Supply question

[davesparks]

And SWA cables feeding other 'boards' !! from the overhead lines ........ but where is the metering unless it is a private distribution network and metering is at source/intake? and whole lot protected by 32A mcb?

Yes, relatively common, especially in rural areas, once upon a time.
The bare overhead lines would be hard-drawn copper and supported on porcelain insulators.
PILC, SWA or insulated and sheathed tails would be connected to them via line taps wherever required.

I suspect this type of distribution is the reason, or at least one of the reasons, that 'placing out of reach' is still in the regulations as a method of protection.
Much like BS3036 fuses and PEN conductors, you can't just remove the regulations that support them because they still exist in the real world despite being out dated.