and entry was not made. As a precaution the locks have been changed, the keys have also been returned. There was an attempted burglary to the Bear and Ragged Staff in the early hours of Thursday 30th May. Tools were used in an attempt to open a door but the alarm activated, no entry made. Within the same time frame a burglary took place at the Dukes Head in Crayford High Street, a window was smashed to gain entry and money was stolen, again an alarm was activated. A male was robbed whilst in an alley way close to Station Road Thursday 30th May at approx. 20.00, his oyster card and money were stolen. Youths caused criminal damage to a window at Subway on Wednesday 29th May between 20.55 – 21.15, this has been captured on CCTV. The off-side wing mirror was kicked off a car in Crayford Road on Saturday 1st June. The rear number plate was stolen off a vehicle parked at Wilmoths Citroen dealers on Wednesday 22nd May. Sports Direct reported that clothes rails and equipment were stolen from the rear of the shop on Saturday 1st June between 5.25am and 6.05am. There was an aggravated burglary at Crayford Road on the Tuesday 4th June at 23.15, two suspects entered the shop and stole approx. £150. Large wheelie bins have been stolen from Topps Tiles between Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th June. We have been out patrolling the ward on foot and speaking with members of our community. Our next community contact session will be at Vintage Lindy Lou's tea room at Waterside on Wednesday 12th June between 10.00 - 11.00, please come along and say hello. If there is anything you think we should know about, please contact us on the details above". 

Erith ward:- "Tuesday 4th June 2019, 5am - Two males trying every single door of a car. They smashed a car window on St. John's Road but the owner refuses to report it. At least we now have a description of these criminals not the best but you can see the clothing attire and the use of gloves [of one of them, above]. We have had 2 Burglaries over the past week. Burglary Residential on Wednesday 29/05/2019 Cricketers Close - Unknown suspect/s have broken into the venue via the front door; Burg Res Sunday 02/06/2019 Compton Place - unknown suspects believed slipped lock gaining entry with minor search carried out and property stolen; Theft of a motor vehicle 31/05/2019 Neptune Walk. Theft from a motor vehicle 01/06/2019 Meyer Road. Theft from a motor vehicle Thursday 30/05/2019 Christchurch Avenue". Northumberland Heath ward:- "This week the team have said goodbye to PCSO Dee, she has moved to West Heath ward. She will be missed by the team as well as many residents on Northumberland Heath. We wish her luck. The team continue to patrol our ASB hotspots. Recently we have had complaints from both the Subway and Nisa store on Bexley Road regarding a large group of males causing ASB within the stores. We have obtained CCTV footage and are working hard to identify these males. So far we have identified two of them, we will continue our investigations into this matter, working together with Bexley council and local schools we will be dealing with these individuals. This week the team arrested an adult male in Carlton Road. The male was later charged with theft from motor vehicle, this was a good result for the team as we have had a rise in this type of crime on the ward recently. A residential property in Northumberland Heath that had been converted into a cannabis factory was discovered by police this week. An adult male was arrested under suspicion of production of cannabis. I am pleased to report that there have been no residential burglaries on the ward this week. A set of number plates were stolen from a vehicle in Colindale Avenue overnight on Monday 27th May. The next community contact session is Wednesday June 12th, 4.30pm in the Mill Road Library". Slade Green and Northend ward:- "There was a burglary around 3am on Monday June 3rd in Crescent Road. NHS ID and uniform was taken as well as a laptop. This comes less than 2 weeks after an attempted burglary just 2 doors away at a similar time. Crime prevention leaflets have been delivered. Three stop and searches this last week resulted in one positive find and the suspect given the relevant warnings. After a nasty robbery earlier this year at the Post Office in Forest Road, one of the suspects, Michael McCluskey was sentenced this week to serve 10 years in prison. Crime really does not pay. We are aware that last weekend there were a lot of issues around the ward involving a lot of off road bikes being ridden dangerously, with no helmets and on paths etc. We have received lots of intelligence on some of the riders and are working closely with the relevant Housing Associations in taking action against these people. Please keep us updated with any descriptions of bikes, riders and anything you may see that is causing any disruption across the ward. All information received is treated in strict confidence. We have also received a letter from Stoneham Estates stating that they forbid anyone riding anywhere on their land after recent confrontations with riders by Erith Yacht Club whereby they claimed to have permission to be there. They do not. We are also making Bexley Council aware that the access gate at the entrance to the Thames Path is not preventing the bikes from gaining access. Some good news - A male was arrested by PC Mark in Forest Road on Wednesday afternoon after being found in possession of several bags of cannabis. An investigation is ongoing.  Our next community contact session is from 9.30am on Saturday June 15th in Forest Road café".

West Heath ward:- "Unfortunately we have had one attempted residential burglary in Longleigh Lane which took place at 04.30 on Monday June 3rd, the victim heard noises at the front door and called Police. Tools marks were seen around the front door but entry to the property was not gained. One commercial burglary to a premises in New Road between 11pm on Tuesday June 4th and Wednesday June 5th at 5am. Entry was gained and an untidy search was conducted. It is not clear at this stage what, if anything was stolen. Once again we have several reports of motor vehicle crime over the last week. One theft from motor vehicle in Axminster Crescent on Friday May 31st in the early hours of the morning. The victim was delivering papers and left his van briefly. Cash and other personal items were stolen from the vehicle. On Sunday June 2nd 2019 at 1am, in Little Heath Road a male was seen on a resident's CCTV opening their car door and stealing loose change. The suspect left his water bottle in the vehicle! The previous evening, Saturday June 1st a white male was seen on CCTV by another resident in Little Heath Road trying car doors. A car was stolen in Hythe Avenue on Monday June 3rd at 9.10am. The victim left her car for approximately 10 minutes and when she returned her car had been stolen, although she was still in possession of the keys. On Sunday June 2nd at 3.55am a vehicle was broken in to in First Avenue, cash was stolen and an untidy search was conducted. The team have continued to assist with joint burglary patrols with East Wickham and Crook Log over the last weekend to deter crime". 

The end video this week closely follows the first photo at the top of this Blog entry; it is a short, time lapse film taken from Erith Pier, and shows passing river traffic, and what I have previously referred to as Erith's "Big Sky" - something unique to the riverside. Who says I don't plan these things? Please feel free to comment below, or Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com. 

Mark Brooks OBE.

The story of the former Belvedere Police Station continues. Over the last couple of weeks, a number of homeless people have made camp in the entrance lobby of the building in Nuxley Road. The new residents are there around the clock, and use the toilets in All Saints Church, directly opposite when the building is open for visitors. It certainly cannot be any fun for the homeless people - the weather has been typically cold and damp for the time of year. I am actually surprised that the small group camp so visibly at the front of the empty building that is awaiting redevelopment as apartments. This must mean that they get unwanted attention from certain passers by, and it cannot be very safe for them to sleep in the cold and draughty space. I wonder that they have not either tried to find a more secluded location at the rear of the empty building where they would have less chance of an unfavourable encounter. On Friday lunchtime, three officers from a private security firm were on the site, and I did wonder if the homeless people were about to be evicted. This turns out not to have been the case. I have been in contact with a number of people involved with supporting local homeless people, and the relevant authorities are aware of the situation of the small group of rough sleepers, which includes a girl who is probably no more than sixteen years old, and as such, especially vulnerable. Hopefully a positive outcome will take place before my next update.

Watching a fairly obscure TV channel earlier in the week, I was amazed by the profusion of online bingo companies that advertise on television, and they almost all seem to focus on attracting women gamblers. In a similar way that as I featured last week the "Chat' type magazines found in supermarkets and newspaper shops attract women with their stories of violent crime against mainly female victims. This similarity in approach intrigued me, and I did some research on the subject, and the results were extremely worrying. In a recent independent survey, it was found that the split between men and women players to be 85 percent female and 15 percent male. The split has been around this figure for every survey that has been conducted over the last five years. But that does not tell the whole story, as online gambling expert Matteo Monteverdi said in a recent interview with the Gambling Insider website:- "“Recent demographics data reported by our Google Analytics suggests that in terms of actual visitors to the WhichBingo website, the split is more 60 percent female to 40 percent male. It’s also worth noting, in terms of the split between men and women players, that it depends on which bingo brand you speak to. You’ll find some quite significant differences in the male to female ratio. So for example, a brand such as Tombola, that positions itself as gender neutral, will have a higher percentage of male players than say, 888ladies, which is all pink and quite clearly markets itself as a female-orientated brand. All these pink websites, and TV ads with women shouting bingo at their laptops while the husband goes out to work are hardly going to change anyone’s opinion on who online bingo is really for. Plus in daytime TV there are lots of programmes sponsored by bingo sites, and these all tend to be female-oriented shows such as Loose Women and Home and Away. I doubt there will ever be a successful brand that exclusively targets male bingo players, but at least operators like Tombola and Mecca are smart enough in their advertising to include male players. What also doesn’t help to demystify the stereotype that it’s purely a female pastime is new bingo sites like Hunky Bingo. I’m sure there would be a – small – outcry if Babes Bingo ever launched. It’s worth noting, possibly, that Hunky Bingo send out emails every day with Hunk of the Day. And you thought it was all about bingo?” This conscious targetting of women is a growing issue. The online betting firms, which made £800 million in the UK alone last year, are pulling out all the stops to get more women customers, in a bid to dramatically expand their traditionally male audience. Last year, half of all women callers to gambling charity Gamcare’s helplines had problems with internet betting (rather than with more conventional forms of gambling such as betting shops or slot machines), a rise on 2016 figures. By contrast, only a third of male callers reported problems with online gambling. Many women become hooked after using the sites to escape the pressures of juggling relationships, a busy job and young children. The marketing of these websites is loosely targeted at women with a sentimental side. Kitty Bingo, for example, has a photo of a middle-aged woman stroking a tabby cat. Users can join a loyalty scheme, Kitty Club, which allows players to build up points, which they can then trade in for treats and free games. Many have UK web addresses, but they are often based in British territories such as Gibraltar and the Channel Islands that are not yet covered by UK Gambling Commission rules — though they have their own regimes, which in general are far more lax than the rules in mainland UK. In 2018, more than 60 online betting firms advertised on TV. Those targeting women pay millions to advertise in the daytime to catch an audience of housewives and stay-at-home mothers. Favoured spots include ITV’s lunchtime chat show Loose Women, daytime repeats of Coronation Street and game show The Chase. Online bingo did not exist twenty years ago, and players would be playing in bingo halls. The stereotype of bingo halls is of an older age group, with the average player being over 50 years old. Now with the introduction of online bingo the reverse is true. Only 25 percent of players are 50-plus. The majority are younger, female, typically with children, who are drawn to online bingo because of the social element. Analysis of gambling behaviour amongst women playing bingo online shows that there has been a sizeable shift to using mobile devices. People are playing shorter sessions but more frequently, with the predominant age group being mums with children. Gaming follows household patterns – therefore there are dips at school runs in the morning and the peak time of playing is post children’s bed time. Loneliness and boredom are two factors that have been linked with gambling harm in women. For example, studies indicate that gambling may be an ‘escape’ for women experiencing loneliness and mental health stress and that women who gamble because of loneliness are also more likely to experience gambling harm. Research suggests that women may use gambling as a way of coping with anxiety and tensions from social, household, or workplace demands, and to alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression. Women may also gamble for social reasons. For example, an Australian study showed that women who experienced significant harm from gambling were motivated to gamble in order to be socially engaged. Secondly, and perhaps less well understood, are differences between subgroups of women. For example, studies suggest that older women may be particularly vulnerable to gambling harm because of their increased social isolation, loneliness, lack of leisure alternatives, and physical health problems. Studies suggest that women’s gambling behaviour may increase as women get older as a way to occupy their time after retirement, and after their children leave home. Research shows that on average, older women spend more money on gambling products than younger women. What do you think? Leave a comment below, or alternatively Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Some very good news, and overdue recognition for a local resident who has been doing much to publicise a previously much overlooked and serious issue. Mark Brooks (photo above) from Belvedere and the Chair of Trustees for the ManKind Initiative charity has received an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to male victims of domestic abuse. The charity runs a national helpline, popular website and trains organisations, including police forces, councils and the armed forces across the country. It is a member of a number of national level advisory groups in the field of domestic abuse and is prominent in the media. Mark, who became chair in 2007, is from and still lives in Belvedere. The national charity is based in Taunton, Somerset. During his time as Chair, the charity has: -supported thousands of male victims across the UK through its helpline and website; played a key role in supporting an increase in the range of services available to male victims across the UK; changed and influenced national domestic abuse policy so that it is more inclusive when traditionally government, police forces and councils only focused on female victims with male perpetrators, and, changed society’s views so the public more readily understand that men, as well as women, are victims of domestic abuse. This leads to better support and help from friends, family and work colleagues. Current statistics show that one in three victims of domestic abuse are male, one per month is killed by his current or former partner and that 700,000 suffer domestic abuse every year. On receiving the news about this honour, Mark Brooks, said:- “This honour is dedicated to all those men who have survived domestic abuse alongside those currently suffering but have yet to escape. I hope in some small way that this helps those going through this to find the strength to reach out and get help, knowing it is not acceptable to be a male victim of this, in the same way it not acceptable for a woman either. It will also reinforce the fact that they are not to blame, not weak and not alone. It also sends a strong message that the public, the police and politicians along with others providing domestic abuse support do now recognise that men are victims of this terrible crime as well as women. Ten years ago, it would have been inconceivable that an Honour would have been given to this cause. It shows that the traditional old-fashioned view that domestic abuse is a solely a crime with a female victim and a male perpetrator has changed. It means that more and more people are taking a far more inclusive and 21st Century view of the realities of domestic abuse in the UK today. I would like to thank everyone who works and volunteers for the charity alongside those who make donations and hold fundraising events. Without them, this would not have been possible and the Honour is very much for them.” This is excellent news, and proper recognition of the sterling work that Mark and his volunteer colleagues have been carrying out over the years. You can visit the Mankind Initiative website by clicking here. 

As regular readers will know, I am a keen student of The Law of Unintended Consequences; this covers areas where someone has what on the surface appears to be a really good and constructive idea, but when it is implemented, it turns out to actually not have been such a great idea after all, for certain reasons. In the last week the press have picked up on the government's new policy to double the price of single use plastic carrier bags in supermarkets and other large retailers from 5p to 10p a bag; the idea being to further reduce the public's consumption of such bags, and to force smaller retailers who have until now been exempt from this rule to also charge customers for single use bags. This all seems to be laudable, and supermarkets such as the Morrison's chain actually stopped selling the 5p single use bags completely from June of this year. Instead they have been selling "bags for life" which start at 10p a bag and are meant to be reused multiple times. The problem has come that the "bags for life" contain over twice as much plastic as single use bags, and often don't get reused as intended. British retailers handed out a total of 1.18 billion "bags for life" last year – at a cost of around 10p a bag. In the 12 months to the end of June, Tesco distributed 430 million "bags for life" – the highest number for a supermarket. Environmental Investigation Agency figures show Sainsbury’s gave out 268 million, Morrisons 140 million, Aldi 52 million, Co-op 28 million, Waitrose 22 million, Marks and Spencer 14 million and Iceland 3.5 million bags.  Environmental campaigners are calling on retailers to increase the cost of bags for life to at least £1 in order to clamp down on their use. The number of 5p bags sold by British retailers dropped by around a fifth last year to 12billion. Environment Secretary Michael Gove is reportedly planning to hike the price of these bags to 10p. He is also expected to extend the charge to small shops, which are currently able to give out plastic bags without making customers pay. Mr Gove is not planning to take any action on plastic bags for life. Some people just find it an inconvenience but will stump up the 5p or 10p to get their shopping home. Those are the people who have never and will never have their own bags with them when shopping, and regard the whole bag charge as a cost of going shopping. The problem with the 10p "bags for life" issued by many shops is that unlike their more expensive versions, which can cost up to £2 each, the 10p bags tend to be relatively fragile, despite containing twice the amount of plastic than the single use versions. In addition reusing such bags also can raise the risk of food poisoning, Bags for life pose a food poisoning risk if they are used to carry raw foods such as meat and fish, a consumer watchdog has warned. The Food Standards Agency says even if there is no leakage, packaging can harbour traces of harmful bacteria that can cause stomach bugs. Shoppers should have separate bags for raw foods, ready-to-eat foods and household items such as detergent. Reusable bags could be colour coded or labelled to avoid any mix-up, it says. If there has been visible spillage, soiling or damage, plastic bags for life should be replaced, while fabric ones could be washed or cleaned. "Even if there are no obvious spillages or staining after several uses, we would recommend that cotton/fabric bags for life be machine-washed regularly if they have been used for carrying raw items," warn the FSA. It is all so much more complicated than many, including me, had ever realised.

A technology that I reported on some considerable time ago has developed in a way that even I did not anticipate. I wrote about Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) - a technology that promised to deliver very fast data networking using the National Grid as a means of transmission. In essence, to piggyback data communication signals on to existing power cables which already deliver electricity into homes and businesses, saving the provider the effort of digging up the environment or erecting wireless masts to provide the same Internet connections to computers and other connection devices. The technology was once lauded by national governments, the European Union (EU), and even the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), given its apparent ease of deployment and negligible environmental impact. The theory seemed feasible. Electricity companies have been bundling radio frequency on the same line as electrical current to monitor the performance of their own power grids for years, the theory being that because electric current and radio signals vibrate at different frequencies they do not interfere with each other – or at least not enough to significantly disrupt data transmission. Only low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) power cables are suitable to carry data signals; high-voltage (HV) cables transmitting hundreds of kilovolts over distances measured in tens of kilometres do not vibrate at a consistent frequency, causing regular spikes which cancel the data signal and lead to dropped packets that severely interrupt the transmission. Depending on the distances involved, power companies often have to install repeaters to maintain signal strength repeaters (or regeneration units) to regenerate those signals over distance and prevent attenuation and therefore data loss. The frequencies used have a major effect on the speed and reach of BPL services, as does the encoding scheme used to turn data packets into radio signals. Electric cables have been optimised to transmit between 50-60Hz Extremely Low-Frequency (ELF) band and up to 400Hz, with utility companies using frequencies below 490KHz for their own telemetry, monitoring, and control applications – although most BPL equipment was built to operate between 1.7MHz and 30MHz (the entire Shortwave broadcast, Amateur Radio, maritime, airline and utility communications H.F radio spectrum) and occasionally up to 80MHz. Trials of access BPL technology to date have been prolific and widespread. They have spanned everywhere from the UK and most European countries to the US, Australia, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and South Africa – to name but a few global instances. Despite all these initiatives, all the trials appear to have resulted in power companies and/or Internet service providers deciding that the technology is not viable as a means of delivering broadband Internet access. This is because of two technological challenges that have impeded progress: limited reach, and low bandwidth which do not come close to matching ADSL, Wi-Fi, and even 3G mobile broadband services that have steadily expanded their own coverage areas over time. “They just could not get the speed, and the further they want to reach, the bigger the speed challenge becomes... There are additional problems with contention ratios,” said Don Beattie, director of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) in  a recent interview with Engineering and Technology magazine. “By the time you have shared accessBPL with a number of subscribers down a particular mains cable, you get nowhere near the speed you get with ADSL, say.” The high level of attenuation (or data signal loss) from access BPL power cables – which are often unshielded – had two critical effects. First, it limited bandwidth, and second, it attracted opposition from groups within the radio community. These included radio amateurs, shortwave broadcasters, emergency radio services, and Citizen’s Band radio users. A report published in 2010 by the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills specifically recognised the potential for access BPL to cause interference; and after receiving 200 complaints, UK regulator Ofcom recognised the potential for interference of in-house BPL in its report ‘The Likelihood and Extent of Radio Frequency Interference from In-Home PLT Devices’ (June 2010), although it did not explicitly cover access BPL because ‘it is not deployed commercially in the UK’. The report examined the priority for investigating the potential for interference with many different types of radio users, and identified three ‘high priority’ types or ‘victim receivers’ – shortwave radio listeners, radio amateurs, and aeronautical ground station professional users. The RSGB estimates that each BPL device, such as an in-house power-line adapter, generates as much noise or interference as 10,000 other devices operating in the same unlicensed radio frequency bands, emissions strong and widespread enough to also interfere ADSL connections using overhead, rather than underground, telephone cables. Other complaints centred on the high levels of electromagnetic compatibility emissions caused by access BPL, suggesting that pylons and other tall structures effectively amplify the interference. Norweb trialled access BPL in Manchester during 1998/1999, using street lights near the test site that served to act as antennas for the 2-10MHz band. This reportedly caused interference to the BBC World Service, Civil Aviation Authority, and GCHQ. The failure to properly define clear international standards for BPL technology also probably played its part in its demise. Because they used unlicensed frequencies and voltages which varied from one country to another, early standardisation initiatives were fragmented, and it was generally up to individual power companies to decide how they implemented their transmission facilities, leaving the possibility of problematic interconnection. Thankfully, due to a number of factors, BPL looks like a dead end, which will be something welcomed by users of huge chunks of the available radio spectrum.

A message from the Police regarding post Christmas packaging and other associated rubbish. "Wrapping and boxes left outside your home can advertise rich pickings inside - particularly after Christmas. Most people dispose of rubbish carefully. Will you wait until the day of your next refuse collection before you put your rubbish out or take it to the tip instead? To check when your next waste collection day is, visit the following page regarding household waste collection dates on the Bexley Council website: https://mybexley.bexley.gov.uk/service/When_is_my_collection_day_ ". Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly from Barnehurst ward:- "We hope you have all had a happy and safe Christmas. We are pleased to report there have been no burglaries over the Christmas period. We have had one crime reported of a Ring doorbell being stolen from a property in Grassmere Road. Unfortunately there was no footage of anyone taking the doorbell so unknown as to when exactly this occurred but believed to have been overnight on Sunday 23rd December 2018. Thank you to our residents who joined us last week for coffee and a chat at Barnehurst Golf Club. Dates for January 2019 will be advertised in due course. In the meantime we would like to wish one and all a very happy New Year". Belvedere ward:- "We are starting to get reports of two nuisance moped riders around Elstree gardens and Kingswood Avenue. Both are male, one medium build, the slimmer. They appear to go round in loops from about 17:00 until about 22:00. We believe they live on Elstree Gardens. They are also reportedly drug dealing. If anyone has any information or has noticed any suspicious activity around this area please contact the team. Overnight on theTuesday 4th into the Wednesday 5th December we had a report of someone opening windows around Hailey House, Wadeville Close. This person opened three small windows on two different flats. To clarify the windows were unlocked and open slightly, they have since been opened all the way. No other windows attempted. If this happens to anyone else please make us aware. There was a burglary on Lower Road over the weekend of Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December. The rear door was pried open using a pair of pliers, that were left at the scene. Please ensure you keep all doors and windows locked and secure and if you have an alarm, please use it! The team have been made aware that a household on Lumley Close is storing stolen motorbikes in their rear garden. The house is a family home and it is at least one of their sons that are stealing and storing the bikes. Again if anyone has any information about this please get in touch. All information will be treated in confidence. The Smerdon Centre, Lumley Close has been targeted by egg throwers. Previously in November the centre was also subjected to criminal damage in the form of windows being smashed. We now have three names of people involved and will be making enquiries. On Thursday 13/12/2018 there was a burglary in Osborne Road. The suspect gained entry by plying open a rear window and stealing property. On the weekend of the Saturday 15th / Sunday 16th December a set of garages were broken into on Monks Close. Tools were taken from at least two garages, with other expensive items left in place. It appears that the thieves are aiming just for tools. Please ensure you lock up garages and keep valuable items secure. On Saturday 15/12/2018 there was another burglary in Gideon Close. The suspect smashed a rear patio glass door to gain entry. Nothing taken as far as is known. On Thursday 20/12/2018 a garage was broken into on Fairmont Close. Nothing was taken on this occasion. Sometime between the Wednesday 19th and Friday 21st two flats were broken into Alonso House, Essenden Road. It appears that both flats were burgled on the same day. A window facing the car park was forced open on one of the flats. We believe the suspect then went out of the front door to the flat and forced their way into a second. Nothing was taken from either as far as we know at the time of writing. While out and about a diligent NHW Coordinator has discovered a safe and belongings from a burglary and on another occasion a set of number plates dumped in the bushes of Franks Park. The burglary items have been returned to a pleased victim while the number plates appear to be cloned. The area in question seems to be around the entrance from Halt Robin Road, opposite Gladeswood Avenue. This is appearing to be a good place for criminals to dump things they no longer want. If anyone finds property that looks out of place please get in contact with us. Thank you for keeping in contact with us, our co-ordinator from Regent Square, your help is appreciated. On Friday 21/12/2018 the team assisted detectives with a leaflet drop around Lower Belvedere with an appeal to identify a suspect following a serious incident in Hackney. The same night the leaflets were distributed the suspect handed themselves in. On Friday 21/1/22018 at around 14:45 a female was walking down the alley from Picardy Manorway underpass to Belvedere Train Station when she was approached by a male. He asked for a cigarette and was told no. He then grabbed hold of the female and held her at knife point, demanding a cigarette. He ended up punching the female in the stomach and talking her mobile. The male is described as being black, mid-twenties, braided hair with elastic bands and wearing a dark hooded top with a red/white/red pattern across the chest. If anyone recognises this description please contact the team. Our next drop in surgery will be held on the Thursday 03/01/2019 at Belvedere Community Centre between 11:00 – 12:00".  Bexleyheath ward:- "Below is our Bexleyheath NHW return up to and including Christmas Eve. The team will not be in work until Thursday 27/12/2018. We have had 1 burglary this week in Belvedere Road, Bexleyheath, rear door damaged and untidy search of the property. Please see the link to The Met Police Website for more crime prevention advice on keeping your home safe. The team are out and about in the local area to provide reassurance and to deter and potential criminal activity. Shoplifting from The Broadway area is still a problem at this time of year, however our Town Centre team are all out and available for a quick chat. Please remain permanently vigilant and also report any suspicious activity by calling 999. One young man was issued with a S59 Police reform Act 2002 (police Power to seize a vehicle) and a Community Protection Warning (CPN Warning) letter in relation to Vehicle anti-social Behaviour in ASDA carpark Bexleyheath. A further (6) six warning letter were sent to other vehicle owners who were in the area. Officers continue to proactively patrol the area to prevent and deal with any vehicle Anti-social behaviour. We have visited The Library Bexleyheath to speak with local residents and give crime prevention advice. Officers from the team visited several neighbourhood Watch Coordinators, this will continue in the new year. We intend to get around as many as possible. There was a theft of motor vehicle in Townley Road where a Blue BMW was stolen from the street. There was also a theft from motor vehicle in Rochester Drive Bexleyheath where some sunglasses were stolen from the vehicle. Due to the nature of this time of year we have been tasked with Anti – Social Behaviour patrols and all the car parks and open spaces have been patrolled. We have been engaging with the youths we have come across and discussed with them to try and prevent vulnerable people being targeted. Officers from Bexleyheath SNT would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy and Safe New Year". Crayford ward:- "Overnight of Thursday 20th in to Friday 21st December a burglary took place in Maiden Lane. The victim realised their bag was missing when getting ready for work. The items stolen included a lap top computer, credit cards and driving licence as well as makeup/toiletries in another bag. The burglar entered through a downstairs windows which was forced but with no damage. The cards have since been cancelled. A grey Yamaha 125cc scooter number plate LD67 HYF was stolen with keys from the junction of Crayford Way with Green Walk whilst the owner was at the dentist nearby. On Saturday 22nd December there was a theft from motor vehicle at Bookers at Thames Road, the victim's bag containing a large quantity of cash and jewellery was stolen from the front passenger seat whilst the vehicle was being loaded. Between Monday 24th and Wednesday 26th December a burglary occurred at a property in Halcot Avenue. A Playstation 3, cash and medication was stolen. The door was forced and the lock broken. The next Crayford Ward Panel meeting will be held on Saturday 5th January at 10.30 at the Europa Gym, Vimy Way. If you would like to come along, please let us know. You will be most welcome". No reports this week from Erith ward, Northumberland Heath ward, or Slade Green and Northend ward. Thamesmead East ward:- "Burglaries - Between the hours of 02:00am and 07:00am on Tuesday 18/12/18 a burglary occurred in Glendale Way .The front UPVC door was not locked, outdoor winter coats ,boots and trainers were taken. On Saturday 22/12/18 between the hours of 01:00am and 07:00 am there occurred a burglary in Tanhurst Walk. The outer UPVC door was not locked ,the handle was just pulled up, the inner door was also unlocked ,Christmas presents and documents were taken. Theft from motor vehicle - On Wednesday 19/12/18 at 02:00 am a motor vehicle parked in Courtland Grove had the driver's side window smashed, a wallet containing money, a driving licence and a bank debit were taken. The wallet was left in the centre console. Crime prevention:- Wallets, purses ,handbags ,credit cards ,loose change should never be left in an unattended vehicle. Remove sat nav mounts, suction cup marks on windows, cables which may indicate electrical items in the vehicle. Motor cycle theft - Hartslock Drive a motor cycle locked in a garage in an underground gated car park was stolen between the hours of 10:00pm on Sunday 16/12/18 and 11:00pm on Tuesday 18/12/18 .Between the hours of 08:00pm on Thursday 20/12/18 and 06:00am on Friday 21/12/18 a motor cycle parked and secured was stolen from a location in Kale Road. Motor cycle crime prevention - Use a disc lock to help secure the front brake disc ,or a grip lock to secure the brake and throttle controls .You could also use a D lock on the front wheel. Chain - Use a chain lock through the back wheel (the front wheel can be removed).Secure your bike ,with the lock taut to an immovable object such as a ground anchor or street furniture. this will stop thieves cutting a lock trailing on the ground using an angle grinder. If this isn't possible ,thread the chain through your bike frame and back wheel. Cover—Thieves often @ shop@ for particular models.Using a cover instantly makes it less attractive to them. The next meeting will be Thursday 3rd January 2019 at the Lakeside Medical Centre in Yarnton Way between 1-2pm". West Heath ward - no reports received this week.

The end video this week is a short piece on the former Regal Cinema in Bexleyheath Broadway. The Regal Cinema was built for Mortimer Dent, who operated a chain of cinemas in the Birmingham area. It opened on 3rd September 1934 and within a short while, it was being operated by Sidney Bacon Pictures. The Regal Cinema was what could be described as a ‘Super Cinema’ and was equipped with a Compton Manual / 8 Ranks organ that was opened by H. Robinson Cleaver. In around 1935, the Regal Cinema was taken over by Union Cinemas chain and a programming policy of films and variety began. Union Cinemas were taken over by Associated British Cinemas (ABC) in October 1937. The Regal Cinema received a direct hit by a German bomb on its organ chambers in 1943. The damage was patched up, but the organ never played again, and in 1948, the undamaged console was removed from the building. It was re-named ABC from 29th January 1962 and a bowling alley was built over the car park. Closed at the end of January 1978 for conversion into a quadruple cinema, it re-opened on 28th May 1978 with 4-screens seating 506, 350, 230 and 216. The ABC was re-named Cannon in 1982 when the Cannon Group took control of ABC. The Cannon was closed on 19th March 1987, when it was demolished to make way for the large Asda supermarket which now stands on the site. Give the video a watch, and please feel free to Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.