PeckhamRose

The first post says "Apparently someone broke in and tried to torch it." I look forward to hearing some more facts. I can practically see it from my flat but have not had the opportunity to go visit yet. It is so sad. The first meeting the Friends of Peckham Rye Park had with the architects of the first design was of a bigger cafe but with a lot of designing in of security and safety. Sadly the funds weren'tthere for the bigger cafe (although clearly it would have been worth it since the one we have is so very popular). I do hope we hear some facts soon about what happened.

Thought this was an alcohol related thread. Sorry. But just have to add, motorcyclists often stop for one another when we come across someone broken down. It's a nice thing. And I'm off to take Spacey to the vets tomorrow on the back of the motorcycle. Wish us well! Hope your cat's ok now!

I am an active citizen without belonging to a hub, I just go to meetings when advertised that sound interesting and make me feel involved. But if a hub is what it takes (who finances it?) then I agree, get involved!

Friend of a friend taught English as a Second Language. One day a very irritated student said "You think I know fcuk nothing, but I know fcuk ALL"

I am not really a separatist but if I really could choose I would want an adult women no kids type of place to relax and unwind. And even then I'd probably not want to talk to anyone! As it is, I tend to relax very well and successfully in my own home alone with cat or with my man and cat... I think separating men and women in any arena is not right. And being an all woman venue may attract lesbians which would be absolutely fine and right, but if you're not allowing men in, why not? And I hate, HATE the idea of being marketed. Although I know everyone is. But I never see a good representation of myself in adverts and so on. (Biker, childfree, not at all well off but happy self employed middle aged woman who hates perfume and most things aimed at women!) I would never buy a car but love Top Gear! Not into complementary therapies and yoga and WII can be done anywhere - why leave out men for that? Well, you have to admit I'm honest.

A scooter then. As for ?60 to insure - is that ever possible?

Oh I LOVE Top Gear!! It's BACK! Of course we know not all car drivers ride like that!

Do explain why not, what are you views. I was due to have mine today - but am not well, so postponed! It has been acknowledged by the Medical FResearch Council that people are reporting discomfort in their arms for up to 48 hours afterwards.

I'll agree with that. But "general" comment on "general" motorcycle ownership is bollox. Generally most car drivers and most bikers are good. Or there'd be MANY more crashed all the time. Like most folks you only notice the idiots. Idiots are very good at getting noticed.

Ignore him. He's jealous except for the bit that tires of the badly trained ricerocketers who give the rest of us a bad name.

Woman's Hour section half an hour after the start Good discussion about universal benefits. Will be on iPlayer.

Annndddd onwards. Found it! Some useful links for Motorcyclists and Scooterists, called in the trade PTW Powered Two Wheelers, which is daft since some Piaggios make bikes with two wheels up front and they look DAFT!

Virago 535 and Suzuki 125 for rahnd tahn since it takes up less space in a bike park. I'll look up my thread I posted from when Boris allowed us to ride in TfL bus lanes. It may be of help. Oh - and yes I ain't a guy.

Just seen Pat Condell's latest video. I may have posted him on here before. But he has thought it through and he is very funny too. http://www.patcondell.net/index.html

It's lovely, and your local is The Clockhouse, and the park is two streets away. Come on over.

Once tried to pay garage rents at One Stop Shop in Peckham Library. They don't accept it. Traipsed up to Bournemouth Road. Not a long way to pay it, but One Stop Shop it is Not, if you can't pay garage rents!

I'm fifty.

So envious you saw Muse at O2 last night. I LOVE Muse but can't afford the sorts of prices venues charge these days and I don't/won't have a credit card to book over the phone and pay the sorts of booking fees which were the prices I was paying to see whole gigs at Hammersmith Odeon in the 80s and 90s!! So what rules are there? No smoking or taking photos obviously, but do they take your mobiles away from you at the door? Are you allowed to drink? Are you allowed to take your inhaler in with you? Are you allowed to enjoy yourself?

I don't often, I have so little to offer. Altogether now....

the vibrancy of Peckham...

I have been self employed for may many years and can offer the following advice and observations. In that time I found myself for about 1 year working on PAYE in an office part time as well as being self employed for all my other business. The Government do NOT want people to be self employed because they can't be sure of getting the money. I once had a contract to work in an office and the tax people came and immediately put me on PAYE. I walked out the door with them never to return because I did not want to be on PAYE but I lost about a month's (self employed) wages because that is how much the Inland Revenue decided I should have been paying in the time I was there, in taxes. The Pros: you are responsible for yourself, you can have a lay in, and if you work from home you can work all night if you want depending on your business! The Cons: you are responsible for yourself, you may have a lay in because there's no work! You can not claim any benefits except child benefit. I have probably lost a lot as a result (I earn very little) but I am 'appy. All depends on what you're doing. But I would always recommend trying, because I absolutely hate the PAYE system.

It would be remiss of me not to inform you all of what the vaccination opposition people are saying: and Ten Things You're Not Supposed to Know About the Swine Flu vaccination. I'm still going to have it.

This one? Oh, right yeah thanks!

But you may get it and not notice you got it, and pass it on to other vulnerable people like me. So, thanks!

Cameron wants to get rid of long term benefits for genuinely sick people, and transfer the decision as to their benefits to untrained paper pushers. To help him, GBrown has made a start.