Lollipop

Hi- I was so pleased with Aston's work previously (see above) that I arranged for him to come back to do more. He installed the dryer vent, cut and fitted a wood worktop, hung some curtain rails ( a tricky job as I didn't realise the plaster had blown) and hung a mirror. Very very thorough and hard working. Will be preparing another list of small jobs for him to do. Highly recommmended

I use Premier Clean - http://www.premier-clean.com/- and have done for years. You can pay online. Single bin clean rates are 3 Bin cleans at ?10 6 Bin Cleans at ?20 12 Bin Cleans at ?40

I have just pm'd you with my experience on costs.

HI. I would like to join those who have recommended Aston. He fitted a dog flap and hung some lights for me and did an excellent job. He's a lovely person too! I am preparing a list of things for him to come back and do for me.

Hi James - Thanks for getting back. I have been premature in my criticism. Lindford called me this evening (!) and told me that all other days were taken and the only one free was Saturday so I will have to stick with that. Thanks for offering to help though

Hi James I'm hoping you can help. I booked a bulky waste collection (paying ?16) as I am moving next weekend and need some stuff removed. On the website when you book, it asks when you would like the collection. I asked for Wed next week. I have had a reply from the department saying my collection is booked for this Saturday anytime from 6am - completely ignoring my request for Wednesday. I need the weekend to get someone to help me put the stuff outside as it is quite large and I work full-time. They won't deal with this over the phone so my only option is to cancel the collection - losing my ?16 - and try and book again. Surely it should be possible to have the time you request? Why bother asking if it is not an option?

Adding to the thanks to the gardeners. I walk there every day with my dogs and it is such a sanctuary! Beautifully maintained which I am sure is a challenge in these times.

This seems worthy of support, if not extra hands to help. Thought I would put a note on here to see if anyone can contribute http://www.pecan.org.uk/holiday-club

Another recommendation for Brad and his team. I'm getting them back in a couple of weeks to paint my kitchen so it is nice for Christmas! They do a great job and are always amazingly tidy.

About 20-25 of them racing around Overhill/Underhill Road. Driving very fast,all masked and doing wheelies etc. Extremely noisy and a bit scary. Though it is Halloween

I had a terrible experience with an architect drawing up plans and the builder not only changing them but not even following good practice. Had to have the extension knocked down and rebuilt. The second time I use an architect and the builder she recommended. Worked much better - I got what I wanted and expected within budget and was confident it was not going to fall down around my ears. If I was to do it again, I would probably go with an architect, BUT you need one that is good at managing builders and not just interested in designing. Get references from completed projects and ask them how the building process went (rather than how pleased they were with the architect).

I would like to add my compliments to Nicola and Steve. They did a brilliant job on my hallway, living room and study. They were very tidy, totally reliable and lovely people. My dogs still miss Nicola!

Traffic was very heavy today at 8.30 - so bad that some drivers took to the bus lane to get through.

Apparently someone has been stabbed according to the police. Quite a serious incident he said. Ambulance left just as I was walking pst with my dogs

Hi Louise I have used these people - recommended by a behaviourist for my rescue dog that has 'issues'. They do classes on Saturdays where they specialise in socialising dogs that have problems. They are really good and offer loads of advice. http://www.dogcommunication.co.uk/home.php Classes are ?15 and they absolutely work. My dog is much better now - not perfect, but improved.

Problem solved. I climbed into the bin, emptied it out and put only dried garden waste into it. Bin not only empty but for the first time, put back in its place! Now to need to do a run to the recycling centre who will take the weeds that Southwark won't. Japanese knotweed stems are quite distinctive. I know as neighbours had it but it has now been treated.It wasn't the problem. It was couch grass I was trying to get rid of and it is very hard to get the soil off the roots. Lesson learned though

And another recommendation for Brad and his team. They are so clean and tidy! Not a speck of paint on any light, fittings, switches or anywhere it shouldn't be. Very very professional. They painted my hallway and bannisters (three floors), all my door frames and repaired and painted the woodwork around my front door. At the end of every day, it was spotless. And they used their own hoovers (I hate it when builders use my hoover -generally that means I am going to have to buy a new one). I'm already discussing more work with him.

No plastic bags in bin! Just weeds with mud on them. However, I have now emptied the bin and rebagged all the weeds to take to Norwood recycling centre. Bit of an ordeal and neighbours stopped by to watch me crawling inside bin to get it all out. I have put only kitchen waste and some leaves into it. Tomorrow is collection day - fingers and toes are crossed that they will empty i. Kitchen waste at the bottom is two months old. Hopefully that won't trigger another problem.

Hi James - have PM'd you. Thanks Melph 91 and bemusED. I have been trying to deal with house repairs and an elderly parent on the other side of the Atlantic who is not well and haven't felt up to doing battle with the council. It just seems so petty! Anyway - hoping James can work his magic and get it sorted.

Hi I wanted to know if anyone else has had this problem? I put some semi-composted weeds in my brown bin several weeks ago. My fault - I them in a heavy duty plastic bag and they had started to compost. The council refused to empty the bin. They put a tag on my bin saying I had the wrong type of material in it. I couldn't believe it - it was weeds with a bit of mud on the roots. I emptied as much as I could (and took it to the recycling centre in Norwood (who were perfectly happy for me to put it in the garden skip). There was a bit left in the bottom as it is hard to clean those deep bins. Last weekend I added a pile of leaves and trimmings. Today they have been and not emptied the bin again. Every week they look for the little green bag of kitchen compost and remove that. However under the leaves, twigs etc are several other green bags of kitchen compost which I am sure are a health hazard by now!! Any suggestions on how one gets removed from the council blacklist? They won't even take away brown paper bags with garden clippings now. And warning to all of you out there - only CLEAN weeds in your bins or the same thing might happen to you

There is still a leak at Overhill Road and Lordship Lane as well. Water pressure chez Lollipop is very limited!

I have had this happen to me as well - some months ago and I also could not see who had done it. It hit my on the neck and it hurt! I was at the corner of Underhill by the cemetery. It was too long ago to report to the police (nor can I remember exact details). I shall report it if it happens again though.

A friend of mine makes gifts (cakes, truffles), wraps them nicely and leaves them in a basket by the bin for all of them to help themselves - including the postman. I thought that was a nice idea