Jamma

This is really useful. Thanks. I wonder if there's a way of drawing up a top 10 of tradespeople with the most recommendations on here?? Will definitely use some of these in future but can confirm 007 Handymen are great, used them for loads of jobs over the years and they are always friendly, trustworthy, reasonably priced and willing to have a go at anything.

Anyone recommend someone local to teach my son the drums? He's done a bit at school and the teacher there was good for getting him interested but needs to move to next level with some proper lessons. Also how much do drum lessons cost?? Thanks

Both my kids enjoyed doing a bit of boxing training at a summer holiday club a few weeks ago. One of the coaches there recommended a gym in Deptford. But wondered if there's any a little bit closer to home (not that Deptford is that far away!) that offer decent classes for kids. All recommendations gratefully received. Thanks.

Hi Renata, Couple of things. "Every applicant being offered a secondary place in Southwark" doesn't really mean anything. For example my daughter (and many of her classmates) were offered an inappropriate school. If you can make sure every applicant is offered a secondary place at one of the six schools they applied for, that would be something to shout about. Also what do you know of what Monkey says about Charter ED not expanding as quickly as anticipated. I too have heard there's problems with the hospital site that might inhibit expansion. If so that's going to be a problem, and perhaps a shock to parents hoping to get a place at Charter ED in a few years time. Would be good to know asap if there's gong to be any change to the admissions there. Thanks.

Quite a big one this as it's really important that a financial adviser is good! Anyone able to recommend someone I could sit down with to get my financial life in order, particularly with regard to start thinking about a pension and that? Super thanks.

If it's any help I spoke to Helen Hayes about admissions because clearly it's daft in our area. We all know there was a nappy valley effect a few years back and the primary schools were bulging. Now that cohort has reached secondary but no-one seems to be getting a grip. Helen Hayes was interested but not entirely helpful with my enquiry. There's not a lot she can do. And there's not a lot Southwark can do about some of the schools because they are academies. But certainly if she got the message that there are votes in sorting it out I think that would help. The more people that contact her about it the better.

Adding to the positive reviews for Helen and the Gardenia team. After our builders had reduced the garden to a mud bath they sympathetically restored some bits, radically overhauled other bits as desired. Very hardworking and pleasant to deal with and reasonably priced.

So my daughter just tripped on my computer cable and sent it crashing to the ground. Battery popped out the back, and it won?t turn back on. What I?d really like is someone who can bring it back to life tonight and save the 3/4 of a column I?d written! Failing that who can I take it to in the next few days, or can someone come to me to take a look and at the very least save the important stuff off the hard drive? Help!!

Hi, I wonder if there's a local business that does this sort of thing. My dad died last year, I have a recording of him on an old phone of him telling my kids a couple of bed time stories. I'd love to get that file off the phone and on to a CD. But I've no idea how. Is there a business that could do this for me in East Dulwich? Thanks.

Thanks all for your help. Looks like I'll have to source my turkey elsewhere.

We used to use the butcher based at the top of Lordship Lane by the library and The Plough pub and got our Xmas turkey from him. I know it's a while since he shut up shop but I haven't needed a turkey for the last couple of years. Now I do need one and I wondered if anyone knew where he'd gone. The word was he'd moved to Bromley when he shut but he did such a sudden flit I never got the chance to ask him where he was moving etc. Any help gratefully received. (I know William Rose does turkeys and I used to get mine there when I lived down that end of town, I was a regular at WR and the rule was you had to be a regular to get on his list for turkeys. I liked this rule because it worked for me. Now I'm not a regular so it seems a bit rich to pitch up looking for a turkey!)

Yes. That's a good idea, particularly given all the plaques marking where bombs dropped in the area etc.

Among my jobs I make podcasts. Perhaps not surprisingly my kids are keen to make some podcasts too and this seemed like a good summer holidays project. I've had them on my politics podcast once or twice before interviewing MPs and we thought we'd like an interview section of whatever we cook up over the summer. I've approached Helen Hayes to come on but I was hoping to widen the field a bit. Can anyone recommend interesting locals we could talk to? Could be celebrities who live in the area and might be amenable but also just folk from round about with interesting tales to tell and who would get on with kids interviewing them. eg, I'm wondering about the chap from Rye Books who could talk about his favourite books and make recommendations etc. All and any ideas very gratefully received. (You'll get a shoutout on the podcast as thanks!)

Another recommendation for Rob the Roofer. Unlike another highly recommended person on this site he did actually get back to me and turn up as agreed. Fixed up the leaking gutter and offered advice about next steps. And he didn't want to charge the full call out fee because the job didn't amount to much. He certainly did a good job because that night was the thunderstorm and the repair held up in the face of all that torrential rain! Would definitely recommend and use him again. He's on ‭07908 516867

Cool. That looks like a possibility, I'll look into that. Thanks Renata. Still in the market for any other recommendations though of course!

My seven-year-old son has got a bit of a thing for chess after trying it at Dulwich Library's Thursday afternoon board games session (yay for libraries!). Is there a chess club for kids in Dulwich or surrounds? (And if not is there any chess teacher types out there want to start one up?)

We've been to a lot of parties at the church on Forest Hill Road in our time. Never actually held one of ours there but I'm assuming it's fairly cheap to hire and it's a good space for y our own games or if you want to get an entertainer.

I'm self employed and my computer's started acting mad. It won't launch Microsoft stuff, which is kind of important unfortunately when I've got a ton of book chapters tied up in OneDrive! Anyone local able to help, or recommend someone nice who'll sort it out and won't charge an arm and a leg? As is the nature of such IT problems it's fairly urgent! Super thanks!

Yep, another recommendation for Aria. We had some leaks last month and he came round and sorted them. Not cheap but not expensive either. And well worth it given the speed and efficiency with which they fixed the problem.

Yep, another recommendation for Steve. Our washing machine was leaking but he came round straight away, diagnosed and fixed it which was magic.

I've got a couple of little leaks from our sinks. And a radiator that needs bleeding. Anyone know of a plumber who'd be willing to come round and do these jobs (that I reckon would take a total of 10 minutes but for which I have neither the equipment or expertise!) Last plumber I used was Jerry Lott but I think he might have packed it in? The phone number I have for him doesn't seem to be working. Super thanks for any names and numbers you forumites can conjure up.

Ooh that sounds interesting. Thanks. I'll try get down there Saturday morning.

Hi, I need a birthday cake for a party next month. To feed 40-50 people. Can anyone recommend a local person/business who does this sort of thing? Many thanks.