PeckhamRose

Yes.

I agree Dulwich Fox which is why I wrote what I wrote; Lynx indeed captured my feelings about this. And yes, you're right numbers. I was! Even mayors, who have traditional used Ermine in their robes, now have alternatives.

I have always abhorred it. I was a member of Lynx in the old days before the Fur Trade took them to court and they lost and went under. Linda McCartney photographed their astounding adverts (about wearing second hand coats because the animals wore them first). Paul could have saved Lynx and not noticed the difference in his bank balance. And now we hear about UGG boots, with photographs of sheep with - literally - their skins ripped off their backs in order to make said boots as they are indeed made of sheepskin. And yet, to show I am not smug and perfect, I do wear leather shoes. My only - albeit confused - consolation to myself is that leather is a byproduct of the meat industry, the animals are killed for meat and the skins taken off afterwards. This does not always happen with the poor UGG sheep. I am not sure I even like the idea of wearing fake fur: it sort of advertises real fur by default. Oh well. But I am not in ED so you're not seeking my opinions anyway ;) :)

That's unkind. We are very sorry about your friend which is why people have asked. There are some very kind people around and maybe they did not want to bother the paramedics but instead let them get on with their job. We wish your friend well, sincerely and honestly.

On the BBC webpage it asks for people in Lambeth to tell them how they feel that this happened so close to them in Lambeth. If I were on the other side of the planet I would feel JUST as bad that it happened as I would had it been in the next street. So sad.

I wasn't aiming at anyone, but just saying it because so few people realise what life is like for some people. Probably in the wrong area, because so few of you are Daily Mail readers.

No Otta it wasn't aimed at you I was just saying. As for wishing to be a Council Tenant, have you witnessed someone who is newly bereaved when their last parent dies, and then because they are not allowed to inherit the tenancy, they are then at that moment also now homeless? Have you suffered an illness and then threatened with losing your home as a tenant because Housing won't pay your rent while you can't find a job and ATOS tell you you are able to work so Housing, Social Services now won't pay you a thing? And the nature of your illness means you are also depressed so you are just left with no support? Of course this happens with housebuyers too, but please do not imagine it is better and safer to be a council tenant. And then of course you are placed where you are placed and maybe also now have to pay the bedroom tax. Oh the joys.... I never take for granted how lucky I am to be in my situation of owning my flat. But so many people are now being screwed by the state and others have no idea.

Yes. Does anyone know about Southwark Streetleaders? An appalling name for people who volunteer their time to just help out by alerting the council to things that may be a problem. For example, being aware that a particular corner of a road is being urinated in (yes, the Council put a SIGN up telling them not to, so that worked then...), or telling the council if there are broken pavements, or overhanging trees, or broken roads, or all sorts of stuff, learning about the facilities of the recycling centre, and helping to advise neighbours about departments or staff within the council that may help a problem. I thought this was a good idea and became one many years ago, but only the Council knows what they are, the police and many councillors don't. Because of time and work I don't do much but am always happy to pass on advice and phone numbers and so on. An App would be fabulous. TFL have an App I believe to alert them about broken/cracked holey roads, though I don't use Apps much so am not sure about this. I think it would be a great idea. But publicity would be important. No-one I know actually reads the Southwark Life magazines.

Please don't imagine people who rent are less 'nice' than those who buy.

What a great comment above by polla and a very open and honest opening post by savage. Mr PR was stopped by police on his bicycle on Vauxhall Bridge Road today asking why he does not wear a helmet. Research showed that vehicles actually tend to give helmet free cyclists MORE space albeit subconsciously. But a helmet does not save a head that is going to smash on a road. It's a bit of plastic. They don't do much for motorcyclists either. They're actually built the wrong way in, the hard bit should be touching the skull; the soft bit on the outside. And that mad bint Jenny Jones saying HGVs shouldn't be allowed to ride through London at rush hour! I think I shall write to her and suggest she push for a law that they should not be allowed to turn left. Ever. That will sort it. What about all the pedestrians who have been killed. And dare we suggest that in SOME cases Some people who ride bicycles / pedestrians / others who die in road accidents were to blame? How many times do I have to use the horn on my bike (it may be more dangerous for me to swerve than hit the idiot) to warn some twonk who is wondering across the road on their mobile? etc etc etc and breathe!

I love lmgtfy. But also Huggers, if she is on here, may also be able to tell you.

Eh?

Why don't we all just meet up at the Dawson's Heights grass area facing the fireworks and the whole view of London, and bring food and mulled wine and stuff to share? Make it a 'Happening'... :D

LAS (Leaseholders Association of Southwark) meet at 7.00pm at Pasley Tenants and Residents Association Stopford Road London SE17 on Thursday 28th November 2013 at 7.00pm. This group as I said is run by volunteers who have built up great skills and contacts with the Council over the years but not many new people join or help out. They need new members with skills and a bit of time to help out. Hope to see you there. Do send me a private message with your email address so I can email you a PDF file of their latest newsletter.

I have been fortunate enough to do some work from those flats and the people in them seemed very pleasant. There are sometimes film companies filming up there, the view is so much better than Primrose Hill! We often see New Year's in from there.

Yes you can come along. Just turn up and then join. I can't remember how much it is to be a member or joint member but I think it is about ?15. Which ain't bad considering they saved me so much in the past with their knowledge and advice! But as for the 'chain', asking to speak to the name on the invoice IS a good idea, which is what I did and asked a lot of informed questions, hence they then went back to the people they had to get back to and later told me they had made a mistake to the tune of nearly ?1,000. Look up the eighteen month rule. I'll try and come back about that later.

LAS have not responded to two of my letters even with SAEs. I think they are overwhelmed and their expert-volunteer base is a bit low as some are retiring. So I would suggest turning up to their Meeting as advised above in my earlier post. Ask not what your LAS can do for you but what you can do for LAS2000! They ARE useful and have done some incredible work in identifying where Southwark Council vastly over charges service charges and so on, but they're not miracle workers and they need new people to come and support and help them do their work for the benefit of all Southwark Leaseholders. Just sayin'.

If you decide to change your mind and go into people's houses, it may make them feel more comfortable and thus they may learn more. Just a thought. If you go down this route, I highly recommend you get public liability insurance (I got mine from a well known company charging the least amount, PM me for details), and also, tell someone where you are going and the name of the person you are seeing and what time you will be back by. Basic common sense, but good practice.

Hi First, some links with information: http://www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/property-chamber Firstly, before you get to LVT you should try and get to the Housing CAB. They could help you bring any case you have. Also try going directly to the Home Ownership Unit on Abbeyfield Road in Bermondsey, make an appointment with a name on your invoice. I recently did this and challenged and invoice wanting an extra ?2000 off me, and they admitted they had over charged me nearly a thousand pounds of it! They so very nearly got away with it. And very importantly the Leaseholders Association of Southwark are having a meeting at 7pm at Pasley Tenants and residents Association, Stopford Road, London SE17. I urge all Southwark Leaseholders to come along and also join LAS. LAS is all run by Volunteers and so if you have any time, or skills you can offer, they/we would be very grateful as some very experienced and helpful members of the Committee are now resigning and organisations like this do need more input from us. Hope some of this helps. PM me with your email address and I shall forward you a PDF file being LAS's latest newsletter.

So the area right next to the car park against the window of the store, is not part of the car park? Not part of the remit area of the ticketers? ooh goodee. I have seen cars parked in the bikers area before, and they were left alone!

I rarely use the designated motorcycle parking bay at Sainsburys specially when it's raining, and I park somewhere near the seats outside the coffee shop area. When moving off I always let others go first and make sure there's no kids running near me. Basic manners and common sense. The bikes I often see there are not in anyone's way as the walking area part is along the path out of the way of the tables/seating anyway and the large fixed advertising board that sticks out perpendicular from the store window parallel to the area where all the trolleys are stored, so you can't walk there anyway. Ticketing bikes there is just sad and pointless. We're not a problem, far more dangerous is what I agree is the poor design of the car park, and cars driving out too fast. I successfully highlighted the dangerous zebra crossing area which had a blind spot so the cars couldn't see the pedestrians coming. They sorted that!

Jazz and Liberals. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

I also feel very lucky to live here. No garden - though balconies - but across the road is Peckham Rye Park!

I wonder how the American Hedge fund will affect the whole Co-op brand. This includes the funerals too. It has completely lost its reason for being which was set up in the 1600s or something. Membership means nothing, the co-operative ethos is no more, if American Hedge Funds are part of it. I'm just getting me milk there. Now, what alternative ethical bank can I move my money to?

Cranks bread? It's the Co-op, it hasn't the room for the basics! I think they should sell LESS stuff and stop trying to make out like it's a Tesco Metro or something.