tomskip

Just wondering how come wood burning stoves are an AOK desirable home addition in London, and no doubt other densely populated cities, when open fires (coal or wood) are not? When I'm outside in the early evening at this time of year it always strikes me how much everything stinks of wood smoke. It's probably the same late in the evening but I'm mostly hunkered down by then. Surely it can't go on?

Nico replied to our enquiry after a day or two ... we just thought he was probably too busy to answer right away! He came and sorted out our problem quickly and is coming back to do a different, larger job soon. And no, Sue, he did not ask us to put a review on the Forum for him. I just thought I would do so now having seen your questionable comment.

I think I prefer a more old fashioned ?5.00 per adult kids go free type of event. I mean they are just fireworks! Was mighty pissed off to be woken from my slumbers at 11.55pm to fireworks going off near the top end of Upland Road. It's not bloody New Years Eve. Set them off at a civilised time ffs.

Just to be a bit doom and gloom for a moment I have never forgotten this amazing tale written up so brilliantly by Decca Aitkenhead, from the days when I would enjoy a read of the Saturday Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/nov/13/filmadaptations

I always wondered what that box was for. Sorry I don't have anything helpful to add but would be interested in any answers you get.

I can't recommend Sydenham School enough. And it is a properly comprehensive school with a transparent admissions process, which is refreshing! It's nice to go to school music concerts and see girls playing the drums and bass guitar, for example. Girls play Rugby there. There's a lot of after school clubs. The pastoral care is excellent. And now they have a beautiful new building and refurbished grounds as well.

My son has received 5 birthday cards in the post today ... 9 days late! Poor kid.

Yes, thank you amac and keep posting!

Oh calm down PeckhamRose. Of course I understand there are many Southwark residents to whom ?16 is a significant amount, don't be daft. That's why I said affordable "to most". I've seen items fly tipped that would be worth more than ?16 if the owner bothered to sell them! I don't think it's a large sum to ask to have something bulky collected from your doorstep and taken away and dumped or recycled responsibly is all I'm saying. A lot of fly tipping seems to happen when a rental property changes hands so you'd assume it is the landlord dumping stuff that's been left by previous tenants? I'm not sure the average landlord in SE22 is short of ?16.

The idea of a new tree is a really good one, very apt.

I think it's ?16.00 for bulky waste collection by the council(?) and you can feel secure that it isn't going to be fly-tipped somewhere. It's a shame they don't still do it for free as the fly-tipping in Southwark has noticeably increased. But I still think ?16.00 is pretty reasonable and affordable to most.

Those of you with younger children in primary school are sure to recognise the concept of parent homework - you know, when your child is asked to do a project involving lots of making and glueing, or the last minute requests for Christmas play or World Book Day costumes. It's just another layer of work that busy parents are asked to do on top of everything else Well, when they get to secondary school it gets worse! This is when parents are obliged to run around like a mad thing trying to secure Work Experience for their under 16 year olds from a workplace which is largely disinterested; sometimes not because they don't want to take on a work experience kid but because Health & Safety or child safeguarding legislation prevents it. It's a much moaned about headache for almost everyone concerned. Anyway, you don't ask you don't get: does anyone in the Family Room have any ideas for WE for my son who will be 15 at the time? He is interested in design, computing, architecture, food, animals but will of course do pretty much anything just to get the box checked. It could be local or central London, big company, tiny company. Any suggestions, pointers or leads much appreciated!

Window shopping yesterday and I noticed a striking black and white photo of the grey haired gent who I think owned Chener Books in the display, simply captioned 1951 - 2018. If this means what I think it does then I'm very sorry for his loved ones and just wanted to say how much I liked visiting Chener Books, and will continue to do so. Admin please delete if inappropriate of if I've got the wrong end of the stick.

I've lived here since 1996. I still love the view from the Horniman Museum Gardens (although just outside SE22) more than anything. I also love Nunhead Cemetery and Crystal Palace Park for a wander (again, not SE22 but close enough). In terms of businesses, I would say Farmers, Franklins, Thai Corner Cafe, the Great Exhibition, Greetings, Willow, Karavan, St Christopher's. All the other bars and restaurants seem to change hands frequently.

Yes, all wool carpets were once something luxurious to aspire to with a hefty price tag. It would be great to know what are the synth/natural proportions to deter moths if anyone knows?

I tend to drive the long way round to avoid crossing Barry Road where I can help it.

If you say the name of the road, the wise people of the EDF family room will be able to advise you. Catchments do vary slightly year on year but not really by that much.

How very sad to read. Condolences to Anne's sister, family and friends.

Have you had any luck fruityloops? Those pictures are pretty clear.

I hate cleaning so if I were a lodger in someone else's house I would be happy to pay extra for cleaning rather than having to do it myself. Perhaps this is the case with your lodger op?

Those helicopters are a long way up and you can be forgiven for thinking they are very close to you. I was in Honor Oak Park this afternoon at 5ish and that helicopter seemed to be hovering directly above us.

I am sure you can dispute that Taran. Agreed - very frustrating!