Curmudgeon

If you haven't sent your missive yet. May I cordially suggest you change "expectable" to acceptable in the penultimate paragraph.

boosboss has a valid point there. Most dog owners are responsible but there are always the odd idiots. I heard once that sticking your finger up a dog's butthole will make it release it's bite (funny the things you read and remember forever isn't it?)

If you like the view from Overhill and live on Goodrich Road head up Donkey Alley and check out the view from the field in front of the large block of flats (it's common land) Best view in London!

I know of a lonely 7 year old who was in Dulwich Infants and didn't get a place in the Junior school despite all her cohort getting in - based on where she lived. She had to join another school until her parents won a place on appeal so no guarantees Parental choice is a misdirection by a series of governments IMO, and many other people's too. There is no such thing in reality so I wouldn't get too het up about it - put them down in the order you want to and I am sure you will be succesful in finding a school you'll be happy with.

James Barber Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi Zebedee Tring, > Earlier posts by others suggested digging up and > tarmacing some of their grounds. I was responding > to those. > I think the idea of digging up green space is at > best unhelpful and a distraction from the root > cause. The odd coach is parking slightly outside > the coach bays occassionally during very short > periods at the start and end of the school day. > You really haven't experienced it have you James? "The odd coach is parking slightly outside the coach bays occassionally during very short periods at the start and end of the school day." is beyond politics and is an outright lie I'm afraid. Today however the situation was vastly improved proving that it can be managed properly.

but please beware as children who get into Dulwich Village Infants do not necessarily get a place at Dulwich Junior school so need to change again at age 7

James Barber Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The road is wide and can take coach parking if all > users are careful and considerate. What? That is simply not true! The coaches are currently parking both sides on the single yellow lines (actually leaving a space in the designated 'bus' area) so that it narrows to one lane and makes driving round the bollards dangerous > > The coach service avoids many hundreds of car > driving individual pupils to this and other school > that share the coach service. Last time this topic > came up I went and found out how many kids are > moved a day and was amazed. But they park illegally and inconsiderately! > The Dulwich Safe Routes to School group, which > I've attended as a Southwark Cyclists rep in the > past, has promoted walking and cycling to this and > all other schools in the area. But the coaches are > bringing kids from locations to far to walk or > cycle from. There were 11 coaches up that road last week .. 11!

not that a big deal really, there's a baby pool in Peckham and tbh they'll be fine for short periods in a normal pool.

Dear James Barber Please would you do something to sort out the illegal and dangerous overparking of coaches on the double yellow lines, outside the coach bays and on both sides of Townley Road that has reappeared and become significantly worse this academic year. There no longer appear to be any patrols or traffic regulation enforcements at the key times, specifically from 3.10pm onwards. Thank you.

Parked outside the coach bays, on both sides of the road - this is blardy ridiculous. Off to complain to council and school yet again If anyone else is peeved, inconvenienced and endangered by these coaches please do complain too.

which end of Rodwell Road?

gwod Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > My parents used to tell me that ice cream vans > played the music to let everyone know that they'd > run out of ice cream. > Grrr! I'm pleased to confirm this one is still being used

Bo-ee (as in tie a bow) or bow-ee (as in bow-wow-wow)

Growlybear Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Apart from the obvious risk > of abduction do you really see abductors and paedophiles round every corner, or do you think our perception of danger is skewed by the media coverage of some horrific, albeit rare, cases? I found it a wrench to allow my 9 year old out without supervision a year or so ago but he needs to be able to do it because it's not suddenly joining secondary school that keeps you safe on the way to and from school but it's the gradual build-up of confidence and independence and dealing with the world unsupervised - my 6 year old will have less restrictions I think because its training us (parents) to keep our fears in check and realise that having children includes a responsibility to allow them to gain small amounts of independence so they are prepared for secondary and life beyond

PeckhamRose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > But this constant "unless you have had kids > yourself" thing is a bit irksome. You misunderstand - I meant until you have kids yourself you do not realise the pressure put on parents (by other parents and school expecations) to not do these things.I did not mean that you can't possibly give a toss or understand just that you haven't experienced the nuances of parenting > > Your story of not being able to have your kids > walk thirty paces unaccompanied, should go in the > new website where you can choose which laws to get > rid of! it's school policy - as long as I pick him up from school, I can give him the house keys and send him home - but they won't release him without me being there

HAL9000 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > But today we live in a world where predators > snatch children from the streets in broad daylight > - I don't understand how any parent could allow > their little ones out alone in the light of such > risks? Sooner of later, I fear it will end in > tears. I don't believe it's worse than when we were kids - it's just more reported and there's safety in numbers

Well you are quite right of course and I agree with the Bravo but until you have children yourselves you will not realise how much things have changed, how expectations have changed and how unlikely it is that this freedom will be bestowed There is a difference between now and then: other adults were to be respected if you did wrong any adult would give you a telling off, pull you back from the brink without fear. Nowadays it is much changed with parents not open to the community raising of children (it's sad but true). everybody did it and there was safety in numbers - nowadays few do so there is no such safety media coverage of the tragedies of child abduction / paedophilia has made stranger danger feel more real helicopter parents believe their child can do no wrong; their children have more rights than responsibilities; that all around should my children's school will not allow my 9 year old to return home from school unaccompanied even though I have offered to put it in writing; we live 30 paces away from the school gate and I have already picked up younger child - but not till year 5 is it allowed (when he will be 9 - 10)

gosh - what a scare he's such a minx >:D<

is this one of those vanity publishing competitions where 80% of entrants get into the 'book' and then they are charged about ?15 to buy a copy? or is it something completely different and ethical?

I'd suggest you all carefully check dates on packs you buy - I've only been in twice but each time have reached for a packet of meat or fish to find that it's use by is the same day. They don't seem to have their stock control in order.

I think I must live in a different East Dulwich - I rarely notice planes

Transport is only a pain if you don't think trains and buses are adequate - which they both are - 10 mins into London Bridge gets you on the tube if it's a big issue - bus takes you directly to Oxford Street / Waterloo etc I don't notice the planes at all - so unless you come from the country I'm not sure it's a huge issue what's a proper gym? You can join the private school sports centres - Dulwich College and Jags are both different but very well equipped and have pools - or there's ESPH (which seems really expensive and I don't quite get it) - plus East Dulwich Leisure Centre is really well-equipped, if only they'd open the currently being refurbished school again. I think the whole organic food vibe and coffee bars is the negative side - went a little chi-chi there for a while but it seems to be pulling back again So my negatives / positives are flipped to yours can't advise on whether you should move really - know nothing about you or your likes / dislikes

aha misread - sorry - carry on :))

So Fuschia you're saying that all children in reception in Heber this year are younger siblings of children already in the school. Really? You sure about that?

OK if you're moving threads around I would suggest that you really should consider leaving a shadow thread in it's place for decent forum-etiquette