Sue

OK then, back on topic! The Patch's website has disappeared - it just says "coming soon" now. From their Facebook page: The Patch 27 March We love beer!!! Especially if it is lovingly made by fellow beer lovers in our area! Although we will have a very extensive selection of established names and brands, we can now confirm that we will also be offering the best of what the local micro breweries can offer...so stay tuned, or suggest breweries we have not heard about yet. Thanks Is this beer from local micro breweries still happening? Also - what exactly do they mean when they call themselves "independent", "community owned and managed" and "self-sufficient"? "Gastro-pub" I understand, the rest I still do not. I really don't want to sound (or be) negative, I really want to support local businesses, but right from the beginning - about a year ago now - the messages coming from the Patch have been quite confusing, and nobody seems to be willing to clarify things. Has their business plan changed since the Kickstarter initiative did not bring in the money they hoped? As somebody else on here said, when The Ivy House was selling its community shares, a number of people on this forum were extremely negative. They said that The Ivy House had no chance whatsoever of being successful as a pub. Representatives of The Ivy House team came on here and responded to those negative comments, in great detail. Their business plan and everything else was very transparent, and has continued to be so. They have invited feedback, both positive and negative, and where possible have acted on it. And happily, so far those EDF purveyors of doom have been proved very wrong. But one wonders what would have happened if those negative comments had just festered unanswered on that thread about The Ivy House. Wouldn't people have thought that they must be true? Why do the team from The Patch seem so unwilling to engage with their potential customers - their "community", in fact! - on here? Unfortunately, it does make it appear as if they aren't able to answer the questions being asked, even if that isn't the case :(

alice Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > just that i love the tunes the patch was playing > last night > xxxxxx What sort of music was it?

alice Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Great music xxxxxx Eh?

the-e-dealer Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Shouldnt this be in the Lounge? xxxxxxx :))

I thought the discussion on the pros and cons of vegetables blah in general had been shelved in favour of discussing the title of the thread? And maybe vegetables as specifically pertaining to The Patch? No? Oh well.

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Pie N Mash, that's what we need, pie and bloody > mash!!!!! xxxxxx The Ivy House has PieMinister pies with mash and gravy :)

Jeremy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > But in places like Sydenham, you still need a fair > wad of cash to buy a house these days... xxxxxxx Really? I was in Sydenham this morning, and looked in an estate agent's window out of interest, and was amazed at how much cheaper flats and houses seem to be there than in ED.

Annette Curtain Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Buy frozen berries, defrost and add to yoghurt etc > . Lidl, Iceland even Waitrose sell them > > Much of the fresh cost allows for > wastage/transport, frozen at source is more > productive/cost effective > > You'll be fine xxxxxx Yes that's what I do. Sainsbury's has frozen blueberries, I think they're two bags for four pounds at the moment. They were three bags for a fiver for ages, but hey ho, they think we don't notice. They're much cheaper than buying fresh, the bags are quite large, and you can use exactly how many you want without worrying about the rest going rotten. If you don't take them out of the freezer in time, you can (shock horror) microwave them. Sainsbury's also do good frozen raspberries at the same price, however don't bother with anything with frozen strawberries in as the last lot I had were completely tasteless :(

david_carnell Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Before having a screaming baby to wake me all > through the year, in the dark winter months I had > a sun-lamp as an alarm clock by the bed. It > gradually increases the light from about 30mins > before you want to wake and then sounds an alarm > right at the end (just in case). I'd say it did > help in not feeling quite so groggy in the > mornings. xxxxxxx I have one of those, and I like it, however the light is not the kind of light you use if you have SAD, at least I don't think so. It's just a gentle way to wake you up, not a substitute for sunlight as such. I have a desk light from Lumie which is supposed to mimic the effects of sunlight, no idea if it's working and no idea if I actually suffer from SAD or just dislike the long cold dark nights :))

anabonbon Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hello, I've just had a solicitor at my door- a > young man from 'Youth Opportunities' named > Brandon. He had the 'ID' card. I couldn't afford > his high-priced dustcloths etc xxxxxx Couldn't he get a job doing conveyancing or something? Sorry .....

Applespider Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Was also a lovely clear night and not too chilly > which probably encouraged more to go... xxxxxx It was clear earlier on, but it did cloud over towards 8pm we noticed! At least the rain had stopped, though the grass was a bit soggy and I was glad I had worn my wellies :)

KidKruger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- Arguably the claim to home-grown > veg could be substantiated by producing a couple > of lbs of veg per week of which very little > actually makes it onto the tables of diners. xxxxx Yes, The Patch hardly has a garden the size of Le Manoir aux Quatres Saisons, does it? Have they installed their vertical growing system yet? (The Patch, not Le Manoir :) ) http://www.manoir.com/web/olem/le_manoir_gardens.jsp "The 100% organic garden is certified by the Soil Association. It supplies 90 types of fresh salads and vegetables to the restaurant during the late spring, summer and autumn. These include vegetable indigenous to South-East Asia to achieve Raymond?s distinct, exotic flavours."

DulwichFox Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > Even the Foxes know me. :) They follow me home > and wait outside my house at night. > xxxxxxx This is actually true, believe it or not. We know Dulwich Fox and last night saw a fox lying on the pavement outside his house waiting for him to come him (which he did, as we bumped into him after the fireworks).

MrBen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Can anyone recommend a tall building nearby? One > with easy access to the roof would be great. Xxxxxx :)) :)) :))

Still a nightmare getting out. I felt sorry for people with small children. But a great display!

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That's because from what I'm told, it was shit. xxxxxxx I thought the food was generally good, and reasonably priced. Why are you posting on here that it was "shit", if you never actually went there?

James Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Blue Brick cafe is great, love the place. It is > surprising there isn't more for veggies around > here though. xxxxxx There was. Indian Mischief, on Lordship Lane. Hardly anybody went there, and it closed down.

Last year there were various viewing areas around the perimeter of the display area. Don't know how you get to the other viewing areas as we just stayed near the main entrance gate nearest to the Half Moon, but presume you can either walk round or come in one of the gates on the side off Brixton Hill?

KidKruger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > in fact they'd make a nice couple (sorry if you're > both otherwise attached). xxxxxxxx We're attached to each other, KK. :))

numbers Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > Sue - next time have some mulled wine as well :)) xxxxxx Yes, Stella just wasn't the same really ..... Hmmm. Remembered this morning that a real fire in the evening means having to rake out the spent coals and ashes the next day. May not be a "next time" for a while, then :)) I was so spoiled when I lived in a house with a container under the fireplace to collect all the ash, which just had to be lifted out and emptied every so often....

According to Time Out, Brockwell Park has "a display themed around the four seasons, created by the team behind the London Olympics fireworks. There will also be a funfair, stalls, music, food and drink - and Fireman Sam will be on hand with fire safety advice. The organisers have promised an extra-special finale but the details are under wraps." 5 - 10pm, November 5. Free entry. There's another thread on here saying that the junction at Brockwell Park will be closed to traffic that evening. Not sure how far down the 37 will go before it's diverted, but maybe best to walk (or drive part of the way and walk the rest) as the buses will be very crowded anyway if last year is anything to go by. At Crystal Palace Park " a children's display at 7pm will be followed by the main show, set to music, at 8.30pm. There will also be a kids' funfair and food stalls." Also November 5. Adults ?6, children 3 - 10 ?4, under-threes free. Limited car parking ?5. Southwark Park - "A traditional fireworks display, with hot food and drinks for sale". November 5. 5 - 8.30pm. I presume it's free, but it doesn't say.

Agree it's a great place, bit rabbit warren. One of their rooms is quite big with a proper stage. We looked into having our concerts there ( http://www.thegooseisout.com ), but sadly they had bingo on Friday nights - and wouldn't change their bingo nights (fair enough!) Lovely people behind the bar. All a bit of a time warp, but nothing wrong with that :)

FJDGoose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Everyone - go to bed now - work in the morning xxxxx Oh dear oh dear

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Although a few of those would be nice too. xxxxxx No they wouldn't :) Which "dreadful chain stores with bland service" did you have in mind to further ruin the character of Lordship Lane?

adonirum Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sue - thanks for proving my opening statement " > diametrically oppossed" xxxxxx Is that something to do with a possum?