wello

It's really sad hearing of all the problems that seem to be occurring at EDLC. I became a member in May last year after waiting for the refurbishments to be completed and unfortunately had to cancel my subscription in January just gone, and I know of others that have left too. I would go to the gym after work twice a week, around 6.45pm. On almost every visit the gym was overcrowded. I would have to wait around 10 minutes before anyone moved off a machine, and when I finally got on a machine it was never the type of machine I had intended on using. It would take 40 minutes to complete a 20 minute workout. On a couple of occasions I left before even getting to the changing rooms as there were already people lining up at the edge waiting for a machine. I started going a bit later, around 8.30pm and genuinely, it was as though I'd walked into a different gym. The only problem was the fact that it basically took up my whole evening. I tried going in the mornings and that too was much better, but I couldn't accept that while paying the regular members rate I had to make extra effort to find a time where I could actually use the facilities. The membership here is not particularly cheap, and I didn't feel i was getting what I was paying for. I understand how many of you feel about the swimming too. Often overcrowded, I left a lane swimming session after only 10 minutes once as it was so busy that a man who was obviously getting frustrated with the number of people attempting to swim hit me at the back of my head as he was 'overtaking' me although there was no where for him to go when he passed me. He didn't apologise and if anything I felt I had done wrong. If I'd have stayed any longer though I too would have lost my temper! I also held a small grudge against the fact that when I joined, the staff member I spoke to did not inform me that Elephant and Castle Fusion was due to be knocked down and rebuilt a couple of months later even though I had expressed that the gym was close to my office and was one of the reasons I was joining The Fusion EDLC in the first place. Saying this I have no other reason to think badly of the staff. I found they were friendly and helpful, none of my qualms were with them. I have now joined a gym in Borough, I pay ?16 a month, I can go anytime I want, use any machine I want and book into free classes much easier. It doesn't have a pool but we find Crystal Palace and Camberwell swimming baths cheaper and much more pleasant. It's such a shame as EDLC should technically have been perfect for me.

Peter Bennison came and replaced our (extremely) old boiler. A friend recommended him, and I would definitely recomend him too. I called him 10 days ago about our worcester boiler, which a) needed servicing b) needed new parts. He researched the parts for us before he even saw the boiler, came round to give us a quote, and outlined all available options. We knew we had to replace the boiler before we'd contacted him, and with his honest attitude we thought him best man for the job. On Monday Peter and 4 co-workers came to remove the old boiler, and replace it with a new combi boiler. They arrived at 8am and left at 4 having flushed and cleaned our entire system and adding thermostats to each radiator. Very efficient, honest snd helpful, hard working and considerate, a very good job well done.

West Dulwich garden centre (behind the station) has won a few awards through RHS, top quality flowers and plants sourced and always really helpful.