Esperanto.

On Thursday morning, the board of Trustees at The Exchange, Erith published the following statement after The Bookstore Cafe had an inspection by Bexley Council, and their "Scores on the Doors" health and hygiene rating dropped from an excellent five stars out of five to a woeful one star out of five.  The statement reads as follows:- 

"STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD - THE BOOKSTORE

Further to our statement published on 9th August, the Exchange’s Board of Trustees wanted to inform our members/shareholders, supporters and the wider community that the investigation into the situation in The Bookstore is ongoing. As an interim measure, The Board has decided to keep The Bookstore closed as we do not believe that the organisation currently has the capacity to be able to open up and do the work required to fully understand and address the issues that need to be addressed. We want to be clear, that it is only The Bookstore affected – the wider Exchange programme of workshops, events, Erith Made, the Garden Room and access to the garden continues, and we hope that what is happening in The Bookstore does not prevent you from supporting the work of the wider staff, volunteer and partner team. And we want to reassure you that the decision to temporarily close The Bookstore, and our actions as a Board, have been taken in consultation with our funders, and in the best interests of the whole organisation. Throughout this investigation, our priority has been, and will continue to be, the safeguarding of all people affected – those who regularly attend and love The Bookstore, and those who work there. It is essential that our members and shareholders are involved in this process with us, but it is also imperative that the full context of the current situation is understood, in fairness to all, and this takes time. There are very real people involved in this situation and we have a responsibility to their health, well-being and careers. What we would like to do as a Board, at this stage, is to make the following commitments to members/shareholders, supporters, stakeholders, and the wider community: To publish a Board Report. In our commitment to transparency this report will include the Hygiene Report. initial recommendations for The Bookstore, and details on the impact of the temporary closure. We aim to publish this report as soon as the investigation is complete. To host an open meeting to allow questions regarding the report and the impact of interim closure and to gather and better understand opinions on The Bookstore's future. To create a Board Sub-Committee remitted to focus on the future of The Bookstore. To invite members/shareholders with experience in hospitality management and other relevant areas to nominate themselves to be co-opted Advisors to this Sub-Committee. Where more significant changes are deemed necessary, to submit options on the future of The Bookstore to a vote by Members/Shareholders. Finally, we hope this statement goes some way towards reassuring our supporters and customers that we are dealing with the issues surrounding The Bookstore appropriately and fairly. We are all deeply saddened by The Bookstore’s current closure – it has been an important part of the community since it opened in 2019 – we are committed to finding a positive way forward. Thank you for your continued support and your patience at this time." I will provide updates on the situation as this story continues to develop. Comments to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Did you know that a man born in Erith was nominated on multiple occasions for the Nobel Prize in Literature, and was one of the main proponents of Esperanto? Language is the cornerstone of human communication and cultural exchange. While thousands of languages exist around the world, each with its own rich history and significance, the pursuit of a universal language has been a longstanding aspiration. One individual who dedicated his life to this noble goal was William Auld, (photo above) a remarkable Esperanto expert whose contributions left an indelible mark on the world of linguistics and international understanding. William Auld was born on November 9, 1924, in Erith, and later moved to Scotland. Raised in a working-class family, Auld showed an early aptitude for language and literature. His passion for languages, particularly poetry, guided his path toward the discovery of Esperanto. Esperanto, a constructed international auxiliary language, was developed in the late 19th century by Dr. L. L. Zamenhof with the hope of fostering global communication and friendship. Auld's encounter with Esperanto was transformative. Drawn to its simplicity, logical structure, and emphasis on equality, Auld saw Esperanto as a potential bridge between diverse cultures and an instrument of peace. He immersed himself in the language, quickly mastering it and recognizing its potential to transcend linguistic barriers. Auld's proficiency in Esperanto led him to contribute significantly to the language's literary landscape. He began writing poetry, essays, and short stories in Esperanto, experimenting with its structure and nuances. In 1952, he published his first collection of poems, titled "La infana raso" (The Child Race), which showcased his poetic prowess and marked the beginning of his prolific literary career. Throughout his life, Auld's writing spanned various genres, from profound poetry to thought-provoking essays. His works explored themes of human connection, social justice, and the beauty of diversity. Auld believed that Esperanto could empower people to express themselves freely and creatively, unhindered by the constraints of their native languages. Auld's contributions extended beyond his literary output. He became an advocate for Esperanto on both national and international stages. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Universal Esperanto Association (UEA) in Scotland and served as its president for several years. Auld's leadership and tireless efforts to promote Esperanto earned him respect and admiration from the global Esperanto community. He traveled extensively, participating in Esperanto conferences, workshops, and events around the world. Auld's engaging lectures and presentations inspired countless individuals to explore and embrace Esperanto as a means of fostering cross-cultural understanding and international cooperation. Auld's dedication to Esperanto and his profound impact on its development did not go unnoticed. He was nominated multiple times for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1999, 2004, and 2006, making him the first person nominated for works in Esperanto - a testament to the significance of his contributions to the world of letters. His poetry, in particular, garnered widespread acclaim for its emotional depth, linguistic innovation, and ability to capture universal human experiences. Even after his death in 2006, Auld's legacy lives on. His writings continue to inspire Esperanto speakers and language enthusiasts worldwide. The William Auld Memorial Fund was established to support the translation of literary works into and from Esperanto, ensuring that his vision of a more interconnected world remains relevant. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

In the annals of technological advancement, there exist instances where well-intentioned endeavours result in colossal failures. One such example is the Rabbit telephone system, which ceased practical operation almost exactly thirty years ago this week. Rabbit was a short-lived and ill-fated attempt at revolutionising telecommunications in the United Kingdom. Launched in the early 1990s, Rabbit promised to bring cellular-like phone connectivity to people's homes, but a combination of technological limitations, strategic missteps, and market dynamics led to its swift demise. You can occasionally still see faded Rabbit Phone signs outside of post offices and other public buildings, many years after the plug was pulled on the service The photo above (click on it for a larger view) was taken many years ago on Watford Junction Station. Rabbit Phone was a system set up by mobile phone company Hutchinson (later re – branded as Orange). Rabbit was what was termed a “Telepoint” service - Telepoint services such as Rabbit allowed subscribers to carry specially designed (CT2) home phone handsets with them and make outgoing calls whenever they were within one hundred metres of a Rabbit transmitter / receiver unit. Original plans were for twelve thousand base stations to be placed around the UK by December 1992. The first service was launched in Greater Manchester in May 1992 with the entire city centre of Manchester covered with Rabbit base stations. The service was then rolled out to the rest of the North of England and there was nationwide coverage in the autumn of 1993. At the height of Rabbit's operations there were 12,000 base stations and 10,000 customers in the UK. The service ceased completely in December 1993, only twenty months after being launched, though in reality it effectively ceased customer service in late August / early September of that year, when many of the base stations were already deactivated. Rabbit had only two thousand subscribers at the time the service closed. The failure of Rabbit can be mainly attributed to the rapid fall in cost of analogue mobile phones from Cellnet and Vodafone, which also accepted incoming calls, and were not limited to a small number of  geographical contact points that the Rabbit system was tied to. Unlike true cellular phone systems, Rabbit users were confined to the boundaries of the network's coverage area. This limitation severely restricted the system's practicality and undermined its core value proposition. Interference and Quality Issues:- The Rabbit system operated on a radio frequency shared with other devices, leading to frequent interference and quality issues during calls. This further eroded the system's reliability and user experience. Costly Infrastructure:- Building and maintaining the Rabbit network proved to be a costly endeavor. The expenses associated with establishing an extensive network of transmitters were substantial, and these costs were eventually passed on to consumers through high subscription fees. Emergence of Mobile Networks:- As Rabbit struggled to gain a foothold, traditional cellular phone networks were rapidly evolving and becoming more accessible. The advent of cellular technology, with its broader coverage and improved mobility, rendered Rabbit's concept increasingly obsolete. Changing Market Dynamics:- The dynamics of the telecommunications market were evolving, and Rabbit found itself ill-equipped to adapt. The emergence of newer, more advanced technologies made it difficult for the Rabbit system to keep pace and remain relevant. The imminent conversion of these mobile phone networks to the modern-day GSM standard sealed Rabbit's fate. Hutchison lost around £183 million from the failure of Rabbit, but soon made the money back with the very successful launch of the Orange mobile phone network. The Rabbit telephone system's failure stands as a testament to the challenges of translating visionary ideas into practical, successful technologies. Despite its early promise, Rabbit fell victim to a combination of technological limitations, strategic missteps, and the relentless pace of progress in the telecommunications industry. The rise and fall of Rabbit offer a cautionary tale about the complexity of launching new technologies, emphasising the importance of understanding user needs, adapting to changing market dynamics, and ensuring the reliability and quality of the infrastructure.

I recently wrote about the threat that invasive Asian Hornets present to the honey bee population of the UK; at the time I had heard that Asian Hornets had been found in the Channel Islands and on certain areas of the South Coast; it has now been revealed that the insects have been spotted in and around Thamesmead. An amateur beekeeper in Thamesmead, spotted one of the predatory insects in his garden on Saturday, and alerted specialists who found a nest nearby on Monday last week. It comes amid a dramatic rise in Asian hornets, with this year accounting for half of all sightings recorded in the last seven years. Nearly 35 per cent of the UK’s confirmed sightings to date have come this month alone. Londoners are being urged to learn how to identify the destructive species, which preys on honey bees. Joel Soo, 43, was harvesting honey from beehives in his Thamesmead garden on Saturday evening when he spotted a single Asian hornet. According to a report in The London Evening Standard, “I saw a huge creature flying around and it crossed my mind thinking ‘that’s just a big wasp or a hornet’,” he told the Standard. “When I saw the tell-tale signs of an Asian hornet, I quickly ran to my kitchen to get whatever container I could. I told myself ‘I need to catch this fellow, because if it’s just a sighting it’s just talk’.”Mr Soo, an architect who has been beekeeping since 2019, captured and photographed the insect and informed the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit (NBU). On Monday morning, the NBU visited and found an Asian hornet nest in a tree, in a green space near to Mr Soo’s home. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (Defra) confirmed it is to be destroyed this week. Asian hornets first arrived in Europe in 2004, when they are thought to have travelled to France in a shipment of goods from east Asia. Asian hornets - Vespa velutina - are a “highly aggressive predator” of native insects, and pose a particular threat to honey bees. One hornet can hunt down and eat 30 to 50 honey bees a day, according to The British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA).

The upper of the two photos above (click on either to see a a larger view) shows the Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association stall at the Fun Day for the St Fidelis Estate, West Street Erith last Wednesday. The event was organised by Orbit Housing Association. 

Readers may have noticed that several TV commercials for household detergents for washing clothes are currently featuring statements that the product works well even if the water in the washing machine is cool, or even cold. This may be true for the removal of stains and smells, but the washing of garments at low temperatures has had one particular unexpected consequence. It has been reported that currently the UK is having a resurgence in infestations of head lice. An adult female louse will lay three to six eggs per day. Each head louse will live for an average of thirty days. The empty shells of dead lice are called nits. Head lice have developed a resistance to domestic pesticides, but the greatest reason for their recent explosion in numbers is the popularity of low temperature washing cycles in modern washing machines. As Doctor John Maunder of the British Medical Entomology Centre has put it:- "If you wash lousy clothing at low temperatures, all you get is cleaner lice". A classic case of the law of unintended consequences. 

I was sent the photo above by a reader - it shows damage to a ULEZ enforcement camera in the local area. I am not going to identify exactly here the photo was taken, but it should not be that difficult for someone with local knowledge to work it out. As can be plainly seen the cable to the camera has been cut - something increasingly common. ULEZ cameras are strategically placed throughout urban areas to monitor vehicles' emissions. These cameras capture license plate information and cross-reference it with a database to determine whether a vehicle complies with the ULEZ standards. Non-compliant vehicles are subject to fines, motivating drivers to adopt greener alternatives. The motives behind ULEZ camera vandalism can vary. Some individuals might view these cameras as an intrusion into their privacy, as the technology used for enforcement involves licence plate recognition. Others might simply oppose the ULEZ policy itself, seeing the cameras as symbols of the restriction imposed on their vehicle usage. Additionally, there is the possibility of outright criminal intent, with vandals seeking to disrupt the enforcement process for their own gain. This comes as specialist motoring lawyer Nick Freeman warned that drivers entering the expanded ULEZ from the Home Counties could have grounds to challenge fines. Six of the seven Conservative run boroughs bordering the capital have refused to let TfL install ULEZ warning signs. Mr Freeman said the absence of such warning signs could result in a wave of successful challenges. As I have previously written, I have no axe to grind on either side of the ULEZ debate. I don't own a car, and exclusively use public transport. I also do not condone criminal damage of any sort. 

The end video this week features bird watching on the Crayford / Slade Green marshes. As always, any comments should be sent to me by email - hugh.neal@gmail.com.