Otto

G&B has opened up an interesting independent business which I think is a very nice addition to Lordship Lane. I would be incredibly sad if they disappeared. Let's hope for the best for them. Otto

JAGS pool most excellent - it is filled with children and families during sat and sunday days...evenings are great for adults. Anyone can join, but, there is usually a waiting list for membership as it is v. popular...The fees include use of gym, classes, tennis, etc. There is a discound available if you have a child at JAGs but it is marginal.

for a bit of fun -- Anyone care to edit the East Dulwich page of Wikipedia??? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Dulwich -- Otto

We live nearish the station and ll, and, as east dulwich has gotton more popular, our street has become almost impossible to park on (4 years ago it was not too bad). It is worse on rainy days and days after football matches so I am guessing lazy commuters...I've two small children and it is not terribly fun when you can't park anywhere remotely close to the house with groceries, school gear, tired children, etc. Many a time I've had to double park in the middle of the road and block traffic to unload the groceries whilst the children are screaming...then i get back in the car and circle for 20minutes for a spot, then we all get out and walk to the house...yuck. The best solution so far is I try to cycle or walk everywhere instead, but, there are times when I have to drive. I would actually welcome some kind of residents permit if it discouraged commuter parking on our street. Ironically, we bought our house for the benefit of not having to drive to get to the station, shops, etc...and now we hesitate to ever ever ever move our car...would ditch the car but it is necessary sometimes...

Oh dear...G&B a favorite...how sad... The best course of action for both the shop and east dulwichites is perhaps to buy copious amounts of wine and cider thus giving the shop extra cash and keeping ourselves in the holiday spirit!

Hi I cycle with my two children to and from school. We ride a tandem, my 6 year old son in the front, and my other 3 year old in a childs' seat in the back -- I'm in the middle. We go about two miles through rush hour kid-to-school-traffic from East Dulwich through Dulwich Village to two different DCPS schools. It is much quicker than driving, and, a fantastic way to get to school. We are quite slow as the children are heavy (it is all uphill in the a.m.), and I am terribly cautious, so it takes us about twenty minutes. Most of the traffic is well-familiar with the spectacle of three of us on a bike, and, even the buses are polite. We on rare occasion are forced onto the pavement as there is no way of staying on the road sometimes (construction, etc). When we are on the pavement we go at a pedestrian pace and are super-mindful. I have to use common sense as to what is safe for a 3 and 6 year old and it is a journey which requires utmost alertness and good judgement - e.g. I don't do it with a hangover, illness, etc... oh - and the weather this week - please stop!

Hi As the bowling green is in back of our house, my husband and our ex-neighbor joined for fun. (they are fairly young guys) There was a box on the membership form one had to tick to say "I am a member of the conservative party" or something to that effect. My husband and his pal decided to photocopy the form without this sentence or box, filled it in, paid dues and signed up. They then had a great time with snooker and cheap beer. Unfortunately, our neighbor moved, so, my husband let his membership lapse. We would certainly sign up again -- it is a relic which would be great fun if other younger members joined. Any campaign to reshape/resurrect this club would be fantastic. They do "interview" prospective members - I think the guys just had a drink with someone and were welcomed. The downfall for it is I believe women have to join as "wives of"...I did pay a pound to join as "the wife" but I never ended up going...