malumbu

Thanks @Sue Here is the comment I responded to: "let's have blind faith in our council doing the right thing, with the right considerations for environment, for wildlife and for conservation, or let's not and expect them to be transparent and accountable" My point is that you need to let people get on with their responsibilities. That there are qualified people who are experts in their profession. And if you have an issue contact your ward Councilor. That is the democratic process. I did not comment about Dog Kennel Hill School. But if I was unhappy I would complain to them before going on social media.

So back to the topic please.

I'll be having my second visit to part of the country where the lampposts are festooned with flags of St George and the Union flag. I'm finding it uncomfortable. This is directly related to the Epping protest/far right groups. There is plenty of discussion on our rights to fly the flag and be proud of our nation. Slogans such as 'we got rid of Adolf, now we need to get rid of Abdul', do not give me pride in some of my fellow country people. There is much talk about communities that are 'left behind', I expect that they have more fear from AI in taking their jobs. Yet some of the pretty parts of Essex I cycled through were not left behind. And I expect had little experience of other cultures beyond the local takeaway. There are 11 million people born abroad legally living and most working in this country. Many providing vital high skilled services, as well as care and other jobs We all know that governments need to get on top of numbers arriving seeking asylum through irregular means. Around half will be granted asylum https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-march-2025/how-many-people-are-granted-asylum-in-the-uk The numbers are far lower than the 11 million above, There are 100,000s of potential sexual harassment cases every year. This is wrong, and whilst in my life I've seen generally greater respect between the genders there is a long way to go. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/experiencesofharassmentinenglandandwales/december2023 But the reaction to one court case is frightening. I wake up each morning to find out more deaths in Gaza and Ukraine (and other places currently considered less newsworthy). And more environmental disasters. That's what keeps me up at night. Ironically globally insecurities, rising temperatures and floods/droughts will mean even more want to come to 'safe' refuges. The flag flying during the 2012 Olympics when there was genuine pride is very different to now.

Why is much of this site turn into council bashing. If you have time to post, you have time to do a little research. This took 5 seconds: Local authorities in England have a statutory Duty to Consult on the felling of street trees, requiring public consultation on proposed management unless specific exemptions apply, such as dead or dangerous trees. They also have a duty to consider tree protection during the planning process and can issue Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) to protect significant trees. Additionally, they must ensure the safety of the public by properly managing trees to prevent danger to people or property, exercising powers to inspect trees and, in emergency situations, to take action to make them safe There will be a team responsible for this. If you think you know better I posted a link to a job there. I've not studied arboriculture or have a relevant qualification, just have an interest in the natural and managed environment. I've planted hedging and trees in the garden. If you are concerned your first port of call is one of your local councilors.

Perhaps just let them get on with their job, their profession? Although I expect there are a number of experts on this forum who may wish to apply for an aboricultural officer post https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/jobs/arboricultural-officer-sc07537

There will be a different mindset, not leave it to the last second before recharging and having alternative places to go should you have issues parking outside your own place or the most convenient on street location. @alex_b @Adam @figgins @Stuka Welcome any further views since your positive posts

Wondering how those who bought EVs without off road parking are doing. About 10 cars in the street are EVs, most charged across the pavement some on 3 pin and some have installed charge points. I expect the latter makes good economics if you do higher mileage and charge off peak. Odd that the government has reintroduced the new car grant. The emphasis was charging infrastructure, rather than subsidising well off people. The manufacturers have responded by increasing the number of new RV models and with healthy fleet sales there is now a good market in second hand EVs I'd have had a national charge point scheme rather than looking to the free market - not sure if this is something we should be shopping around for. Anyone do V2G? It was supposed to be the in thing.

You have excluded the email I sent to One Dulwich questioning their position. Where he/they just gave me some old flannel. I don't see 1600 as the tip of the iceberg. Just a vocal minority. The majority, I expect, are just getting on with things.

Human error kills people. Not that the OP said this I hasten to add. As the OP and Sue says take it on the chin.

Wouldn't say be careful, just be aware of the blanket 20 mph and drive accordingly. You will hopefully appreciate the speed awareness course. That's a genuine comment 😁

They've got strong immune systems allowing them to eat a variety of food in a variety of conditions. I expect most have various parasites. There again the neighbour's cat seems to have fleas. We get as much, maybe even more, cat poo in the garden.

Roxy Beaujolais owner of the 7 stars.

https://www.thesevenstars1602.co.uk/ Reminds me of the Dog and Bell in Deptford, another out the way pub and another hidden gem ling since discovered. Both the Seven Stars and Dog and Bell have expanded into the adjoining buildings. Royal Oak in Borough. Yes, yet another hidden gem! Posts crossed re Royal Oak

Sadly discovered by the masses since I first went there. Used to be on good terms with Roxy. Great find.

At least two excellent choices, The Old Cheshire Cheese is easy to find but you can get lost once you are in it! Away from London the Crack (Ye Cracke) in Liverpool and the Turf Tavern in Oxford. Both down alley ways. Off at a slight tangent Sirena's Italian restaurant in the old Royal Doulton building, Black Prince Road, Lambeth. Down a set up of steps into Narnia. Sadly closed in 2016 due to redevelopment into office space. Good thread! (we were discussing the Cardinal/Windsor Castle near Westminster Cathedral which is hidden away on one entrance)

Difficulty is that you, some others on this forum, and First Dulwich are against measures to reduce road traffic. You look for faults in schemes, talk about some democratic ways forward that don't exist, and have no solutions. It's a fact that one Dulwich oppose LTNs beyond this area. I haven't a clue what this playbook is you are talking about, and where on earth have I said 'far right'??

One Dulwich appears to be against all LTNs. If that is not political, what is?

Had to Google ginnel and forgot where COI was. It's the Windsor Castle formerly known as the Cardinal. Like Many Sam Smiths pubs a wonderful grand Victorian place. I won't comment on the beer and post COVID prices rose to catch up with the going rate. As a spoof thread it has turned into something useful. I was sad when the Paviours went, an Art Deco New York interior/Savoy Hotel that should have been listened and the Old Rose, turned into new offices/flats. The Laughing Halibut remains but the Grafton has shed all its Goons' memorabilia. Still like the Speaker even post Dennis the ebullient former manager.

I met them when they ran the Morpeth near Tate Britain, before they retired, and they moaned about running the Woodhouse. I don't recall them being grumpy when at the Woodhouse (apart from their mixed attitude to families), just not particularly helpful*. They'd get many more punters in on a lovely hot day but put no extra staff on, I could say more but I'd be getting too personal. Did love the place irrespective of them. I used to love the Clock in the old days, and the Buck in Petty France and the Royal Oak near Strutton Ground and the Morpeth. Common denominator is that they are all very different to when the Brewery was running and they were part of the Youngs estate.

It's a bit simplistic blaming cats for the decline in bird populations, it's human activity as a whole in particular land management and farming practices. Climate change no doubt is beginning to damage numbers, the changes in the season are already creating issues with the food not being around at the right time in the nesting season. That said our domestic cats are an introduced species, so bird predation on birds is not natural; the number of indigenous wild cats in the days gone past would have been pretty small and tiny now down to a few 100 in Scotland. Many urban birds are semi domesticated as they rely so much on people to feed them, and some such as goldfinches are doing very well. And I have never seen an urban cat with a dead bird, mice - yes. An article from the Natural History Museum on bird decline https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2023/may/britain-has-lost-73-million-birds-over-the-last-50-years.html

It was such a lovely pub. I drank and occasionally ate there for many years. It had a locals feeling about it. It had the most grumpy couple who managed it, and an outrageous gothed up person behind the bar. Then it went through several makeovers and it was never the same again. Bums on seats. The plastic grass, little cabins, relatively expensive alcohol, ubiquitous menu, all brings the punters in. Pub business has changed. The brewery who ran their pubs so well has long since gone. They don't need my business and my sense of nostalgia to survive.

Nowt to do with the exhaustive conversation on LTNs but looking at the article what is Reform proposing for 'fixing our broken society'? When they seem quite happy to sow the seeds of division.

I loved the Woodhouse. It's been awful for years. I cycle up Sydenham Hill to go to Sydenham or Crystal Palace.

They were rightly fined for driving in bus lanes. The wrong process was followed. This comes across as being in favour if drivers flouting the rules.

I used to work with various Trading Standards teams two decades ago. They were much better resourced then and you could deal directly with individuals. @Pugwash can you give a phone number, email or link to contact Southwark please.