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!"

Spring.

Despite all of the current doom and gloom in the press and elsewhere, at least some things can cheer people up. I took the photo above (click on it for a larger view) during the week; spring is well under way, as you can see from the blossom on the trees. The area around Erith Pier is due for renovation soon; the works may well be delayed by the current lock down though. As you can see in the photo, the flood barrier at the entrance to the pier is closed - indeed it has been closed for several weeks, and at the time of writing I do not know why. If you have any inside information, please Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com in confidence. 

Residents across the borough are being asked to think of others and to not light bonfires during the current Coronavirus pandemic lock down. The effects of bonfires at this time are likely to be much more serious and have a bigger impact. The Coronavirus is known to cause serious respiratory problems, which could be made much worse if the sufferer is exposed to smoke from bonfires. It is important to be especially considerate at this time, when people are confined to their home and unable to escape unpleasant fumes. Bonfires can also become out of control or cause accidents, creating extra pressure on the already busy emergency services. It is understood that the changes to collection services and the closure of the refuse and recycling centres may create a storage issue for some residents. The council request - "Please think of others, compost your garden waste where possible, and stack or bag up rubbish for disposal when the current emergency is over, rather than burn it. Bexley Council will take enforcement action against any persistent offenders where bonfires cause an impact on neighbours. Bonfires can be reported via the Council's website".

If you have an Android smart phone, use a Chromebook like mine (click on the image above for a larger view), have a car with an onboard infotainment system, surf the web, or have a smart TV, or use social media, then without knowing it, you have used the Linux operating system. Linux is used by NASA, The London and New York stock exchanges, it controls The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, it is the operating system of choice of 497 of the top 500 supercomputers in the world, and is the backbone of Netflix - and pretty much both the Internet and the World Wide Web which is built on top of it. This hugely scalable and reliable operating system pretty much runs the modern world, and for the most part most people are completely unaware of it. Microsoft Windows may dominate the desktop and laptop computers of ordinary people, but outside of this area Linux is by far the more widely used computer operating system. The very first version of Linux was released to the world in 1991, but this week marks the start of the development of it in the Spring of 1990 by Finnish software engineer Linus Torvalds precisely thirty years ago. I have been using Linux since back in 1997, when it was very much the purview of IT professionals; it was lacking features, incompatible with a lot of hardware (getting online with Linux back in the day was an exercise in frustration – even very common hardware such as the then ubiquitous U.S Robotics 56K modem could be an utter bugger to get working).  I recall the hours I spent trying to get my Red Hat 5.1 Linux installation to do what it should do. Back then Linux was far more stable than Windows 98SE or the utter car crash that was Windows ME (oh the horror!) but conversely you had to be a real guru to get things done. I think this is where the negative image of Linux being unsuitable for the desktop came from. Nowadays things are far better – device support is superb – in many cases better than Windows and Linux now “just works”.  Very few people ever install a computer operating system from scratch – they buy a machine with a preinstalled OS and it stays on the machine for its life. Tinkerers like me do OS installs on a regular basis. It really is straightforward whether you are talking Windows 10, Ubuntu Linux or Apple OS X. You just follow the onscreen prompts and it pretty much does it for you. Personally I think that Linux has made far more of an impact in ways that few people realise – Google, FaceBook, Gmail, Netflix and Amazon all run on a version of Linux; it would be true to say that the Internet runs on Linux. If you have a smartphone that is not made by Apple, or a flat screen television, a set top box, whether it be a Sky satellite TV receiver, Virgin cable box or a Freeview receiver, they all run embedded Linux – it is the only operating system that powers devices from a toaster to a supercomputer with everything in between. Android, as used in smart phones and tablets is actually Linux with a whizzy interface suitable for touch operation. You can see from this that whilst Windows has for decades dominated the computer desktop, it has had little influence on the infrastructure and underlying technology of the modern world. As society moves away from large desktop PC’s, (and to a lesser extent away from the traditional laptop) and relies for online connectivity from smart phones and tablet devices, the underlying operating system has less significance than the applications that users wish to run – indeed, many applications are nowadays run online in a browser window – sites such as FaceBook, Instagram, Flickr and Twitter don't require a locally installed application, just a browser with connection to the web. Google grasped this early on with their excellent Google GSuite application suite and its close integration with both Gmail and Google Drive storage. The Google Chromebook range of computers embraces this – they are cheap, relatively low powered laptops that just run a the Chrome web browser and enable cloud based storage. Indeed the Maggot Sandwich is currently written and published solely using a Chromebook - a Linux device. 

Transport for London have issued the following announcement:- "Following a successful trial, from Monday 20 April, buses in London will temporarily become middle-door only boarding as part of Transport for London’s (TfL’s) efforts to help combat Coronavirus. This means the front doors will no longer be in use across the bus network. Please only use the middle doors to board the bus and allow others to exit the bus first before boarding. There is currently no need to touch in. The vast majority of people have followed the instructions of the Mayor and Government and have stopped travelling. The number of people using buses has plummeted by around 85%. This is essential to stop the spread of coronavirus. It is essential that everyone continues not to travel and does not return to the transport network". I have concerns over this, as I feel that it may well invoke the law of unintended consequences. When the public realise that from tomorrow, until some yet to be determined point, that London buses can be used for free, will it increase the number of people using them, and thus increase the risk of infection? Only time will tell. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Not many local people are aware that the Erith / Belvedere area was once subject to one of the largest non – nuclear explosions in history. You can see a contemporary newspaper account above - click on it for a larger view. Back in 1864 there were two local commercial gunpowder factories – that of John Hall and Son and the Elterwater and Lowood Gunpowder company situated on the marsh land that at that time existed parallel to the River Thames between Slade Green in the East and Plumstead in the West. Both factories were physically isolated from residential areas, and many precautions were taken to prevent any kind of fire; workers had to wear felt slippers, and all equipment was made of wood, or lined with copper to prevent sparks; understandably smoking was strictly prohibited. At about 6.40 am on Saturday the first of October 1864 all these precautions proved worthless, when there was a massive explosion which totally destroyed both gunpowder factories, their store magazines and a couple of barges that were being loaded with barrels of gunpowder at the time. No contemporary account exists of exactly what caused the accident, as the eyewitnesses were instantly vapourised. The explosion was heard as far away as Cambridge, and the shock wave was so intense that people in central London were convinced that there had been an earthquake. One report at the time said that as rescuers hurried to the site they found a massive crater and absolutely no signs of any buildings were left “it was if the place had been swept clean by a broom”. Surprisingly there were only around twenty casualties, as though the explosion was huge, the remote location prevented greater loss of life. Witnesses said that a huge pall of black smoke, shaped like a mushroom hung in the air for an hour afterwards. Five of the victims were classed as “missing” as nothing remained of them to bury. Others whose bodies remained intact to some degree or other were taken to the Belvedere Hotel in Picardy Road, which was converted into a temporary morgue. The injured were taken to Guy’s Hospital at London Bridge, where some then succumbed to their injuries. The Perth Gazette and West Australian Times (the story made world headlines) also curiously reported that a man escaped serious injury, but did have “his right whisker blown off, and he has not been seen since”. The unknown reporter then comments “The damage done to property extends to a radius of over twenty miles; the effect upon domestic animals is said to have been very remarkable. Thousands of pets succumbed with fright – the mortality to Canaries being particularly great”. The army was called from the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich to assist with emergency repairs to the river wall, which had been destroyed to a length of three hundred yards from the epicentre of the blast. Fortunately the tide was low at the time, and the Royal Engineers assisted by civilian navvies and some volunteers barely managed to temporarily block the gap before the tide rose. Had they not, much of Lower Belvedere would have been flooded as later happened in 1953. Considering the size of the explosion – it is estimated that something between 45 and 100 tons of gunpowder were detonated, the long term damage was pretty light, though the superintendent of Crossness Sewage Works did put in a grumpy claim for £150 for plate glass that had been damaged by the blast – this sounds like some very creative accounting on his part, as the works was still being constructed at the time, and did not actually go into operation until nearly a year later. I am of the opinion that this was an early example of insurance fraud. 

The advert above dates back to 1901, so the "20th Century Cycle co." would have been an extremely futuristic brand at the time. I think it strange that it does not give an address for callers though. An eye catching design, nevertheless.

Thirty five years ago, Dire Straits released their fifth album, “Brothers in Arms". It went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time, it revolutionised the music industry. For the first time, an album sold more on compact disc than on vinyl, and passed the one million units sold  mark. Three years after the first silver discs had appeared in record shops,”Brothers in Arms” was the symbolic milestone that marked the true beginning of the CD era. “Brothers in Arms was the first flag in the ground that made the industry and the wider public aware of the CD’s potential,” says the British Phonographic Industry spokesperson Gennaro Castaldo, who began a long career in retail that year. “It was clear this was a format whose time had come.” CD sales overtook vinyl in 1988 and cassettes in 1991. The 12 centimetre optical disc became the biggest money-spinner the music industry had ever seen, or will ever be likely to see. In 1974, 28-year-old electronic engineer Kees Schouhamer Immink was assigned to the Optics Group of Philips Research in Eindhoven, Holland. His team’s task was to create a 30 centimetre videodisc called Laservision (Laserdisk in Europe), but that flopped (the quality was pretty poor, and the disks were notorious for skipping and stopping dead for no apparent reason) and the focus shifted to designing a smaller audio-only disc. “There were 101 problems to be solved,” Immink says. Meanwhile, in Japan, Sony engineers were working on a similar project. In 1979, Sony and Philips made an unprecedented agreement to pool resources. For example, Sony engineers perfected the error correction code, CIRC, while Immink himself developed the channel code, EFM, which struck a workable balance between reliability and playing time. “We never had people from other companies in our experimental premises,” Immink says. “It was unheard of. Usually you become foes, but in this case we really became good friends, and we're still friends after so many years. It was remarkable, actually.” In June 1980, after complicated negotiations in Tokyo and Eindhoven, the so-called Red Book set standard specifications for the compact disc digital audio format. The story goes that the size (12 cm) and length (74 minutes, 33 seconds) were changed at the eleventh hour when Sony’s executive vice president Norio Ohga insisted that the disc should have enough space for the longest recorded performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, his wife’s favourite piece of music, but I and others suspect that is an urban myth. There were so many technical and financial considerations that it is unlikely such a key decision came down to one woman’s love of Beethoven – there were simply too many other factors.  The CD was introduced to the British public in a 1981 episode of the BBC’s Tomorrow’s World, in which Kieran Prendeville famously mauled a test disc of the Bee Gees’ Living Eyes to demonstrate the format’s alleged indestructibility – the spreading of jam on the test disc is something that has passed into popular legend.  It caught the public imagination, but Immink found the claim puzzling and embarrassing because it was clearly untrue. “We should not put emphasis on the fact it will last for ever because it will not last forever,” he says. “We should put emphasis on the quality of sound and ease of handling.” (I read an article recently where Paul McCartney recalled the first time George Martin showed him a CD. George said, ‘This will change the world.’ He told us it was indestructible, you can’t smash it. Look! And – whack – it broke in half.”) Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler was an early convert (the second track on Pure, Perfect Sound Forever, the promotional 1982 compilation that came free with early CD players, was Dire Straits’ Once Upon a Time in the West). Knopfler insisted on recording Brothers in Arms on state-of-the-art digital equipment, so a promotional partnership was a natural fit. Philips sponsored Dire Straits’ world tour and featured the band in TV commercials with the slogan, attributed to Knopfler: “I want the best. How about you?” Brothers in Arms was an iconic release, the CD came to symbolise the so-called yuppie generation, representing new material success and aspiration. If you owned a CD player it showed you were upwardly mobile. Its significance seemed to go beyond music to a lifestyle statement. CD’s still sell nowadays, but the emphasis on convenience and ease of use of digital download services such as Apple’s ITunes have reduced the demand for physical recordings – it was It was the 2001 launch of the iPod, an aspirational premium product which made MP3s portable, that turned the tide. Before that the MP3 was an inferior good; Once you had the iPod, the CD was an inferior good. It could get cracked or lost, whereas MP3 files lasted.  Not pure, not perfect, but sound for ever. It is just a pity that unless recorded at very high bit rates, MP3 files sound inferior to CD, and way worse that vinyl – my own format of choice to this day. What do you think? Are CD’s on the way out for you? Do you still have a much loved collection of vinyl? Please make 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 Belvedere ward, as there is no report from Barmehurst this week:-"On Bank Holiday Easter Monday at approx. 11am two men on a black motorcycle were seen stealing number plates from a Ford Transit In Alsike Rd. One had a white helmet and the other a black one. They were too far away to get a reg number. We have been getting more and more reports of neighbour disputes across the ward. It is a difficult time at the moment with the lockdown in place. We are all a little frazzled and fed up with the situation while stuck indoors. However, that does not mean we all have to be anti-social, play loud music, be noisy in general and be a pain to our neighbours. We all have a part to play and, when this is all over, we still have to live in our communities. Please try and be patient with each other and don't be a nuisance. There was a motorbike stolen overnight on the Monday 13/04/2020 from Ambrook Road. The bike was black and orange in colour and has been seen being ridden around the Lesnes Abbey wooded area recently. Please keep an eye out and phone police if seen. We have been having to move more people on this week from public spaces and on the streets. If you don't need to go out THEN DON'T. Stay indoors. The gym equipment in parks have been taped off for a reason, stop using them. Stay Safe, Stay Inside". Bexleyheath ward - no report received. Crayford ward - no report received. Erith ward:- "Crimes of note from this last week - attempted Burglary in Pembroke Road where the front window was smashed in the night there has been a slight increase in shop lifting reports from Iceland, Morrison's and Farm foods. We have been patrolling Erith high street daily as well as the rest of the ward. We are also questioning people we see asking their reasons for being out, we are keeping this friendly and if the reasons are genuine there is no problem at all, but we are telling people with non-genuine reasons to go home, if they are seen again more questions will be asked. We know this is a hard time for all of us, we just need to follow the government's guidelines. By all means enjoy this lovely weather we are having at the moment but enjoy it from your garden". Northumberland Heath ward:- "Great news this week no Burglaries or theft reports. The team have been receiving reports of drug dealing across the ward. We are completing patrols around these hotspot areas .This has been organised by a local unit to assist. Stop and searches have been completed in the alleys ways of Belmont Road , Bexley Road & Hurst Road . One male was found to be in possession of drugs . Patrols have also been completed in Northumberland Recreational Ground where a group of youths were dispersed. Officers obtained details and have contacted parents. Please see our tweets on @MPSNorthHeath where your see good stories, advice & information on COVID-19 also scam warning advice. I must remind everyone you should only leave home for essentials such as food or medicine, or to exercise".

Slade Green and Northend ward:- "An attempted burglary took place in the early hours of Wednesday 15/04 in Forest Road. Barking dogs woke the victim who then noticed some damage to their front door. 4 vehicle crimes to report in this last week. A car was stolen from Fern Close on Saturday 10/04, A bank card was taken from a vehicle in Frobisher Road on Monday 12/04, and 2 vehicles had locks damaged on Tuesday 14/04 in Rodeo Close and Crescent Road. All of these crimes took place overnight. As usual, we ask that no valuables are left in the car at anytime, hidden or not. Our officers are continuing patrols of the ward with regular checks of all park areas and open spaces to ensure there are no gatherings etc. Please remember to stay indoors as much as possible. Exercise is permitted for 1 hour a day, you are permitted to travel to and from work and also allowed to go shopping for essential items only". Thamesmead East ward:- "On Thursday 09/04/20 between the hours of 12:00 and 9:30 pm a door and window along with cash was taken from a shared property in ST. Martin's Close. On Tuesday 14/04/20 a sofa was stolen from a property in Mangold Way between the hours of 1;30am and 9;00am. Motor Vehicle Crimes. On the Saturday 11/04/20 on Kale Road between the hours of 10:00 pm and 1:19 am the drivers side window smashed and an untidy search unknown what items were taken. Also in Kale Road between the hours of 6;30pm and 7;30pm on Sunday 12/04/20 a windscreen was smashed. In Alsike Road between the hours of 5;30pm on Thursday 9/04/20 and 09:30 pm Monday 13/04/20 a vehicle was broken into , a torch and face masks were stolen. At 10;35am The front and rear number plates were stolen from a vehicle parked in Alsike Road on Monday 13/04/20. From 4;00pm on the Tuesday 14/04/20 and 3;00pm of the 15/04/20 the bonnet and some of the framework was stolen from a vehicle parked in Fairway Drive. Good News The team were given information about two vehicles which were reported stolen in October 2019 and 1/4/20 vehicles have now been recovered by both registered keepers. On 15/4/20 PC Nana found and arrested a high risk missing person who was wanted on an international extradition warrant in Lithuanian the male is now currently in police custody being processed by the special extradition unit. PCSO's Buckley and Hobbs were on patrol on the ward when they came across 4 young boys playing football when they were asked where they lived, 3 of the boys lived at different addresses. Apparently the first boy was out playing on his own when he was joined by the other 3 boys. Please adhere to the government guidelines. Anyone not in the same household should not be together. All four boys were sent to their respective homes". West Heath ward:- "Another week with no reported burglaries or motor vehicle crime. The team were on duty over the Easter period enjoying the sunshine but sadly having to ask people to move away from park benches, picnicking and sunbathing. Unfortunately, we are dealing with a number of minor neighbour dispute across the ward which appear to have escalated during the lockdown period. We are speaking to all parties concerned and requesting that they be a little more tolerant of each other during these difficult times".

The end video this week features a chap walking the first section of the London loop, which starts at Erith, and runs to Bexley Station. See what you think, and send comments to hugh.neal@gmail.com.

The queue.

The scene above will be familiar to most people now; I took the photo whilst queuing outside of Morrison's in Erith one evening last week. Whilst I have heard a few grumbles about the enforced isolation and social separation, most people seem to be taking the new rules and precautions well.  In my experience, the queue moves quite quickly, and only adds a few minutes to the shopping experience. The queue looks long, as people are spacing themselves two metres from each other, but it also moves quickly as a result. On one occasion whilst queuing, an individual jumped over the crowd control barrier and joined the queue in front of me. Before I could say anything, the store security guard intervened - the interloper was removed after some altercation and shouting. I think this was the exception; generally people in the queue are considerate and patient. What do you think? Share your personal experiences with me by Emailing me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

CB radio seems to be making a comeback, with people stuck at home, bored and looking at for them - new ways to communicate with others for free. It seems strange that in an era of online video conferencing with apps such as Skype, Zoom and FaceTime that a nowadays relatively little known hobby that had its roots in the pre - mobile phone era of the late 1970's and early 1980's could be returning to the scene. If you are not aware, CB radio - formally known as Citizen's Band radio is a licence free, relatively short range alternative to Amateur Radio. Citizens band radio (often shortened to CB radio) is a system of short-distance radio communications between individuals on a selection of 40 channels within the 27-MHz (11 metre) band. In the United Kingdom, CB radio was first legally introduced in 1981, but had been used illegally for some years prior. In December 2006, CB radio was deregulated by Ofcom and it is now licence-free. Although the use of CB radios in the UK has declined from its peak, it is still popular, especially with the farming community, Land Rover owners and Mini-Cab services. CB radio was first introduced into the United Kingdom around 1972. Early use was known around the airports in the UK, particularly Stansted in 1973. As citizens band radio has been advertised in the US since before 1962, it is possible that a number of these radios were brought into the UK and used illegally. In the period 1976–1978, CB radio in Britain was much popularised by novelty hit songs and its use in the film Convoy and the usage of illegal CB radio peaked in 1980. Companies in Britain sold US equipment quite openly, and equipment was readily available in car accessory shops. During this time, a great many CB clubs emerged in the UK and they became centres of protest in the march towards legalisation, in the hope that existing equipment could be used legally. In response to this, the government commissioned a white paper proposing a CB service called "Open Channel" around 860 MHz. The big problem for the UK was that the 27 MHz band was already licensed legally to radio control model aircraft users. They were paying for a licence to use the band, and interference resulted in loss of control of the aircraft. Many expensive models were written off, and the safety implications were obvious, but there was no practical way to police a separation, and the government did not rate the protection of model flying as an important issue. The UK Government eventually legalised CB radio, and on 2 November 1981 a CB service was introduced on a frequency band and offset that is incompatible with the imported American radios. At the same time the ownership of non-UK approved 27 MHz transceivers was made illegal except for those obtained by UK radio amateurs. The government initially proposed an FM system on a 928 MHz band with an RF Input power not exceeding 500 mW. This was unacceptable to the CB lobby partly because the low power would give a short range but mainly because the cost of equipment to operate in this band would be prohibitive. The more knowledgeable CB enthusiasts made a counter proposal to use a frequency around 220 MHz. This was immediately dismissed by the government who pointed out that it was a reserved military frequency band. It was subsequently discovered that the frequency had been unused since the Second World War. The government initially refused to relent and continued their insistence on legalising the 928 MHz band. The CB lobby continued to insist that any CB system had to use the 27 MHz band, be AM and a maximum output power of 4 watts (i.e. the US system). Ultimately, the government hinted that they were going to give in to the CB lobby but, as it turned out, only up to a point. CB was eventually legalised on a 27 MHz band but not the band used in the US. Whereas the US used a band occupying the range 26.965 to 27.405 MHz, the UK system was to operate on 27.60125 to 27.99125 MHz. These awkward frequencies would prevent illegal US sets from being modified outside of the type approval system, though it was possible to have existing A.M. radios modified to comply with the new F.M. standard. The choice of frequency would also give the UK electronics industry a head start in the production of unique UK only radios. The system was FM as expected, but one initial surprise was that the power limit was set at 4 watts. The surprise was short lived when it was realised that antenna restrictions would limit the real radiated power to little more than a 500 mW system. A further restriction on power applied if the antenna was elevated by more than 7 metres from the ground. The antenna restrictions were largely ignored and, in the main, un-policed. The government of the day had hoped that UK based manufacturers would be able to compete on a level playing field with foreign (notably Japanese) manufacturers for a share of the potential market. As it happened: the awkward choice of frequencies conspired against this ideal. The frequencies were such that, initially, only one manufacturer in Japan had the capability of producing the frequency synthesiser chips capable of producing the transmission frequencies and the local oscillator signals for use in receive mode. This manufacturer, not surprisingly, refused to supply any UK based manufacturer while it was attempting to keep Japanese manufacturers supplied. In the event, the UK market saturated within a few months and many Japanese manufacturers and UK importers were left with vast amounts of unwanted stock. Within a year of the introduction of CB to the UK, CB radio sets were being given away free with some purchase or other by many of the major retailers. After this, many UK CB radios were relegated to the backs of cupboards or into the loft. From the inception of legalised CB radio, there has been much abuse of the system, with frequent complaints that CB radio was not policed properly in spite of the licence revenues. CB channels still remained busy in many areas, despite mobile phones becoming increasingly common and feature rich. Many of the original advantages of mobile CB have been surpassed by the development of mobile internet access, satellite navigation systems, and the proliferation of other instant communication technologies such as text messaging. The introduction of a new licence free handheld PMR 446 radio service has provided much of the features of traditional C.B., in a small handheld format. This service is not directly comparable with C.B, as PMR446 was intended to provide a short range service. Changes to the UK's amateur radio licensing system mean that it is now possible for people under the age of 14, and anyone else, to gain legal access to most of the UK amateur frequency allocation with only basic technical knowledge.  A small but very active UK CB group still carried on, and several companies sell brand new CB in this country, as a quick Google search will show. It would seem that some of the old CB rigs are being dusted down and put back into use during this period of Covid - 19 lockdown, which to my mind can only be a good thing; a substantial number of CB radio operators "get the bug" and want to go onto other radio related activities - principally getting themselves licenced as an Amateur Radio operator. In many ways Citizen's Band is a gateway that leads on to Amateur Radio. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com. 

It is rare that I ever celebrate a business going bust; as regular readers will be aware, I am keen to publicise and promote local independent businesses - indeed, more on that theme later in this update. I do not normally comment on stories that make the national news, as there are professional journalists who can report those stories far better than I. Also the Maggot Sandwich has a primary focus on local events and current affairs. I am making an exception in this case however, as I have commented on the subject before, and I feel that it is of interest to many readers. You may have seen in the press over the last week news that the store Brighthouse has called in accountancy firm Grant Thornton as official receivers after the company became insolvent. Whilst I feel sorry for the staff who are almost inevitably going to lost their jobs, I cannot say that I am sorry that the firm has gone bust. For those that may not be aware, here is some background to Brighthouse, their dubious business model, and the people they preyed on. To my mind, the definitive indicator that a town had gone to the dogs is when Brighthouse moved in. I was reading an article recently, in which Karl Dayson, an academic who specialises in the study of affordable finance said that “I can think of no better marker of social deprivation than having a Brighthouse store open in your area”.  Brighthouse were until last week a chain of retailers specialising in household goods such as furniture, washing machines, televisions and cookers. Their unique selling point was that you could purchase goods on credit with no deposit, and with very low weekly repayments. The stores were designed to appeal to young families – the aisles between goods on display were wide enough for a child’s buggy to be wheeled easily along them. Brighthouse offered credit to those who would otherwise be unable to qualify for it – mainly people on benefits. This all sounded great – helping those otherwise unable to afford the basics of a home to get what they need. The downside of it was the eye wateringly high interest rates that Brighthouse charged. Several debt charities expressed dismay at the high charges. A basic washing machine that cost £399 in Curry's would have cost £1,560 from Brighthouse, albeit broken down into “affordable” £10 weekly payments at an interest rate of 69.9% APR. Just like the notorious pay day lenders, the poorer you are, the more you pay for goods and services. Debt advisor Anne Young, who has advised many former Brighthouse customers said “These companies are preying on people who cannot afford to go anywhere else. I do think that they are robbing the poor, when you look at their prices. They are charging a ridiculous amount for goods you can buy on the high street for a third of the price”.  To give an example, a small television which costs £99.99 in Argos would cost a total of £606.84 paid over a total of 156 weeks. Brighthouse argued that their TV was covered against malfunction and accidental damage over the course of the repayment period, but this needed to be set against the fact that you could buy six similar televisions for that same amount of money elsewhere. Brighthouse claimed that if you could find an identical product anywhere on the high street, that they would match the price. This was actually quite difficult, as Brighthouse had a lot of “own name” brands, such as Baird; these were simply not available anywhere else; they also included a number of options that other retailers on the high street don’t, and the pricing structure was so bewilderingly complex that direct comparison was rather difficult.  The demographic for Brighthouse customers is fairly straightforward; a majority are women between 26 and 45 years of age; they earn less than £13,000 a year, and around fifty percent are receiving at least part of their income in the form of benefits. You can really view Brighthouse as a cross between somewhere like Argos and loan company – and its’ customers are overwhelmingly people who did not qualify for a credit card or scored too lowly for a conventional, lower interest loan. The kind of goods that the company sold (furniture / consumer electronics) did tend to depreciate over the course of the loan period, to the point that by the time the loan was fully paid off, the goods were essentially worthless. On top of this, Brighthouse had a policy of repossessing goods if payments were not met, even if the customer was only one or two payments away from completing the purchase.  Normally a court order is required to repossess goods when more than a third of the credit payments have already been met. Brighthouse had a nasty habit of sending round bailiffs without such legal niceties – exploiting the fact that many of their customers were ignorant of the law. All in all, Brighthouse succeeded because they could – their target customer did not qualify for a loan from a conventional source, and was not aware of low cost resources such as credit unions. They relied on the customer being sucked in to the colourful, brightly lit and shiny shop with the promise of low repayments, even if they do end up paying for what seemed like half a lifetime. Fortunately this has now come to an end. The failure of Brighthouse has come over a period of around three years. In 2017, Brighthouse was ordered to pay £14.8 million to 249,000 customers by the financial regulator, Financial Conduct Authority. This was in response to the retailer's inability to pay customers who had cancelled agreements after one down payment. The company at the time was told it had not been a responsible lender. Brighthouse had also been accused of charging excessive interest on lending. In April last year, the FCA introduced a cap on interest and fees companies like Brighthouse can charge. This put the company in a very fragile financial position; the compulsory closure of all of its 240 UK stores under the current Coronavirus regulations meant that Brighthouse cashflow was severely curtailed, and accountants Grant Thornton were called in to wind up the business. Brighthouse may have operated a legal business; whether they operated a moral one is open to debate. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Local businesses are working on ways to service their customers whilst they are on lock down. The excellent Bexley Brewery have just started a home delivery service. You can join their Email list by contacting shop@bexleybrewery.co.uk  They comment:- "We'll be sending out our new beer and cider list every Monday, so please look out for it. If you don't see an email from us in your in box, please check your junk/spam folder as your server/spam guard may be sensitive to attachments, if there's still nothing there, please drop me an email and let me know. As we did this week, we'll be taking orders on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, with last orders being Wednesday 12 midday (we have to be very prompt on this). We then start to workout delivery routes and organise the orders ready to deliver from Wednesday afternoon onwards". Another local organisation that is changing to accommodate the quarantine situation is The Bookstore Cafe, which has had to close to visitors. Instead they are also offering a delivery service. Their announcement reads:- "Get The Bookstore straight to your door with our Oven Ready Meal offer. Choose from a selection of meals including pies, curries and hot pots, all for £5 including delivery. Deliveries are made on Fridays. So please let us know what you are after by Thursday 9am. To place an order, follow this link, or give us a call on 01322 341144. We are offering Orbit residents our individual oven ready meals for £2.50, including delivery. Home cooked nutritious affordable ready meals made with the best ingredients by the best local chefs. To find out more, follow this link or give us a call on 01322 341144". Head Chef Louisa Budds is sharing some of her recipes. Download the recipe here, and watch the how-to video below.

Now that a large majority of the UK are working from home, it has become apparent that some of the tools that many use to keep in touch with family and friends - and not to mention work, have come under scrutiny. I don't know if you saw Prime Minister Boris Johnson early last week, when on Tuesday when he shared a screenshot of “the first ever digital Cabinet” on his Twitter feed. It revealed the country’s most senior officials and ministers were using the popular video conferencing application Zoom to discuss critical issues facing the UK. The use of the Zoom software is likely to have infuriated the security services, while also raising questions about whether the UK government has its own secure video-conferencing facilities. The decision to use Zoom, as millions of others stuck at home during the Coronavirus outbreak are doing, comes as concerns are growing about the conferencing app's business model and security practices. Most notably, the company has been forced to admit that although it explicitly gives users the option to hold an “end-to-end encrypted” conversation and touts end-to-end encryption as a key feature of its service, in fact it offers no such thing. Specifically, it uses TLS, which underpins HTTPS (secure) website connections and is significantly better than nothing. But it most definitely is not end-to-end encryption (E2E). E2E ensures all communications are encrypted between devices so that not even the organisation hosting the service has access to the contents of the connection. With TLS, Zoom can intercept and decrypt video chats and other data. Whilst this might not matter for social calls between friends and family, when big corporations, or indeed governments become involved, it is a whole different issue. Despite Zoom offering a meeting host the option to “enable an end-to-end (E2E) encrypted meeting,” and providing a green padlock that claims “Zoom is using an end to end encrypted connection,” it appears that the company is able to access data in transit along that connection, and can also be compelled to provide it to governments. So, it's not E2E. While that is not something that will bother most Zoom users, whose conversations are not highly sensitive nor confidential, for something like a UK Cabinet meeting, the lack of true end-to-end encryption is dangerous. Personal information gathered by the company included, but was not limited to, names, addresses and any other identifying data, job titles and employers, Facebook profiles, and device specifications. It also included "the content contained in cloud recordings, and instant messages, files, whiteboards ... shared while using the service." In other words, it was, arguably, the Facebook of the video-conferencing world, sucking every piece of data it can from you and any device you install it on. Speaking of Facebook, Zoom's iOS app sent analytics data to Facebook even if you didn't use Facebook to sign into Zoom, due to the application's use of the social network's Graph application programming interface. In short, while Zoom’s ease of use, reliability and excellent user interface has made it a godsend for people stuck at home, the company continues to raise red flags about its honesty, its privacy policies and its business model. 

This month marks the 35th anniversary of the first UK cellular telephones going on sale to the general public. The official launch was on the first of January 1985, but for the first few months, phones were almost exclusively sold to corporations and large businesses. It was only at the beginning of April 1985 that the general public could - for a price - buy a transportable phone, such as the model shown above - click on the image for a larger view. The companies we know as Vodafone and O2 today were Racal-Vodafone and Securicor-Cellnet back then; phones were the size of a small suitcase and only did voice calls - no text or apps, let alone any kind of camera or GPS. The two companies had spent the months up to the 1st January launch deadline fighting for cell sites and testing coverage, particularly in London. There was no hint of site-sharing. The services used analogue TACS (Total Access Control System), and later ETACS (Enhanced TACS), as more frequencies became necessary. The analogue calls could easily be monitored using a radio scanner - as in the infamous Princess Diana "Squidgygate" tapes. The cellular service was not actually the first mobile phone system available - there was a Carphone Radio service called Band 3, but that was push-to-talk and all calls had to go through an operator to be connected. Calls were limited as was the number of users. You had to go on a waiting list and wait for a subscriber to close an account before you could buy one. It was complex, limited in coverage and extremely expensive. The first modern, cellular call was undertaken by Vodafone's Michael Harrison, the son of former Vodafone Chairman Sir Ernest Harrison, who was the first to test the system, calling his father at midnight on 1st January, 1985. Michael Harrison secretly left his family’s New Year’s Eve party at their home in Surrey in the UK to surprise his father, calling him from London’s Parliament Square. Harrison made the historic call from one of the first mobile devices – a Transportable Vodafone VT1, which weighed 11lb (5kg) and had around 30 minutes of talk time - more on this groundbreaking device in a bit. Harrison recalls that the line was crystal clear, although the excited shouting of New Year’s Eve revellers in London created considerable background noise. As Sir Ernest Harrison answered the phone, Michael said: “Hi Dad. It’s Mike. This is the first-ever call made on a UK commercial mobile network”. Which isn't quite “one small step” but is better than, “Watson come here I want to see you". The official press launch was held days later at St Katherine’s Dock in London where Vodafone had hired comedian Ernie Wise make the first public mobile phone call. Wise brought the same transportable device to St Katherine’s Dock in London in a 19th century mail coach, using one of the oldest forms of communications – sending a letter – to highlight the speed and convenience of these new mobile phones. Ernie Wise’s call was received at the original Vodafone headquarters, where a handful of employees were based in an office above an Indian restaurant in Newbury, Berkshire. Heavy and cumbersome, the first generation of mobile phones were sold in the UK from 1984 – before the first products were even available and before the network was officially live. Such was the demand for a fully portable, cellular phone that more than two thousand orders had been taken by the Vodafone sales team before Michael Harrison made his call from Parliament Square. By the end of 1985, over twelve thousand devices had been sold. Very soon afterwards a good friend of mine got given a VT1 portable TACS phone by his then employer, British Telecom. The phone was so powerful that when he made trips to the Carrefour Hypermarket in Calais, he could call his Mum to find out what she wanted him to buy, connecting via the British mobile phone cell in Dover (there was no international mobile roaming back in those days).

Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly the report from Barnehurst ward:- "Despite the lock down there have been two burglaries on the ward over the last week. Both of these occurred in Parkside Avenue. In both cases entry was gained by the front door. An Audi was taken on the first occasion. However on Sunday morning the suspect was confronted and made off empty handed in a blue Audi A3 or S3 in the direction of Parkside Cross. He was described as a white male in his late twenties with brown hair wearing dark clothing. There was also a theft of number plates in the car park in Badlow Close. Unfortunately since the lock down officers have had to move people on and give strong words of advice to people who continue to flout government advice. Please only leave your premises if absolutely essential e.g shopping for essentials daily exercise, work etc. Please keep safe". Belvedere ward:- "The team executed a drugs warrant at an address in lower Belvedere on Thursday. Cannabis was found at the address and the occupant is being dealt with for possession. Last week the team were extracted a lot from the ward due to the Corona situation. However when assisting Thamesmead Moorings Ward on Friday we stop and search a male for drugs, after a short chase that is. He was found in possession of a quantity of cannabis and lots of cash. Needless to say he is being dealt with for possession with intent to supply. Potentially a lengthy investigation is underway. On Thursday 26/03/20 we had an attempt garage burglary in Lower Park Road. Happened around 23:15. Nothing taken on this occasion but damage caused. Unfortunately this crime type is still happening so please be alert as much as possible while on lock down!" Bexleyheath ward:-"Wednesday 25/03/20 2000 – 2100 Criminal Damage Long Lane windows on vehicle smashed. Wednesday 25/03/20 1900 – 26/03/20 1040 Criminal Damage Long Lane windows on vehicle smashed. Wednesday 25/03/20 2200 – 26/03/20 1330 Criminal Damage Long Lane windows on vehicle smashed. Thursday 26/03/20 0001 – 26/03/20 1545 Number Plates Stolen Royal Oak Road. Friday 27/03/20 1740 Theft From Motor Vehicle Horsham Road. Between Wednesday 25/03/20 1400 and Saturday 28/03/20 1400 Theft From Motor Vehicle Freta Road. A few motor vehicle crimes this week, please continue to be vigilant around your homes and what items you are leaving on display". Crayford ward:-"A practically unheard of report for Crayford this week. At the time of reporting we have had one report of attempted burglary in Inglewood Road, between 22.00 on 29th March and 18.00 on 30 March, whereby the garage door was forced open but nothing appears to have been stolen. We have been actively patrolling the ward and engaging and encouraging our residents to adhere to Government direction. As ever, please call 999 in the event of an emergency, 101 for non-emergencies. You can contact our team directly on 020 8721 2584 or email at Crayford.SNT@met.police.uk Please stay safe". Erith ward:-"As a team we have been out on the ward on Foot and on Bikes patrolling every part of Erith, explaining to residents not to be out in groups and giving them advice which is in line with what the government are saying for us all to keep safe. We have a full team in Erith and are still doing the daily work we always do. Weapon sweeps are being carried out daily and we are now also twice daily visiting all shops in Erith checking everything is OK. Crime in Erith this last week has been low. Crimes of note from the last week Theft from Motor Vehicle Church Road. Theft from Motor Vehicle Maximfeldt Road." Northumberland Heath ward:-"There has been an Attempted Theft of a Motor Vehicle outside Belmont Road , Erith. Victim witnessed a male looking at his motor vehicle outside his home address. The suspect was seen taking photos of the lock placed on motor vehicle. Unfortunately there is no CCTV Evidence or further links for further investigation. Theft from a motor vehicle on Walsingham Walk, Erith .Victim had her rear cluster light and registration number plates stolen. Residential Burglary Northumberland Park ,Erith.Victim returned home and noticed her front door damaged and unlocked . Nothing was stolen from property. This report has been closed as there are no further lines of enquiries. Attempted theft of a delivery vehicle on 116 Hurst Road, Erith. Victim was a delivery driver delivering parcels on Hurst Road when he left the keys in the ignition while delivering the parcels. A witness alerted the victim of a white male trying to get into the victims vehicle. The driver then attempted to remove the male from the vehicle. Another 4-5 Males then approached the driver and ran towards Colyers Lane with the vehicle in situ. The victim had a cut to his head. This was reported by a third party as the victim left and didn't want to wait for police to attend. Police haven't been able to contact the victim for further investigation. SNT will be patrolling Hind Crescent as much as possible. The team are increasing their patrols around all four wards to provide reassurance patrols in the local area. There are no contact points organised for this month . You can always contact the local team on Twitter @MPSNorthHeath or on the ward phone 02087212502. Officers have been patrolling busy areas within the ward to prevent any anti social behaviour incidents while the outbreak of the coronavirus. As most of the shops are closed on Bexley Road we haven't had any ASB reports or theft reported to us recently." Slade Green and Northend ward:- "We had a burglary in Hollywood Way last Thursday between 0800 and 1500. Entry was made via the key in the keysafe and only specific items were taken. Please ensure nobody apart from those trusted have your keysafe code if you have one. Our team currently are patrolling and doing as much as we can to keep everyone safe and indoors. Please remember that anyone out in groups will be stopped and asked to go home if there is no valid reason to be out. This can result in a fine but we will only resort to this method if there are repeat offenders or anyone refusing to comply. We hope you are all keeping safe during these testing times and please let us know if there are any areas that groups are regularly seen congregating." Thamesmead East ward:-"Lensbury Way SE2 on Sat 28/3/20 between 10:40pm – 10:45pm Victim noticed vehicle alarm going off at 22:40pm, when victim went to check, it was found the vehicle had been entered. Items had been taken from the arm rest compartment by suspect/s unknown. Pointer Close SE28 on Sun 10pm – 1:45pm Victim reports motorcycle stolen from location by suspect/s unknown. Mangold Way DA18 on Mon 30/3/20 2:50pm Victim reports windscreen wipers have been removed from both victim's vehicles and left discarded on the ground. Criminal Damage Watersmeet Way SE28 on Wed 25/3/20 between 10pm – 7:45am Victim heard a noise at 10pm but disregarded it at the time, when victim went into the study the following morning the outer pane to the widow was seen to be smashed by suspect/s unknown. Carnoiste Close SE28 Tues 31/3/20 7:45pm – 10:30am victim returned from work to find kitchen window smashed by suspect/s unknown entry to property not gained nothing taken. Good News - A female who was circulated by PC Pruden for stealing a poppy charity box from Taris Shop Yarnton Way in October 2019 was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court and sentenced to 14 weeks at her majesty's pleasure. On Sat 28/3/20 at 8pm a phone call was received from a relative worried about his elderly brother and sister in law who both have underlying health issues and are self-isolating for 12 weeks on the ward. The couple have not been able to go shopping for essentials and do not have internet or mobile phones so had been unable to organise shopping delivery. PCSO Buckley contacted the couple who gave her a shopping list which she delivered on Sunday. The couple thanked PCSO Buckley stating “it felt like Christmas”.  West Heath ward:-"Excellent news again this week, no burglaries or motor vehicle crime reported to us. Despite the current difficult climate, the team are continuing to conduct proactive burglary patrols on foot and in vehicles. We have conducted weapon sweeps jointly with our colleagues from Crook Log and East Wickham, as part of this weeks' focus on knife crime. We have carried out regular visits to local shops and businesses that are open to reassure both the public and shop shopkeepers that we are still a visible presence. Please remember to keep your distance when shopping, Keep calm and wash your hands!"

The end video this week may well be of particular interest to drinkers of bottled water. It features the story of the ill - fated Dasani brand of bottled water, which got the unfortunate nickname of "Sidcup Spring". Give it a watch and send any comments to hugh.neal@gmail.com.