ENIGMA 2000 Newsletter - Issue 17

July 2003
Articles, newsreports and Items of interest :enigma2000-owner@yahoogroups.com

Numbers Talk given for the Bexley Heritage Trust

Before we move onto News and Items of interest we offer a recount of a talk given by PLondon, on behalf of the Bexley Heritage Trust at Hall Place, Bexley, Kent.

Hall place, a fine Grade 1 Listed country house built in 1540 for Sir John Champneis, a Lord Mayor of London, and extended in the 17th century, is set in beautiful formal gardens on the banks of the River Cray in Bexley, Kent. During World War 2 it was used as an intercept station in the Y service and staffed by American forces under British direction. The Luftwaffe signals intercepted there were passed to Bletchley for analysis.

With the above scenario in mind a small exhibition was put together. This was opened for the night of the talk by request and a baby's gas mask, ration books, HRO and SX28 receivers could be seen.

ENIGMA 2000 were approached to give a talk in support of this exhibition and accepted the request. At 1930 on 28th May in the main Hall PLondon talked for an hour and six minutes on 'Secretive Communications, an enigma of the Short Waves' in front of an audience some 20 souls strong, including six E2k members.

In support of the talk were a series of sound samples and transparencies, the necessary equipment being operated efficiently by DoK, who also gave some input into the Slavic language when requested. The OHP was a little 'naff' but the transparencies could be read with a squint made at the right time.

At the end of the talk various intelligent questions were asked before the session closed at 2055.

The majority of those present stepped forward to thank PLondon for his 'interesting insight' into Number Stations, whilst others asked for more details. The next day E2k group site membership increased by eight.

We were unable to offer sample newsletters; E2k had asked Bexley Heritage Trust, and received an assurance, for the printing of a few copies of the current newsletter for the talk. Unfortunately the assurance was not valid!

Two persons, one blonde female were seen to enter the Hall together after talking outside. Inside the hall they sat apart separated by another female. At the end of the talk the two left immediately, not staying for a chat as others had. Perusal of the Guest book yielded a local Dartford number coded 01322 nnnnnn. This number was later dialled but yielded only the NU [number unobtainable] tone. Paranoia, mere coincidence or something more sinister? There was a video and sound record made of the entire event, all those who attended being recorded.

Prior to the event PLondon was handed some news cuttings concerning 'Piglet', the failed BaE spy and a book, both for addition to the ENIGMA 2000 archive.[Tnx R].

After the event an extraordinary ENIGMA 2000 regional meeting was convened in the Jacobean Barn next door for 30 mins. [Unlike the Epsom meeting the members did not discover themselves to be under close scrutiny by unknown others]! Due to popular request, we anticipate another meeting in the near future.

Although a video record was made [Tnx to member who did this] copies will not be readily available. The question concerning copies of the talk, sound samples and transparencies being made available via the net has been discussed and as a result of certain very valid points concerning the content, and a singular event at the Hall, will not now be made available either.

[E2k did not request nor received any fee for its talk, no private expenses being claimed either].