Crystalpal

it could be a dead rodent, but if there are no ventilation grilles, then it could be wood rot which you really need to sort out before it infects the whole place. Ventilation does make it colder in winter but you can deal with this as someone else suggested by sealing the floorboards and/or going back to carpets if you don't have them. Sort out the damp first though! Good Luck

hello, we have a good quality portable electric heater that has packed up. it isn't the fuse. It seems a pity to send it to landfill if it can be repaired, but does anyone round here do that sort of thing nowadays? a recommendation would be much appreciated.

I too can recommend Micky, what a nice man he is. He fitted round our needs, gave invaluable advice and did a beautiful job. We will definitely use him again.

I have spent the last few months enjoying the activities of the sparrows that have been nesting in our loft in Crystal Palace Road. They've produced two broods. Then last night we were sitting in the garden when there was a rustling in the bushes not six foot from us, followed by three high pitched squawks and then a sparrowhawk flew out with a sparrow in its claws. I am now worried that its going to pick off the little flock one by one. I wanted a wildlife garden, I should have been careful what I wished for.

i want to add yet another recommendation for Clive and his family trading as C & G electrical services. they knew exactly what they were doing, took a day to do what would have taken a sparky working on his own at least a week and were considerate and pleasant throughout. Their number is 07831 349 332

I used to work at Southwark Law Centre and visited the court several times a month. I still visit it in connection with my work a few times a year. I have also been to Wandsworth county court many times. You need to allow two hours to get there from East Dulwich for a 10:00 hearing because so often the bus gets stuck in traffic (the tfl website says an hour and 20 minutes by bus but believe me that is optimistic). You can take buses and trains but that is an expensive and complicated journey.

yes, they intend to surrender the lease,probably to turn the building into a wine bar

I am very concerned to learn that of plans to close our local county court which is in Kennington. It is the local court for residents of Southwark and Lambeth and hears all civil disputes including eviction cases. Hopefully most forum readers will never need to visit a county court but please spare a thought for people who have fallen onto hard times particularly as a result of the bedroom tax. If a tenant is in rent arrears, and they don't attend the possession hearing, eviction is almost inevitable. If this closure goes ahead, anyone needing to attend court will have to travel to Wandsworth, a journey that takes an hour and a half on the 37 bus. It would be really good if people could respond to the consultation, objecting to this closure. just a short email could make a difference because i am told that the government are swayed by the number of responses. the contact details are: [email protected] and the deadline is 9 October.

My cleaning lady is looking for more work. I can heartily recommend her. She is thorough, very good at tidying and honest as the day is long. She has been working for me for about three years and long may she continue! I have recommended her to two friends who now don't know how they managed without her. If you want more details I am happy to speak to you on the telephone. Please PM me.

I have been registered with the Gardens Surgery just off Peckham Rye Park for years. Jane Cliffe is the senior doctor there and literally saved my son's life when he was 8 by correctly diagnosing appendicitis that had untypical symptoms that another doctor might well have discounted. all the doctors there seem ok and the receptionists are lovely.

do you think it is related to the wheelie bin debate that was discussed in typical forum fashion on the general gossip site a few days ago? http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1329998,1330675#msg-1330675

I would like to recommend Sugarcraft at 491 Lordship Lane. Tracy made a delicious cake for my partner's leaving do. We gave her a picture of him and asked her to make a little man looking a bit like him to sit at a desk on the cake. She did it so well that someone who hadn't met him before recognised him from the cake! She was much cheaper than the shop in Sydenham that we were going to use. I will upload a pic soon when I find the cable for our camera

I can heartily recommend Peter. He installed our boiler last winter when we were desperate. he came back and replaced the radio controller when it failed on the day I rang him. after years of having lousy service from a national company, we are sticking with him!

I think Willowtree just beyond Lewisham is the best place for pony riding. Lots of young children ride there; I don't know if they'll take a child as young as three but it is definitely worth asking. When I went years ago the teaching was exceptional- its at Ronver Road London SE12 0NL 020 8857 6438 www.willowtreeridinglondon.co.uk/

I have a frozen shoulder at present, so I wont be using a pneumatic drill or a pick axe for the foreseeable future! However I might see if I can find someone to do it for me. thanks for all the advice.