RichJ

Hi - does anyone know somewhere local to donate maternity clothes? A womens refuge, refugee centre, emergency care centre or something similar? I cant seem to find anywhere online and would like them to go to a good home. All good quality items - Seraphine, JoJo, Isabella Oliver etc. Thanks

I think he'll be absolutely fine. It was a while ago when we did it but I recall that the main focus was on running around and following instructions. They do some throwing and catching games but it is with a big sponge rugby ball and they are good at helping the kids learn the right technique. Many of the drills are between child and parent so, even if they struggle, it isn't a case of being left out or holding anyone else back. Our eldest did it around 2 years old and loved it.

The point about refund vs cancellation raises a question I have always wanted to ask but never got round to. In circumstances where you tap into a station using PAYG or contactless and then very quickly realise that your train is either cancelled or delayed such that you need to use alternative transport, if you then tap out again, is the system sophisticated to work out that you must not have actually made the journey and then refund you? Would seem logical that if you tap in and out of the same station within say 15 minutes of each other, then it almost impossible for you to have made a journey.

I have taken my kids to parties at the following, all which have been absolutely fine: - Francis Peak Centre in Dulwich Park; - St Faith's Community Centre, Red Post Hill; - South London Scout Hut, up near the Golf Club; - Edward Alleyn Clubhouse, off Burbage Rd; - St. Barnabus Church Hall, Dulwich Village. There is also Gambado in Beckenham but that really tests the eardrums! Best of luck!

I looked at this when we had family to visit at Christmas. The Lilac Door in West Dulwich is supposed to be very good but they were closed over Christmas. Ended up using air bnb and it went very well. Lots of places in ED on there.

I've just fired off an email on the consultation paper telling them that the Sevenoaks service really does need extra trains to cope with the increased demand. The email address is [email protected] if anyone has the chance to do the same today.

We went to the Sani resort in mainland Greece in the first week of May a couple of years ago. We may have been lucky but the weather was fantastic - mid to high 20s and perfect for a beach holiday with small kids. Would have thought that it should be even nicer by half term.

Totally agree about the Thameslink service from Denmark Hill. I use this service to a Blackfriars every day (at varying times each morning) and think the current service is abysmal. I wrote an email of complaint about this last year but was fobbed off with a typical vague response. There are various issues: 1. Punctuality and over-crowding. I don?t think I have got a single train that has been on time this year. Evening trains from Blackfriars have been slightly better than the morning ones but not by much. The morning trains are absolutely packed and I have certainly been left on the platform many times before. There is such a high volume of use than any delay (and there invariably is one) means numbers start to build on the platform, creating the inevitable scrum to get on. Four carriage trains are useless given the numbers - for example, if there is a problem with the 9.07 then the four carriage 9.13 makes only the slightest dent in the crowds on the platform. 2. Timing of the trains. I don?t understand the reasons for the timetable. There are long periods with no train (7.37 to 8.04 and 8.45 to 9.07) and then some very short ones (9.07 to 9.13). It would be much better if the gaps between services were evened out a bit. 3. Information at Denmark Hill. There are rarely any announcements made at Denmark Hill so if you are on the platform, you never know what is going on. There is only information board, so if you are up at one end of the platform, you can?t even see that. Service was pretty average under Southeastern but is has been shocking under Govia. It is particularly galling when you hear that the reason for the delay is insufficient drivers or a driver not showing for work. WTF?

Don't know if this is any consolation or not but affording a nanny wouldn't necessarily be the cure - our last nanny was sick way more often than our kids!

Took my 4 and 2 year old boys there last month. The little one was probably a bit small but coped admirably with all the ladders and steps. Older one really enjoyed it and we were probably on board for about 90 mins. Enjoy!

We had a party for our 3 year old last year with an outdoor bouncy castle at the Edward Alleyn Clubhouse off Burbage Road. Can't remember cost but venue worked out really well.

Just back from our week in Aldeburgh and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a similar type of holiday. Very nice cottage (used wwww.bestofsuffolk.co.uk), good selection of shops and restaurants in the town, long clean beach (although pebbles rather than sand), really pretty villages in the surrounding area and plenty to do with kids (castles, farm parks etc). Very happy with the choice and only 2.5 hours by car from ED.

Highly recommend Nelly's Nursery (although all their branches are a short drive away in West Dulwich) but afraid their waiting lists are always very long.

I wonder if the split should be 50-50 though? After all, the neighbours have had the benefit of the wall for 4-5 years longer than the OP. Something like 60-40 or 55-45 feels more fair although there is no science behind these numbers! Good luck - not at all easy doing these types of negotiations with neighbours.

We've actually done a bit of an about-turn and are going to try Aldeburgh in Suffolk. It's the one bit of the UK I have never been to before and thought this would be a good chance to check it out. Thanks for all the suggestions though.