Chic not Geek.

There has been much traffic on local social media over the last couple of weeks regarding fraudulent use of cash machines - more properly named ATM's - short for Automatic Teller Machines. The ATM's most featured in the discussions are those located outside of Morrison's supermarket in Erith - as pictured above - click on the image for a larger view. I do not know how accurate some of the claims relating to ATM fraud are in this specific case. As many of you will know, my opinion of much of the information published on Facebook groups is very poor indeed. I go by the maxim that many of these groups, which are generally very well meaning, quite often don't let the facts get in the way of a good story. It has been alleged that the ATM's outside of Morrison's have, on a number of recent occasions been tampered with by crooks in order to gain cards, PIN numbers and ultimately cash. Whilst I have no way of verifying the specific claims in this particular case, there are some general rules in relation to using an ATM safely. One of the main ways the criminals fraudulently exploit ATM's is by installing a card skimmer on the ATM. So what exactly is a card skimming machine, and what does it do? A type of fraud which occurs when an ATM is compromised by a skimming device, a card reader which can be disguised to look like a part of the machine. The card reader saves the users' card number and pin code, which is then replicated into a counterfeit copy for theft. ATM skimming is like identity theft for debit cards: Thieves use hidden electronics to steal the personal information stored on your card and record your PIN number to withdraw cash or they illegally copy your account details from the chip or magnetic strip on your credit or debit card when you use an ATM. The fraudster then uses your details to create a fake or ‘cloned’ card to withdraw money from any ATM. The fraud requires two pieces of information, and they have to be gathered separately.  Firstly the scammer needs the card ID details, which used to be stored on the cards magnetic strip, but nowadays in most countries (including the UK) are more commonly stored on the card's embedded chip. A card reader placed over the ATM's real card slot. When you slide your card into the ATM, you are unwittingly sliding it through the counterfeit reader, which scans and stores all the information on the chip. However, to gain full access to your bank account on an ATM, the thieves still need your PIN number. That is where cameras come in - hidden on or near the ATM, tiny spy cameras are positioned to get a clear view of the keypad and record all the ATM's PIN action. The Police advise that users always pay attention to objects mounted on the ATM or located close by. A pinhole or off-colour piece of plastic could give away the camera's hiding place. Some ATM skimming schemes employ fake keypads in lieu of cameras to capture PIN numbers. Just like the card skimmers fit over the ATM's true card slot, skimming keypads are designed to mimic the keypad's design and fit over it like a glove. Be warned.

Following on from the ATM fraud story above, I have been sent another story regarding Morrison's at Erith by a regular reader, and occasional contributor who chooses to remain anonymous. They write:- "C19 has taken everyone by surprise, one day everyone was carrying out their business, the next day we had police riot vans driving around Bexley shadowing the seriousness of the pandemic. The supermarkets had been performing a great job at first, they were quick to enforce distancing and installed suitable protections for staff and customers. Unfortunately roughly a week or so ago I queued up for my usual shop. It was surprisingly busy, far too many people in the shop despite security supposedly regulating the number allowed in to the shop. Walking around it was almost as if it were a Sunday, 10 or so people in my aisle. It's a tricky situation as without some sort of organisation people will head to whatever product is next (ever see the meme where a council put a walkway across a park, only for everybody to take the shortest path? Same story). On my way out I was chatting with the checkout women, she was clearly quite shaken up and upset. She mirrored my concern at the sheer number of people in the shop, to the point she asked me to look down the aisle - people were more or less rubbing shoulders. Where this story really takes a turn, and it wasn't till the end of the conversation she mentioned it, an elderly lady had collapsed on her very till! This had only just happened, she told me the women had a fever and was clearly not well - an ambulance was called. It turns out her idiot son had taken her shopping despite supposedly isolating. It beggars belief they didn't close the till or even shut the store temporarily for cleaning. Now a week on things are not much different which is disappointing. I feel more effort should have been put into click and collect. Would it not have been better for each of the supermarkets to accept shopping lists where the staff can work more efficiently, safer and faster, over customers haphazardly wandering around the store (including myself)? I believe everyone has become complacent, forgetting that we are at the peak, not the end of this crisis. Anyone with a brain can see people are anxious and acting unusually, but we need to hold it together for a while longer." What do you think? Have you experienced any behaviour similar to that witnessed by our anonymous correspondent? Email me in complete confidence to hugh.neal@gmail.com.

This week, back in 1998, Steve Jobs took to the stage of the Moscone Center in San Francisco for a product launch that would indelibly change the face of computing and arguably save the firm he founded almost 22 years earlier. The machine showcased at the MacWorld event was the iMac G3. It was, to put it gently, uncharacteristic for the era. As the wider industry churned out unremarkable beige boxes and towers, the iMac was colourful and appealing to non technical users. An advertising catchphrase was launched - "Chic, not Geek". By 1997 Apple was steadily losing money and market share after a series of failed product launches, including the Newton MessagePad. Experts predicted that it was not a question of if but rather when Apple would go out of business. Steve Jobs, who had recently found himself in the unlikely position as leader of  the company for the second time, was looking for an opportunity for growth, and he turned to the design of the company’s computer cases. Apple had long differentiated itself with its superior graphic performance and a devoted following, but it was producing beige box devices like every other PC on the market. Steve Jobs saw an opportunity to reinvent the notion of personal computing and, possibly, to save the company from collapse. Keeping in mind the rapid ascendancy of the Internet in the daily lives of computer users, Jobs and his team created a device that integrated Internet-ready technology with high-quality graphics performance and a futuristic all-in-one shell. The resulting computer was the iMac, which Apple released in May 1998. The iMac (the “i” initially stood for “Internet”), created under the direction of Apple staff designer Jonathan Ive, quickly became synonymous with sleek, sophisticated, and forward-thinking design. The iMac’s computing systems were integrated into one cohesive unit (harking back to the Macintosh), which subverted the beige plastic standard and was wrapped in a translucent white and aqua (famously called “Bondi” blue) shell. The iMac could be plugged into the wall and used immediately; it required no peripheral parts or connections other than a matching mouse, a keyboard, and an Internet cable. Despite a critically mixed reception and only middling sales numbers, the iMac was a design success and set the course of a new transparent plastic aesthetic in personal computing that can still be felt today.

Now for one of my occasional longer form pieces. Many classic film buffs will be very familiar with the actress photographed above - click on the image for a larger view. What very few know, is that as well as being a major film star in the golden age of Hollywood, she also had a remarkable second career. Please read on. Hedy Lamarr was born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler on the 11th of September 1913 in the city of Vienna, Austria, at the time part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. She married an industrialist called Fritz Mandl, and from him this highly intelligent young woman picked up a lot of information and gossip about the armaments industry with which he was involved in. Unlike her husband, who became enamoured of the Nazi party, Hedwig, who had already started doing some acting, left for London and then went on to Hollywood to take up acting. A swift name change soon followed and Hedy Lamarr was born. She had starred in some rather 'risque' movies, particularly Ecstasy, by the time that she and her musical arranger, George Antheil, found themselves at a dinner party one evening in 1940 thinking about the unfolding European war. The United States, then neutral, was developing a number of weapons that depended upon radio signals for guidance. Amongst these was a guided torpedo, which could be steered towards its target by a radio signal. However, there was a problem. Any radio guided missile had a weak link in that given adequate warning that such missiles were in use, Nazi scientists could easily produce a radio receiver that could be used by prospective targets to detect the signals used to control the missile or torpedo and then a transmitter could be used to jam the guidance system. Indeed, the jamming signal could be very simple - it might be enough to tune a transmitter to the signal frequency and just turn it on. As the missile approached the target, the controlling signal would be weakening with distance from the guiding plane or ship, while the jamming signal on the target would get stronger. Eventually it would overwhelm the guidance signal with the effect that the missile would effectively become a 'dumb' weapon and simply carry on in a straight line past the target. So, what could you do? Hedy was intelligent and resourceful. She quickly realised that if it were possible for the guidance signal to randomly change frequency, it would be difficult for the enemy to actually detect the signal in the first place, and virtually impossible for them to then transmit a jamming signal that would follow the guidance signal. This 'frequency hopping' would need to be random and fairly frequent, to prevent the enemy predicting which frequency would be used next. Changing the frequency of the transmitted signal on such a basis would be reasonably straightforward to achieve. What was more difficult, Lamarr realised, was making sure that the receiver on the missile or torpedo was able to synchronise itself with the transmitted signal so that as the transmitter changed frequency the receiver would change its receive frequency at the same time. Don't forget, by the way, that this was before the invention of the transistor. All radio communications depended upon valves, and the computer, even in its most rudimentary form, would not appear until three years later and would then occupy a whole room...not the stuff you could fit in the head of a torpedo no more than 600mm in diameter. The composer George Antheil was a friend and colleague of Lamarr's, and due in part to his background as a composer, he imagined that one possible solution to the problem of synchronising transmitter and receiver would be to incorporate some sort of switching mechanism into the transmitter and receiver that could read a 'tape' of instructions, a little like the punched paper strips read by automatic 'player pianos'. These machines read cards or paper tape similar to what would be later used to program computers, and as the tape was 'read' through the machine, the holes in the tape caused musical notes to be played. Analogously, thought Antheil, it should be possible for the tape in the transmitter to switch the transmitted frequency as it was slowly unwound through some sort of electronic switch capable of detecting holes in the tape, and similarly an identical tape in the receiver should be able to switch receiver circuits to different frequencies for signal reception. If you had two identical tapes, unwound at the same rate, one in the transmitter and one in the receiver, you could synchronise the transmitter and receiver to stay in step with each other. Of course, any mechanical system is prone to slippage and slight losses of synchronisation, but the principle was there. In December 1940, the concept of a communication system based upon 'frequency hopping' was submitted by Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil to the National Inventors Council, a US Government organisation that was co-ordinating technical developments for the war effort. The patent, number 2,292,387, was eventually filed on 10th June 1941 and was granted over a year later in August 1942.  Unfortunately, the practicalities of setting this up would prove to be too difficult. The synchronising tapes would have to be paper tapes, and the whole technical issue of putting fairly complex electronics and mechanics into the small and rough environment of a bomb or torpedo was too much. Lamarr and Antheil gave their Patent to the US Government as part of the war effort, but their creation would have to wait for almost 20 years until the invention of the transistor and other semiconductor devices allowed the construction of practical, if crude, frequency hopping equipment that was based around digital circuits that created a reproducible, but apparently random, string of random electronic impulses that could switch circuitry with no moving parts. The patent lapsed in the early 1960s, at the heart of the cold war, and the US Navy immediately put the system to use using semiconductor technology to create a frequency hopping secure communications system. This was the start of the military use of 'spread spectrum' technology, the direct descendant of  Lamarr's invention. The technology would soon find itself used in a wide range of military communication systems, with frequency switching taking place many times a second making it difficult for an enemy to even detect a signal. A spread spectrum signal heard on a 'normal' radio receiver just sounds like a slightly higher than usual level of noise on the channel. The technology was eventually de - classified in the 1980s, just in time for the technology to be used in cellular mobile telephone systems. To see why this technology is useful, one has to consider that a lot of mobile phones are in use in the same geographical area. It's not really feasible for a given phone to be given its own frequency, as there just are not enough frequencies. Instead, mobile phones can transmit on a number of frequencies and the frequency in use will 'switch' as the phone call is made and the user moves from one 'cell' on the cellular network to another. The switching from frequency to frequency also reduces the effect of interference on the signal, an interfering signal that is strong on one frequency may be quite weak on another, and so although some of the signal may be lost there is a greater chance for the signal to 'get through'. In addition to the mobile phone, low level spread spectrum transmitters are used in 'wireless' computer networks, where data is sent from portable computers to other computers by u.h.f. or microwave radio signals. Again, single frequencies would not be feasible in a busy office environment or city centre, so the network adapters that allow the computers to talk to one another use spread spectrum techniques to improve reliability and data security. Unless you know a lot about the network, it's quite hard to listen in and detect computer traffic on wireless networks due to the frequency hopping. The algorithms used to control the frequency hopping in different spread spectrum systems are quite varied, depending upon the job in hand. For example, mobile phones and wireless networks use chips that generate a pseudo random string of pulses. Two devices in communication will initiate the session by exchanging enough information to set the 'start' position for the random pulse chain. Provided the two systems start from the same place, they'll keep in synchrony. Alternatively, the message to 'change frequency' might be actually transmitted to the receiver as part of the transmitted signal. This approach is also used in mobile phones and WiFi networks. Data about when to switch and what frequency to switch to is sent as a data packet. This isn't terribly secure as anyone with patience and the correct equipment can log the data packets and simulate the receiver. The ultimate in secure spread spectrum probably involves the modern equivalent of the 'one time pad', a CD-ROM or USB memory stick is used at each end. These devices contain a string of totally random noise pulses from a natural source, like solar radio noise or noise from noise diodes. A CD-ROM might contain enough 'bits' for a few dozen messages, a copy would be made and the copy sent to the receiver site, usually under diplomatic protection. The CD-ROM / USB memory stick would be used for communications, and then after each block of bits is used for a single message it's never used again. Combined with a suitable cipher system, this sort of communication is undetectable (don't forget that the signal sounds like an increase in local noise) and even if it is detected the cipher system ensures that no one else can read the message. And finally, what did Hedy and George get for all their cleverness? Well, until recently not much. Apparently they never even received a formal thank you letter from the US Government. But eventually in the year 2000, Hedy Lamarr received an award from the Electronic Frontier Foundation recognising her contributions to modern computer technology, even though it took place 50 years previously. George Antheil died before he could get the award, but at least now the contribution of the composer and the actress to modern communications has finally been recognised. Today Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot is about to play Hedy Lamarr in a TV series about her fascinating life. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

The photo above (click on it for a larger version) was taken by me a couple of nights ago in Appold Street, Erith. It also illustrates one of the more bizarre conspiracy theories that persist despite much evidence to the contrary. You may have heard of the Chemtrail Conspiracy? If not, I will explain. The chemtrail conspiracy theory is the unproven belief that long-lasting trails, so-called "chemtrails", are left in the sky by high-flying aircraft and that they consist of chemical or biological agents deliberately sprayed for sinister purposes undisclosed to the general public. The main UK based group of Chemtrail conspiracists have their website here - click to view. Believers in the theory argue that normal aircraft contrails dissipate relatively quickly and that contrails that do not dissipate must contain additional substances. These arguments have been dismissed by the scientific community: such trails are normal water-based contrails (condensation trails) that are routinely left by high-flying aircraft under certain atmospheric conditions. Although proponents have attempted to prove that the claimed chemical spraying does take place, their analyses have been flawed or based on misconceptions. Because of the persistence of the conspiracy theory and questions about government involvement, scientists and government agencies around the world have repeatedly explained that supposed chemtrails are in fact normal contrails. Contrails, or condensation trails, are "streaks of condensed water vapour created in the air by an airplane or rocket at high altitudes." They are the result of normal emissions of water vapour from piston and jet engines at high altitudes in which the water vapor condenses into visible clouds. They are formed when hot humid air from the engines (when Kerosene jet fuel burns, one of the results of combustion is water vapour) mixes with the colder surrounding air. The rate at which contrails dissipate is entirely dependent on weather conditions and altitude. If the atmosphere is near saturation, the contrail may exist for some time. Conversely, if the atmosphere is dry, the contrail will dissipate quickly. The conspiracy theorists will have none of this, however. A 2014  research paper presented results of reviewing 20 chemtrail websites found that believers appeal to science in some of their arguments, but don't believe what academic or government-employed scientists say; scientists and federal agencies have consistently denied that chemtrails exist, explaining the sky tracks are simply persistent contrails. The 2014 paper also found that chemtrail believers generally hold that chemtrails are evidence of a global conspiracy; people who believe in the conspiracy allege various goals which include profit (for example, manipulating futures prices or making people sick to benefit drug companies), population control, or weapons testing (use of weather as a weapon, or testing bioweapons). One of these ideas, is that clouds are being seeded with electrically conductive materials as part of a massive electromagnetic superweapons programme based around the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP). Those who believe in the conspiracy say the chemtrails are toxic; the 2014 review found that chemtrail believers generally hold that every person is under attack and found that believers often express fear, anxiety, sadness and anger about this. Experts on atmospheric phenomena say chemtrails do not exist, and that the characteristics attributed to them are simply features of contrails responding differently in diverse conditions in terms of the sunlight, temperature, horizontal and vertical wind shear, and humidity levels present at the aircraft's altitude. In the US, the grid like nature of the National Airspace System's flight lanes tends to cause crosshatched contrails, and in general it is hard to discern from the ground whether overlapping contrails are at similar altitudes or not. The jointly published fact sheet produced by NASA, the EPA, the FAA, and NOAA in 2000 in response to alarms over chemtrails details the science of contrail formation, and outlines both the known and potential impacts contrails have on temperature and climate. The USAF produced a fact sheet as well that described these contrail phenomena as observed and analyzed since at least 1953. It also rebutted chemtrail theories more directly by identifying the theories as a hoax and disproving the existence of chemtrails. Patrick Minnis, an atmospheric scientist with NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, is quoted in USA Today and online, as saying that logic does not dissuade most chemtrail proponents: "If you try to pin these people down and refute things, it's, 'Well, you're just part of the conspiracy'," What do you think? Leave a comment below, or Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly the report from Barnehurst ward:- "No burglaries to report this week however we did have a report of a theft of a motor vehicle. The vehicle was a transit van but the good news is, it has since been found and recovered in Hertfordshire.No other crimes to report. Routine patrols continue. We are concentrating patrols to the alley ways of Parkside Avenue and Eversley Avenue following complaints about vehicles driving in an anti-social manner. Two males were stopped in the open space area by the golf course on 05/05/2020 after acting suspiciously to avoid officers. Both males were in possession of cannabis and dealt with accordingly. Please bear in mind Social distancing when out on essential journeys". Belvedere ward:- "Our frequent patrols of open spaces across the ward continue. These patrols have predominantly been in Franks Park and Lesness Abbey, as we have had reports from both areas of people gathering, using the ball court (at Franks Park) and playground/ gym equipment (at Lesness Abbey), contrary to current Government guidelines around COVID-19. Over the course of the last week have advised people found using the basketball court to refrain from doing so, and have also asked a group of youngsters to exit the (currently locked) playground at Lesness Abbey. A male was also spoken to as he was using gym equipment in the park. In other areas – we have been visiting the Streamway area, again after reports from residents in relation to young people gathering on a regular basis on or around the stairs leading to Grosvenor Road, and also at the wooded area near to the allotments. One male youth was returned to his home (and his parents spoken to) as he was found at the location in possession of cannabis. Other males from this group were spoken to and advised to return to their homes. There was a reported burglary at the offices of the management team of Belvedere Park estate in Lower Belvedere at the end of last week. The target were the gardening equipment including a £4000 sit on mower. Luckily officers saw the suspects taking the equipment across the road and gave chase. The team have also been conducting several stop and searches over the past month, mainly for drug offences. More and more people out and about, which is not good. Several people have been dealt with for cannabis possession". Bexleyheath ward:- "Between Sunday 29/4/2020 2000 and Monday 30/4/2020 0910 Theft of Motor Vehicle Martens Close. Land Rover stolen from outside house keyless entry. Between Sunday 3/05/2020 1700 and Monday 4/05/2020 0800 Criminal Damage to Motor Vehicle Martens Close. Tyres slashed. Between Sunday 3/05/2020 2100 and Monday 4/05/2020 0140 Theft of Motor Vehicle Townley Road. Land Rover stolen from outside house Tuesday 5/05/2020 1040 Theft From Motor Vehicle Broadway Shopping Centre car park. Catalytic Convertor stolen Please ensure that you keep any keys for keyless vehicles in lead lined pouches to prevent them being cloned and the vehicle stolen. Information can be found at met.police.uk. Patrols have been carried out in all of our drug/ASB hotspots and the Officers have had many positive searches and have been deterring youths from gathering. We have also been actively patrolling parks and open spaces to move on people and groups congregating breaching Covid rules". Crayford ward:-"A little more criminal activity than in recent weeks sadly. On Sunday 3rd March at 22.21 windows on a Ford S Max were smashed whilst parked in Grazeley Close, no suspects seen. Between Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th May a shutter was forced up on a garage and the main door behind was forced open in an alley behind Clive Avenue. Two bicycles were stolen, a black and white Dolan Pressio with a glow in the dark stripe on top tube and a black and green Carerra. Two males in a grey BMW with false number plates drove out of Sainsburys without paying for fuel on Monday 4th May at 16.21. On 4th May at 14.00 a brick was thrown smashing the outer pane of a double glazed window in Iron Mill Lane close to Thames Road, three teenage males were seen running away. The spare wheel was stolen from under a silver VW Transporter Kombi whilst parked in Inglewood Road on Tuesday 5th May between 10.30-11.00. We have been out and about patrolling areas where people are likely to gather #stayhomesavelives. There have been several positive stop and searches where drugs have been recovered". Erith ward:-"Due to staffing levels we have been patrolling Northumberland Heath for a few hours each day, which includes the parks, open spaces and shops. Over 17 people removed from Erith Park who decided to set up a football game, strong words of advice was given. There has been a few stop and searches on Erith Pier that have been positive for drugs. Crimes of note. There has been a couple of theft from Motor vehicles in the West Street area, just be mindful of leaving anything in you vehicles when they are unattended. No Burglaries this week." Northumberland Heath ward:- "There are no crime reports of note this week which is brilliant news. There have been intelligence reports regarding drug activity at Becton Place, Erith and Northumberland Park.. Officers are completing patrols when available. Officers will also be completing a letter drop on Streamway this week, to see if any further information can be put together regarding drug activity and local youths congregating in the local area. The more intelligence we receive the more evidence we will have to support an application for a CCTV camera to be placed in the area when available. Unfortunately we have a few Domestic incidents reported to us during this difficult time. The team have advertised Domestic Violence advice onto our twitter page @NorthumberlandHeath. The team will also be putting posters up in the local petrol stations and shops to help support victims. If you would like to tell us about a breach of coronavirus please report online met.police.tua/tell-us-about/c19 then please see our twitter page for further advice". Slade Green and Northend ward:- "An attempted burglary took place at an address in Forest Road in the early hours of Saturday May 2nd. Police arrived but the suspects had gone. This was the second time at the same address in a couple of weeks so enquiries are being made to see if this is a targeted venue and why. Mark and James have been patrolling the ward as and when they can with Mark detaining a male on a moped in Frobisher Road Saturday afternoon. The male is coming back for an interview in the next few days. Reports are frequent relating to breaches of social distancing across the ward and the team are doing their best to patrol these areas as much as possible. Please remember to stay inside and follow government guidelines". Thamesmead East ward:-"Between 12:00 on Thursday 30/04/20 and 3:40pm on Friday 01/05/20 a vehicle parked in Redpoll Way had the driver's window removed, nothing taken. A lorry parked in Hailey Road had a number of items stolen between the hours of 11:00pm on Thursday 30/04/20 and 04:50am on Friday 01/05/20.Three vehicles parked in Howden Close were damaged overnight of Thursday 30/04/20 and Friday 01/05/20.On Tuesday 05/05/20 between the hours of 3:00am and 12:20pm a vehicle parked in Manor Close had a number of items stolen no signs of forced entry". West Heath ward:- "No burglaries have been reported this week. One theft of a catalytic converter in Hollingbourne Avenue which took place between Wednesday 29/04/20 1200 – Saturday 02/05/20 at 17.30. The team are continuing to patrol as usual and advise the local community in relation to the current government Covid 19 regulations".

The end video this week is very topical; it is a message from The Exchange, and a celebration of the recent 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe day. "We wish we could be celebrating with you all today. But as we can't we hope you enjoy this isolation production from some our very talented local residents and friends. A massive thanks to Jade Flannery, Charlotte Jacobs, Rod Henderson, Wendy Gay and of course Tidus for pulling this amazing tribute together. We will meet again!"

The Carnegie Playhouse.

It would appear that someone in Upper Belvedere has taken a marked dislike to the proposed plans for the redevelopment of the former Belvedere Police Station in Nuxley Road. It has come to my attention that an anonymous person has been posting leaflets through the letter boxes of Belvedere houses highlighting what they perceive as the faults in the proposed redevelopment. Their main areas of concern are that the proposed apartment block to replace the former Police station will be five stories high, and it will have insufficient parking for the residents of the block. The anonymous individual obviously feels strongly on the subject, to have gone to the expense and trouble to print and deliver leaflets around the local area; what does concern me is that they have not included any contact details on the leaflet - it is not possible to respond to the individual who has posted it. You can read the leaflet by clicking here. Personally I don't have very much of a problem with the proposed design of the apartment block - it is a very generic design, similar in many ways to the Erith Baths development on the corner of Walnut Tree Road and Erith High Street - of which I am also fairly ambivalent. I think the anonymous protester has some valid points, but to be honest, the existing former Police station building is not exactly pleasing to the eye - it was built for function rather than form, and now that the function has ceased, it has little purpose as it stands. The developer needs to make a return on their investment, and the housing density may be higher than should be desired - I am not an expert on the subject. I suppose my surprise is that the relatively minor issues of design and specification would cause someone to get so upset that they would start a leafletting campaign - to my mind there are far more weighty issues to get concerned about. Replacing one minor local eyesore with another is hardly the most pressing of issues - it is happening all over the country after all. The fact remains that the land the former Police station stands on is now worth far more than the current building, and it would be impractical to refurbish or modify the current structure, so it must be replaced. The objector goes on to ask a rhetorical question as to where locals will go for a GP visit once the Cairngall Medical Centre (diagonally opposite the former Police station site) will go after the scheduled closure of the practice. It is my understanding that the Belvedere Medical Centre in Albert Road has more than sufficient capacity to take all of the former Cairngall patients. As previously mentioned, I had been a patient at the Cairngall Medical Centre since birth, and I recently transferred to the Belvedere Medical Centre very easily indeed - all you need to do is fill out a form and return it to the new surgery - they then write to you confirming your change of GP - all very straightforward indeed.

My article last week on Fireworks and the current state of the law has provoked quite a bit of reader feedback. One regular reader, and occasional contributor who chooses to remain anonymous writes:- "I just thought I would take up your offer of contacting you regarding your piece on fireworks. I have to say I am in 100 percent agreement with your view that they should be confined to professional public displays. I would just add that if firework displays are really wanted at private parties (weddings, birthdays, etc) they should only be allowed to be carried out by a certified professional, trained in all aspects of their use, and in all safety matters. I have been banging (no pun intended) on about this subject for many years. Seemingly, sad to say, to deaf ears. The usual response being that I am just a miserable old git who has forgotten what it's like to be a child. That may be so, but I have never forgotten some of the unnecessary injuries suffered by children (and others) who have been scarred for life, or even blinded by fireworks, or bonfires, over the years. When I was a child, we made our guy about a week or so before November 5th and tried to coerce cash out of stressed looking commuters leaving our local train station in the evening. However, any cash we could manage to force out of them invariably went on sweets, and not fireworks. These were usually provided by Dad, and he would never let us touch them. Only he would set them off, mostly, one at a time in the back garden. Nowadays the explosions, on a par with a First World War barrage, start around mid-October as a precursor to that American travesty, Halloween. The cacophony then drags on through Guy Fawkes Night, which now should be called Guy Fawkes Week. It continues on through Diwali until it reaches its climax when New Years Eve arrives. As a young teenager I, and my equally stupid friends, would cause all manner of mayhem with, mainly, banger type fireworks around the streets of Erith, and Slade Green. The only excuse I can offer is that we did not know any better. We were lucky that none of us suffered any major injuries, although there were a few minor mishaps. Looking back, it seems incredible to me that adults, who supposedly wished no harm to their own, or other people's children, should countenance the selling of such explosives to kids. Yes, we all know that there was, and remains, an age limit for the purchase of such items. However, we also all know, that those laws have always been flouted. Were such deadly items only to be the preserve of qualified professional people, there would still be the enjoyment, and excitement of firework displays. But without the heavy risks of serious injury. Of course, even at organised events, there is always the possibility of something going wrong. However, that is rare, and allows compensation to be sought in cases of negligence. There is no such recourse to law for the 10 year old who blows his hand off, or the 12 year old who gets blinded by the illegal use of fireworks". Another regular reader who contacted me was Nick Hair, the landlord of The Kentish Belle micro pub in Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath. He wrote:- "On Halloween itself a group of 30 youths stood outside the Kentish Belle and let off fireworks. Some, like multiple-shot rocket sort of things, were left in the road which began firing in the direction along the floor of the Co-op and therefore at the feet of commuters walking home. We immediately called the Police who spent the next 4 hours (they all finally stood down at circa 22:30) in 3 vans, 3 police cars and 1 unmarked car looking for groups to disperse them. A separate incident (albeit relevant) involved a gang of oiks on bikes cycling down residential streets kicking peoples’ car wing mirrors off - not at all useful. The reality is that whilst I am yet to say I wish to see fireworks banned outside of displays, the singular point we can all agree on is that it’s about education and respect for the fireworks’ capabilities and dangers. Parents who give children fireworks (or anyone over 18 buying them and then giving / selling them to kids) are the problem". so there you have it - views on fireworks from two prominent local residents.

You may recall that I broke a story back on the 28th of October, that the Bright Steps children's nursery located at 33A Bexley Road, Erith (see the photo directly above - click on it for a larger version) had lost a legal appeal to the withdrawal of their licence to operate by official regulator Ofsted. The nursery had been closed after a member of the public witnessed a staff member smacking a child. Ofsted and Bexley Police immediately launched an investigation into the incident, which involved examining CCTV security video recordings made in the Bright Steps nursery. It was eventually established that the owner and operator of the nursery, Mr. Saula Ogunkoya had deleted the video footage in order to cover up the assault. The Judge, when summing up the case, said:- "We find as a fact that:- (i) the Appellant failed to identify risks of harm, issues of health and safety, and to implement appropriate and safe child-handling practice; (ii) the Appellant repeatedly failed to manage children’s behaviour appropriately; (iii) the Appellant repeatedly failed to meet the requirements in relation to child protection procedures and safeguarding; his approach to the investigation into CO in 2016 and the allegation in 2018 is indicative of an inability and/or an unwillingness to learn from past mistakes and to prioritise the needs of the children in his care; (iv) the Appellant has historically and repeatedly failed to meet the learning and development requirements of the EYFS; (v) the Appellant failed to ensure the suitability of staff, specifically his sister CO in 2016; (vi) the Appellant failed to notify Ofsted of the police investigation into CO in 2016 and delayed suspending her; (vii) the history demonstrates that the Appellant is unable or unwilling to sustain compliance with requirements imposed by the regulations. (e) We find that the Appellant has been untruthful both to the Respondent, the Police, the Tribunal and all others involved in the investigation of the incident on 3/1/2018. His failure to co-operate mirrors his unwillingness to co-operate in November 2017. His lack of integrity and his failure to work openly and in collaboration with the Respondent results in the sad conclusion that he is not suitable to provide nursery provision. We therefore dismiss the appeal and there shall be no order as to costs". A very clear message from the court in relation to Saula Ogunkoya's suitability to operate a children's nursery. I, along with many local people had considered the matter now closed, but evidence has emerged over the last few days which gives further cause for concern. Not only is the former Bright Steps nursery website still up and active, it still incorrectly states that the nursery has Ofsted registration - which you can see by clicking here. More worryingly, a new website has gone live within the last week, which names a new nursery on the same site at 33A Bexley Road, which is about to open. The new nursery is called The Carnegie Playhouse - you can visit the website by clicking here. Contacts with Ofsted confirm that no application for a licence has currently been made by the operators of The Carnegie Playhouse, and the new websites' use of stock photo images rather than actual photos of the real site, along with a very suspicious recommendation"- "Yasmin loves being in the care of Sarah – I have noticed such a difference in her behaviour and the way she interacts with other children since being with her at the weekends. She has gained so much confidence" - bearing in mind the new nursery has not yet opened, how could such a favourable reference have been solicited? Additionally no details relating to the supposed nursery manager "Sarah Carnegie" can be located; I suspect that the person is entirely fictional, taking their surname from the nearby former Carnegie Library in Walnut Tree Road.

 I have Emailed the contact address for The Carnegie Playhouse, asking the following questions:-

1) Can you please let me know your Ofsted registration number?
2) What certification and insurances do your staff have, and have they got enhanced DBS checks?
3) What connection do you have with the former Bright Steps nursery, which until recently was based in the same premises?
4) Do Mr Saula Ogunkoya or Dr Chris Ogedengbe have any connection whatsoever with The Carnegie Playhouse?

At the time of writing I have not had a reply from The Carnegie Playhouse. I have strong suspicions that The Carnegie Playhouse is an underhand attempt to rebrand and relaunch Bright Steps. If my suspicions turn out to be correct, then this action could well prove to be illegal, as Saula Ogunkoya has been legally disbarred from running children's nurseries. If it is a genuine new group attempting to launch a new business, then they are going about it in a very opaque and deceitful manner. Either way, this story will no doubt develop over the weeks to come; I will update readers when additional information becomes available. If you have any information on the subject, then please contact me as a matter of priority - any information you can supply will be treated in the strictest of confidence. You can Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

A final update from local resident and amateur historian Roy Hillman, who has been undertaking research into local men who served in the First World War, and who have been commemorated on the Slade Green war memorial. Roy writes:- "We’re pleased to say that one of the trickier service records of men on the Slade Green War Memorial has been resolved, that of Leonard Dudley. Leonard was born Leonard Whiffen (sometimes Whiffin) in 1887, the son of Eliza Jane Whiffen. Eliza was brought up at 1 Farm Cottages, Slade Green (her father was a farm labourer) and as a teenager Eliza worked as a servant in the household of George Davis, a boot maker at 3 Crayford High Street. She was 21 when she gave birth to Leonard. By now Eliza’s parents are living at Killicks Cottages in Slade Green, next door are the Dudley family and in 1889 John Raven Dudley marries Eliza and they move into Norfolk Cottages, Hazel Road, Slade Green. A number of half brothers and sisters for Leonard follow - Eliza, John, Alfred, Walter, Annie, Arthur, Charlotte, Lucy, Cyril, Ethel and Edith plus 1 other - and at various times the family moves to other houses in Hazel Road – first 8 Castle Terrace and then Garden Cottage (which was probably No. 51 as the census record has it between No. 49 and No. 53). By 1901 Leonard has taken the Dudley surname and is working locally as a brick maker. He joins the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner quite a while before World War 1, in 1908, and in 1911 he is garrisoned in Hong Kong. Unlike many professional soldiers he managed to survive the early years of the war. We're not sure how they met, but he married his wife Rosalie in 1916 at St James Church on the island of Jersey. Early in 1918 he received gunshot wounds to his back and was discharged from the army in February 1918, after which he returned to England. Sadly he never recovered from his wounds and died on 13th September 1918 and was buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey".

A report was published last week that highlighted the security loopholes and outright failures that can be found in the cash till machines used by most high street banks. The cash machines, more correctly termed Automated Teller Machines, or ATM's can be hacked in many ingenious ways. In order to understand this, a basic understanding of how an ATM works is required. An ATM consists of two main parts: cabinet and safe. The cabinet (main body) contains the ATM computer, which is connected to all the other devices: network equipment, bank card reader, keyboard (PIN pad), and cash dispenser (the dispenser itself is in the safe, but the connector is not). The cabinet is practically unprotected, with only a plastic door secured by a trivial lock. What's more, manufacturers usually use the same lock for all ATMs of the same series. Keys for these locks can be purchased easily online, although attackers can also pick them or drill through the flimsy plastic. The safe is more robust, being made of steel and concrete, and contains only the cash dispenser and cash acceptance module. The computer usually runs on Windows, in a special embedded version designed specifically for ATM use. Only administrators should have access to Windows; other users should not have such access. This is why user-facing applications run in kiosk mode. These applications provide all necessary functionality to the user: this is the interface that we see during normal ATM use. To do its job, the application must communicate with ATM peripherals: get card information from the card reader, obtain user input from the keyboard, and send commands to the cash dispenser. This communication takes place using XFS (eXtensions for Financial Services), a standard for simplifying and centralising banking equipment control. With XFS, a hardware manager makes an API (Application Programming Interface) available to all Windows applications and forwards requests to devices. Commands to each XFS-connected device are sent via the corresponding service provider (device driver).  An ATM never decides to dispense cash all by itself. When processing a transaction, it contacts the bank's processing centre. This connection is either wired or wireless (for example, via a mobile data network). It is important to secure the connection against data interception. In most cases, software or hardware Virtual Private Network (VPN) clients perform this task. So that is the basics of the ATM operation; now what of the exploit that have been found by crooks? Well the security report found that when their team of ethical hackers were let loose on some typical high street ATM units, they found that 15 were found to be still running the long unsupported Windows XP. 22 were vulnerable to a "network spoofing" attack where an attacker connects locally to the machine's LAN port and conduct fraudulent transactions. Such an attack takes around 15 minutes to complete. 18 were vulnerable to 'black box' attacks where an attacker physically connects a device to the machine and tricks it into spitting out cash. Positive notes these attacks can be carried out in about ten minutes with aftermarket computer boards (such as a Raspberry Pi). 20 could be forced to exit out of kiosk mode via a USB or PS/2 connection. From there, an attacker could access the underlying Operating System of the machine and execute additional commands. 24 had no data encryption in place on the hard drive, allowing an attacker who had access to the drive to pull any stored data and configuration info from the machine. In general, the research found that, for the most part, the protections used by ATMs to prevent theft and tampering were more or less superficial, and anyone who really wanted to get into a machine could often do so in under an hour. "More often than not, security mechanisms are a mere nuisance for attackers: our testers found ways to bypass protection in almost every case," the researchers said. Since banks tend to use the same configuration on large numbers of ATMs, a successful attack on a single ATM can be easily replicated at greater scale. One of the top recommendations the report made to banks is to harden up the physical security of the machines themselves. By physically securing the cabinets to lock away access to the inputs and compute hardware of the machines, many of the techniques used in the study could be thwarted. Additionally, the researchers recommend banks keep on top of logging and monitoring security events on their networks. At this year's DEF CON hacking conference one researcher explained how he'd approached banks about flaws in their ATMs, only to be told such things weren't possible. It was only when he told them he was going public with the research that the flaws were fixed by the banks.

Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly from Barnehurst ward:- "Two crimes of note to report this week both are burglaries which occurred to neighbouring properties in Parkside Avenue on Friday 9th November between 6.20pm and 8.15pm. Access was gained to both properties via an alleyway running along the at the back giving access to rear gardens. Entry to the first property was by suspect(s) forcing open a substantial wooden door, an implement similar to a crow bar would have been used. The house was searched but no property is believed to have been taken Access was gained to the second property next door by suspect(s) smashing a glass panel in the rear UPVC door a thorough search was conducted resulting in extensive damage within and a large quantity of cash and jewellery was stolen. We believe that this property was specifically targeted and the first property potentially entered in error. Please take time to check the security at the back of your property make access to rear gardens as difficult as possible, Think about how you would get into your own garden if side gates etc were locked and then make it as difficult as possible, plant spiny/prickly bushes against walls and fences, do not leave bins against walls or near gates as these can be used by suspects to climb over. Consider security lighting and install an alarm. The team are more than happy to pay you a visit and give advice regarding preventative security measures, just contact us and we will make an appointment to see you. The team received a commendation last week presented by our new SE BCU Borough Commander Chief superintendent Dobinson. The award was acknowledging our work in regards to an animal welfare warrant we conducted earlier this year in conjunction with the RSPCA which resulted in the closing down of a puppy farm and the rescue of 34 dog 18 cats and 9 puppies and dealing with the horrific scene of animal cruelty. A big thank you to the RSPCA who have now successfully prosecuted the persons involved one of which is still awaiting sentencing after having been found guilty this month. As always, please follow us on twitter @MPSBarnehurst for all the latest crime prevention advice and to find out what the team have been up to". Belvedere ward:- "Over the course of this week, PC Holmes and A/PS Green have interviewed a female in relation to supplying Class A drugs. A bag of white powder and drug dealing paraphernalia were recovered from a warrant we conducted at an address at the beginning of this month. We are sending the drugs to the lab to be identified before any charges are brought against the female. PC Holmes and PCSO Worrall issued a Harassment Warning to a male that has been abusing staff at Corals, Picardy Street. If his behaviour continues then he may be arrested and charged with harassment. We will continue to monitor the situation. There have been two burglaries on the ward, both on Wednesday 7th November – in Lower Road and also Carrill Way. The team have visited both locations to offer support, reassurance and crime prevention advice to the victims and neighbouring residents. PCSO Worrall discovered a stolen vehicle in Hattersfield Close which had been taken from an address in Bexleyheath. The vehicle has been recovered by Police and is currently being examined. Finally, we have received reports of possible drug dealing around Albert Road. If anyone has any information or sees anything suspicious then please get in contact". Bexleyheath ward - from a Neighbourhood Watch member:- "On Monday morning, when I went to get into my car, I found that someone had stuck matchsticks in all of the tyre valves, and they were all flat. The BBNWA office says that this would be classed as vehicle interference and should be reported to the police". Crayford ward, from a Neighbourhood Watch member:- "I just wanted to raise awareness of 3 in their twenties behaving in a suspect way today at 7:35 between Crayford station and Sainsbury's, in the block of flats area. They stopped in front of me and one approached me with the line 'it might sound embarrassing, but your fly is quite low' the other two were trying to stop me from moving forward. They got interrupted in their intentions by other people coming from behind me, so I quickly moved on. I thought I may raise this just in case anyone gets hurt".

From PCSO Joyce Barlow of the Crayford SNT:- "Firstly, an excellent result! On Saturday 10th November, Crayford SNT ably assisted by Bexleyheath team carried out a Section 23 Drugs warrant at an address in Halcot Avenue where a large amount of drugs and cash were seized. This is an ongoing investigation. Crimes of note this week. Outside McDonalds in Crayford on Saturday 10th November at about 17.15 a male was approached by a large group of youths, they threw a drink over him, he later found that his mobile phone, a gold Samsung S7 with a cracked screen had been stolen. On Monday 12th November there was a burglary at The Marlowes between midnight and 09.00. Entry was made through the UVPC front door, the car keys and an Apple Mac computer were taken from the dining table. The car outside was stolen but later recovered locally, locked and secured. Three Males were seen acting suspiciously in the area between 4-5am. On Monday 12th November there was an attempted break in of a vehicle parked in Alcock Crescent at about 5.30am, two wing mirrors were stolen, the victim does have CCTV of the incident, it has also become apparent that two neighbours also had thefts from their vehicles at about the same time. On Saturday 3rd November between 14.28 and 14.59 a Male stole a 100kg steel beam from a business in Acorn Industrial Estate, again there is CCTV. Officers from Crayford and Barnehurst SNT were presented with commendation certificates on Thursday 8th November for assisting the RSPCA with the closure of a puppy farm and the rescue of fifty plus dogs, puppies and cats in January 2018. We will be at Beano's café in Mayplace Road East on Wednesday 21st November between 1-2pm for a community contact session, please come along and speak to us if you have any concerns you would like to discuss, we will be seated to the rear of the café". Erith ward - no reports received this week. Northumberland Heath ward:- "The team have been conducting violent crime disorder patrols this last week, specifically targeted in hotspot areas across Erith. This has been a proactive and preventative initiative by Bexley Police and not in response to any specific intelligence or incident in the area. We have also been continuing our work patrolling Northumberland Heath's ASB hotspot area's and have in the last week changed several of our shifts to have a visible patrolling presence late into the evenings. Over the last week we have searched several people for drugs and have reported three people for possession of cannabis in Mill Road, Limewood Road and in West Street, Erith. We unfortunately had a burglary committed in Byron Drive. The front door to a residential property was forced open, some property taken including car keys and the occupants car from the driveway. This incident has been allocated to a CID officer who is currently investigating the incident. Other incidents reported to police include criminal damage to a motor vehicle and theft of number plates from another vehicle. None of these incidents appear to be linked. Please continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour or activity you see". Slade Green and Northend ward:- "A male was arrested by response officers in the early hours of last Friday (16th November) after being seen trying car door handles in Rainbow Road. After enquiries were made with evidence he was further arrested for attempted burglary after being seen to try several door handles on residents' front doors. On a sad note, especially as it was discovered just before Armistice Day, the memorial plaque at Slade Green BR station has been vandalised. Graffiti has been sprayed over the plaque which tells the story of some local Slade Green heroes during WW2. We have attached the poster appealing for help with any information relating to this despicable act. 2 vehicle crimes to report, on Sunday 11/112018 between 11am and 2pm, a catalytic converter was stolen from a car in Beacon Road. On Monday 12/11/2018 between 7am and 7pm a car had its passenger window smashed and door scratched in Oak Road, nothing was taken from inside. PC's Mark and James have made more than 10 Stop and Searches across the ward in the last week, 2 of which resulted in cannabis being seized and the relevant warnings given. On Remembrance Sunday we attended the memorial service at St Augustine's in Slade Green Road and it was nice to see the church with standing room only and a really good service took place with a lovely display in the church grounds". Thamesmead East ward:- "Tuesday 06/11/18 Alsike Road 9:30 – 10:00am Theft Wallet stolen from work van; Thursday 08/11/18 Yarnton Way 9:15 – 10:00am Criminal Damage to Motor Vehicle suspect unknown has smashed rear windscreen of vehicle using unknown method nothing stolen; Thursday 08/11/18 Seacourt Road 7am – Friday 09/11/18 1:50pm Criminal Damage/Vehicle Interference windscreen smashed damage to ignition where wires pulled out to try and hot wire the car, however the car had an immobiliser. Nothing taken from vehicle; Friday 09/11/18 Dolphin Close 9:30-8am Saturday Attempted Burglary A loud noise heard between times stated victim thought it was the washing machine when leaving the house the following morning two footprints were seen on the front door; Friday 09/11/18 Leatherbottle Green 7:45pm – 21:15pm Criminal Damage to Motor vehicle. Car has been damaged by chunks of tarmac ( nearby road repairs) The tarmac has been thrown car causing dents and scratches to the paintwork on the driver's side door and to the driver's side window; Saturday 10/11/18 Manordeane Road 12pm Vehicle Interference driver's side window was smashed, and an untidy search had been carried out inside the vehicle; Monday 12/11/18 Sydney Road 08:00-20:30 Burglary victim returned home to find the property locked from the inside untidy search of house. Entry gained through the rear". West Heath ward:- "Unfortunately during this week the ward has suffered several burglaries and one attempted burglary. In Berkeley Avenue the front door of a property was forced on Wednesday 7th November between 0830 – 1930 hours no property was taken but an untidy search was conducted. On Sunday 11th November between 2300 – 0645 hours the front bedroom window was smashed in Cumberland Drive, no entry was gained into the property. Between 1630 – 0024 hours on Sunday 11th November the conservatory door of a property was smashed in Denton Road and an untidy search was conducted. In Axminster Road between 0530 hours on the Wednesday 14th November entry was gained into the property where vehicle keys and a motor vehicle were stolen. There have been four thefts from motor vehicles and one theft of a motor vehicle. In Westgate Road on Tuesday 6th November between 1900 – 0900 hours a webcam and parcels were stolen from the vehicle. Between 0130 – 1200 hours on Wednesday 7th November in Axminster Road there was a theft from motor vehicle, a radio and personal items were taken. In Woolwich Road on Friday 9th November between 1000 – 1100 hours property was taken from a motor vehicle. A catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle on Saturday 10th November between 1600 – 0000 hours in Preston Drive. On Saturday 10th November between 2200 – 2215 in Kings Harold's Way a vehicle was stolen. Please ensure that you conceal any personal property out of sight. The team will be conducting a Community Contact Session on Tuesday 20th November at Knowle Avenue between 1100 – 1200. Please be aware of males knocking and offering building works to properties".

The end video this week comes courtesy of fellow Blogger Darryl Chamberlain of the excellent 853 Blog. He filmed the footage of the brand new Woolwich Ferry, the Ben Woollacott undergoing some early manoeuvrability tests in the River Thames at Woolwich last week. Currently there is no ferry service at Woolwich; the two new vessels are due to begin operation in the New Year, once modifications to the two landing jetties have been finished, and ferry testing has been completed.  Please feel free to leave a comment below, or Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Bad poetry.

The photo above (click for a larger view) shows the boarded up, abandoned and forlorn looking former Erith Pop - In Parlour, located in Cornelia Place, and adjacent to Queen Street, almost opposite the Baptist Church. It was taken back in February 2011, but since then very little has changed - except that it is even more run down and scruffy now. The building was sold to a developer a couple of years ago, and nothing had been heard since; this has very recently changed. One of my local sources has discovered that a planning application has been submitted to Bexley Council to demolish the old Pop - In Parlour and its' former car park, to make way for a four storey block of flats. The proposed block is to consist of six two bedroomed apartments. Whether these will be for rental or sale, I don't yet know, but the smart money would be on the rental market. I somewhat doubt permission will be granted in this form, as the block would both block the light and seriously overlook the houses in Cornelia Place, which are directly adjacent to the proposed development. Local residents would be unable to take a bath or sunbathe in their back gardens without being snooped on by the flat dwellers looking down on them.  The council planning officer has written to all of the house owners in Cornelia Place, and I am aware that their thoughts and opinions will be given due consideration. Hopefully some other design will be proposed. At present Erith is becoming a "dormitory town". Developers are crowding in as many properties into the area as they can; there are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, the London Borough of Bexley is currently the cheapest place to live in Greater London according to official figures, and it also has excellent road and rail links with the whole of the South East region and beyond. The problem is that so many people are moving into Erith, and so many new build properties are being constructed, that I worry how the local infrastructure is going to cope. The electricity, water, gas and drainage systems can only cope with so much - not to mention local schools, shops and health services. It would appear that the volume of construction is very soon going to exceed the capacity for supply of resources. Your thoughts and opinions on this thorny subject would be appreciated.

You may recall that a couple of weeks ago that I wrote about why people putting their feet on the seats of public transport was a health risk, as well as being anti social. I explained that the practice transferred harmful bacteria from dog mess (you don’t actually need to stand in a dog mess to get the bacteria on your shoes – it is spread all over the pavement from the turd as soon as it rains) onto the seat surface, and from the seat surface onto other travellers’ clothes. From there it gets onto their hands, and the rest is history. Back in January 2010, when I was still daily visiting my late Dad in the excellent Gallion’s View nursing home, not very far from Plumstead Bus Garage, I encountered a rather unruly teenager, and managed to teach him a valuable lesson. Many more people now read the Maggot Sandwich, so I don’t mind repeating the short  - and I think fairly amusing account now:- Every so often I encounter a situation where I find myself unable to let matters pass.  Earlier this week, Mum and I were on the bus from Plumstead after visiting Dad in his nursing home. We were sitting on the back seats on the right side of the 99 bus. A couple of stops later a scruffy  and unpleasant smelling kid of about fifteen got on and sat on the left side, putting his filthy trainer encased feet on the seat in front of him. Mum (being the former dinner lady with a reputation for a bellow worthy of a regimental sergeant major) pointedly looked over and asked him to remove his feet, which he grudgingly did. Later, when Mum got off the bus by the Cairngall Medical Centre in Upper Belvedere, the kid put his feet back on the seat. Discreetly, I got out my travel card wallet, and stuck one of my very official, and somewhat impressive looking work office access passes into it. As I got off the bus in Erith, I flashed the "ID" in his unsuspecting face, and told him that if I saw him put his feet on the seats again, there would truly be hell to pay, and that his actions were being recorded on CCTV for potential use in court. He looked genuinely horrified, and grovellingly apologised, then promised not to do it again. I think my point got through rather effectively.  On top of that, I had difficulty keeping a straight face! There is nothing like a small victory in life. Anyway, back to the matter in hand; the fundamental way to keep passing infection from faecal bacteria to people is to make sure that nobody puts their feet on the seat on any form of public transport. Bearing in mind the impossibility of absolutely enforcing this in a nominally free society, the next best prevention from infection is to use anti bacterial hand gel, or good old soap and water as soon as you get home. Where is this all going, you may ask? Well, I have been well and truly hoist by my own petard on this point. Let me explain. Normally one of the first things I do when I get home from work, after removing my coat and boots is to wash my hands with antibacterial hand wash under hot running water. No problems there. Last Friday evening at about 8pm I thought I would do a little bit of evening shopping, so I popped around to Morrison’s to pick up a few bits and pieces. As is my usual practice, I used a hand basket and was in and out of the store in around twenty minutes. Feeling quite happy that I had managed to avoid the Saturday throng, I went home to put my feet up in front of the television, and treated myself to a packet of cheese and onion crisps. In hindsight, this is where things started to go wrong. I had not washed my hands upon returning home. Within twenty four hours I had come down with a nasty case of Gastroenteritis – this was the stomach bug I made reference to last week. At that time I had hoped that it would clear up in a day or two, but suffice to say it lasted for a week. I won’t bother you with the symptoms (you have either had it yourself, and know how horrible it is, or you know someone who has had it). It knocked me completely for six. There are a number of different viruses and bacteria that can cause Gastroenteritis, and quite a few of these are passed on by touch. I am almost certain that this is what happened to me, having picked it up from the handle of the shopping basket. I have been informed that there is a particularly nasty strain currently doing the rounds, and that I was just another victim. Please be warned.

I have had quite a lot of positive feedback regarding the photo of the flooding at Erith Riverside Gardens that was taken by local resident Paul Thomas last week; Paul actually sent me a number of photos, and I was limited to only using one due to the other content I needed to publish (sometimes it is not easy being both the author and the editor). You can see another of Paul’s photos above, which really give a good idea who high the water came, though compared with some other parts of the country, we got off very lightly indeed. One of my contacts has suggested that Paul should send copies of the photos to Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre for preservation for the future. Whilst the intent is great, I think that until a final decision is made as to whether it is to be moved to Bromley, which would most certainly be the death of it. Instead I would recommend that anyone with photos that they wish to preserve for posterity upload them onto the web. I know this sounds counter – intuitive, as once they are uploaded one has less direct control over them. On the other side, whilst individual web hosting companies may come and go, and physical web servers may fail, the cross referencing nature of the web, and the huge automated web crawlers used by the search engines (OK – Google; there are others like Bing, but almost nobody uses them) which catalogue and archive online content within hours of it being uploaded; this basically gives the data digital immortality, as it is copied onto multiple server farms located around the world. I predict that it will not be very long before a new profession is started – cyber archaeologist. I think that there will be a need for professional web researchers to chase specific data and content – however good a search engine is (and Google is stunningly good, whatever you think of their policies, their technology is amazing). Thus uploading photos for posterity may be the most expedient measure.

Since the closure of my favourite community restaurant – Sweet and Spicy in Brick Lane (the only place worth visiting in that otherwise total tourist trap), I have been looking for an alternative, reasonably priced Asian cafe cum restaurant, and hopefully something a little closer to hand. One of my small band of irregular informers has told me that he has a number of Indian friends; when in the pub recently, he asked them where in the local area they would go for authentic Desi (Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi) cuisine. To a person they all said “the Punjabi Dhaba” – a little cafe / takeaway that is located in White Hart Road, a side street just off Plumstead High Street, close to the location of Barclay’s Bank. Obviously in my current condition I am in no position to carry out a review on the place right now, but my source is going to give the place a try and give his opinions. Unfortunately the Punjabi Dhaba has not received any inspection in order to be rated for the “Scores on the Doors” system, so the place is a bit of a mystery. I am hoping to discover good things in due course.  I was secretly pleased this week that the BBC investigative programme “Inside Out” covered the scandal of “Scores on the Doors” rating stickers not being compulsorily displayed in England (in Wales it is now the law). I have been banging on about the issue for well over a year, and I have probably bored a few loyal readers on the subject; it is something that I feel very strongly about – more so that I have now spent the best part of the last week riding the porcelain pony – albeit from a different cause. Anyway, a short video report above basically says everything I have - but with the authority of the BBC.

I think many people are now a lot more cautious when using cash machines; we have all heard horror stories of criminal gangs fitting devices to “skim” bank card details from customers, so that the crooks can later empty their bank accounts. There have also been rather less subtle approaches, with rather dim criminals trying to haul cash machines out of walls with JCB’s or other industrial equipment. All this has now inevitably become a lot more sophisticated.  Cash machines are actually not much more than a common or garden PC running Windows, which is hooked up to some custom hardware. The very clever bad guys have discovered that it is possible to discreetly cut a small hole in the customer facing case of the machine, and to then insert a bootable USB memory stick, which contains malware which partially rewrites the cash machine software. Once the software is thus compromised, the crooks remove the USB drive, seal up the hole in the case so that there appears to have been no tampering, and they go on their way. Some time later a “foot soldier” will be sent to the cash machine when it is quiet and few people are around. The low level crook will phone the mastermind to be given a one – off twelve digit code to punch into the cash machines’ keypad. This will open a secret menu and allow the foot soldier to empty the machine at will. The reason for the one time code is that the masterminds behind this offence don’t want any of their foot soldiers “going self employed” and emptying machines at will; on top of this, there is more than one gang employing these techniques, and the bosses want to protect their investments. This security loophole in several makes of cash machine hardware – principally machines manufactured by Tranax Technologies and Triton Systems have been known since July 2010, but quite a few banks and financial institutions have taken no measures to prevent the exploit. What is even more astonishing is exactly how easy the scam is to block. All the bank cash machine technicians need to do is make sure the “Boot from USB” option is disabled; personally I am astonished that all USB and other non essential communications ports are not disabled by default on all cash machines; it is a fundamental security measure that any IT security auditor should have picked up instantly. Fortunately for people in the UK and Europe, this exploit first showed up in South America, and with any luck lessons will have been learned. A worrying story, nevertheless.

It might seem hard to believe now, but there was a (relatively brief) period when Erith had a reputation as a desirable holiday resort. Stop sniggering at the back! In 1842 a wooden pier was built on the river front (well, there would not be much point in building it anywhere else). Alongside the pier, a pier hotel was constructed; to add to the attraction a large formal garden, complete with an Arboretum (a tree garden) was also created. For a period it was a popular holiday destination. Some locals were more than a little impressed with the place. A certain James Barnard of Erith was a watchmaker and occasional, very bad poet. He wrote the following poem about the Erith Arboretum, for which I can only apologise in advance. It is one of the most excruciatingly awful poems ever put to paper. You have been warned!

Upon my life, my dearest wife,

The children we must treat ‘em,

So dress them gay, and we’ll away

To the Erith Arboretum.

We’re now afloat in this fast steamboat,

(There go two more – we’ll beat ‘em),

As with the tide we swiftly glide,

To the Erith Arboretum.

A day like this is health and bliss,

The doctors, how we cheat ‘em,

When we take the air in the region fair

Of the Erith Arboretum.

Now mark the flowers and the shady bowers,

Where lovers fondly seat ‘em,

Or laugh and talk as they take their walk

In the Erith Arboretum.

At the Pier Hotel they’ll serve them well –

No other house can beat ‘em –

So we will dine and take our wine

At the Erith Arboretum.

‘Tis time, I see, to take some tea,

(The shrimps by scores we’ll eat ‘em),

And then away, at the close of day,

From the Erith Arboretum.

Now if my song has been too long,

The strains I’ll ne’er repeat ‘em,

But nevertheless I’ll drink success

To the Erith Arboretum.

The Arboretum closed down shortly thereafter, and was converted into a coal yard, and the adjacent hotel became its offices. The problem had partly been that the hotel and gardens were poorly built and not well maintained. They looked very impressive for the first few years, but soon wear and tear took its toll. On top of this, steam ferries started running trips from central London to places like Southend, enabling many low income families to travel further from home, and Erith then got overlooked. The outfall from Crossness Sewage Works, the Lower Belvedere Artificial Manure Works, and the nearby Thames Fish Guano Company must have made summer holidays in Erith a somewhat pungent experience as well! Nowadays locals complain about the occasional nasty pong from the ADM Oils factory in Church Manorway; I think we have got off relatively lightly compared with back in James Barnard’s time.

Bexley Council do a lot of things badly – as Malcolm Knight of the Bexley is Bonkers website more than ably documents on a virtual daily basis. Occasionally they do things well. The London Borough of Bexley is by far the best performing borough in relation to recycling domestic waste than any other in Greater London. Not that this absolves them from the catalogue of management and public relations disasters, such as their long time and illegal ban on recording council sessions, which has only recently, and very grudgingly been dropped. What will prove interesting is the next set of local council elections. I understand that a number of Bexley residents are considering standing as independent councillors for various wards. The idea behind this is to break up the current regime, based pretty much along party politics lines, and also to force the council to become more honest and open in its work, and the way in which in communicates with local residents. This looks like it should be a good deal – as long as a couple of independents can get elected, which is a different story altogether. No doubt more will develop on this story over the coming months.

The end video this week is a brand new, feature – length episode of the web based TV series “Star Trek – Phase Two”. There are tons of fan made films available on YouTube and elsewhere, and many are absolutely dreadful, albeit with good intentions. ST:PII (as it is referred to in the abbreviated form) is indeed made by a not – for – profit group, including a number of Star Trek fans. In pretty much every other way the group is fundamentally different from the normal fan film. The reasons are that the show runner, writers, special effects team and a number of the actors are people who have worked on “real” Star Trek. The Consulting Producer is Eugene Roddenberry Jr – the son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, and the writing team is led by David Gerrold and D.C Fontana – both multiple award winning sci fi writers who wrote some of the best episodes of the original Star Trek series. The premise behind Star Trek: Phase Two is that Star Trek did not get cancelled at the end of the third series in 1969, but carried onto a successful fourth series. Show creator Gene Roddenberry had intended on adding new cast members, and making some subtle updates to the shows’ look and feel for the fourth series. These were never originally implemented because of the shows’ cancellation. Phase two undertakes this. Several episodes which were written, but never filmed back then have been given an overhaul and have now been made and released. So “official” is ST:PII that all of the main actors had minor roles in the recent Star Trek reboot movie made by J.J Abrams. On top of this, there are guest appearances by a number of very familiar faces. When it is all said and done, the bottom line is, are they any good? I have to say yes, very good indeed. The production values are exceedingly high, as you will see if you watch the newly released episode “Kitumba” below. The Enterprise is ordered to violate the neutral zone and voyage directly to the Klingon home world Qo'nos on a virtual suicide mission, in order to prevent a galactic war. It is great stuff – well written, convincingly played and there are some lovely touches and subtle in – jokes too. If the Admiral at the start looks strangely familiar, it is because he is played by Gil Gerard, star of the early eighties TV Series “Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century”. Look out also for a “blink and you will miss it” cameo by Christopher Lloyd – most famously known for his role as Emmett “Doc” Brown in the Back to the Future films. Give it a try and leave a comment below, or Email me directly at hugh.neal@gmail.com