Sue

Oh no that's really sad - will the existing staff be staying?

pk Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > obviously people who work for charities (in admin > roles or whatever) get paid - it's their job, > without which the charity would not function or > would rely on inevitably inefficient volunteers > > if people don't realise that charities pay their > permanent staff they are at best very naive xxxxxxxx It's the relatively high percentage of the money which is used for admin, publicity etc which I was talking about - obviously charities need permanent staff. Charities which I donate to inundate me with leaflets, magazines etc most of which go straight in the recycling bin. I'd prefer them to put my money to practical use rather than paying staff to write this stuff, then paying for printing and postage. I'm sure I can't be the only one.

> > surely the only choice being forced is do you stop > and talk or not, if you choose not then that does > leave you free to choose your charties at leisure xxxxxxxx My point was that many people don't find it easy to say no when they're approached in this way in the street.

I also once considered doing it - the pay is relatively good for this kind of casual work - and of course that then comes out of the money people are "giving to the charity". I once worked with someone whose mother worked for Oxfam, and he said if people realised the very high percentage of their donations which went on admin etc, they would never give again. I don't know how true this is. The percentage, not the never giving again :))

pk Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > BJL Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Interesting reactions to charity fundraisers. > It > > seems that these people are hated almost as > much > > as traffic wardens. > > > i agree > > these people (paid or not) are trying to raise > money for a good cause. the reason that they do so > on the street is that they get better returns than > if the charity just sits back and waits for people > to send in money - it's easy to say no if you > don't want to give so don't really understand all > the moaning xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx It's NOT all that easy to say no if you aren't very assertive, which is what the charities are depending on. You have the choice of appearing rude (ignoring them or telling them to f*** off or telling them why you don't want to give to somebody accosting you in the street) or going along with it. Many people don't want to appear rude. They hook you in by saying they don't want money, which as someone on this thread has already pointed out is just not true - they DO want money, they want you to fill in a direct debit form, which the charity then hopes you will forget you ever did, so they will take your money year after year. Of course it's better for the charity - but do you not realise that there is a reason that these people are known as chuggers, aka charity muggers? Because when they approach you there are a lot of similarities to being mugged (though I don't want to downplay the trauma of "real" mugging). I want to choose at leisure what charities I give my money to, not be forced to make a default "choice" through being approached on Lordship Lane whilst doing my shopping. I don't think this is moaning, I think it is a completely understandable response to people who are forcing themselves on us without being asked!

KalamityKel Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I once had a "chugger" declare their undying love > for me and got down on his knees in proposal... I > suppose one could see that as a strong devotion to > the cause... xxxxxxx And did you accept? :))

KalamityKel Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- and then after say half an > hour tell them you're not interested xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Half an hour ????? Life's too short! Mind you I once lived with a man who used to invite Jehovah's Witnesses in for a cup of tea and then ask them questions about their interpretation of the Bible which they were totally unable to answer, hence ensuring that they never came back :) But hopefully not destroying their faith - what would they do with all that spare time when they weren't knocking on doors? Talk to chuggers, perhaps :)

I really object to this too, they used to be out in force on Lordship Lane all the time, I thought it had stopped. They are preying on people's fears of being thought mean I think. I used to tell them why I wasn't going to sign up (because I already give to charities of my own choice), now I don't even bother to do that. But they're not as bad in my view as those people who come to the door trying to get you to change your gas or electricity supplier, who never have any information they can leave you and seem to expect you'll just immediately say "Oh OK if you say it's cheaper than x I'll believe you and sign up without doing any research whatsoever". :))

Michael Palaeologus Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Blimey - is there an election pending? xxxxxx How very cynical :))

I had thought of that, but it's the distress to the animal I'm concerned about rather than the noise per se - though round about 4pm I did have to go and find some earplugs ..... But only because I find it upsetting to hear it .... I think the people I spoke to at Southwark might be the noise team - it was the antisocial behaviour lot, which presumably would cover noise - but they said the dog warden was dealing with it. If it continues I'll have to phone them again. I was a bit surprised the RSPCA wouldn't do anything, they seem to have sufficient money available to send me unwanted leaflets!

That poor dog had stopped for a while, now it's howling again, sounds really really distressed now, if anyone else hears it, would be great if you could phone Southwark Council environmental health department too, maybe if several people phone (apparently there's already been me and one other) they might treat this with a bit more urgency (6)

*Bob* Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Let's hope the owner hasn't tripped on the dog > bowl and is currently lying unconscious on the > kitchen floor - with Rex mournfully barking for > assistance. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx If that's the case, the owner must trip on the dog bowl quite regularly, as this is not the first time I've heard similar howling, just the longest :-S

I phoned the RSPCA and after hanging on for ages on a premium phone line listening to various recorded messages about such things as baby birds and frog spawn, was told that because I didn't know the exact location the RSPCA didn't have the resources to do anything about it, and even though the dog sounded distressed it might not be !! Anyway, they told me to phone the council's Environmental Health department, which I have done. They think the dog has already been reported but that nothing has been done about it yet, so they are going to "remind" the relevant person. Poor dog. Why do people have dogs if they can't take care of them? And Pongo, aren't you thinking of Howling Wolf ?? :))

Thanks, will do

I would also recommend First Direct, who were helpful and quick at sorting things out when my card was stolen, including making arrangements so that I could get money from a bank until the replacement arrived (which it did in a couple of days). They are generally very helpful for banking full stop - the internet banking is very easy and convenient and their call centre staff are brilliant. However, on the down side, I was put in an embarrassing situation when my card was declined in Somerfield in front of a whole queue of people. FD told me it had been stopped because there were "unusual transactions" on it - turned out they were all for restaurants in East Dulwich, where I live .... I mean, er, duh. I do go out occasionally :)) Whilst I am pleased they are on the ball (ish), they might have thought to ask me before stopping the card.....

A dog apparently left in a garden has been howling (and occasionally barking) all morning today. It's still going on and it's after 1.30pm now. Apart from being evidently distressed, it is distressing having to listen to it. I think it's in Crystal Palace Road, between the intersections with North Cross Road/Upland Road and Whateley Road/Underhill Road. I've heard it before, but never for as long as this. Has anybody else heard it? Is there anyone I can/should report it to? Council? RSPCA? If I knew what house it was I would go round there, but I don't.

Agree buses are much less stressful - apart from when the journey time is doubled due to roadworks in the Walworth Road :))

I thought I saw her there this Saturday ??? If you mean the stall on the left as you go towards Lordship Lane ??? Near the mosque ???

If you cycle round the Elephant in the rush hour, you're braver than me Ratty :))

If you're going by bus from Lordship Lane in the morning rush hour, and would normally get on at the stop outside the Post Office (or one after that), it's often worth walking to the stop before, as (depending on the time) buses may be full by the time they get to the Post Office stop. Though everyone else seems to have cottoned on to this, so we will all end up starting our journeys at Penge soon :))

mikese22 Wrote: > make sure your doors are locked and put your foot > down if anyone dodgy looking approaches the car - > I'm sure you'll be ok! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Erm, doesn't that apply to when you're driving anywhere ?? :)

My feeling is I'd rather go on a bus and take longer because I can (usually) get a seat where I can read or look out of the window, rather than being hideously crammed into a mass of standing people on a train. I know some people prefer a short and uncomfortable journey to a longer and more pleasant one, though .... Each to their own ..... :)

Yeh same with coming back, get to Camberwell Green then loads more choice for buses back to ED :) WALK ??? There's a hilly bit !!!! :))

I haven't driven down that way for a while, but from memory it's all very well signposted, think you'd be unlikely to get lost, Jocelyn :)

Sounds great, good luck, we'll be down next weekend to have a look :)