Hastings Villa.

Hundreds of local residents experiencing mental ill-health are being supported by a special Christmas collection project. Employees from Wates Residential’s Park East and West Street construction sites in Erith have shown their support for the local Re-Instate W-rap project by collecting more than 500 items which will make up over 100 care packages. The packages will support disadvantaged residents, including those struggling with their mental health, across south east London this Christmas. Re-Instate provides gift parcels known as W-rap (Well-being, Recovery, Activity Parcels) to people in hospital to aid their recovery journeys. The project was set up after one client said they would find it comforting to have good quality toiletries and entertainment activities during long-term hospital stays. Located in the Erith, the service is run out of St. John’s Church Community Hall, neighbouring Wates Residential’s West Street development. Parcels put together by the national developer’s office and construction site teams will be gifted to people at the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The collection included items that could be added to three types of care packages. For those arriving at the Trusts, parcels will be put together by Re-Instate’s W-rap team, volunteers coming from Re-Instate’s Employment Service and Bexley Voluntary Services Council. Parcels will include home comforts that have been donated such as shampoo, face masks and bath bombs. To keep them occupied during their stay, separate activity packages will include items like word searches, playing cards and juggling balls. For those on their way home, parcels with household essentials such as food and toilet roll will be shared out. Wates Residential is working in partnership with Orbit and the London Borough of Bexley to build 320 new homes at Park East in Erith, of which 80 per cent will for affordable rent and shared ownership to ensure a sustainable community for local residents. In addition, 42 mixed tenure affordable properties are due to be completed in spring 2020 on the other side of Erith at West Street, which neighbours the Re-Instate project. Both developments come after the partners completed six years of work on the nearby former Larner Road estate, transforming it into the award-winning, mixed tenure community Erith Park and delivering 587 new homes. As part of their presence across these developments, Wates Residential and Orbit have also pledged to support the local community by providing employment and training opportunities for local residents, delivering a positive lasting legacy in the borough. This has already included the provision of work experience placements, careers advice events, promoting and working with local social enterprises, and a free two week construction and employability skills training course run by Wates called ‘Building Futures’ to help local unemployed adults into work or further training. Paul Nicholls, Managing Director for Wates Residential, said in a press release that:- “Re-Instate’s W-rap project is close to our Park East and West Street sites but it is also a vital service which addresses an issue close to our hearts. We feel passionately about supporting disadvantaged residents as well as those with mental ill-health as we believe that everyone deserves a great place to live. Both the site team and wider Wates Group were really keen to get involved this Christmas so we’re delighted to have been able to collect more than 500 items, from adult colouring books to deodorant and hair brushes, and hope that all of them will bring some comfort to people spending time in hospital over the Christmas period and beyond.” Colette Robinson, W-rap Co-ordinator from Re-Instate, commented:- ’We are very grateful to Wates employees for this collaboration. The items collected will go a long way to making a difference in the communities we live and work within at the time of year when mental health stresses can be high.’’ Feedback to hugh.neal@gmail.com.

People living, working or simply visiting the borough can now start to enjoy a new free public wi-fi service in some of Bexley’s main town centres. As part of a programme that will be rolled out over the next few months, Bexley Council has ‘switched on’ free public wi-fi in Erith, Welling, Sidcup and Crayford town centres.  Bexleyheath and Bexley Village will follow shortly. The network requires a one-time only registration and allows users to experience high bandwidth services free from advertisements. More on this in the weeks to come; I feel that there may be more to this new service than initially meets the eye - time will no doubt tell.

As you can see from the document above - click on it to see a larger version - the somewhat controversial Hastings Villa in Bexley Road, Northumberland Heath has had an application to be locally listed.  In a statement, Bexley Council announced that:- "Hastings Villa at 106 Bexley Road, Erith, DA8 3SP has been nominated as an addition to the Local List, which currently comprises approximately 400 entries. Hastings Villa is a detached residential property on Bexley Road, Erith. The property is one of the remaining in a series of mid-Victorian villas that once lined the north side of this section of Bexley Road. It is an ornate structure framed by a long carriage drive and mature trees. The Council is seeking your opinion on whether Hastings Villa should be added to the Local List. The Council is also seeking any information you may hold about the building and its history. Historical records including photographs are particularly welcome". The application was originally made in 2018, but for some reason it was not enacted then, and has subsequently been resubmitted. Hastings Villa has been the subject of a couple of proposals for redevelopment - specifically the demolition of the existing villa, to be replaced by a block of flats. If the local listing proceeds - as I suspect that it will - this will preserve the existing, historic building.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been featuring stories illustrating the problems with smart door bells, smart door locks and the like, and the ways in which they can be extremely insecure. Indeed Amazon Ring doorbell owner and local software developer Miles, who wrote the original analysis, has forwarded me an article on a further problem with another Ring device - their internal security cameras. The article, from the Digital Trends website reads thus:- "In yet another example of a smart home hack, an in-home Amazon Ring camera was hacked to make inappropriate comments toward a woman in her California home. A Calabasas, California, woman who referred to herself as Tammy told CBSN Los Angeles that she heard a voice coming from her Ring security camera that was located in her bedroom. “Yo, what’s up? How’s your day?” a man’s voice reportedly said, followed by, “Hi, show me some [expletive].” Tammy said the hacker was also able to set off her home’s alarm system. “I knew he was tapping into this camera, he was tapping into my bedroom camera,” she told CBSN Los Angeles. “So it became a little bit overwhelming for a few moments.” “They could have been taking photos of me, they could have been sending those out to the internet,” Tammy said. She said she had had the camera for four weeks and originally bought it to watch her dog. Tammy said she reached out to Ring about the incident, and that they responded via email that the hack was due to a weak password and that she should change her password.  A Ring spokesperson told Digital Trends that this incident was not a result of Ring’s network or systems being compromised. “Recently, we were made aware of incidents where malicious actors obtained some Ring users’ account credentials (e.g., username and password) from a separate, external, non-Ring service and reused them to log in to some Ring accounts. Unfortunately, when the same username and password is reused on multiple services, it’s possible for bad actors to gain access to many accounts,” the Ring spokesperson said. It’s the second time in a week of reports of Ring camera systems being hacked. Last week, a man was able to access a Ring camera located in a little girl’s bedroom. The man was able to talk to the girl in her bedroom, telling her, “I’m your best friend … I’m Santa Claus.” He also told her, “You can do whatever you want right now. You can mess up your room. You can break your TV. You can do whatever you want.” Ring’s security camera has HD video, night vision, and a two-way talk feature, so the hacker was most likely able to not only talk to the little girl, but also see her. While both instances are creepy all-around, it’s an important reminder that if you do have smart home technology in your home, it’s essential to set up two-factor authentication if possible and regularly change your password". One of the problems with what is termed as "The Internet of Things" is that most companies that produce smart devices do so to their own proprietary standards and the devices from different manufacturers won't talk to each other as they use incompatible technology - much in the same way that home computers from the likes of Sinclair, Acorn (BBC) and Commodore back in the 1980's were completely software incompatible with one another. The situation with smart devices may be about to change, however. After years of trying and failing to dominate the smart home market with their own standards, technology giants Amazon, Apple and Google have finally agreed to work on a set of common code that will allow smart home products, from thermostats to cameras to plugs to digital assistants, to work together seamlessly. The new “Connected Home over IP” approach will be developed through a new working group within smart home veteran organisation the Zigbee Alliance, and the broad brush blueprint of the new standard is stark in its obviousness. It will be an IP-based protocol so it can connect directly to the internet rather than require a hub; it will be open-source and royalty-free and allow for end-to-end secure communication; and it will work with core standards like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The new standard should emerge in draft form in late 2020, meaning that 2021 will be the start of a new era in smart home technology, where Alexa talks to Nest and you can have a single app on your phone to talk to everything else. The initial push appears to be to work with digital voice assistants. It means in future you will be able to buy an Amazon Alexa and a Google Nest thermostat and have them work seamlessly together, rather than the current sorry state of affairs where you are never quite sure what will happen. The bad news is that while existing products will still work, you will need to buy all new kit if you want to benefit from full interoperability. So if you have decided to take the plunge and equip your whole house with smart home technology, you would be well advised to wait a year. Please feel free to send comments to hugh.neal@gmail.com. 

Had he survived, Christmas Day 2019 would have been Kenny Everett's 75th birthday. The man who many, including myself, regard as Britain's greatest ever DJ. He was born Maurice James Christopher Cole on Christmas Day 1944 in Liverpool. He attended the same school as offshore radio DJ Mike Aherne and considered joining the church; indeed he did spend some time in a Catholic seminary, but he left under a cloud, having made free with the communion wine. His first paying job was in a bakery. With a passion for radio and playing around with tape recorders, he sent a tape of a home-made programme to the BBC. Having acquired an ability to impersonate everything from The Goons to the opening of the airlocks in Journey into Space, he bought two tape-recorders and began to make his own programmes, interspersing music with bouts of silliness. This interested the Corporation enough to invite him down to London and he was interviewed on the Home Service's Midweek programme. Kenny hoped it would lead to a job with the BBC but it did not. Instead he joined the new offshore station Radio London when it launched at Christmas 1964. Everett was madly seasick at first, but offshore radio suited him: it meant access to studio equipment 24 hours a day (DJs did three weeks on, and a week off), and all the time in the world to invent loopy characters (as the first zoo DJ, Everett was the father of Steve Wright and all the rest). He chose his new name from that of the Hollywood actor Edward Everett Horton, and both his own show and the double headed programme he co-presented with Dave Cash, The Kenny and Cash Show, won a massive following. His writing and tape-editing skills were phenomenal and Kenny was responsible for many of Radio London's more creative advertisements, jingles and promotions. Unfortunately his humour was not always appreciated by the management and he was fired for six months after making fun of the sponsored religious show The World Tomorrow, the station's biggest advertiser. Along with Jerry Leighton from Radio Caroline and Ron O'Quinn from “Swinging” Radio England, Kenny joined The Beatles on their 1966 tour of the USA sending back reports on the concerts, sponsored by Bassett's Jelly Babies. Sharing the same Liverpool background, Kenny developed an obvious rapport with “The Fab Four”. He left Radio London in March 1967 and worked on Radio Luxembourg and the BBC Light Programme, later joining BBC Radio One at its launch. Although hugely popular he was soon in trouble again. He was constantly being told off for criticising the station in the press and when he joked on air that the wife of the then Minister of Transport had passed her advanced driving test by bribing the examiner, it was the final straw. He was sacked. He presented some shows on BBC local radio and others on Radio Monte Carlo International. By 1969, he had married Audrey "Lee" Middleton, a former pop star and psychic better known by her stage name Lady Lee - who had been Billy Fury's girlfriend. Within a decade, he had realised he was gay and they parted but remained friends, and it was she who found him his first boyfriend. It was the launch of London's Capital Radio in 1973 that returned him to the forefront of British broadcasting. Here he was reunited with his old partner Dave Cash and their Breakfast Show helped to establish the new station. From Capital, Kenny moved to BBC Radio 2 and then back again to Capital. Having got a job with the BBC once more, Kenny became so big that he was often to be found hanging out with the very stars whose music he played. One of his closest friends was Freddie Mercury. It was in 1978, at the height of his radio powers, that he moved into TV with a bang. The Kenny Everett Video Show introduced the nation to a host of new, crazy characters, created by the writing team of Kenny, Barry Cryer, American Dick Vosburgh and Canadian Ray Cameron, father of current comic Michael McIntyre. The latest hit singles were featured, often performed by the bands and singers themselves, and all sorts of people were more than happy to appear alongside the anarchic Kenny. From Cliff Richard to Billy Connolly, they would all be struggling to keep a straight face as Everett created mayhem around them. Captain Kremmen, science-fiction hero, punk rocker Sid Snot and lecherous Frenchman Marcel Wave were among his characters. The third series ended with Kenny making a farewell speech as the crew removed the set and background scenery, picking him up and placing him in a dustbin. In the 80s, having fully thrown off his guilt about his sexuality, he took up nightclubbing with a vengeance, and it was on one such evening out that he met Nikolai Grishanovich, the lover from whom he would eventually contract HIV. Grishanovich was one of the two husbands he eventually unveiled to the press (the other was a Spanish waiter, Pepe Flores), and he died of an AIDS-related illness in 1991, the same year as Everett's close friend Freddie Mercury. In 1993 he confirmed newspaper reports that he was HIV-positive but continued presenting shows on Capital Gold until his death of AIDS-related causes on 4th April 1995. A genuinely original talent, a naturally funny man. and a brilliantly skilled editor, he was a disc-jockey whose listeners eagerly awaited his every word Everett was the subject of an episode of BBC Radio 4's "Great Lives" - which you can hear by clicking here. Alongside his radio success, Kenny also enjoyed a television career, starting with Nice Time for Granada in the sixties, later with LWT, Thames TV and the BBC. A radio industry organisation, the Radio Academy, has its own Hall of Fame honouring people who have made an outstanding contribution to UK radio. One of the first recipients was, quite rightly, Kenny Everett. In October 1993 Kenny was the castaway on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. The programme is still available on the BBC website - click here to listen to it. Everett was fond of animals, and at one stage had a Chihuahua-Yorkshire Terrier cross, two cats, a parrot and several horses. His companion in his last years was a cat called Pussy Cat. By way of recreation, Everett enjoyed needlework.

Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association.

Firstly the update from Barnehurst ward:- "Another week with no burglaries to report. But despite this it has been a busy week for Barnehurst officers who with the help of Bexleyheath and Crayford officers executed a search warrant on the Ward. A substantial amount of class A and class B drugs were found along with a large amount of cash and a firearm. Two males were arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of a firearm. Both males have since been charged for the drugs offence and one with possession of a firearm. Both males have been remanded to attend court. With Christmas fast looming please can we advise everybody to be vigilant and keep premises and vehicles secure". Belvedere ward:- "The team have recently visited Court Lodge and chatted to several residents in relation to crime prevention. The visit was very well received as many residents were concerned with the security of their homes. We were able to provide advice around this issue – and also supplied window alarms to the residents. We also discussed SmartWater (property marking) which will be implemented in the coming weeks at Court Lodge. We have been carrying out hi visibility patrols of the areas around Upper Park Road (Elmbourne Drive and Heathdene Drive in particular) as there had been reported burglaries in these streets over recent weeks. We have also visited Lesness Heath primary school this week to educate year 6 around internet/ social media safety and online bullying". Bexleyheath ward:- "Friday 13/12/19 Between 1600 – 1815 Burglary Albion Road keys to car on driveway and car stolen. Friday 13/12/19 overnight Theft From motor Vehicle Swanbridge Road Number Plates stolen. Saturday 14/12/19 1550 – 1630 Robbery from male on bus of Airpods Near Asda Broadway. The team have also been involved with a raid on a property in Barnehurst – see their link for the details but a really good job! A man has also been arrested by Asda for repeated begging despite being asked to leave the area several times. It transpires he is not actually homeless and made over £800 pretending to be. If you do wish to help please do not give them money, if they are truly homeless then food or drink is much more appreciated. Please keep yourselves safe this Festive Period there has been several reports of drinks being spiked – ensure you have sight of your drink at all times. Keep your purse and handbag safe whilst out shopping ensuring that zips and clasps are done up, make it difficult for thieves." Crayford ward:- "Thankfully, no burglaries to report this week. But unfortunately two vehicles have been stolen. A red Citroen Berlingo, number plate Y727NGX was stolen from Samos Way between 13.01 and 16.30 on 13th December. A white Transit panel van, number plate NA13YHV was stolen from Lea Vale between 20.00 on 15th December and 07.00 on 16th December, the van also contained a Magliner Gemini Junior Trolley, a three ton Trolley Jack, a breaker bar and a 21mm socket. Number plate NV17EAJ was stolen from a black Nissan Juke whilst parked near Thames Road on 14th December between 14.30 and 22.40. It was reported that on 15th December between 00.20-00.25 a male was approached by another male who intended to rob him, the victim was able to run away and nothing was stolen. A male was arrested on 16th December, initial call to police was that he was knocking things off shelves in shops at Tower Retail Park. On being stopped and searched near Sainsburys he was found to have bolt croppers, a screwdriver and other items and was arrested for going equipped to steal. The team have been very busy this week, on Wednesday a wanted male was located in Crayford High Street and arrested. Crayford officers along with Bexleyheath officers assisted Barnehurst officers with a drugs warrant at an address in Hornbeam Lane. A very significant amount of drugs and a firearm were discovered and two arrests were made. The shops are getting really busy, please remember to put purses away and keep bags zipped up, with wallets please try to keep them in an inside pocket rather than a back trouser pocket, pick pockets are very quick and unlikely to be seen. We would like to wish you peace and happiness for Christmas and the New Year". Erith ward:- "Theft from Vehicles is still an ongoing issues in the Erith area and other areas in the north or Bexley We have been out on the ward leafleting areas this is happening in, giving out crime prevention advice. The best advice we can give is do not leave anything in the car even coins of a low value. Also we have been issuing Smartwater in Erith so far we have given free kits to all residents of the Quarry and have started to deliver kits to Tower Road. If you are an Erith resident and would like a free Smart water kit please Email Erith SNT and we will try our best to give you a kit. Crimes of note: Theft from motor vehicle Saturday 7/12/2019 Callender Road, Theft from motor vehicle Wednesday 11/12/2019 Neptune Road,  Theft from motor vehicle Thursday 12/12/2019, Crescent Road,  Shoplift Saturday 14/12/2019 Farmfoods Ltd, Theft of motor vehicle Tuesday 17/12/2019 Pier Road,  Theft from motor vehicle Tuesday 17/12/2019 Winifred Road". Northumberland Heath ward - no report received this week.

Slade Green and Northend ward:- "An attempted burglary occurred between 1200 and 1600 on Tuesday 17/12/2019 whereby a window was forced at a ground floor flat in Wessex Drive but entry was not gained. Please ensure you lock all your windows before going out and please do not leave any presents on display too as this can be a very busy time of year. If you would like a Smart Water property marking kit, please email the team as we may be able to help. Last weekend PCSO Mark attended Christ Church with Erith SNT for the Christmas tree festival where many local residents were spoken to. This culminated in the Carol service on Sunday evening. Due to Christmas hours and shifts the are no CCS due until next year, dates will be sent out as soon as possible. All of us on Slade Green and Northend SNT would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and peaceful 2020 and we thank you for your continued support in the last 12 months". Thamesmead East ward:- "Burglary Walsham Close, overnight of the Monday 2/12/19 to Tuesday 3/12/19 the property entered , believed the victim had not locked the front door, bag with bank cards/wallet stolen. On Friday 6/12/19 Southmere Drive ,at 4:00am entry gained to property via the front door ,lock broken various items taken. Rushdene Road Tuesday 17/12/19 between 2:45 am – 2:57am Victim was woken by the reflection of a light coming through the bedroom door. A car engine was heard starting up, when the victim went down stairs it was found that a jacket containing 2 sets of car keys and house keys had been taken along with one of the vehicles from the drive. It was noted that the house was secured only by lifting the handle on the front door not locking the door with the key. Vehicle Crime - Tuesday 3/12/19 Kale Road between 12pm – 5:00pm, a catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle. Thursday 5/12/19 between the hours of 12:00am – 01:30am the front and rear number plates were stolen from a vehicle in Sedgemere Road, The vehicle owner was again a victim with the rear number stolen on the Monday 9/12/19 between 07:30am and 10:45pm. A motor scooter was stolen from outside a property in Curlew Close between the hours of 4:00pm of the Saturday 7/12/19 and 06;00am of the Sunday 8/12/19.The scooter was found and the owner has since had the scooter returned. Sunday 8/12/19 A vehicle parked in Alsike Road was broken into, a mobile phone ,a wallet containing bank cards ,driving licence was taken. Glimpsing Green Wednesday 11/12/19 8pm – 14/12/19 1pm Victim reported Catalytic Converter removed from Toyota Auris by suspect/s unknown. Pointer Close Thursday 12/12/19 7:16am – 7:18am victims stated his vehicle has a slash to the offside tyre made by suspect. MARAN WAY Between Friday 13/12/19 7pm – 10am and Sunday 5/12/19 victim reported Catalytic Converter removed from Toyota Auris by suspect/s unknown. Kale Road Between Saturday 14/12/19 7pm - 8:30am and Sunday 15/12/19 Victim reports front registration plate removed by suspect/s unknown. Overton Road Between Tuesday 17/12/19 9pm – 8am and Wednesday 18/12/19 Victims vehicle broken into property removed by suspect/s. Criminal Damage - On Tuesday 10/12/19 between the hours of 11:00am and 13:00pm, a property in Longfisher Close had the external meter cupboard forced open and the wire ripped out. Good News - An investigation by PC Pruden following the of theft of a charity box, two people were arrested, one charged to attend court ,the other ongoing enquiries". West Heath ward:- "It's a short report this week as we are not able to access CRIS to access crimes over the last week and we are on rest days after today until Friday afternoon. One attempted burglary in Brabourne Crescent between Friday December 13th 9pm – Saturday December 14th at 5pm when the occupant returned to the property to find the front door had been forced causing damage to the frame. Thankfully entry was not gained. Theft of silver BMW from Glenview between 8pm on Saturday December 14th – 8pm on Sunday December 15th. The victim is still in possession of the key. Theft from Newlyn Road Sunday December 15th. No further details at this time. The team assisted the TSG (Tactical Support Group) with execution warrants across several wards. New contact sessions for the coming year will be announced in due course".

The end video this week is a  tour of the William Morris Red House in Bexleyheath. Please send any comments and feedback to hugh.neal@gmail.com.

The Hainault.

Following on from last week's news article about the proposed redevelopment of the old Hainault maternity hospital site in Lesney Park Road - part of the area that I only half jokingly refer to as "The Beverly Hills of Erith". This week I have a response from a Lesney Park Road resident, who, due to the nature of the ongoing situation, needs to keep their identity concealed at this point. The anonymous contributor writes:- "Once again, it seems Bexley council have employed their usual arsenal of double speak, following "The letter of the law versus the spirit of the law". This I find incredibly frustrating particularly given how they handled the Homeleigh debacle (though in fairness that has improved ....somewhat, check the crime statistics). My primary gripe is the removal of effectively all of the mature trees that have grown on the site for decades, their literature explicitly states they intend to minimise the impact to the ecology of the site, yet even a cursory look at their plans vs. the existing site will tell you that is a complete lie. What I also found rather interesting is their statement of community engagement, supposedly I was explicitly consulted, along with the other properties in that part of Lesney Park Road - this is all rather odd as I only discovered this submission via the facebook community group. Neither I, not the neighbours I'd spoken to had any idea of the plans. Funnily enough I did a little research into the author of the post who was very pro-planning - turns out he had a part to play in the Erith Riverside Baths redevelopment. He wasn't terribly sympathetic to concern around the trees, but then again I don't pay his salary. Looking at the plans, I would also firmly bet it is a precursor to redeveloping the Homeleigh care home - it is no coincidence the road leads directly into that site. Oddly I'm not against the redevelopment of the two sites, but unfortunately as with most new-builds they are trying to cram as many people as possible into a small area irrespective of the character and ecology of the area or the residents themselves (see the size of the gardens they are proposing). This week has been particularly busy for me so I've not had time to deeply analyse the proposal, I've left a somewhat lacklustre counter-comment on the application essentially stating the above - I can't imagine it'll come to much given the work that's gone in to the application. My hope is they can scale it back sufficiently the estate retains the mature trees. If you read the Statement of Community Engagement they hosted a consultation with residents on the 18th July (Thursday) between 4pm-8pm - I work in central London and often don't finish to 6-6:30pm, for someone like myself this is a razor thin opportunity to offer key feedback to the application. Their literature even hints at the very fact people couldn't attend - mostly retirees at a guess. Reading further on in the document again the double-speak comes out to play using statistics and accurate, yet equally misleading comments such as "Figure 2 shows that the majority of residents (61 percent) support or strongly support the proposals for new high quality homes in Erith...". This is a complete mistruth, 37 people do not represent the entirely of residents in the immediate area (blimey, Homeleigh which backs directly on to the site must have more than 37 people residing in the property - speaking of which I wonder if they were consulted, if I read this document correctly - no). It all reads rather poorly and quite underhanded when otherwise it could have been a good idea. Given my personal experience with the planning team, hopefully they see through this nonsense. "If anyone wants to object, you still have a window. the planning permission reference is 19/02274/FULM | Demolition of the existing buildings and erection of 25 dwellings comprising 5 x 4 bed, 7 x 3 bed, 5 x 2 bed houses and 8 x 1 bed supported living apartments together with car parking and associated works. | Hainault 35 - 37 Lesney Park Road Erith Kent DA8 3DQ" And this can be done via https://pa.bexley.gov.uk/online-applications ". If you look at the graphic at the top of this article, you can clearly see that the current redevelopment plans for the Hainault site will be at the cost of a number of mature, healthy trees. I agree with the writer that this needs to be brought fully to both the proposed developer and the Council's attention as a matter of priority. We need more trees in the area, not less. What do you think? Leave a comment below, or alternatively Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Did you know that there is a connection between a former Plumstead based manufacturing company and the world famous actor and director Clint Eastwood? No? Then read on. Thanks to a long time reader and occasional contributor with a strong interest in local industrial history, who wishes to remain anonymous, and who supplied the following information. Associated Motor Cycles Ltd were a large and successful manufacturing organisation which was based in Plumstead for many years. They owned three major motor bike brands, namely Matchless, AJS and (latterly) Norton, which were designed, manufactured and assembled in their large factory in Plumstead. The founder of the firm that was eventually to become Associated Motor Cycles Ltd was Henry Herbert Collier, an ex Woolwich Arsenal engineering supervisor, who started manufacturing bicycles under the Matchless name at his home in Herbert Road, Plumstead in 1878. Henry Collier had three sons; Henry Albert (known as Harry) and Charles Richard (Charlie) from his first marriage, and Herbert William (Bert) from his second. It was not long until petrol engines were added to the pedal cycles and, when the two eldest joined him in the business, it became H Collier and Sons. There was a most significant change for the company when production outgrew the converted stables that it occupied in Herbert Road at the end of 1912. Business had been good and a new factory was built in a much more suitable location away from the select housing near the common and within easy reach of the Woolwich Arsenal Railway Station. The factory building itself was in Burrage Grove at the junction with Maxey Road. Burrage Grove (the Eastern end of which is now renamed Walker Close) runs parallel to the main Plumstead Road. New offices with a showroom were built fronting Plumstead Road which thus backed onto the new factory premises. The move was made early in 1913 and it proved to be a wise one indeed for these same premises, progressively expanded over the years, were to serve as the home for motorcycle manufacture until the factory finally closed its doors in 1969. At the time of the move Henry was recorded as being the Managing Director while Harry was the Works Manager and Charlie the Manager of the Finishing Department (presumably the Assembly Shop) but it is clear that Harry was becoming the prime designer of the products. During the 1914-18 war, the Plumstead factory was occupied on munitions and aircraft parts, the latter to a degree of accuracy one would expect from a firm whose trade mark had, for so long, been two hands using a micrometer. H H Collier (Senior) died in 1926 and the company became Matchless Motor Cycles (Colliers) Ltd in 1928. In 1928 Matchless expanded their activities by relocating their manufacture of sidecars to a separate factory at Mast Pond Wharf near the Woolwich Ferry. This had once been part of the old Woolwich Dockyard where it had formerly been the prison building. It is believed that the sidecar manufacture was managed by George Alfred Walker, father of AJS and AMC designer Philip Walker. They also made a small number of the Matchless 'Hawk' bodies for the Austin Seven there. In early 1930s, the AJS concern passed into the control of the Matchless company, the models of the old Wolverhampton factory being henceforth produced at Plumstead Road. In 1938, following the acquisition of Sunbeam, the Matchless enterprise, together with its other concerns became Associated Motor Cycles Ltd and in subsequent years James (1952), Norton (1953), and Francis Barnett (1957) came into the AMC fold. Harry Collier, the elder of the brothers, died in 1944 and Bert (the youngest) had been killed in a road accident earlier in the war, leaving "Mr Charlie" as the last of the firm's founders, who was taken ill, whilst still working in the factory, in 1954 at the age of 70, and then taken to his office where he died. The foresight of the Collier family in planning this building was impressive. It was at one time a two storey structure and may have initially only been just a single floor, but by the 1940's it consisted of four floors with an extension on the roof as well. The base structure must have been planned with potential expansion in mind from its inception. In 1966 AMC went bankrupt and was taken over by Manganese Bronze Holdings (who already owned two-stroke engine manufacturer Villiers) and formed Norton-Villiers Ltd to oversee operations. This company then formed a sub-division called 'Norton Matchless Ltd' to market the remaining models. For a couple of years, work at the AMC factory was limited to the production of the few remaining Matchless models and the new Norton Commando, the engines and gearboxes for which were shipped down from Wolverhampton. Then, in late 1968 the Plumstead works at Burrage Grove, were presented with a Greater London Council compulsory purchase order for a major road widening scheme, finally closing in July 1969, with the land that it occupied given over to a housing development. If you were wondering where the connection with Clint Eastwood is in all of this local history, then I suggest that you read the article below - click in it for a larger and more legible image.

Nowadays Norton are a successful independent upmarket motorbike manufacturer. The brand was relaunched in Lichfield in 1988, and in 1989 Norton made an emphatic return to racing when Steve Spray won the British Super Bike Championship on the all-black JPS bike, a victory repeated in 1994 by Ian Simpson on the Duckhams Norton. Norton moved to its current home at Donington Park in 2008 and in 2009 CEO Stuart Garner set the World Speed Record for a Rotary Powered Motorcycle (recording 173mph for a timed mile). You can read more about the modern incarnation of the Norton brand by clicking here for the company website.

The photos above were taken back in June 2016, when local builder Mr Kulvinder Singh illegally demolished the Leather Bottle, a pub said to date from 1643. In 1783, when this was acquired by Taskers of Dartford, it was described as the leather Bottle at Chalk-Stile. There is evidence for the building back to 1751 and the licences are recorded for the pub of this name back to 1726. Despite this great age, according to some sources, the building was not even locally listed - why this never happened is beyond me. Other sources say that it was Grade II listed. Back in 2016, The developers of the site misled and outright lied to local residents - they said that they were merely clearing the car park and a small patch of land next to the historical pub - and their builders were extremely rude, aggressive and abusive to anyone taking photographs of the demolition work. Finally, over three years later, justice has caught up with Kulvinder Singh and his construction company Balmonza Ltd. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a prosecution agains both Mr Singh personally, and against his company, Balmonza Ltd, which was heard in Westminster Magistrates Court last Monday. The HSE found that no safe system of work existed at the time of the incident. There had been no asbestos survey done before the demolition work began, which meant any asbestos-containing materials present would, during the demolition, have caused asbestos fibres to be released and widely spread. The company had not arranged for gas and electricity supplies to be properly disconnected by the appropriate bodies, leading to a potential risk of explosion or of electrocution of people on site. There were no measures, such as hoarding or fencing, of the site to prevent access to the dangerous activity, or to prevent the ejection of materials from site. The building was on a busy road and pedestrians passing by, including primary school aged children going to and from a school 200 metres away, and traffic were all at risk. Mr Singh's company, Balmonza Ltd was fined £20,000 with £1000 costs for breaches to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and Mr Singh was personally found guilty of serious breaches of Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £5000. He was ordered to pay court costs of £1000. Personally, knowing the facts behind this case, and other instances where Kulvinder Singh has ridden roughshod over planning laws and other regulations, such as how back in June of this year another development by the Balmonza Ltd was refused retrospective planning permission after a long fought battle with local residents. The development at the rear of 238 Woolwich Road, which backed onto Abbey Wood was finally rejected, after multiple complaints from local residents and a blatant attempt by Kulvinder Singh to yet again break planning law. Balmonza Ltd had built a huge concrete platform at the rear of the house, and it appeared that they were trying to build an illegal block of flats, actually inside the Abbey Wood. Fortunately after a prolonged and concerted campaign by local residents, led by Malcolm Knight of the excellent Bexley is Bonkers Blog - links above to his photos, this has now been stopped. What remediation work will be undertaken is unclear at this point. I feel that he will treat this prosecution and the subsequent fines as merely the cost of doing business, and I very much doubt that it will deter him from other crimes in the future. All I can say as a summary to this affair is do not deal with Kulvinder Singh, or his company Balmonza Ltd. He is now a convicted criminal and a nasty piece of work to boot. You have been warned.

On a far more positive note, and another construction related story. The first local apprentices have been hired to help regenerate the Park East site in Erith as Wates Residential supports a further seven people with its Building Futures training programme, also held last week in Erith. The first two apprentices are Sam, 25 from Welling, and Sarah, 21 from Bexley, who both join the project as apprentice demolition operatives with Wates Residential’s site subcontractor – Erith Group. Commenting on his new role, Sam said: “This apprenticeship has given me a sense of belonging in society. I feel like I’ve been given a second chance to get my career on track and that I am moving in the right direction now.” The £95 million Park East project, which is being delivered by Wates Residential and Orbit, in partnership with the London Borough of Bexley, will deliver 320 new homes in Erith of which 80 per cent will for affordable rent and shared ownership. As part of the project, the partners have pledged to kick start training opportunities in the area by hiring at least 31 apprentices and at least 25 people in full time employment from the local area. The first two apprentices, as previously mentioned, are Sam and Sarah, pictured above - click on the photo for a larger view, who both join the project as apprentice demolition operatives with Wates Residential’s site subcontractor – Erith Group. Their responsibilities include removing the internal fittings the buildings before they are demolished and ensuring the waste materials are properly sorted and recycled. Sam explained: “Before starting this role, I didn’t realise how much gets recycled during the demolition of a building!” Sam had previously studied a bricklaying course at Bromley College, but decided on a career change soon after finishing his studies. He was encouraged to apply for an apprenticeship by Bexley Mind, who supported him throughout the process. Commenting on his new role, Sam said: “This apprenticeship has given me a sense of belonging in society. I feel like I’ve been given a second chance to get my career on track and that I am moving in the right direction now.” He added: “I love the physical side of my role and the great team that I work with. Everyone at Erith and Wates Residential have been so supportive. The health and safety across the whole Wates site is outstanding and really shows that people care.” Thanks to his new position working with one of the largest demolition contractors in the world, Sam is now saving for his driving licence and aiming to move out of his parents’ home soon. “This is the best job I’ve ever had,” he added. “I am now excited for my future.” Describing her role, Sarah said: “I didn’t think I would progress as quickly as I have and feel truly grateful for the opportunity… Everyone on site has been great with me and it has really changed my perceptions as a woman working on a construction site.” Alongside her apprenticeship, Sarah was awarded her Certificate of Competence for Demolition Operatives and has received additional training in asbestos awareness, manual handling and abrasive wheel certificates. She plans to work her way up through the ranks and sees herself in demolition management in the future. In addition, another of the unique training and employment initiatives that Wates Residential has brought to Erith is its Building Futures programme, which helps unemployed adults gain valuable practical experience and employability coaching to reinvigorate their career prospects. On Friday 25th, seven students successfully graduated from the course. Their two-week training involved visits to both the West Street and Park East developments to gain hands on experience of a construction site. The graduation was celebrated with a certificate presentation ceremony attended by Managing Director of Wates Residential Developments Group David Brocklebank and Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, Cllr Teresa O’Neill. Paul Ellis took part in Building Futures in Erith last week. He described the experience: “I have really enjoyed my two weeks at the Building Futures programme. I have learnt new skills and the tutor from Ixion was so helpful. I would highly recommend that anyone considering a career in construction. I can’t believe how much Wates invests into this programme! I would like to thank them, as I now feel like I can kick start my career and am feeling positive for my future.” The redevelopment of Park East comes after partners Wates Residential and Orbit recently completed six years of work on the nearby Larner Road estate, transforming it into the award-winning Erith Park. Throughout Phase 1 and 2 of work, seven tower blocks were replaced with 587 medium-rise homes, including 329 homes for affordable rent, 114 for private sale and 144 for shared ownership.

Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly the report from Barnehurst ward:- "In the past week Barnehurst ward has suffered one burglary in Merewood Road. This occurred on Thursday 24/10/2019 between 11.00am and 02.00pm. It is believed suspects were specifically searching for vehicle keys as other valuable property had been left in the property untouched. Drawers were found left open in the property and a blue California Ocean Volkswagen (Motor caravan) registration number KV68FJJ was stolen from the driveway. Also taken were vehicle keys to a Mini. Suspects gained entry by jumping over the rear fence and smashing a rear window. Between Sunday 20/10/2019 at 05.00am and Monday 21/10/2019 midday a blue challenge Mountain bike was stolen from outside Barnehurst Train Station in Station Approach. On Sunday 27/10/2019 overnight in Parkside Avenue there was a theft from motor vehicle whereby a wallet containing bank card was stolen. The suspect has then gone on a shopping spree using the victim's bank card. Investigations are ongoing. On Tuesday 29/10/2019 again overnight in Parkside Avenue number plates X571JMW were removed from a vehicle by person's unknown. The next community contact session will be held at Barnehurst Golf Club on Tuesday 5th November at 11.00am".

Belvedere ward:- "Today officers from across South East BCU lead by officers from #Bexley Safer Neighbourhoods conducted a disruption operation at #Belvedere BR Station with officers from the British Transport Police. Officers have used knife arches and stop and search and have made 4 arrests. • A 24 year old male has been arrested for possession of an offensive weapon (knife) • A 16 year old male has been arrested for possession of an offensive weapon (Police Style extendable baton) • A 36 year old male wanted for non payment of fines at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court • A 25 year old male wanted to failing to appear at Ealing Magistrates Court after an offence at Heathrow Airport. These operations are conducted at random and without warning across South East London". Bexleyheath ward:- "Wednesday 23/10/19 1515 Purse stolen from handbag in Dorothy Perkins. Sunday 27/10/19 1530 – 28/10/19 1430 Glass taken from wing mirror Martens Avenue Monday 28/10/19 – 2100 Theft From Motor Vehicle Goals Car Park.  Monday 28/10/19 – 1530 Purse stolen from handbag Greggs Broadway. Tuesday 29/10/19 – 1225 Purse stolen from handbag Cancer Research Shop Bexleyheath Broadway. Tuesday 29/10/19 – 1200 Purse stolen from bag inside New Look. Ensure that doors and windows to properties are locked and secured with keys where applicable – revisit home security and lighting now the dark lights are coming.  Please be careful with purse/wallets whilst out shopping, make sure they are secured inside your bags with a zip type handbag. Wednesday 16/10/19 2050 – 2120 Long Lane Co Op – loop device found on cash machine, removed and reported. Thursday 17/10/19 2015 – 2150 Goals Graham Road. Theft From Motor Vehicle. Thursday 17/10/19 1215 The Card Factory – Elderly female has purse taken from handbag – CCTV now in store and images with police. Saturday 19/10/19 1415 – 1420 Broadway rear of shops – Vehicle parked and went shopping, it was blocked in by another vehicle and driver damaged vehicle – arrested at scene. Saturday 19/10/19 overnight – Theft of Number Plates Broadway near Trinity Church. Sunday 20/10/19 2020 hours Males attempting to steal motorbike from drive Park Grove. Sunday 20/10/19 2040 hours Males interrupted whilst opening car doors Sevenoaks Close. Wednesday 23/10/19 1215 Theft of wallet from 93 year old male Broadway Bexleyheath. There has been several businesses targeted over this week for takings left on the premises. Front glass windows have been smashed but CCTV has picked the offender up in one shop and police are tracing suspect. Ensure that doors and windows to properties are locked and secured with keys where applicable – revisit home security and lighting now the dark lights are coming". Crayford ward:- "On Saturday 19th October between 18.45-18.50 a tall IC1 male stole two bottles of Smirnoff Vodka from Crayford Wine in Crayford High Street. The male walked around the counter and reached over the shopkeeper to do so before leaving the shop. At 3.09am on Friday 25th October two males attempted to burgle a home in Buckley Close. The door was opened causing some damage but the residents were alerted by their dog and chased after the suspects who are described as being IC1, both very tall with their faces half covered, they ran off towards Wyatt Road. A silver Vauxhall Vectra was found nearby with the door open, enquiries are ongoing. On Thursday 24th October at 21.00 a man returned to his blue Ford Fiesta parked in Crayford Arrows car park after playing football to find that it had had the rear passenger window smashed, nothing was stolen. Similarly, on Monday 28th October between 19.00-20.00 an I-phone 6 was stolen from a locked glove compartment in a locked Peugeot 307 parked in Perry Street, the driver's door had been forced. A silver Toyota number plate SC06YJD was stolen from Maiden Lane between 16.30 on Thursday 24th October and 6.10 am on Saturday 26th October. A catalytic convertor was stolen from a black Landrover at 1.06am from Optima Park at Thames Road. The suspects were driving a white Ford Fiesta, the incident was captured on CCTV. Number plates were stolen from a silver Nissan Micra between 17.15-19.15 whilst parked in Mount Pleasant Walk, number plates not given on report at this time. Between 16.30 on Friday 25th October and 7.30 on Monday 28th October, suspect(s) have climbed over hoardings and broken in to an electrical cupboard on a building site in Crayford Way. They stole 2 Powerfactor 0.93 Elite Transformers. (1 x 5KVA and 1 x 3 KVA) A Portakabin was broken in to overnight between 18.30 on Monday 28th October and 08.30 on Tuesday 29th October in the Lok'n'store car park at Optima Park, Thames Road, the window was broken and there was an untidy search. Property was stolen from a Mercedes whilst parked in Crayford Road at 15.00 on Sunday 27th October. Three bicycles were stolen from Crayford Retail Park on Tuesday 29th October. The first one was a Red Carerra and was locked up by Sports Direct and stolen at about 14.05. The other two had been left outside Smythes and unfortunately not been chained up, they were stolen by two IC1 suspects who rode them away past Nando's towards Crayford Road. The bikes stolen were a black Carrera Vengeance and a Halford's black B'Twin.  Please note that authorisation for Dispersal has been given between 10.00 on Thursday 31st October and 10.00 on Friday 1st November to deter anti-social behaviour on Halloween and officers will be patrolling the town centre, Town Hall Square and Waterside Gardens area of Crayford. Please call 101 if there is anything we should be aware of. Our next community contact session will take place on Friday 8th November at Crayford Library between 10.00-11.00am, please come along and say hello if you are in the area". Northumberland Heath ward:- "The team continue to patrol in and around Sussex Road to tackle anti-social behaviour. A set of number plates has been taken from a parked and unattended vehicle in Brook Street. If you happen to see registration number WU07BXA please contact police so further enquiries can be made. Should you wish to protect your vehicle from this type of offence drop us a line and we may be able to provide appropriate anti-theft devices. Thanks go out to everyone who attended the ward panel meeting on Tuesday".

Slade Green and Northend ward:- "A burglary took place at around 4am on Friday 25/10 in Chesworth Close. The suspect was disturbed by the resident and ran off. 2 cupboards were left open but nothing was taken. It is unclear how access was gained as no tool marks were left at the scene but the front door was open. If you have a UPVC door please ensure to lock it by making sure that the handle is turned up AND the key is turned. Our police officers have been working with neighbouring wards covering as many areas as possible in Autumn Nights patrols. Several groups have been moved on in the Forest Road and Rainbow Road areas of our ward. These patrols will continue for the next week or so and extra officers are out and about across the borough during Halloween. Our next CCS (community contact session) is not until Saturday 09/11/2019 from 6pm at our SNT Base in Pier Road. At the Ward Panel meeting on Weds evening the promises chosen by the panel were ASB (anti-social behaviour) Rainbow Road, Drugs and Vehicle Crime. These will be in place for three months". Thamesmead East ward:- "Between the 19/10/19 and 27/10/19 , a pedal cycle chained up ,had the frame ,wheel taken and another wheel taken from another bicycle .Suspect/s believed to have climbed over the back gate. Bexley Crime Survey - The Bexley Community Safety Partnership includes the Council, Police, Fire Brigade, Health and Probation who work together to reduce problems of crime, anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol misuse. To help us decide what should be the partnership's priorities for the next year please tell us what crime and disorder issues cause you most concern in the area you live or work in Bexley by completing the online survey at www.bexley.gov.uk/crimesurvey. it will only take two minutes to complete and is completely anonymous. GOOD NEWS -  While out on routine patrol ,PC Pruden found a stolen Audi A3 was discovered abandoned in Walsham Close, SE28. Checks revealed that it had been stolen, July 2019, Lewisham. The Audi was on false plates, the true identity was established via a Vehicle Identity Number check. The vehicle was recovered to Charlton Car Pound, victim updated. Report crime by calling 101 or in an emergency call 999. Remember, you can also report crime online on our website: https://www.met.police.uk/ To find out more information about our updated privacy practises and how we process your data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 please visit our Privacy Notice on the Met Police website https://www.met.police.uk/privacy-notice". West Heath ward:- "Unfortunately we have had a burglary in Gipsy Road this week. The victim was away between Saturday October 19th and returned on Friday October 25th just before midnight when they discovered damage to the conservatory door and sliding doors. Thankfully entry not made inside the property and nothing was taken. One attempted burglary in Bedonwell Road on Tuesday October 29th at 04.20am. The occupants were asleep when they were disturbed by the burglar alarm going off. A male was seen on the driveway by the occupant before running to a silver Vauxhall Vectra and making off at speed. One theft of a white transit van on Monday October 28th from a driveway at the Quadrant. The victim was still in possession of the keys. One report of criminal damage to the windscreen of a motor vehicle in Amberley Road on Monday October 28th at 2.30pm. A group of youths threw something at the vehicle which caused chips to the windscreen. This week we teamed up with our neighbouring ward officers to visit shops that sell knives of any description, kitchen knives Stanley knives etc and asked them to sign a responsible retailer agreement in relation to the storage and sale of these items. The team made two arrests this week. One for harassment, and one failure to appear for court attendance".

The end video this week is a bit of local social history. It shows a series of interviews with local people in and around Bexleyheath in 1984. You might even see someone that you recognise. Leave a comment below, or alternatively Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Erith Park.

The photo above shows one of the giant "Nibbler" machines that are currently tearing down the old tower blocks on what used to be the old and not lamented Larner Road housing estate, adjacent to North End Road in Erith. On Friday afternoon I spent a couple of hours as a guest of Orbit Homes and Wates Living Space on the site of the Erith Park development. I was given a guided tour of the site by Caroline Field of Orbit. I must admit that I have been a bit sniffy about the development in the past – especially in the choice of the name. Erith Park sounded unimaginative and unambitious.  I can now understand why the name was chosen – Orbit are very keen to kill off the “bad brand” that was the Larner Road Estate, which had strong local connotations with anti social behaviour, drug dealing and problem families. They want a clean break and fresh start, which I can totally appreciate. The new development is huge – far larger than I realised; once completed, it will comprise a mixture of property for rental, shared ownership  and outright purchase. I was originally quite cynical as to whether they property developers would have difficulties selling the retail housing and flats, but I don’t think that will actually be an issue. What Wates and Orbit are doing is not rebuilding a new version of Larner Road – that would not work, and you would be back at the state that Larner Road ended up in. Instead the new Erith Park is a far more varied mix of two and three bedroomed low rise apartments and houses. There has been a conscious decision to limit the number of one bedroomed apartments on the site, as Bexley Council feel that there are enough one bed places in the area already. I would concur with this – the new build shortly to get under way on the site of the old Erith Trades and Social Club, between the KFC drive through, and Morrison’s petrol station will mostly be for single bed apartments, and much of the other recent construction in the area has also been single bed apartments – the reason for this is that they are relatively cheap to  build, and enable the developer to see a return on their investment relatively quickly. What was most interesting on my visit to Erith Park was how much in it for the long term Orbit are; whilst it is a massive engineering challenge, what was clear was that it is as much of a social project as it is a construction one. Quite a number of Larner Road residents who have been relocated during the building work wish to live at Erith Park, and they will be given priority should they qualify under a number of criteria. “Problem” individuals will not qualify to return once Erith Park is completed. What also struck me was that the quality of materials used in construction, and the degree of attention to detail in the new development smacks far more of a private gated development than a mixed use social / private housing park. There is a real sense of “wanting to do it right, rather than doing it on the cheap”, which is refreshing for the area where the opposite is usually the rule. The size and complexity of the site is impressive – the old Larner Road Estate had a number of steep hills and deep valleys; these have been removed and graded, meaning that no material was needed to be brought on or off site; a huge construction was under way during my site visit, which I will describe in more detail in the weeks to come. A small town has essentially opened up on the edge of Erith, yet very few other than those working there are aware of the fact.  The Erith Park site offices, canteen, changing facilities and meeting rooms are unlike anything I have seen on a construction site before – the offices are more like that which I am used to at work, with nice carpets and glass walled breakout areas – nothing like the usual dusty portakabin you find on most sites. I was very impressed with what Wates and Orbit are doing – they are definitely aiming the for the whole site setup to be judged as “best of breed”. It will be a couple of years before Erith Park is fully open; I plan on keeping an eye on things as they get built, and will be covering the development progress again every few months in the future.

It seems that the events around the tender for the management of the refurbished Howbury Centre are somewhat more murky and nefarious than I had previously realised. Malcolm Knight of the Bexley is Bonkers website has done a very thorough job of dissecting the claims made by Eco Communities Ltd, and it would appear that they have cooked their own books to quite some extent to make their bid to manage the centre much more attractive to Bexley Council. Malcolm has carried out some basic due diligence investigations (something that the Council should also have done) and it is clear that Eco Communities are on shakier financial ground than they would like to admit. You can read all of the details on Bexley is Bonkers here. It would appear that at the very least, the council has not investigated the backgrounds of the competing organisations to the extent one would wish; I am not a contract lawyer, but I would not be surprised if Eco Communities’ bid was invalid due to the way it was presented. No doubt time (and Bexley is Bonkers) will tell.

I noticed that the amount of fireworks used over this years’ Guy Fawkes Night and the surrounding evenings were far less than previously heard; In previous years the noise has at times been almost unbearable, but this year all I heard were a few sporadic whooshes and bangs – very desultory and not at all disturbing. The nasty weather, recession and the close proximity of both Halloween and Diwali seem to be diluting Guy Fawkes Night from the premier mid autumn event to very much an “also ran”. This is a bit of a pity, as there are links between Robert Catesby (the main conspirator of the Gunpowder Plot) and Erith. Long term Maggot Sandwich readers may recall that I wrote at some length about this potential connection last year. It seems that the long held bonfire night traditions may well be on the way out, with Halloween taking over as the main festival. Halloween was originally created in pretty much its’ current form by 18^th century Irish people, the word is a corruption of All Hallow’s Eve. Irish immigrants to America took the tradition there, and it was exported back across the Atlantic in the early 1980’s. Although Halloween was celebrated before this time, it was a far lower key and less involved affair. I am convinced that the increase in popularity of the Americanised version of the festival can at least partly be laid at the feet of Stephen Spielberg and his movie “ET – The Extra Terrestrial”. The film carries strong Halloween themes such as dressing up and “Trick or Treating” which had been relatively uncommon in the UK. The massive popularity of the film exposed may children of the time to take on the American aspects of the Halloween festival; many of those children now have children of their own, and the festival thus now has an amplified resonance not previously seen. Personally I am not struck with the whole thing, which basically encourages small children to demand goods with menaces, but I am probably in a minority.

Take a good look at the photo above; it shows Potion Bar in Erith High Street, as it looked not very long ago. I have some excellent and long awaited good news about the place. Potion has closed for good! I walked past the place with a couple of friends last night, and the windows were whitewashed. A sign was affixed to the door saying that the place had closed down. When looking through small gaps in the whitewash, one could see that the place has been trashed, with anything of value having been ripped out and removed. The place is just a shell now, and not a moment too soon. Potion was a hive of scum and villainy; it was Erith's drug supermarket and home to every criminal low life and lager drinker in the area. Both the Police and the Council have had serious objections to the place almost from the day it opened - not just from the activities of the knuckle dragging, pond life clientele, but from the way the owners of the bar criminally disfigured the grade II listed building, when they ripped out the original salt glazed tile and acid etched glass frontage and replaced it with the plate glass that you see in the photo above, contrary to the explicit instructions of the Council. I don't think that Potion Bar has ever turned a profit, despite the owners saving money by employing an unqualified and un - Police registered manager. I just wish the debtors prison still existed - I would love to see the owners languishing inside. Still, the place is closed, and looks extremely unlikely to re - open in a similar guise. The best news I have had for ages.

Do you find a certain kind of story on the web fascinating or irritating? I refer to the links you find at the bottom of certain websites, most notably the News Shopper, with titles like: “A 55 year old woman has the skin of a 30 year old”, “18 tattoos that are the worst of the worst” and “10 celebrity Instagrams that you may have missed this week”.  These kind of story titles are designed to pique the curiosity of the reader, and encourage them to click on the link to find out more about the subject in question. They are referred to in the trade as “Click Baits”. The websites that the stories are posted on do not have revenue from subscribers, they make money from advertisers who have banner ads plastered all over the site – and who pay the site owner by the number of visits the adverts get; thus it is in the interest of the click baiters to generate as much traffic onto their site as is possible, as this is what generates them cash. One of the worst click baiting offenders is the website Buzzfeed, which is basically a very low end supermarket magazine that has been created on the web. It is primarily aimed at women, as can be surmised by the majority of the content, which bears a lot of commonality with publications like “Take a Break” and “Hello”.  Many of the beguiling or intriguing links you find on websites that ask questions such as “ten things you would not guess about milk” are feeding directly to Buzzfeed and its’ affiliate websites. Their only interest in their content is how they can get you to click through to it – once you have done so, they really don’t care, as you have generated income for them, and they have no further use for the surfer. If you quite enjoy the little bits of online fluff that Buzzfeed and other click baiters publish, then fine, but be aware that you are just being farmed as a commodity for their advertising stream. Personally I find them intensely irritating, and have only clicked through on a few as part of my research into this story. I did it so that you don’t have to .

Something that may surprise you is that Tesco – never exactly the most popular of retailers –are shortly to roll out a technology that seems likely to cause a big furore and probable user backlash. They plan on installing cameras to scan the faces of all shoppers using Tesco petrol garages. The cameras, linked to a computer system will identify the customers’ gender and age group. Once this has been carried out , the system will target adverts on nearby display screens, the content of the adverts will be dictated by the demographic group of the customer. This was all sci fi back in 2002 when the film “Minority Report” was released. That movie showed the character played by Tom Cruise walking down a future street, where the content of advertising hoardings scanned his eyes, identified him, and bombarded him with personalised adverts. This is now science fact – and Tesco are rolling it out to all 450 of their petrol stations nationwide. On top of this, having identified the consumer, the system will also monitor their purchases and record the results to further refine the personalised adverts. It will also identify any social networking sites you use, in order to see what products you “like”. Tesco have already stated that they intend expanding this still further, and they hope to roll out the technology into as many Tesco supermarkets as possible. The system, known as “OptimEyes” has been developed by a technology company Amscreen – which is run by Lord  Alan Sugars’ son, Simon Sugar, who recently was quoted in the Times, saying “This could change the face of British retail, and our plans are to expand the screens into as many supermarkets as possible”.  This level of surveillance is simply unacceptable – would you feel comfortable if the government or police had access to this kind of detailed personal information? What about a commercial company such as Tesco, whose only interest is relieving their customers of as much of their money as quickly as they can? I don’t trust any of them; I stay as low on the radar as possible – no Facebook account, no Twitter, no passport, no mobile phone, no credit card – the list goes on. I do exist digitally apart from this blog, but I keep my profile as low as humanly possible.  It seems that so many people will readily sacrifice their privacy for a little bit of temporary convenience. What do you think? Leave a comment below, or Email hugh.neal@gmail.com.

Further to my occasional series featuring radio stations that you may not have heard of, but that merit a listen for those interested in trying out a different experience in broadcasting; this week I thought I would cover Radio Seagull – a station based in Harlingen in Northern Holland, but that can be heard on the East Coast of the UK on 1602 kHz medium wave. Seagull also broadcast online in stereo to the world. Recently the Daily Telegraph newspaper reviewed the station, awarding them radio station of the month;  it said of them “As if to prove that the spirit of Sixties-style pirate broadcasting never really died, this charming music station broadcasts from a ship moored in Harlingen Harbour in the Netherlands. Prog rock is the predominant flavour, with plenty of Genesis, Pink Floyd and the like; but genres as diverse as UK blues, world music and jazz also get a look in.” Radio Seagull broadcast from a converted light ship – the M.V Jenni Baynton – formerly named Trinity House Lightship number eight. The staff are volunteers much like Radio Caroline, and the appeal to a similar demographic – indeed, there are a number of crew who work for both stations as required.  Radio Seagull has a warm and laid back sound, and they play a far wider variety of album music than any commercial radio station I can think of. You can see their website and listen live by clicking here.

The photo above shows the closed and gated doorway to the gents public toilets at the rear of Erith Health Centre. Contrary to the label on the door, the toilets were not closed due to vandalism at all - they were closed as the Council did not want to pay for them to be cleaned and maintained, even though they had only been open for a couple of years. Instead they sold off the provision of toilets to a private company; more of this later. The News Shopper are reporting that two Bexley pubs – the Furze Wren in Bexleyheath, and the Tailor’s Chalk in Sidcup have both won Platinum stars in the Loo of the Year awards. The awards rate toilets in publicly accessible buildings from unrated, through Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum for the most exceptionally good establishments. I must admit that I have never been to the Tailor’s Chalk, as I seldom have reason to visit Sidcup nowadays. The Furze Wren on the other hand I have visited twice. I recall that the loos were good, but it was not what really dominated my memories – it was how incredibly poorly lit, and downright dark the pub was – I could hardly see my hand in front of my face. Nevertheless, it was not a bad place overall, but when you have the excellent Robin Hood and Little John a few minutes’ walk away, why would you want to go to a poorly lit Wetherspoon’s boring and generic chain pub when you could be sitting comfortably in the multiple CAMRA award winning best pub in Bexley? What strikes me about the good loo awards (which I think are an excellent idea) is that they will not be able to cover one class of convenience in the London Borough of Bexley, that is public toilets, as there are no council run public toilets anywhere in the borough. The last two such facilities were the loos at the rear of the Health Centre in Erith High Street, and the toilets that were next to Bexleyheath Library in Townley road. The Townley Road kharzis are now the home of W. Uden and Sons funeral parlour, and the Erith public toilets, which had only been open for a couple of years before they were closed, are still there, but the doors are closed and covered by galvanised steel shutters. The reason for this? Bexley Council sold off the toilet rights to a private company who have installed “pay to pee” automated superloos in a small number of locations. There is one outside the main entrance of the Erith Health Centre, just around the corner from the original, hardly run – in before closure public loos (see - I do plan these things). I have seen many people resent paying 20p to use the facility (also known locally as “The Turdis”) instead they go and wee in the bushes around the side of the health centre, in the cut through to the car park at the rear. This is unsightly, unhygienic and results in a strong and noxious smell of urine, especially when the weather is warm.

The story that the body of a man that was washed up on the banks of the Thames at Erith has been one of the most read on the News Shopper website this week; it is a pity that the town seems to be linked with death and violence whenever the river is mentioned in a story. Similarly, I have been walking on Erith Pier on a couple of recent occasions when a small group of teenagers have been playing on the railings – one of the group had climber over the railings and was dangling himself over the water below. It is always difficult to know what to do for the best in such circumstances – if you tell them off, they are likely to undertake even more dangerous stunts, purely to annoy you. If you don’t say anything, then you would have it on your conscience should something untoward happen to them. The chances of survival if you fall in to the Thames from Erith Pier are not high. The whole of the Anchor Bay stretch of the river (where the pier is located) is notorious for very strong currents and an undertow at pretty much all of the time except at slack tide. Any child that did miss their footing and fall in would have a strong chance of not coming up for air at all. There are life rings on the pier, and on the shoreline as well, and I have to say that the notices requesting that vandals don’t throw them into the water seem to be pretty well observed. The excellent RNLI can get from their base in Gravesend to Erith in about twenty five minutes, but this is still way too long for a person who may have been sucked under by the strong current. The best option is for them not to be in the position in the first place. I don’t know what local schools say to their pupils about the danger posed by bodies of open water – which look and act very differently to any life saving drill carried out in a swimming pool. I would also hope that parents teach their offspring the dangers of mucking about on the river – as at that age, kids tend to think of themselves as indestructible – a potent mixture when showing off to their friends. We have had a number of deliberate suicides over the last few years, the most notable one being the 21 year old who threw himself off the end of the pier back in February 2011. There is a metal plaque to mark his passing on the site today.

The end video this week is a bit of a wake - up call to the authorities; you may recall that a few months ago some American chaps came up with a handgun that had been created using a 3D printer. The gun was very crude, could only fire one round before reloading, and had the unfortunate habit of blowing up, as the working parts were made out of plastic. The initial worries about territories where private ownership of such firearms is prohibited by law (such as in the United Kingdom) being able to download the plans for such weapons to enable criminals to 3D print their own guns were then show to be an overreaction - the plastic printed guns were as dangerous to their operator as to any target. All this has recently changed. A federally licenced firearms manufacturer in Texas has used a far more advanced form of 3D printing, called Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) to produce a Colt 1911 model .45ACP pistol, that not only works exactly the same as an original, but is actually made to more precise tolerances than a standard one, and is thus considerably more accurate. The technology used in DMLS 3D printing is way too complex and expensive for amateur use at present, but as has happened with many new technologies, the price drops considerably over time. The video below shows an overview of the construction of the 3D DMLS printed weapon, and the testing phase of the project contrasts with the high tech manufacturing - nothing like sticking the finished weapon in a vice on the range, and firing it with a long piece of string attached to the trigger. Have a look and please feel free to comment accordingly.