Thirteen.

The photos above - click on either for a larger version - show the garden party held by The Friends of Christ Church Erith last Sunday afternoon in a private house in Avenue Road, Erith. The event was held to promote the Friends group, to sell raffle tickets, and to bring local people together for food and drinks and to experience one of the very best gardens in the area. The fund raising aspect of the event is to raise funds to install toilets and washing facilities inside the Grade II* listed Christ Church building. At present, anyone who needs to use the toilet needs to trek round to the church hall, which is quite a walk, especially in bad weather, or in the dark. The Friends group have been working towards getting toilet facilities within the church building itself for around five years, and things are now moving towards realising the project. The plan is to construct three toilet cubicles - male, female and a larger unisex disabled / baby change facility in the East lobby of the historic building; the area where the toilet facility will be located is not currently used, and in effect is "dead space". A firm of specialist church architects have been engaged, and a series of preliminary drawings has been created. The final design choice will be made in August, and corporate sponsorship - along with money already raised by the Friends group will go towards the cost of the building work. More on this story in the future. You can read more about the Friends of Christ Church Erith, and the work they do by clicking here. Do feel free to join, and help maintain the historic local landmark building. 

This week marks an important landmark for me - it is the thirteenth anniversary of the launch of the Maggot Sandwich, which was first published on a Saturday night in July 2006. Very soon the Blog took on a regular format, being updated every Sunday afternoon. I am proud to say that I have not missed a singe weekly update in all thirteen years, even to the extent of having to go elsewhere to publish when my home broadband connection failed. Back in 2010 I won an award from OFCOM at a Blogging conference they held in their HQ building on the South side of the Millennium Bridge in London. It was at this point I met fellow local Bloggers Darryl Chamberlain of 853, and Malcolm Knight of Bexley is Bonkers. Over the years the Blog has led me to meet many people whom I otherwise would never have been in contact with, and a number of close friendships have resulted. The Blog is just a hobby for me, albeit a time consuming one; each update of the Maggot Sandwich take around ten hours to research, write and edit. The work is spread throughout the week; I don't sit down each Sunday morning and plough through it all, as some readers have erroneously suspected. This week the Maggot Sandwich becomes a teenager. I have no idea where it will head from here, but I have no plans to slow down or stop publication. Please feel free to leave comments below, or you can Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

One worrying trend is now coming to light; homeowners are deliberately failing to report minor crimes in their area, because they fear that doing so could damage the value of their property. Now that there are several online services featuring interactive online crime maps, homeowners are turning a blind eye to minor crimes, raising fears that the interactive maps are actually distorting official crime statistics. A recent survey found that half of households had been the victim of minor property crime, such as vandalism or theft from a garden shed. Two thirds of the people surveyed said that they did not report the incident to the Police. One in twelve said that their motivation for not reporting the crime was the worry that it might adversely affect local house prices. Official statistics show that the crime rate in England and Wales fell by seven percent in 2017, the most recent year that figures have been published, to the lowest figures since 1981. Studies in the U.S.A show that higher crime rates depress house prices. Since 2011 the Police have mapped every incident of recorded crime online, where users can see exactly how many crimes and the type of offence committed on every street in Britain. More than half of prospective house owners check the website before they buy, and almost two thirds said that they would not buy a property in an area with a crime rate that was higher than average. The figures have raised concerns that crime mapping may be encouraging criminals and distorting crime statistics. What do you think? Have you encountered this kind of behaviour?

In the early 1800's two Scottish engineers, Tom Chalmers and David Ross Fraser, emigrated independently to the USA to further their studies. It was a coincidence that they met, and after working in various manufacturing places, realised that their knowledge and experience warranted them starting their own business. A mining engineering works was then established by them in Chicago in 1847. In 1891, with a well won international reputation, they set up a similar works at Erith in what is now Fraser Road, under the supervision of D.R. Fraser, which became one of the largest employers in the Borough. The land sold to Fraser and Chalmers for the works consisted of an 18 acre site which had been excavated for valuable foundry loam and subsequently part was used as a recreation ground. The machine shop of the factory is said to have been built on the site of several historic cricket matches played from 1884 to 1890 between Erith and Australian teams - On Saturday 20th September 1884 a local team of sixteen played an eleven raised By a Mr. H.H Hyslop - a local businessman, from the Australian touring side of that year. Hyslop's Australian team won. A similar match took place between another scratch Australian team again put together by Mr. Hyslop on the 3rd May 1890. The Erith local team was composed of eighteen local men, pitted against a visitors team which included nine members of the Australian test side. This match resulted in a draw. Hopes for a rematch were dashed when the cricket ground was sold and the Fraser and Chalmers factory was built on the site. Nevertheless, local historians refer to the matches as "when Erith took on the Australians". The principal products produced were initially machinery for mines, including prospecting plants, crushers for rock and ore, and engines for running machinery. Over 90 percent of the Erith products were exported. During the Boer War the works had a slack period and the nearby Maxim gun factory made an offer of £300,000 for the Fraser and Chalmers factory which was rejected. The firm began to recover in 1902 and were receiving success in the home market with the growth of conveyor belt and turbine production. Access to the works was improved in 1906 by the construction of Fraser Road alongside the factory where only a rough track existed before Conditions in the factory were explained in a small book entitled "The Rules and Regulations of Messrs Fraser and Chalmers Ltd, Erith Works, Erith" dated 1900. Every employee was provided with one of the books. It stated that the working week was to consist of 54 hours, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5.45 p.m. and Saturdays 7 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. No-one was allowed to enter the works after 8 a.m. without special instructions. Workmen were not allowed to bring intoxicating liquids onto the premises or to harass their fellow employees. A medical officer had been appointed after several accidents at the works. In the pre World War I period there was a marked expansion of trade and intake of workers. Then, on the outbreak of war, men leaving to join the forces were told that their families would be supported up to 10/- a week (50p in today's currency). The heavy mechanical work carried out at Erith during the 1914-18 War was attracted to the attention of The General Electric Company Ltd. After a period of negotiation the company was acquired by them on 1 April 1918 to complement the GEC works at Witton. The Fraser and Chalmers name was retained. The plant was heavily involved in work for the War Department, and it was also one of the largest employers in the local area; including a large number of women, in what had previously been a male dominated industry. Workers at the factory assembled armoured cars and military tractors which were sent over from the USA in kit form; controversially close to the end of WWI, the Fraser and Chalmers Erith works manufactured hollow shell casings ready to be filled with chemical agents - something that would later become illegal under international law. They also made most of the explosives handling and conveying equipment for The Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. As if this was not enough, the Fraser and Chalmers works was also one of the largest manufacturers of marine engines in Europe. They made triple expansion coal fired steam engines for the use in fishing trawlers, and large scale steam turbine engines used in both British and French naval vessels. They also were one of the very first companies to introduce turbocharging to their smaller petrol and diesel powered motors. Eventually GEC closed the Fraser and Chalmers site, and it was converted into what is now the Europa Industrial Estate in Fraser Road. 

Bexley Brewery have just won another award. They have won the Gold award for their Black Prince Rum Porter at the SIBA South Eastern competition at the beginning of the month. SIBA is the independent trade body for small breweries, and each year they hold the competition to judge beers in various categories from their brewery members all over the UK. Black Prince Rum Porter will now go on to the national competition next year along with other regional Gold winners.

Whilst doing some research for this Blog update, I came across some information that may well be of interest to a number of Maggot Sandwich readers. The largest and most successful privately owned television station in the UK is one that you probably have not heard of. Talking Pictures TV (TPTV) is a British free-to-air vintage film nostalgia television channel. It launched on 26 May 2015, on Sky channel 343 (it is now on channel 328). It is on air for 24 hours a day, and concentrates on older British films, both classics and B-films, but the schedule also includes some American films, straight-to-video programmes, cinema shorts, and period home movies of British locations. The channel was initially only available via digital satellite on the Sky platform in the United Kingdom. Since the 15th September 2015, it has also been available on Freeview channel 81. It became available on Freesat channel 306 in February 2016, and on Virgin Media on 1 June 2017. On Freeview it was initially broadcast only in standard definition (SDTV) on HD multiplex and could only be received by Freeview HD equipment. From 30 November 2017, it became available, to those within coverage (90 percent of UK households), on any TV capable of receiving Freeview. TPTV is a family business, founded by Sarah Cronin-Stanley, and is run by her with assistance from her father, former producer/editor Noel Cronin, and her husband Neill Stanley. A wide range of movies from different genres are shown, including horror, comedy, drama and thriller films. In-house productions are also shown, as are items from the Cronins' own back catalogue, including Noel's Dandelion Distribution, as well as series from the Southern TV franchise archive, and early American television shows. Movies are usually copied directly from film reels; damaged reels from the catalogue are often replaced by donations, either from online, viewers or available libraries. One of the aims of the founders was to maintain the history of British cinema; it was said to have been in the making since ca. 2007. Classic movies were originally shown on terrestrial channels, such as BBC and Channel 4, but had declined in the 2000s, with the most well-known of films occasionally getting aired. Cronin-Stanley explained to the Watford Observer in 2016 that "People were interested in the big titles but he [her father Noel] wanted to save the smaller, more obscure titles, from getting lost". However, television networks rejected their pitches, unconvinced that it would be of high demand, so they decided to set up the channel independently. For over 20 years, Cronin-Stanley and Cronin have been patrons to a DVD membership club, The Renown Film Club, for fans of B-film classics. Cronin had worked for The Rank Organisation and Central Office of Information, and bought the rights to several libraries that owned films that air on TPTV, such as much of the Southern Television library, and originally licensed them out to terrestrial channels. Many of the films aired on Talking Pictures TV are available to buy on DVD, often sold as compilations under different genres, through the distributing company, both online and through the Renown's telephone service. Each DVD set is full of films made between the 1930s and 1960s, and also include special features, such as interviews and history. Other merchandise is also sold on the website, such as mugs, clothing, biographies, and calendars (available to buy in December for the new year), often branded under Talking Pictures TV's name. In spring 2019, Renown released its first CD compilation album named Hits From the Flicks, three CDs of songs from musicals and movies with pop song theme tunes that had aired on the channel. Talking Pictures TV is especially popular with older viewers, and has a weekly audience of about 2 million - an astonishingly high number in the current multi channel broadcasting environment. 

There are going to be severe restrictions to traffic in Crayford for some time next week; Parts of Crayford Road between Nando’s restaurant in Roman Way and McDonalds restaurant, at the junction of Station Road, will be closed from between 10pm on Monday 22 July and until around 1pm on Tuesday 23 July. Vehicle access will be maintained to the garages underneath Town Hall square until 9.30am on the 23 July. Buses that use this route will be diverted. The usual town centre parking restrictions will be in force. Local car parks are expected to be busy. Barriers will be installed to assist with the road closure on the evening of Monday 22 July.  While vehicle access will be restricted for a short time, there will be emergency vehicle access. The reason for this extensive disruption is due to a visit by His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent KG will visit Crayford on Tuesday 23 July to officially unveil the magnificent new Alcock and Brown (photo of them above - click on the picture for a larger version) bench. The special occasion is part of the centenary events that mark 100 years since the pair made the first ever trans-Atlantic flight in a Vickers Vimy originally designed and built in the Vickers Factory, Crayford. Local business Erith Group paid for the new bench designed by artist Tony Stallard. It will sit outside the Tower Business Park close to the Clock Tower. Along with the bench, a number of plaques based on the aeronautical feat will also be unveiled. They were designed by local schools and the mental health group Centrepieces and made by ‘M@ke’, with support from the Learning and Enterprise Centre Bexley. The Duke’s visit coincides with the 100-year anniversary of Alcock and Brown’s visit to Crayford on 23 July 1919. They returned to celebrate their achievement at the re-opening of The Princesses Theatre by the then Duke of York (later King George VI). HRH Duke of Kent will be met by the Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Bexley. Major David Hewer OBE. He will be accompanied by the Mayor of Bexley and Chairman of the Alcock and Brown Centenary Project Group (Crayford) Councillor Geraldene Lucia-Hennis.

Next weekend The Exchange are holding a summer garden party. Saturday, July 27, 2019 11:00 AM Sunday, July 28, 2019 7:00 PM.  A weekend of outdoor pleasure at the new garden around Erith's Old Library.

"This is a free event, but please let us know you are coming by signing up for the event.

There are some elements that you will need to book onto in advance of the day, and can do so by following the links below.

The programme:

Throughout the weekend, there are things to do including Painting a Big Garden Mural, planting workshops and Garden Games.

There is also going to be a Garden Hat Competition - we will be taking polaroids throughout the event, and prizes will be given on Sunday.

Saturday 27 July

11am - Drop-in Seed Bomb workshop with Re-Instate

11am - Drop-in Flower pressing 

12pm - BBQ with Old Haven BBQ

12pm - Live Acoustic music 

12.30 - Theatre Box Performing Arts perform!

1.30 - Taster Yoga Class with Bayleaf Yoga (Book here)

2.30 - Bhangra Dance Workshop 1 with Jugnu Bhangra Group (Book here)

3pm - African circus skills and drumming from Emmanuel the Magnificent

3.15 - Bhangra Dance Workshop 2 with Jugnu Bhangra Group (Book here)

5.30 - Live Shindig soft rock

8pm - Live Classical music from members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Sunday 28th July

11am - Matisse inspired Print workshop  (Book here)

12pm - Lunch time talk on 'Erith & The River Thames' by Ken Chamberlain, Erith & Belvedere History Society  (Book here)

1pm - Live Cello & Guitar music from Sophie Gledhill and Tom Fleming

2pm - Spoken word performance by Jade, Theatre Box Performing Arts

2pm - Sashiko Embroidery Workshop with Lemuel MC (Book here)

3.30 - Live Jigs & Reels 

4pm - Judging of the Garden Hat Competition with prize from Rosie Beard Illustration

5-5.30 / 6.15-6.45 - Live Steel Pan Band"

Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly the report from Barnehurst ward:- "I am very pleased to report that there have been no crimes to report over the last week. Whilst this is fantastic news we must not become complacent neither as local police or residents. Local police will continue to patrol ASB hotspots and potential burglary hotspots. We will also continue with stop and searches, especially in the battle against drug use and dealing, where sufficient grounds allow. We also implore residents to remain vigilant in a combined effort to keep crime at a low rate. Simple things like making sure windows are shut when the house is empty will help deter burglars. So many windows are left open at this time of the year when temperatures are soaring. Ensure that your car is securely locked and please do not leave any valuables on display in your vehicle. Let's keep this low crime trend continuing". Belvedere ward:- "No burglaries to report this week. We have been continuing to patrol in particular the drug hotspots on our ward in both uniform and plain clothes. Two male adults were stopped having been seen parked up in Ruskin Road Belvedere. Both were searched and cannabis found on the driver of the vehicle. He was issued with a community resolution for cannabis. Unfortunately at the time he was not driving his car so no further action in terms of driving under the influence could be pursued. Also this week both PC Rob and PCSO Jay have spent a lot of time dealing with incidents in our 2 local primary schools. In partnership with staff at the schools they are dealing with issues involving bullying between both parents and pupils. PC Rob has resolved one by issuing one of the parents an Harassment warning letter. PC Marc has spent time attending our local shops who deal with money transfers where letters warning the shops of becoming victims of money laundering have been delivered. This is a MET wide initiative looking at reducing money laundering and stopping the bad guys being able to hide their illicit gains using law abiding businesses". Bexleyheath ward:- "There have been two reports of a theft of motor vehicles reported on our ward: Tuesday 09/07/2019 – Albion Road Car Park between 1330hrs and 1340hrs; Tuesday 16/07/2019 – Watling Street Bexleyheath Motorbike stolen from a car park in Watling Street. There have been two reports of purses / wallets that were stolen. Saturday 13/07/2019 – Along the Broadway exact location not given; Friday 12/07/2019 – Believe to be outside M and S on the Broadway. A mobile phone was reported stolen on the Broadway believed to be outside Cancer Research shop on Friday 12/07/2019 between the times of 1130hrs and 1145hrs. A shopping bag was also reported stolen on Thursday 11/07/2019 by Monsoon / Accessorize. 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:- "Unfortunately we have had a residential burglary and a business/commercial burglary in Crayford this week and an increase in motor vehicle crime. On 12th July a burglary occurred between 8.20-12.30 in Ridge Way, entry was made via the front door which was kicked in, a safe was stolen containing cash, nothing else was touched or removed. Overnight 12th/13th July the VCD club at Old Road was broken in to, windows were smashed and one window was removed, money was stolen from the gaming machines. There was a theft from motor vehicle at Bookers, Thames Road on 8th July at approx. 11.00, a mobile phone, driving licence, purse and currency were stolen, the items were stolen while the vehicle was being loaded. A high value of tools and a bag containing personal items were stolen from a white Ford Transit on 10th July between 12.00-14.00 in Bourne Road. The sliding door was opened but there was no signs of damage. A rose gold Samsung J3 was stolen from the staff area at KFC on 10th July at 16.09, this has been clearly captured on CCTV.  An incident occurred at Claston Close for which the suspect has been arrested. Someone tried to break in to a van whilst parked in Green Place overnight 11th/12th July, when this proved difficult the perpetrator stole the number plates instead, AJ59BWF should be on a blue Ford Transit.  A grey Yamaha that had been left insecure and then stolen outside KFC on 11th July was later recovered at Bostall Hill. A black Piaggio Nrg 50 with the registration of LC67UBK was stolen from Optima Park on 9th July between 15.30-15.45. A number plates were stolen from a vehicle (no details given) overnight 12th/13th July from Tanners Close. Criminal damage was made to a black Ford Fiesta whilst parked in a poorly lit area close to Sainsbury's on 14th July, this was discovered by patrolling police officers and the registered keeper made aware. A black Aprilia SR50, number plate LK03MKF was stolen from Crayford High Street between 23.00 on 12th July and 02.00 on 13th July. A door was badly damaged on a white Citroen whilst parked in Sainsburys car park overnight 13th/14th July. An Apple iPhone 8 was stolen off a table at McDonalds on 14th July between 22.30-22.35. A grey Volkswagen Golf registration RJ60RYY was stolen outside a property in Bexley Close, it had been advertised for sale, the male jumped in it and drove it away before the registered owner could get in to the vehicle.  A TV was stolen from the communal area at Elwick Court in Beech Walk overnight 14th/15th July, it is not known how entry was gained. On 13th July, youths caused criminal damage at St Paulinus community hall. They entered the playground area through an unlocked gate and jumped on shed roofs causing damage, they also damaged children's toys. The youths are aged between 12-15 years of age. Number plates YF58WEV were stolen from a black BMW 1 series outside Crayford BR Station (date and time not confirmed on report). A blue BMW 1 series was stolen without keys from London Road, it seems a window was smashed while it was being removed (at this time the date and time has not been confirmed on the report). A ladies EM Decathlon bicycle with a mark “Born to be wild” was stolen from near Crayford Library, at this time the date and time have not been confirmed. Please be sure to double lock doors and close/secure windows when leaving your home and always be aware of your personal possessions when out and about. Crook locks or similar are always a bonus to secure vehicles. I know sometimes it seems inconvenient but these simple tweaks can prevent crime happening to you or someone you may know. We will be holding a community contact session at Crayford Library on Wednesday 24th July between 10.00-11.00 if there is anything you would like to discuss face to face". Erith ward:- "Weekly crime report: Theft of MV (Motor Vehicle) Thursday 11/07/2019 Christchurch Avenue; Theft from MV Friday 12/07/2019 Avenue Road; Theft of MV Saturday 13/07/2019 Avenue Road; Theft from MV Thursday 02/05/2019 near,Queen Street Baptist Church, Queen Street; Theft of cycle Thursday 11/07/2019, Dell View Road". Northumberland Heath ward:- "The team continue to target ASB on Bexley Road and surrounding alleyways, working together with the schools and the local authority. This week we visited Jaquelines Jems Nursery on Stelling Road. We had a lovely question and answer session with the children. The team have been doing door to door enquiries in Becton Place, with regards to a breach of tenancy when smoking drugs within their premises, especially when it is affecting other residents.Very pleased to say, that there have been no burglaries again this week. Our next community contact session is on Friday 26thth July at 4pm in the Mill Road Library. Please do come along and meet a member of the team to discuss any issues or concerns you have, or just pop in and say hello". 

Slade Green and Northend ward:- "We had the pleasure of attending The Slade Green Big Local Event last Saturday and enjoyed speaking to a lot of local residents and engaging with potential members. Our outdoor event season is now in full swing and our volunteers have been pulling out the stops to help us staff our stand most weekends to spread the word about NW and recruit new Coordinators and other NW scheme members across the Borough. We have had 3 sets of number plates stolen in the last week. All of them occurred overnight. They were in Reddy Road on Tuesday 16th July, Canada Road on Sunday 14th July and Peareswood Road on Thursday July 11th. If you would like some anti theft screws for your number plates, please let us know. PC James found and recovered a stolen vehicle in the car park behind Grange House yesterday (Weds 17th July). All parking areas are regularly checked on patrols for stolen vehicles. PCSO Mark attended the Slade Green Big Local Community Fun Day last Saturday (as did Bexley Neighbourhood Watch!) where many many people enjoyed all the bouncy castles, farm animals, donkey rides, slides, football etc. Picture of Mark and Mel from Big Local is above - click on it for a larger view. A new anonymous watch has been set up for Cook Square in the Frobisher Road estate. It has been running for a few weeks but all residents finally have their letters now that Mark is on full duties again". Thamesmead East ward:- "Burglaries - No burglaries this week. Remain vigilant at all times. Crime prevention: Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you're going out for a few minutes. Photograph and keep a detailed inventory of each item of jewellery and keep it in a separate place. Motor vehicle crimes - Thursday 11/07/19 an unknown suspect/s stole the catalytic converter from the Victim's vehicle while it was securely locked and parked at Argali House, Kale Road. A neighbour informed the Victim that she observed two males near the Victim's vehicle at around 03:00am. Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention: Did you know that your vehicle is like a shop window? If you can see any property left on view then so can a thief . Take it with you. Recent thefts of Catalytic converters on the ward. Vehicles made after 1974 all have Catalytic Converters. There are 3 precious metals in your Catalytic Converter and thieves know this. Protect your vehicle before you become a victim of theft. Mark your catalytic converter by etching your vehicle registration onto the metal shell, or by using a Secured By Design (SBD) approved forensic marking solution which is heat-resistant. This makes it easier for police to trace the converter back to your vehicle should it ever be stolen, and links offenders to a crime. Consider fitting additional security on your vehicle(s) by installing an SBD approved converter security product, such as a catalytic converter clamp. Good news - Following an arrest by PC Pruden attended Stratford Magistrates Court, where a suspect, arrested by PC Pruden was found guilty. Following a theft from a Motor Vehicle, forensic evidence was found linked to a known suspect, an on-going investigation is being undertaken by PC Pruden". West Heath ward:- "Good news this week, we have had no reported burglaries on the ward. Unfortunately, there are several reports of motor vehicle crime this week. On Saturday July 13th at 12.50pm a silver grey golf was stolen from a driveway in Gypsy Road. The victim was still in possession of the keys and no sign of forced entry was seen; Two reports in Plymstock Road this week on Saturday July 13th between 1pm – 2pm a child's bike was stolen, also overnight between Saturday July 13th at 10pm to Sunday July 14th a motor vehicle was tampered with. The owner discovered the vehicle with its doors open and the belongings scattered within it. It is not believed that any items were stolen; Theft of a white Ford Transit van from Hurlingham Road on Monday July 15th; A black Audi was broken in to overnight on Tuesday July 17th between 8am and 7am the following morning. An untidy search was conducted and it is not known at this stage if anything was stolen. The team assisted the Crook Log team with the execution of a drugs warrant on Tuesday morning where a small amount of drugs were found. We have also continued to carry out positive stop and searches for drugs and other possible offences. PC Gill Couzens also arrested a male this week for failure to appear and for being in breach of a court order".

The end video this week features St. John the Baptist Church in West Street, Erith. It is the oldest building in the town by some considerable margin - it is over a thousand years old, and there are references to it predating the signing of the Magna Carta. Leave a comment below, or alternatively you can Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.