Caught red handed.

News has just broken that The Redeemed Christian Church of God Praise Embassy located in Electricity House, 33A Bexley Road, Erith has lost its temporary planning permission. The building. shown in the photo above - click on it for a larger view, has been used as a church, and formerly as a children's nursery, until after an investigation by Ofsted and the Metropolitan Police, the Bright Steps nursery was closed down and its licence revoked after a member of staff was seen hitting a child, and the operators of the nursery destroyed CCTV footage of the incident, which I have covered in detail in the past. Now Bexley Council want the church out. The decision of Bexley Council reads as follows:- "TAKE NOTICE that Bexley Council, the Local Planning Authority under the Town and Country Planning Acts, HAS REFUSED TO PERMIT the development of land situated at :33A Bexley Road Erith, Kent DA8 1SH. For continued use of premises as a place of worship and educational training / community centre and day nursery previously approved for a limited period. Referred to in the application for permission for development received on 25th February 2019, and that the grounds for such refusal are as attached. The applicant has failed to provide the Local Planning Authority with adequate and unambiguous information to enable a thorough and detailed assessment of the proposed scheme. Information including; detailed floor plans showing how the rooms within the building are utilised; details of how and when the outdoor play is going to be used; and an up to date travel plan. Access to the site to conduct an inspection was also denied. The proposed is therefore contrary to Policies ENV39, COM3 and T17 of the Unitary Development Plan (2004) and Policy 3.18 in The London Plan (2016). PLEASE NOTE:- In dealing with this planning application, Bexley Council has worked with the applicant in a positive and proactive manner, in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 186 and 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework, to seek solutions to problems where practicable. Detailed advice is available in the form of the Council’s Development Plan as well as in the Mayor of London’s and Bexley Council’s Supplementary Planning Documents and Guidance. The Council also offers a full pre-application service that is available to all applicants to assist in formulating their proposals". Quite what will happen to the church now is anyone's guess. As far as the building is concerned, my sources indicate that Bexley Council want to redevelop the site. Electricity House was built back in 1938 and opened in November 1939 as a showroom and offices for the local electricity company, which at the time was run by the council. Pre – war services such as gas, water and electricity supply were quite commonly managed and supplied by local councils; the idea of private companies being involved was something that did not happen until after the war had ended. Electricity House was also a place where new electrical customers could view domestic appliances which they could buy via hire purchase (it sounds like an early version of BrightHouse, but without the crippling interest rates). As well as the showroom, Electricity House was home to what contemporary accounts say was a very upmarket dance hall with a fully sprung Canadian Maple floor; there was also a small Pathe cinema. The local electricity business was astonishingly successful – probably much helped by the fact that it offered the cheapest metered electricity in the entire UK at the time – one penny per unit. Ten thousand local people signed up for electrification in the first month alone, attracted by the offer of free connection to the local power grid – unusual at the time – many suppliers would even charge for the copper cable to connect new customers. In 1939 the Erith electricity board made a (for then) massive profit of £13,000. The idea was that the money would be used to improve local services and amenities for all, but the advent of war meant that early in 1940 Electricity House was handed over for war work, and once peace was restored, the money intended to benefit local people was absorbed by the LEB during nationalisation, and nothing was ever seen of it. The building is now very run down and dilapidated, and from what I understand the only real source of income is the mobile phone masts and cell transceivers mounted on the roof. This is all under a background of Bexley Council negotiating with the individual leaseholders in order to buy out the leases in Electricity House prior to what I and many others believe to be a compulsory purchase order and then site redevelopment. What do you think? Leave a comment below, or alternatively Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com. 

After last weekend's Open House event, when I met several readers as I ran guided tours around the historic Carnegie Library building in Walnut Tree Road, Erith, I have had correspondence from long time reader Dana Wiffen, who sent me the photographs above. Dana writes:- "The Railway RANG (Royal Arsenal Narrow Gauge-Railway) is now running - which is wonderful, as their original predictions were for the spring 2020. The Loco and carriage are looking really good, and they are working to extend to the car park with appropriate platforms and passing double tracks. This is a 2 foot gauge railway and follows the route of the 1861 William Websters contractors railway which brought in the materials for the building of Crossness Engines Pumping Station. This is a superb added attraction for the many visitors to the wonderful partly restored pump engines that visit every year which includes a growing band of visitors from outside of the UK. The next and final open day of this year will be Sunday 20th October 2019 when the pump engine "Prince Consort" will be in steam as well as the railway running and the many other places of interest to visit, there is also a superb tea room". The engine pictured above is named "Bazalgette" after the pioneering Victorian engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the creator of Crossness Sewage Works, and much of London's sewage systems. As chief engineer to London's metropolitan board of works in the mid-19th century, Bazalgette had a significant impact both on London's appearance and, through his design of an efficient sewage system, on the health of its inhabitants. Joseph Bazalgette was born in London on 28 March 1819. His father was a captain in the Royal Navy. Bazalgette began his career as a railway engineer, gaining considerable experience in land drainage and reclamation. In 1842 he set up in private practice. In 1856, London's metropolitan board of works was established. The board was the first organisation to supervise public works in a unified way over the whole city, and it elected Joseph Bazalgette as its first, and only, chief engineer. In the mid-19th century, London was suffering from recurring epidemics of cholera. In 1853 - 1854 more than 10,000 Londoners were killed by the disease. It was thought at the time to be caused by foul air. The hot summer of 1858 created the 'Great Stink of London', which overwhelmed all those who went near the Thames - including the occupants of Parliament. This, together with the frequent occurrence of Cholera, gave impetus to legislation enabling the metropolitan board to begin work on sewers and street improvements. By 1866 most of London was connected to a sewer network devised by Bazalgette. He saw to it that the flow of foul water from old sewers and underground rivers was intercepted, and diverted along new, low-level sewers, built behind embankments on the riverfront and taken to new treatment works. By 1870 both the Albert and the Victoria Embankments had been opened. These replaced the tidal mud of the Thames shore with reclaimed ground for riverside roads and gardens behind their curved river walls. The Victoria Embankment protected Bazalgette's low-level sewer, as well as a service subway and the underground railway. The Chelsea Embankment was completed in 1874, reclaiming over 52 acres from the Thames. Throughout this busy time, Bazalgette continued to train young civil engineers and provide independent advice to other British towns and cities - as well as places as far apart as Budapest and Port Louis, Mauritius. Bazalgette died on 15 March 1891.

In another rail related post, details of the remedial work to the banks of the railway in and around Barnehurst Station have been published during the week; as you may recall there was serious disruption to the Bexleyheath line in February, when a series of landslides caused the line to be blocked for a week; temporary remedial action was taken then, and there are now plans for a permanent fix. The 853 Blog wrote recently:- "The Bexleyheath line will be closed between Blackheath and Dartford between 15 and 23 February so engineers can remove thousands of tonnes of soil and install retaining walls with steel beams at Barnehurst. Network Rail says the work, timed to take place in the half-term holiday, will protect the route from landslips for the next 120 years. Extra and longer trains will run on the adjacent Greenwich and Sidcup lines, with the route between Blackheath and Charlton also staying open for trains". The Bexleyheath based Community Rail Partnership said of the forthcoming closure:- "In short, whilst the Community Rail Partnership is broadly in favour of the closure and only for the week as it means the problem is solved, we are mostly concerned with the impact on passengers. The last closure saw buses running between Dartford and Lewisham which were absolutely empty (except between about Dartford and Bexleyheath), because nobody wants to sit on a bus for 60+ minutes between Bexleyheath and Lewisham (if not longer) then to have to get on another train. The B11 was creaking at the seams between Bexleyheath and Abbey Wood and this means we need rail replacement buses not to go 'linear' but 'lateral'. We also want to make sure absolutely tonnes of trains go through Woolwich so that they not only still serve Blackheath and Lewisham; but also allows the focal point for rail replacement to be at Erith, Abbey Wood, Woolwich Arsenal and maybe one other place in the Greenwich area. We have asked Network Rail and South Eastern to attend a meeting with councillors and MPs but also want them to submit their plans for the train service before the T-13 week (3 month) deadline so they can't then 'hide behind' the fact that everything's already been decided. We assess that we've got until about October 15th to give them up to 3 weeks to make any changes and still have 3 months to prepare the rail replacement plans with local councils (temporary bus stops and such). I'll hope they bother to email back and hope for good news".

I came across some pretty worrying information earlier this week. Millennials only truly relax for seven hours a week – because they are too wrapped up in their mobile phones. A poll of 2,000 adults found hectic home and work lives mean those aged 18-34 get less than 60 minutes to themselves each day. Around six in 10 even say they ‘never’ truly relax, because they’re always checking their phone for emails and messages. One tenth even admitted they struggle to go longer than 10 minutes without checking their smartphones. A staggering nine in 10 also confess to opening their phone, even though they know they haven’t had any messages, just to look at the screen. But even older generations are struggling to relax, getting just 90 minutes to unwind each day. Sometimes people wonder why I don't have a mobile phone - this concern is just one of my many answers. On from one form of communication to another - who says I don't plan these things?

I know that I have a fairly large number of Radio Amateurs amongst my readership; As many may know, I too am a Radio Amateur, though not a particularly active one. Something that has come to my attention that should be of concern to anyone with an amateur radio licence is that radio equipment that is only to be used by qualified and licenced individuals under the terms and conditions of their licence is being sold online with no check as to the purchaser, and whether they are allowed to own and operate the equipment. Test purchases have been made on Amazon,  and no questions as to the customers licence type or callsign were made when an order was placed for a 2m VHF and 70cm UHF transceiver of the type illustrated in the photograph above. It strikes me that it would be very easy for anyone to purchase amateur radio equipment online and use it without the necessary training or qualifications in how to operate it properly and within the law. One might argue that in the past, many prospective radio amateurs started off pirating - mainly on the two metre VHF band. The difference in the past was that even basic equipment was relatively expensive - a handheld transceiver similar to the one pictured above would cost several hundred pounds. This meant that only fairly serious people would try to purchase such a unit, and they would usually be asked for their licence details. Obviously they could use someone else's callsign - the checks were fairly rudimentary - which had the effect of making a purchase, even for someone unqualified, quite a challenge. Those unlicensed people were committed, and almost invariably they went on to study for the Radio Amateur Exams (RAE). I am pretty certain that a "blind eye" was turned to these individuals in many cases, as it was regarded as one way of bringing new blood into the technical hobby. Circumstances nowadays have changed remarkably. The handheld radio above is currently on sale on the Amazon UK website for £31.99. That is not a misprint - one can buy the radio for just under £32. Price is no longer a bar to purchasing, and when this is added to the complete lack of eligibility checks, it creates a worrying situation. Non - radio amateurs do have access to some very good two way radio products, the first of which is Citizen's Band radio. Citizens’ Band (‘CB’) radio operates in the 27 MHz band. It is a short-range radio service for both hobby and business use. It is designed to be used without the need for technical qualifications. However, its use must not cause interference to other radio users. You can read more about Citizen's Band radio in the UK by clicking here. The other radio service offered to unlicenced people in the UK is PMR 446 ("Private Mobile Radio, 446 MHz") is a licence exempt service in the UHF radio frequency band and is available for business and personal use in most countries throughout the European Union. PMR446 is typically used for small-site, same-building and line of sight outdoor activities. Equipment used ranges from consumer-grade to professional quality walkie-talkies. Depending on surrounding terrain range can vary from a few hundred metres (in a city) to a few kilometres (flat countryside) to many kilometres from high ground. You can read more about PMR 446 radios by clicking here. The point is, that there are very good alternatives to amateur radio if you want wireless two way communication without the need to study, sit three exams and get an amateur radio licence. Why should you become involved with Amateur Radio, when so many other communications methods are now available? This short video, which is mainly aimed at younger people, and those with no background in technology, will explain. 

It would appear that a new Micro Pub may soon be opened in the local area; a planning application has been submitted to convert a former tattoo parlour located at 149 Long Lane, Bexleyheath into a new Micro Pub. Word reaches me that the woman who has submitted the application has been trained in how to run a Micro Pub by the owners of the The Broken Drum in Blackfen.

I know that many locals are now looking forward to the annual Christ Church Erith Christmas Tree Festival. The Christmas Tree Festival will be taking place as usual on the 13th-15th December. The event is a firm fixture in the calendar of the local area, with visitors coming from as far away as Milton Keynes to see the decorated Christmas trees which fill the Grade II* listed church over the long weekend, and which raises so much money for local good causes. Last night was the annual fund raising Friends of Christ Church Erith quiz and raffle night. Turnout was excellent; around a hundred local people turned up for a very challenging general knowledge quiz, and a raffle with some excellent prizes - first prize was £250 cash, second £100 cash, third was a £50 Marks and Spencer voucher, fourth was a DAB radio, and runners up prizes included a beer gift set from the excellent Bexley Brewery. Only one thing threatened to mar the event before it even started. I, along with several other people were witness to an attempted fly tipping yesterday afternoon. A dark blue Ford Transit van with white lettering on the side saying "LC Plastering Services" stopped in the car park of the church hall at Christ Church at around 5.20pm. Two young white males were in the cab. The driver got out and opened the back of the van. I, and a couple of other people went out to investigate, as we suspected the occupants of the transit van were about to carry out fly tipping. The driver got back into the van saying "It is all right, we are going" and then drove off after being caught red handed. Due to the angle, I was unable to get the vehicle registration number. No actual crime was committed, but I feel had we not interceded, one would have. I detest all criminality, and fly tipping in particular. Please keep a look out for a van matching the description above; I suspect that they will fly tip elsewhere. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Talking of local Micro Pubs, The Kentish Belle in Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath has been in the news recently, when a reporter from the flagship BBC Radio 4 Today programme interviewed customers with regard to the current Brexit situation. Whilst the comments were heavily edited, the views expressed covered a number of opinions, all of which appeared to be erudite and well expressed. The Kentish Belle also started an experiment, which I have not heard any other Micro Pub trying. It opened at 6am on Friday morning as a cafe as a part of MacMillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Its location next to Bexleyheath Station means that they get a lot of passing trade. On the early morning opening, with teas, coffees, toast, cakes and muffins along with breakfast bars and fruit juice, I understand that in addition to custom from regular visitors, many new faces were welcomed for breakfast on their way to work. The event was judged a success; If further early morning cafe dates are planned, I will let readers know when the details become available. I also hear that any leftover wrapped / portioned food with a long life was going to be donated to Bexley Food Bank. A total of  £369.48 was raised for MacMillan. 

Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly the report from Barnehurst ward:- "A relatively quiet week on the ward with only 4 crimes of any relevance to report, one of which actually occurred on the Wednesday 11th September but was only reported this week. There was a theft from motor vehicle in Eversley Cross overnight of Wednesday / Thursday 11th / 12th of September. No entry appeared to be gained despite the quarter light glass being removed. On Wednesday 20th September at 5:20pm there was an attempted burglary in Pennine Way. The victim was at home on her own as the husband was out walking the dog. Suspect entered the property via the side garden gate but fled after being confronted by the victim. Suspect was a white male, slim build with a gaunt appearance. He was wearing jogging bottoms, white T-shirt and a white baseball cap. At 12:30am on Wednesday 11th September in Midfield Avenue a man entered a private driveway and attempted to gain entry to a high value car. Nothing was taken. CCTV shows a suspect who was a white male approx 5'10” wearing dark jacket and jogging bottoms. He was about 25 years old. Finally, unfortunately there was a burglary in Downbank Avenue overnight of Tuesday / Wednesday the 24th / 25th September. Victim heard nothing and woke to find she had been burgled. She discovered the front door open and an untidy search had occurred. Several items had been taken including jewellery. If you would like to meet your officers please feel free to come and have your say at our community contact sessions. The next one is coffee with cops at Barnehurst Golf Course on Tuesday the 8th October at 4pm". Belvedere ward:- "There was a garage burglary in Lower Park Road during last weekend. Residents returned home late in the evening to discover their garage door open, although it appears that no items were taken. It is thought that as many as five males were possibly involved, one of which was driving a white transit van of some kind which was being driven around the block several times. It appears that this group were trying to remove a motorbike from within the garage. PC Holmes took part in a Mental Health Assessment which was conducted at an address in Waterfield Close. The person was placed under section and conveyed to hospital for assessment and care. A car was damaged on Standard Road. Someone had put three nails into the tyre of the vehicle, which is said to be the third occasion on which this has happened. Please be vigilant when parking". Bexleyheath ward:- "Monday 9/9/19 Sadly we had an attempted burglary in Horsham Close whilst the occupant was on holiday, no entry gained and nothing taken. Thursday 12/9/19 Catalytic Convertor stolen Martens Avenue whilst occupant on holiday. Friday 13/9/19 Attempted Theft of Keyless Vehicle Bowness Road – not taken due to protective methods by owner. Sunday 22/9/19 Theft of Pedal Cycle from outside Church on Broadway not locked or chained up. Friday 13/9/19 Theft of Pedal Cycle from Leysdown Avenue. Wednesday 25/9/19 Theft of Number Plates Freta Road. Some of these crimes occurred a week or so ago and due to holidays or late reporting have only just arrived in our figures this week. The team have been successful in working with the council on the ASB issues in Iris Avenue and several youths have been called into meetings, this is ongoing as more are identified. We have also been working closely with L&Q on ASB within a property in regards to the residents living there, also ongoing. Stops and searches continue across the ward, including the war memorial, car parks, Braeside garages and other hotspots with several arrests for possession of cannabis". Crayford ward:- "Criminal damage was caused to two vehicles parked in Maiden Lane on Saturday 14th September between 21.40-22.00. A corrosive substance was thrown over all panels on each vehicle. Local CCTV shows 2 males doing this, a woman was seen to walk by soon after, it is believed she may have witnessed the incident and may be able to identify the males. A taxi driver was robbed of cash whilst dropping off a fare at Moreton Court in Perry Street on 15th September at about 14.30, the suspects are male and female and in their teens. Between 5th and 17th September a motor home was broken in to in Thames Road, items stolen included a media station valued £450, Nintendo Switch Plus £400, Bose Bluetooth Sound System £170, DVD's, Sat Nav System £150. On 17th September at 20.15 a black Audi TT was stolen from outside Crayford BR Station, the victim was selling the car and the suspect sped off with it, including documents. This vehicle has since been recovered by police to the car pound. Overnight between 6th and 7th September tools including a Makita drill, Facom tools and other items were stolen from a car parked in Walker Close. A black and green FLY370 bicycle with a 26 inch frame and 21 speed gears was stolen from the rear garden of a property in Hall Place Crescent on 20th September at 6.12am. The suspect was seen on CCTV and described as wearing a light coloured top with PUMA written on it and wearing a cap or hood. a Volkswagen parked in Tower Retail Park was criminally damaged on 22nd September between 15.00-16.00, it was scratched from front to back. A white Mercedes Sprinter had the ignition tampered with, there was no sign of entry, this happened at Tanners Close between 17.00 on the 20th September and 9.40 on 21st September. There seems to be an increase in road rage incidents around the area. On Friday evening our team conducted a traffic op at Bourne Road. Twelve vehicles were stopped for speeds well above the speed limit, tickets were issued for speeding and not wearing a seat belt. It was noted that other road users were flashing their lights to warn oncoming vehicles that we were there, this is actually an offence. Our next community contact session will be held on Thursday 3rd October at Crayford Library between 14.00-15.00, please come along if there is something you would like to discuss face to face".

Erith ward:- "No Burglaries again this week in Erith. Please see the attached leaflet re motor vehicle crime. We are planning some dates for crime prevention stalls outside of Erith police base which will include number plate theft with free secure screws plus cycle marking. Dates will be listed soon. Criminal Damage 18/09/2019 Erith High Street,  Theft from Motor Vehicle 13/09/2019 17:00:00 Riverdale road, Theft of MV 21/09/2019 01:00:00 Downton Mews, Theft of Motor Vehicle 21/09/2019 14:18:00 Fraser Road, Theft from Motor Vehicle 23/09/2019 Lesney Park Road,  Theft from Motor Vehicle 25/09/2019 12:00:00 James Watt Way". Northumberland Heath ward:- "Sorry no crime report this week from your team, please remember car crime is high with both theft of MV and theft from MV continuing to be a problem. If you know friends or family that live in your ward and are not covered by NW perhaps you can encourage them to join us. Crime stats are lower in NW-covered areas with 2 out of every 3 burglaries being in areas that are not covered by us". Slade Green and Northend ward:- "An attempted garage burglary took place around 0430 on Saturday 21/09/2019 at Peareswood Road. The victim chased the suspects who were after his 3 motorbikes, in the process of jumping from his bedroom window he has ended up seriously injuring both feet. Please proceed with caution should you see any crime taking place and wait for police to respond. We know this can be easier to say but your safety is first and foremost during any such situation.  Number plates were stolen from a vehicle overnight in Burns Close junction of Newbery Road on Friday 20/09/2019. If you would like some anti-theft screws, please let us know. PCSO Mark helped Bexley Council and staff from McDonalds on behalf of Erith SNT on Monday 23/09/2019 with a litter picking event in and around Erith. Many adults and children from the local area joined in and got lots of litter collected just before the rain came. On Friday 20/09/2019 Mark made his first visit of the term to Peareswood Primary school where he attended the Stars assembly and made a visit to all classes after. Thamesmead East ward:- "On Wednesday 18/09/19 at about 8:10pm a property in Hinksey Park was broken into by unknown suspect/s, unknown items taken. Motor Vehicle crimes : Between the hours of 01:00pm and 05:00pm on Thursday 19/09/19 a vehicle parked in Hartslock Drive had the catalytic converter stolen from a Toyota . Another Toyota also parked in Hartslock Drive was broken into on Saturday 21/09/19 between the hours of 01:00am and 08:00am ,a wallet was taken. Between the time of 03;00pm of the 12/09/19 and 12;00am of the 21/09/19 a vehicle parked in Kale Road had the catalytic converter stolen .A vehicle parked outside of Dexter House, Kale Road was broken into between the hours of 11:30pm of the 21/09/19 and 09:30am of the 22/09/19 ,no details given of anything taken . Overnight of the 21/09/19 and 22/09/19 a vehicle parked in Lanridge Road had the driver's window smashed .both the front and rear number plates were stolen from a vehicle parked in Lensbury Way between the hours of 03:00pm on 21/09/19 and 12;15 of the 22/09/19.on the 22/09/19. A vehicle parked outside of Argali House ,KALE ROAD was broken into, a wallet was taken". West Heath ward:- "Please be aware that there are men wearing hi-viz jackets touring round the Pantiles area saying they can jet clean your drive. They start off at £400 but as a special they can do it for £250. My own builder does it cheaper. They turn up in a blue van reg 04 KY 2118. When challenged they gave me a lot of verbal. They do a 'test' patch but they leave all the dirt sprayed up the cars and windows. Around 1 am in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 25th September, a man climbed into the gardens of 57-61 Berkeley Avenue. He took a golf set out of shed 57 then wandered about the gardens looking over fences; finally, he leaves without the clubs rather than taking them. Unfortunately, we have had one shed burglary in Preston Drive. This took place on Thursday September 19th between 0100 am – 8pm when the victim's neighbour alerted them that the garage door was open. The suspect stole meat to the value of £100 from the freezer that was in the garage. One report of criminal damage to a vehicle parked in Exmouth Road which took place between Friday September 20th at 8pm to Sunday September 22nd at 2pm when the victim discovered it had been broken in to. The rear passenger rear window was smashed but nothing was taken. An attempt was made to break in to a vehicle in Axminster Crescent on Monday September 23rd at 01.37am. The suspect was seen trying to gain access to a van but did not succeed. The potential victim called police but the suspect was not seen in the area when they attended. On Sunday September 22nd a van was broken in to in Powys Close between 0300 – 0330am. The victim discovered that a number of power tools stolen from the vehicle when he left for work at 5am. The team along with colleagues from Crook Log and East Wickham have been busy conducting proactive patrols. As a result of this a male was arrested for failing to appear at court for drug offences".

The end video this week was sent to me by regular reader, occasional contributor and technology whiz Miles. It is a video taken last Saturday evening, towards the conclusion of the Erith Pier Festival. What is somewhat unusual is that is is not a straight 2D video recording - it actually shows a 360 degree view of Miles' journey on the pier - you can drag the view around by clicking and holding with your mouse pointer on the video window. It is best viewed in full screen. If you look carefully in "Where's Wally?" style, you can catch me waving to the camera. Let me know what you think by either leaving a comment below, or by Emailing me at hugh.neal@gmail.com. 

Purple Willows.

Thanks to the eagle eyes of a reader, a mystery has been uncovered. It would appear that the redevelopment plans submitted by Bexley Council to its own planning department in respect of the scheduled improvement works to the garden and seating area at the entrance to Erith Pier have been suddenly withdrawn. The plans had included improved seating, new planters, and a children's play area, amongst other features designed to improve the public realm. The upper image above shows the current layout of the Pier Square entrance in Wharfside Close, and the lower image outlines the area that had been scheduled for improvement by the council. After some investigation by a source within Bexley Council, I was informed that:- "The current planning application for Pier Square was for outline consent and was submitted last year primarily to get early feedback on potential parking and traffic management issues. The process has been really helpful and we now have enough information to address these concerns and move forward with the project. However, the designs were only at early concept stage so the project required a further application full with detailed designs, transport statement and technical packages etc. This week, the planning officer advised we withdraw the current application to make way for a full planning application which will be made in September. The project is still very much going ahead and this was just an administrative requirement. I’ll ask Development Control if it would be possible to add a couple of lines on the planning portal to explain the application will be superseded with a full planning application in September and I will update the Comms team accordingly". Good news; the area around the entrance to Erith Pier could do with some upgrading, as it has remained almost untouched since it was created in 1999. What do you think? Leave a comment below, or alternatively Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com. 

The former Cairngall Medical Centre in Erith Road, Upper Belvedere (photo above - click on it for a larger version) is to re-open as the Purple Willows children's nursery and day care centre in October of this year. The new nursery will be offering 92 places and will be split into baby suite, toddler room and Preschool class with each room designed with modern equipment and excellent resources to meet the needs of the children. The nursery will also provide a multi-sensory room to encourage children to explore their environment and increase concentration. Whether another local nursery is needed or not is currently unclear - opinion is divided. What is certain however is that opinion is in unanimous approval that the current doctors surgery is being in internally refurbished and repurposed, rather than being knocked down and being replaced by yet more flats - as is happening to the former Belvedere Police Station, diagonally opposite. 

I know that a fair number of Radio Amateurs and other radio enthusiasts regularly read the Maggot Sandwich; however not all of them are members of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) like myself, and thus it is entirely possible that some hams may not be aware that moves are afoot to take the 2 Metre VHF amateur radio band away from Radio Amateurs. A proposal by France to make the Aeronautical Mobile Service the primary users of the 144-146 MHz (2 Metre VHF) band and demote the Amateur Radio Service to secondary users - effectively removing them from the band. The report says that this is “part of a broader consideration of the spectrum allocated to that service.” The 2M band is not, after all, one of the little-used microwave bands, it is a legally protected main amateur radio band. Not only that, for Europeans 144 – 146 MHz is their entire 2M VHF band. What was really weird about all this is why this is a French proposal and not a European-wide proposal. Apparently this is a move by the French company Thales Group to grab these frequencies for some kind of aeronautical communication system they are proposing. A campaign to prevent the loss of this primary amateur communications band - much used by RAYNET, the disaster and emergency communications service during hurricanes, floods and other disasters, when mobile phones, land lines and other forms of communication are unavailable. 2M VHF gets through when conventional communications cannot. There is now a petition which concerned individuals can sign, which states:- "The 2 Meter Amateur Radio Band (144-146MHz) is under Threat due to a proposal from France during the World Radio Conference 2019 meeting that the 2 Meter band should be allocated as a Aeronautical Band. We, the Radio Amateurs find this totally unacceptable that a harmonised worldwide primary user band for Radio Amateurs is being proposed to be used as an Aeronautical Band as it is meant to be a 'protected' band for Radio Amateurs. We want the CEPT to reconsider the proposal from France. Amateur Radio is still a strong and ongoing hobby for 100 years and we must preserve and protect our hobby". Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) RSGB President Dave Wilson, wrote to Ofcom strongly expressing the RSGB’s concerns about the proposed WRC-23 aeronautical Agenda Item that includes 144-146 MHz - the protected 2M ham band. The President’s letter started by stating that the RSGB “shares the concerns of the global amateur community and views the French proposal as lacking a proper understanding of the implications of sharing an aeronautical application with weak-signal terrestrial and space communications services”. It continued by saying that “from our perspective, and in the view of the wider global amateur community, we do not foresee any realistic feasibility of a sharing scenario which does not seriously degrade or impede amateur usage of the spectrum, given the extent and complexity of current amateur services’ primary usage”. The letter stated that there seems no justification for including this band in the proposed study, and that the RSGB is not convinced that there are “any innovative sharing methods” which would not inevitably constrain both incumbent and new services. The letter went on to say that “inclusion of this spectrum in the study is likely to involve regulators in a lot of extra work, when the outcome can be sensibly predicted at this stage”. On top of this, there are millions of Radio Amateurs world wide who own 2M VHF equipment, who would lose the utility of it should the band be re-allocated to other uses. It has also effectively stopped amateurs from buying 2M equipment for the foreseeable future, hurting specialised radio retailers such as Martin Lynch and Sons, Nevada and Waters and Stanton. You can sign a Change.org petition to try and save the band for radio amateurs by clicking here. What do you think? Leave a comment below, or alternatively Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com. 

One of the disadvantages of the Maggot Sandwich only publishing once per week is that I can often miss out on any "scoop" stories. This has most definitely been the case in this edition. A story broke late on Monday night, and was to my knowledge first covered by Darryl Chamberlain of the excellent 853 Blog, which primarily covers Lewisham, Woolwich and Charlton. As regular readers will be aware, I do not cover issues relating to party politics, and endeavour to remain neutral in my reporting. I do cover issues that relate to local concerns, irrespective of the elected representative who it involves. It came as quite a shock to me that local MP Teresa Pearce has announced that she is not going to stand for re-selection as an MP at the next general election. I know that many local residents - whatever their political affiliation - think very highly of Teresa, as indeed do I. She is that rarest of things - an honest, straightforward and very hard working MP. I have to say that I do not live in her constituency (I live about 300 metres outside of it), but she has always been very helpful and friendly. She will continue as the MP for Erith and Thamesmead until the next general election, which could be as late as 2022, but in the current terrible state of parliament, and the disarray of both main parties, it could be somewhat sooner. One has to also remember that the electoral boundaries are going to be changed at some point in the future, which will effectively do away with her constituency. On top of this, she has been an MP for nine years thus far, and effectively been "on call" 24/7 for all of that time. On top of this I understand that Teresa has a couple of members of her family with serious, long term health problems. I feel that she deserves a rest. What do you think? Leave a comment below, or alternatively Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com. 

I was recently contacted by a reader who had attended the recent record breaking charity auction of the guitar collection of David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. Following his auction visit, the reader wrote to me regarding the Vox Guitar Organ that I wrote about at the time. I was able to provide him some information that I had covered on the Blog in the past. The brains behind many of the JMI / Vox musical instruments and amplifiers was a chap called Dick Denney (photo above - click for a larger view). The man who many regard as the UK’s most important guitar amplifier designer was actually deaf in one ear, but Dick Denney’s perforated eardrum may have been the making of him. As a result of his affliction, he was exempted from military service during World War Two and seconded to the Vickers munitions factory in Crayford – something that would permanently alter the trajectory of his life. During the pre-war years, Dick had become infatuated with both jazz music and radio electronics. Early experiments resulted in the inevitable destruction of the family radio, but Dick’s skills improved and his wages from the factory enabled him to buy components. His work at Vickers also meant that Dick was freed from an unwanted apprenticeship in his father’s barber shop, and perhaps most importantly of all, it introduced him to a man named Tom Jennings. During the war, amateur radio activity was prohibited so, as a guitarist, Dick turned his electronic skills to amplifier building. His goal was to develop an amplifier that was loud, but also small and light – and he had ample opportunity to test them out. Munitions factories were understandably a choice target for the Luftwaffe’s bombing attacks, and a as a result, the staff at Vickers in Crayford spent extended periods sheltering during air raids. Entertainment was in short supply down in the shelters, and so to keep up morale, Dick, Tom Jennings and a few other members of the workforce would put on musical performances – these performances with Jennings gave Dick a chance to test and refine his amplifier designs. Jennings was clearly impressed with what Dick had produced, and being of an entrepreneurial mind, discussed a joint venture with Denny where they would produce amplifiers for organs and accordions together. However, nothing ever came of the plan, and after the end of the war, the pair went their separate ways and lost contact. Dick was born in Erith, and, at an early age, became interested in the guitar and amateur radio, whose novelty attracted thousands of hobbyists in the 1930s and to this day. He was soon a leading exponent of the Hawaiian guitar, and his radio skills enabled him to listen to American shortwave radio broadcasts, which inspired his creation of instruments and amplifying equipment. His fragile health excluded him from wartime armed forces; instead, he worked at Vickers' munitions factory, in Crayford, where he first met the accordion-playing Jennings, who shared his interest in musical innovation. After the war, Dick ran a radio and sound equipment shop in Belvedere. By 1951 Jennings was running the fairly successful Jennings Organ Company, but it soon become apparent that diversification was necessary to grow the business. He also owned a music shop and would notice growing interest in guitars during the early rock ’n’ roll years. Since there were very few guitar amplifiers available in the UK, and becoming an importer for American Gibson and Fender amps was not viable due to import restrictions in austerity post war Britain, Jennings tried to adapt one of his organ amplifiers for guitar. It proved unsuccessful, and the project was shelved. Meanwhile Dick Denney had set up in business as an electronics and radio repairer, while moonlighting as a busy dance band guitarist. However, in 1952 he suffered a collapsed lung and was forced to take time off to recuperate. His idea grew from a portable amplifier-speaker unit he developed, while convalescing from  respiratory illness in 1952, for use with his Hawaiian guitar. In 1955, Dick demonstrated his system - not the first to be made in this country, but certainly the most effective - to the owner of a Dartford music shop, Tom Jennings, who proposed a joint manufacturing venture. So began Jennings Musical Industries, and their trademark, Vox, was applied to all Dick's JMI work. Indeed, the early 1960s rise of British guitar groups caused an explosion of interest that left JMI struggling to keep up with demand. Dick produced three more original designs - a 100-watt amplifier, three times the power of any previous equipment; a guitar-organ, allowing the guitarist to produce his own accompaniment; and a wireless microphone system, the forerunner of those used in today's stage musicals. This was on top of his work on his most famous creation, the Vox AC30 amplifier - the sound of the "British Invasion". Jennings sold JMI in 1968, by which time a franchise agreement had been struck with an American manufacturer for use of the Vox name. Dick left the company in 1967 to pursue a career as an independent consultant and designer, which he maintained until his death. He went on to become an instrument technician for The Beatles and local band The Rolling Stones; in an interview some years ago, Denny's grand daughter recalled that:- "He toured the world demonstrating Vox equipment’, sometimes on American TV. He also set up equipment for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones at important shows. Apparently, Dick was fond of The Beatles and enjoyed banter with John Lennon who called him ‘nanny goat’ because of his beard”. Fans once mistook him for a Beatle and tore some of his clothes. They clearly did not notice the cosy cardigan Dick habitually wore, or his trad-jazz goatee. He also came to The Beatles’ rescue at a Scarborough gig when some amplifiers on trolley stands started trundling down the sloping stage towards them. Thereafter, they were fitted with braking casters. Although he never became rich, Dick felt content that he had made a living being paid for what was essentially his hobby. He combined a working knowledge of electronics with a musician’s sensibility and great ears to achieve the sounds he liked using the technology and components of the time. That countless guitarists have appreciated Dick’s amplifiers is testament to his skill and judgment. Dick died a few months after his 80th birthday on the 6th of June 2001, leaving a son, five daughters and the most wonderful sonic legacy.

There is to be a public meeting / consultation on Thursday 18th July commencing 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Christchurch Primary School on the redevelopment of the Hainault, Lesney Park Road, Erith. The Infant Welfare and Maternity Home was opened in 1920 by the Erith Urban District Council in a large Victorian house named 'Hainault', bought for the purpose as a cost of £1800. The Home had six beds, three of which were in the maternity ward. There was also an infant welfare centre, and antenatal, dental and school clinics were held there.  The coach house and stables were converted into an operating theatre.  The staff consisted of two midwives, a ward maid, a cook and a caretaker. The Maternity Home remained open during WW2, although it was in a danger zone.  A temporary clinic was added in 1943.  In 1944 a flying bomb exploded nearby and caused considerable damage, but the only injury was to a baby in its cot. In 1945 the building was extended and the bed number increased to 22. In 1948 the Home joined the NHS under the administration of the Woolwich Group Hospital Management Committee.  It was renamed the Hainault Maternity Hospital. In 1956 the bed numbers were increased to 24. In 1965 a delivery unit was added, which provided two first-stage rooms and a bathroom, WC and sterilising room. The Home closed in 1974 with 21 beds, a victim of the new NHS policy of placing maternity units in general hospitals. From 2009 until 2014 the Hainault became Hainault Hostel, a long-stay hostel with 12 beds for people with learning difficulties run by the MCCH Society Ltd. After 2014 it was closed, and is now being readied for demolition.

Now for the weekly safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association; firstly the report from Barnehurst ward:- "A great week on the Ward this week with absolutely no crimes of note to report. There were a couple of criminal damages and thefts from Motor vehicle but all these were domestic related with the suspect being known to the victim. Officers continue to patrol the ward and several stop and searches have been conducted in the fight against drugs. Officers also assisted housing officers in the prevention of breach of peace while an empty premises was boarded up at Hampton House. Other good news for Barnehurst residents is that the local police team is now at full strength with the arrival of PC Smith. The next community contact session is to be held at Barnehurst Golf Course on Thursday July 18th at 11am". Belvedere ward:- "There was a recent garage burglary in Mossdown Close. The team viewed CCTV of this incident which showed a white transit van travelling to and from the area on three occasions. Along with a great deal of sentimental items, an orange and black KTM motorcycle was taken from the garage which has then been seen on numerous occasions being driven throughout the north of the borough. The investigation continues – we would ask that anyone that may be able to offer information as to the whereabouts of the vehicle, please contact the team. There was also a garage burglary in Monarch Road from which an orange quad bike was stolen. This was the only item taken from the garage, which had its padlock cut to gain entry. Again, if anyone has any information in relation to this, please contact the team. During patrols of Ruskin Road on Monday night (8th July) we had reason to speak to three males at the location, each of which were searched for drugs. Cannabis was found and a Community Resolution (a warning) was issued to one of the males. We have been continuing our Street a Week initiative recently with visits to Shortlands Close and Hattersfield Close". Bexleyheath ward:- "There have been no reports of burglaries or attempted burglaries on the ward. One report of Theft of motor vehicle at the Civic car park that was reported on the Tuesday 09/07/2019. Also there has been three reports of theft from motor vehicles: Saturday 06/07/2019 - Long Lane Bexleyheath number plates stolen from vehicle; Wednesday 03/07/2019 – Bexleyheath Marriott Hotel – Catalytic converter stolen from vehicle stolen at about 1250hrs; Wednesday 03/07/2019 – Sainsbury's Car Park Broadway Bexleyheath – number plate and catalytic converter stolen from vehicle. A purse was reported stolen on Friday 05/07/2019 between 1300hrs-1415hrs. Purse was taken from victims handbag in the M and S store Bexleyheath. Also on the Saturday 06/07/2019 between 1245hrs and 1315hrs – Victim was pick pocketed along the Broadway and mobile phone was stolen. 13 youths have been stopped and searched around the ward and two have been dealt with for possession of cannabis. The team regularly conduct patrols along drug hot spot areas and ASB areas on the ward and conduct regular stops and searches where necessary". Crayford ward:- "No burglaries to report. The biggest crime generator on the ward this week has been motor vehicle crime with 5 theft from motor vehicle and 2 theft of motor vehicle. Theft from motor vehicle at Hall Place on Wednesday 3rd July; Theft from motor vehicle in Perry Street on Saturday 6th July; Theft of motor vehicle from Crayford Way on Saturday 6th July; A catalytic convertor was taken from a vehicle overnight of Friday 5th July in Tanners Close; A vehicle was stolen from Tower retail park on Sunday 7th July; Theft from motor vehicle on 8th July outside Bookers Cash and Carry in Thames Road. And finally a theft from motor vehicle on Wednesday 10th July at Hall Place, Bourne Road. Officers continue to patrol drug hot spot areas carrying out stop and searches, recently completing several positive searches. One of these after a foot chase in Marden Crescent. The same officers have also recovered two stolen mopeds over the last week. Crayford officers also assisted housing officers in preventing a breach of the peace while evicting a squatter before boarding premises".

Erith ward:- "Police seized a vehicle for being driven with no insurance, residents complained about the noise it was making and the poor manner of driving so we took action. We attended a Recruitment day in Erith town centre on Wednesday hopefully there will be more of these (See image above) Dates for your Dairies: Erith community fun day St Fidelis Road Saturday 20th July 11am/3pm. CCS Costa Coffee Erith Wednesday 17th 4pm". Northumberland Heath ward - no report received this week. Slade Green and Northend ward:- "This week is a good news weekly update as there are no significant crimes to report on our ward. On Monday 08/07/2019 PCSO Mark and PCSO Adam from Erith SNT attended Erith Sports Centre, where Peareswood School and the other schools in the Woodland Academy held a “Race for Life” event in aid of Cancer UK. All year groups from years 3 to 6 from all 3 schools did one and a half laps (600m) of the track and everyone should be commended for their efforts on the day. On Tuesday 09/07/2019 PCSO Mark attended St Pauls school to speak with years 5 and 6 about behaviour in and out of school. From September the school will have regular visits from Mark to carry on engagement with the pupils (this is already happening at Peareswood School). After attending the school, Mark then attended the “Welcome Café” at St Augustines Church for tea and cake with local residents, Vicar Jim Bennett and church staff. The café is open to all from 11am until 2pm every Tuesday with lunch served from 1230. On Wednesday 10/07/2019 Mark was asked by PCSO Lorraine from Northumberland Heath SNT to join her at Jacqueline's Gems nursery in Stelling Road on Northumberland Heath ward to have a chat with all the pre school children about our role in the community. A great time was had by all with the children posing for pictures wearing our hats and pretending to use our radios. Proactive patrols are regularly taking place across the ward with PC's Mark and James regularly seen out and about on their pushbikes. We are aware of several cars that are driving in an anti social manner in recent weeks with “drifting” and wheel spins reported across our ward and Erith Town Centre. 3 vehicles are being investigated with one already seized by Erith SNT. If you do see anything relating to this or any other local issue, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our next CCS is on Saturday 20/07/2019 from 1000 hours in Forest Road café". Thamesmead East ward:- "Burglary - Sydney Road Saturday 6/7/19 between 10am – 10:30pm Victim reported unknown suspect/s have forced entry to bedroom door, no damage seen. A tidy search with draws being disturbed and items taken from within. Vehicle crime - Lensbury Way Wednesday 3/7/19 Victim tried to unlocked van and noticed the lock had been tampered with. Victim was unable to unlock the vehicle with the key. On Sunday 7/7/19 suspect stated the vehicle would not drive over 15mph. A mechanic informed the victim suspect/s have cut 3 inches of a sensor lead from underneath the vehicle. Sydney Road Thursday 4/7/19 between 3:30 – 10:30am 5/7/19 Victim reported unknown suspect/s have approached the vehicle and removed the catalytic convertor without permission or knowledge. Lensbury Way Saturday 6/7/19 between 9am – 5pm 7/7/19 Victim left vehicle locked in a parking bay. The vehicle was not drivable as needed a new engine. When victim returned to vehicle at 5pm on Sunday 7/7/19 at 5pm it was no longer parked at the location. No evidence of broken glass and victim is still in possession of the keys. A neighbour told the victim that they had seen a low loader truck near the vehicle but the time is unknown. However the neighbour did not see any suspect/s and did not see the vehicle being placed on the truck. Southmere Drive Saturday 6/7/19 between 6pm – 11am 7/7/19 Victims vehicle windscreen has been smashed by suspect/s unknown, unsure at present if anything removed. Kale Road Sunday 7/7/19 between midnight – 4am Monday morning Victim reports vehicle's exhaust and Catalytic Converter had been cut out from underneath car. Leatherbottle Green Sunday 7/7/19 between 10:30pm – 5:37am Sunday Victim's vehicle broken into. Ipad in Gucci case and loose change taken by suspect/s unknown. Yarnton Way Sunday 7/7/19 between 7pm – 8:35 Monday victim reported vehicle broken into Satnav and loose change removed by suspect/s unknown. Hinksey Path Monday 8/7/19 between 8pm – 5am Tuesday 9/7/19 victim reports front passenger side window smashed, seems suspect/s have leant inside vehicle. Tavy Bridge Wednesday 10/7/19 between 4pm - 8:30am 11/7/19 Victim reported that unknown suspect/s have gained entry to vehicle and stolen property from within, no signs of forced entry. Vehicle was parked in the resident's car park that has a security gate. Victim is concerned as suspect/s now have a fob for the gate. Good News: A Street A Week was held in Sydney Road and we were happy to see several residents come along. Any issues were discussed and some residents were interested in our Weekly Crime Update. If you are interested please email the team and ask to be added to our list". West Heath ward:- "One theft from motor vehicle in Pembury Road. The victim discovered his car ransacked on Tuesday July 2nd. This is the second incident of this nature in Pembury Road over the last week. PCSO Reid held at street briefing last Saturday in Pembury Road and spoke to a number of residents regarding their concerns. A moped was stolen from Bedonwell Road on Sunday July 7th between 06.30 – 07.30. The vehicle was later found near Streamway but had sustained damage. On Monday July 8th a vehicle was stolen from an address in Glenview. The suspect made off with the vehicle having taken it for a test drive. The vehicle was later found in Ramsden Road Erith. It is not known at this stage if the vehicle was damaged when found. A blue Yamaha bike was stolen from the driveway of a property in Lansdowne Avenue on Tuesday July 9th between 00.30 – 0035am. The vehicle had a disc lock on it and it is not known how the lock was cut off. Several males were seen on the victim's driveway at the time of the incident. The team, along with our colleagues from Crook log, arrested a Male last Thursday in Darenth Road for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and for being in possession of a machete".

The end video this week comes from American firearms historian Ian McCollum, who examines the rather chequered history of a Maxim machine gun that was manufactured in Hiram Maxim's factory in Fraser Road Erith, and was then sold to the Russians, only for it to be captured by the Germans during the First World War, and subsequently modified for their own use. Leave a comment below, or alternatively you can Email me with comments to hugh.neal@gmail.com. 

The 20th Earl of Suffolk.

The photo above shows the tug the GPS Avenger, moored on Erith Pier recently. It is a pity that few people outside of the town realise that Erith has a strong maritime heritage, and close links with both the River Thames, the North Sea, and the English Channel. It is the really unique selling point of Erith in the London Borough of Bexley, being the only town in the borough with access to the River Thames. 

I have concerns that Erith is soon quite possibly to be swamped by a flood of dumped shopping trolleys. As has been widely reported in the local press, Morrison’s supermarkets are in the process of removing the coin locks on their fleet of shopping trolleys, as according to their customer feedback, people don't like having to temporarily employ a pound coin to free up a trolley. This is all fair and good if the theft and / or dumping of trolleys was to be discouraged in some other manner, such as having an electronic perimeter past which the trolley wheels lock – as is often used by Waitrose. Unfortunately Morrison’s have no such plans – they are effectively allowing free and unrestricted access to their trolleys on the sites where the locks have already been removed. Thus far the Erith branch has escaped this fate, though I have no information for how longer this situation will continue. One can imagine what would happen if people have free reign with them – Erith will be covered by abandoned trolleys, and you can be certain that local scrotes will not only take them to throw in to the River Thames, but would also try flogging them off to scrap dealers. It has been reported by the News Shopper that a similar situation has arisen in Sidcup, where the pound locks were removed inJuly last year; now Sidcup residents are complaining about the number of trolleys which can be found abandoned all over Sidcup, and even further afield. Parked cars have been damaged by being hit by errant trolleys, and all sorts of disruption caused. I really don't want to see a similar situation in Erith. I definitely think the whole idea is a bad one; I understand that a basic shopping trolley costs something in the order of £70 for the supermarket to purchase; even if Morrison’s have a dedicated team of trolley – wranglers, there will inevitably still be a large number that permanently go missing.   If anyone works for Morrison’s, and can give any inside information as to the plans for the Erith store, please drop me a line to hugh.neal@gmail.com – any information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Some readers may be aware that I am a radio amateur (often referred to as a Radio Ham) I hold an Advanced class licence, with the international callsign M1CXN. To be honest I am currently not the most active ham, only operating on the 2 metre VHF radio band. The next stage of the refurbishment of Pewty Acres is to completely re - engineer the shortwave radio antenna that until last June stretched down my garden. The old antenna was a relatively modest contraption that was only used to receive radio signals from around the world on Shortwave. The new antenna will be somewhat more sturdy, and capable of transmitting signals of up to 400 Watts in power - for which I am legally licenced and qualified to do. A great deal of the work to make radio communication possible was down to one visionary man. Guglielmo Marconi was a 22-year-old technology genius, who, stung by the lack of interest in his work in his homeland, moved to a new country to develop his ideas. Whilst born and educated in Italy, he only really made a name for himself when he emigrated to the UK. In a single year, this individual extended the performance of a key, then brand new technology by a factor of more than 20. It sounds like an outlandish tale even by modern Silicon Valley standards, but by the end of 1901, had pushed the range of wireless communications from just over 80 miles (128km) to 2,000 (3,220km). Marconi’s breakthrough turned conventions about the then-new wireless technology on its head, earning him a joint Nobel Prize for Physics nine years later. If one technology dominated the early 20th century, it was wireless – thanks largely to Marconi. Before TV, Marconi's work established wireless as the world’s first mass medium, trouncing the long established electric telegraph and replacing print in many areas. He facilitated the spread of communications, entertainment, politics and propaganda around the globe in a fast-modernising world of motor-driven cars, and propeller-powered aircraft. Long-range wireless transmissions made the oceans a safer place, too, allowing ships to stay in touch with the land long after they had journeyed over the horizon. Marconi’s work also allowed the development of the SOS signal – and his company received the first one in 1910. Contrary to popular opinion, Marconi did not invent radio – that was a chap called Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist. Marconi did massively increase the transmission range, efficiency and sensitivity of radio designs. Marconi was fortunate in that he came from a wealthy family who not only owned a lot of land, but were also part of the Jameson whisky distilling dynasty. Marconi set up a wireless transmitting and receiving station in Poldhu, South East Cornwall – a location picked as it was very close to the Atlantic, and the ships that traversed it – at that  time Marconi believed that the main use of wireless would be for ship to ship, and ship to shore communications. In June 1901, Poldhu communicated with a station at Crookhaven in County Cork, 225 miles away. In September, high winds blew down the masts, but that wasn’t going to stop Marconi making history. With a temporary pair of 160-foot masts he set off for Newfoundland in Canada to receive transmission of the first transatlantic wireless signal – from those masts. On the 9th  December, he used cable telegraphy to ask his team to start sending signals. On the 12th December 1901, he heard their reply: an "SSS" in Morse. Wireless radio communications had crossed the Atlantic, and further tests found that Poldhu’s range could exceed 2,000 miles. January 1903 saw the first transmission from the US, from American President Theodore Roosevelt to King Edward VII. This may have been the first example of poorly timed international calls due to time differences; Poldhu received the message at night, after the post office in the nearby village of Mullion had closed, so it didn’t get through to the king until the next morning. How times change.

Transport for London (TfL) have announced something that I predicted some time ago; a river crossing to join the London Borough of Bexley with the Borough of Havering by means of a crossing between Lower Belvedere and Rainham. The News Shopper have reported that a new crossing at Belvedere would mean an additional 70,000 businesses and 165,000 jobs within an average commuting time of North Bexley – though how this figure is arrived at is somewhat unclear. Back in April last year I came up with the following possible solution to the current problem of cross – river communication:- My suggestion, provisionally entitled “The Arthur Pewty Memorial Tunnel” would stretch between the Ferry Lane roundabout, South of Rainham town centre and the A2016 Bronze Age Way / Picardy Manor Way roundabout in Lower Belvedere. In effect, this would connect the A13 and Rainham in South Essex with the A2 and M25 via Bronze Age Way, and the South Circular via the A2016 Eastern Way towards Woolwich. It could also have the added bonus of connecting Rainham and Belvedere railway stations via a regular bus service through the tunnel. My vision would be of a structure very similar in size and scope to the existing Medway Tunnel which links Strood with Chatham in Kent. The Thames tunnel would use the same kind of immersed tube construction that the Medway Tunnel does – that is, sections of prefabricated tunnel sections are sunk into the river, joined together, then the water is pumped out. This relatively new method of construction is well suited to shallow and medium depths of water, and creates tunnels which are both very strong and relatively cheap to construct. Unlike the Medway Tunnel, I would hope that the Lower Thames tunnel would permit the use of bicycles via a raised cycle / walkway kept physically separate from the vehicular traffic. As previously indicated, by the time any tunnel of this nature had been constructed (which I understand normally needs an Act of Parliament) the level of harmful pollutants emitted by vehicles will be far lower than the already pretty low levels now, and many of the cars may well be zero emission via either conventional batteries, Hydrogen fuel cells or possibly even LENR (Low Energy Nuclear Reaction) power, if one is somewhat on the optimistic side. More on LENR power next week - it is not the pig in a poke that many once thought. This would not be the only new link needed across the Thames South of Tower Bridge; I suspect that the proposed Gallions Reach crossing will probably go ahead in some form or another, despite the traffic having to run through a housing estate and close by a large residential nursing home on the South side of the river.  I would not hold your breath about a quick build for the proposed new bridge – even if funding is sourced, and planning procedures go smoothly, it is unlikely that any new bridge or tunnel would be completed before 2025. Please feel free to leave a comment below, or drop me a line to hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Millers Pie and Mash shop in Albert Road, Upper Belvedere (don't call it "Nuxley Village" - there is no such place - that name was invented by Estate Agents who did not live in the area, and had no knowledge of the local history when they began selling properties in the vicinity). The shop has just been awarded a five star rating on the Scores on the Doors website, for the second time around. This is excellent news indeed; I know of several local people who use the shop regularly, and report that the quality of the traditional London fare it serves is very high indeed. It is good to see an independent local business that is doing everything it can to maintain a very high quality product and service.

Southeastern Railways are making some changes to the services running from North Kent into Cannon Street – one of the busiest lines in the South East of London, and one of the prime commuter routes. It has to be said that for once they have listened to the opinions of rail travellers. Early morning and evening services are being increased, with additional carriage capacity – though the once promised twelve carriage trains will still not be making an appearance – due to the length restrictions imposed on any train due to the layout of Woolwich Dockyard station – which has a tunnel at either end, preventing any train over ten carriages stopping at the station. I am led to understand that the type of train used by Southeastern has a door control system that is “all open / all closed” rather than a selective system whereby the driver can prevent certain doors from opening, as is the case with the Docklands Light Railway. At stations such as Cutty Sark for Greenwich, the DLR train front most and rear most doors stay shut, as those parts of the trains are still in the tunnel – passengers wishing to get off have to move to the central part of the train in order to disembark. Automated announcements are made on every trip, but it is not uncommon to see travellers wondering why the door in front of them won’t open. The same kind of approach cannot be undertaken on the overland trains, and the option of running twelve car trains, but just not have them stop at Woolwich Dockyard station is also apparently not available – unlike during the 2012 Olympics (where many locals think that the real reason trains did not stop at Woolwich Dockyard was to prevent overseas tourists seeing what a dump the station and surrounding area was, and rather than invest some money in improving the environment local to the station, trains instead just whizzed through without stopping).

The campaign to save the much loved Belvedere Splash Park rumbles on; I have heard views from a number of different local sources, and it would appear that the park was not quite as dead in the water (to coin a pun) as some had feared, though the vote at the Council meeting on Thursday night to close the park for good may well change that. I am aware that Cory Environmental Ltd have offered a substantial sum of money towards the refurbishment of the Splash Park, but that the Council have said that it would not be sufficient to cover the costs. I find this strange – from what I have discovered, when the Council hired the original installation contractors, they did not carry out much in the way of due diligence. Normally when undertaking a substantial capital project of this nature, the project team would draw up a scope of works and terms of reference document, and send this out to five or six potential contractors. When those contractors had returned their responses, the three most suitable candidates would then be called in to conduct a presentation and questions and answer session with the project leaders. A final choice of contractor would then be made, and a contract signed. From what I have heard Bexley Council pretty much opened the yellow pages and stuck their finger on a name. When they subsequently wanted a quote for refurbishment of the nine year old Splash Park, they only went back to the original installer. This is really not the way to conduct a major public work, and it is no wonder that the figures being thrown about are somewhat on the high side. If no element of competitive tendering is employed, the contractor can pretty much charge as much as they think they can get away with. The other problem is that I have heard from an inside source that Cory Environmental are currently up for sale, and looking for a buyer. Any sale of the company could well result in changes to their corporate social responsibility policies, and could mean an end to funding for projects like the refurbishment of Belvedere Splash Park. Time will tell. This is all part of Bexley Council's campaign to sell off any and every open space in a desperate bid to raise cash. London Live have recently covered the story - you can see the video report here. Is the Belvedere Splash Park finally doomed, or will someone intervene at the last minute? I really cannot say. 

Another anniversary has come up this week; did you know that the humble wine box is fifty years old? The Australian invention, known over there as a “goon”, has been occupying wine drinkers fridges since it was first developed back in 1965. The wine box actually owes a lot to the space race and NASA.  The bladder that is located inside the cardboard outer box is made of a material called Mylar – or more correctly, Biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate. This form of polymer was originally invented back in the mid 1950’s by American chemical giant DuPont, for use in early spacecraft. The inert, tough and flexible plastic has since found hundreds of uses in everything from drum skins, the magnetic media in recording tape and computer floppy disks to tiny flecks of it being added to nail varnish to make the varnish “sparkle”. It is a very versatile material that is tasteless and impervious to liquids and gases, thus making it an excellent choice of material to form the wine containing bladder that sits within the reinforcing cardboard box. The clever concept of the wine box is that the Mylar bladder collapses as wine is drained from it, so air does not seep into the container  - which would cause it to begin oxidising and would seriously shorten the shelf – life of the wine once it was opened. As it is, wine inside a wine box remains drinkable for around six weeks once the seal has been broken. Having said that, I don't know of anyone who has managed to make a wine box last anything like as long as that! At one time wine boxes were thought of as being suitable only for student parties and barbecues; nowadays the quality of wine found in boxes is far higher, and they have achieved greater social acceptability.

One building more than any other dominates the skyline of Erith, and that is the clock tower of Christ Church. Interestingly the spire was built quite a bit later than the main church building, and the spire celebrates 2015 as its centenary year. The bell ringing group from the church has sent me the following news:- The tower and spire were added to Christ Church Erith in 1914-15. Documents held in the Bexley Local Studies and Archives Centre provided the inspiration for this project. A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled us to produce a series of displays on three floors including ground floor displays and CCTV links to the ringing chamber and bells. If you would like to see more of the building itself and look at our displays then please come along to Christ Church, Victoria Road, Erith to one of the tower open days on the following dates:-

March 22nd 2015 3-5pm
April 19th 2015 3-5pm
May 17th 2015 3-5pm
June 7th 2015 11.30am-12.30pm
June 21st 2015 3-5pm
July 5th 2015 11.30am-12.30pm
July 19th 2015 3-5pm
August 16th 2015 3-5pm
September 20th 2015 3-5pm

I was surprised to discover that the local area has a strong link with Charles Howard, the 20^th Earl of Suffolk. Charles Howard led what can only be described as a colourful and eventful life.  He was the son of Henry Howard, 19th Earl of Suffolk and his American wife, the former Margaret Leiter ("Daisy"), sister of Lady Curzon and daughter of the American businessman Levi Leiter. The 19th Earl was killed in World War I at the Battle of Istabulat, in Iraq. After leaving the Royal Naval College, Osborne at 15, he attended Radley College, but quit in 1923 to join the sailing ship the Mount Stewart as an apprentice officer. After his return from a round the world voyage, he was commissioned in the Scots Guards but was later asked to resign from his post by his superiors because of his "wild ways". In 1926 he returned to Australia; where he first worked as a junior cattle station operator, and later owned a large farm jointly with Captain McColm, who had been Captain of the Mount Stewart. The earl was a great animal lover, and unlike many of his class he hated hunting and shooting, and was a keen amateur naturalist. In 1934, he married Chicago-born ballet dancer  Mimi Forde-Pigott, with whom he had three children. The Earl enrolled at Edinburgh University, graduating three years later with a first-class honours degree in Chemistry and Pharmacology. In his early twenties, the Earl was made a Fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh. The Nuffield Institute of Medical Research at Oxford University offered him a research post in the area of "explosives and poisons".  As Liaison Officer for the British Department of Scientific and Industrial Research during World War II and was instrumental in evacuating the French stock of heavy water and radioactive isotopes that had formed the French nuclear research programme, just ahead of the German invasion – he also managed to liberate over $10 Million worth of gem diamonds and 600 tons of high quality machine parts in the process. For this and other escapades, Herbert Morrison, the Minister of Supply, later described him as "one of the most remarkable young men employed by the Government on dangerous missions." Morrison told the House of Commons that "A considerable service has been rendered to the Allied cause by the safe arrival of this shipload of materials”. Following his return from France, the Earl worked for the Ministry of Supply as a Research Officer learning how to defuse bombs of new and unknown types.  The Earl served as part of an unexploded bomb detachment in London during the Blitz. The detachment consisted of himself, his secretary  Morden, and his chauffeur, Fred Hards. They called themselves "the Holy Trinity" and they became famed for their prowess in detecting and successfully tackling thirty-four unexploded bombs with "urbane and smiling efficiency." Morden stood by his side taking notes, as the Earl worked at defusing the bombs. On the 12^th May 1941 Charles Howard was working at a “bomb cemetery” on Erith Marshes. A “Bomb cemetery” was a place where bombs that had failed to explode, or bombs were transferred there after being temporarily made safe for transport, and then destroyed using controlled explosions. The Erith bomb cemetery was one of the largest in Greater London. The Earl was tasked with defusing a particularly difficult type of 250 Kg German bomb that had been dropped over six months earlier, and had been around for so long that the bomb cemetery staff had nicknamed it “Old Faithful”. The Earl attempted to defuse the bomb, but was killed along with his secretary Morden, and his chauffeur Fred  Hands, along with eleven others who were nearby when he tried to remove the fuse, as it had been fitted with a type of booby-trap called a Zeus 40. Sir Winston Churchill wrote of Charles Howard “One bomb disposal squad I remember which may be taken as symbolic of many others. It consisted of three people, the Earl of Suffolk, his lady private secretary and his chauffeur. They called themselves 'The Holy Trinity'. Their prowess and continued existence got around among all who knew and 34 unexploded bombs did they tackle with urbane and smiling efficiency, but the 35th claimed its forfeit. Up went the Earl of Suffolk in his Holy Trinity. But we may be sure that, as for Mr. Valiant-for-Truth, all the trumpets sounded for them on the other side”.  In 1973 the BBC produced a television play on the life and death of Charles Howard called “ The Dragon’s Opponent”. A memorial to the Earl can be seen in a dedicated stained glass window in St. John the Baptist church in Charlton. The 1979 ITV television series “Danger - UXB” which featured the fictional (but both historically and technically accurate) exploits of a wartime Royal Engineers bomb disposal team had an episode (“Cast iron Killer”) featuring a bomb fitted with a Zeus 40 anti-handling device just like the one that killed the Earl of Suffolk. I would strongly recommend that you watch the entire series of “Danger - UXB” (available on DVD from Amazon and other online retailers), as it makes very compelling viewing; despite the story being fictional, the methods used to defuse the bombs, and the situations the team find themselves in are accurate. The programme was titled and partly based on the memoirs of Major A. B. Hartley, M.B.E, RE, Unexploded Bomb - The Story of Bomb Disposal, with episodes written by John Hawkesworth and four screenwriters. The series was filmed in 1978 in and around the Clapham, Streatham and Tooting areas of South London.

For many years I have been a fan of BBC TV's "Top Gear" - I have found it to be highly entertaining and something that I would go out of my way to watch. The current series on BBC 2 on Sunday evenings is I have to admit starting to pall with me; the show is getting tired, and I feel that it would be a good idea to either give it a re - vamp, or end it entirely. I think one of the problems with TV shows like "Top Gear" is that in recent years the rise of amateur and professionally produced car shows online has really changed the game. An example is below. "Harry's Garage" is a car show hosted on YouTube that reviews both new and classic cars, most of which are owned by Harry, the eponymous millionaire car enthusiast who also presents each episode. Unlike Jeremy Clarkson, Harry is quietly spoken and somewhat thoughtful; his deep knowledge of the vehicles he reviews is evident, and he really makes for a likeable and engaging presenter. See what you think - in the video below, Harry does an in - depth review on his 1987 Ferrari Testarossa. Leave a comment below, or Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.