malumbu

How exciting. I've lived in London for yonks. I saw armed plod stop a van near Lambeth Bridge South side in the 90s. Police vans everywhere around Peckham during the riots 13 years ago. And sirens all over the place in central London, following the 7/7 bombings. The latter two understandable. That's been about it.

So am I (smiling). When you do this the whole world smiles with you.

Lighten up

Alice and others. Step back and have an objective look at the two positive experiences. What a shame that you can't appreciate that some see benefits. You may not like them and may never use them. But what a pity that there is a small but hard line group iof you that automatically diss this and other efforts to get us travelling actively and more sustainably.

Join your street WhatsApp and someone will offer. Or Dulwich1955. If you need help on smallish things contact LinkAge Southwark who have a small army of volunteer helpers and befrienders.

Probably worth a thread in its own right (if anyone is interested) but Evans as a business has been pretty disastrous for a number of years. I used to shop in the Cut from time to time maybe up to ten or 15 years ago, good sales and great customer service. I was going to report that it was when they expanded it all went wrong - new stores being franchises, but a quick look on Wiki that was not the case, the company was doing so well in the 90s/00s that they brought the empire back in house. It all went wrong when they were sold off to equity companies in 2008, going bankrupt in 2018, brought by Sports Direct and now again bankrupt. By the time the Dulwich store had opened I'd long since found shops I prefer, Brixton Cycles long ago, particularly when it was on my commute) and in the last ten years plus Viadas in Honor Oak. Other independent cycle stores are available. Others may be sorry that Dulwich store has gone. I miss HSS but that is another story.

RIP Geordie Walker, Killing Joke www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruWPc_9AqPM And RIP David Soul, memories of another time (and another planet) www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pGN-YYiqXI

This is generally to celebrate lives not have a pop at people once they have left this mortal coil. Two people at different ends of the performer spectrum went in recent days, Geordie from the band Killing Joke and David Soul singer and best known for Car Keys and Clutch. Both if them would have their 'bad times' but I'll be celebrating the music on a separate thread www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/jan/05/david-soul-obituary www.theguardian.com/music/2023/nov/27/kevin-geordie-walker-influential-guitarist-with-killing-joke-dies-aged-64

I was going to refer you to Theresa May's recent book "The Abuse of Power: Confronting Injustice in Public Life", sadly as the Guardian notes she doesn't include that scandal (or her own failings) www.theguardian.com/books/2023/sep/03/the-abuse-of-power-confronting-injustice-in-public-life-by-theresa-may-review-blind-to-her-own-failings To be fair to her it is probably relevant to the discussions here, and how government failed to act, or put things in the slow lane.

Interesting history of the Capitol as a cinema, and others in Forest Hill and one in Sydenham. I met someone who used it as a cinema, but would love to know what pop concerts were held there. Similarly I've only met one person who went to gigs at the Newlands Tavern in the 60s or 70s, but he said he was too drunk to remember the bands. www.foresthillsociety.com/2018/03/the-capitol-and-other-lost-cinemas-of.html A mate and I looked at it when derelict before Brexit Tim took it on, we had a pipe dream of turning it back into a cinema. I've done the tours a couple of times, the circle is complete, including a ghost, but the projection room is locked, and they never found the key. You had to go outside onto a balcony to get in.

It's a forum. I've asked a reasonable question. Rather hypocritical of you to start using the T word.

I've probably posted this before but I come from near to Lickey End, and a village called Bell End, so always find this amusing in later life - only after Steve Wright in the afternoon went on about this, he is a bit of a Lickey/Bell end himself. Bell Green where savacenter/Sainsbury's is, I've always known as Bell End.

As posted before it would be nice to have some more views from Lime Bike users, rather than those who instinctively don't like them. Rocks do ask your son for views and please share them. I know people in their 30s who are regular users, valuing the convenience. One let me have a brief go, found it very heavy but expect you'd get used to them quickly.

I expect it is pretty broad for who I see using them, friends and colleagues. Here's a New Year challenge for all of those with an issue with them, have a go. You may even like it and change your opinion.

Rhiannon Giddens at the Union Chapel - you can see her at the Barbican in February but preferred this intimate gig without the backing band Talking of the Barbican, I saw Ian McEwan curate with the LSO there, recorded for Radio 4, not my usual thing but it was wonderful (Friday), the second of two gigs in five days, hadn't done that since my teens. Saturday Punk Karoke with live band in New Cross, much better than it may sound, I'll post a link on whats on when they do it again probably at Easter (Saturday) Sunday Dulwich Folk Club, best gig I went to there this year - Club Debris, Quebec influenced folk with a largish young following (sell out a the Castle) Then on the Monday 'Radios', British/Japanese couple doing 80s electro influenced stuff on of all things a Channel crossing - Britney ferries Thursday St Pancras Old Church, lovely venue, for a CD launch, but the least memorable of the five. And big up for Sue and Nyge, Goose is Out, at the Ivy, best gig in 2023 was probably Andy Irvine. Looking forward to the new Year, and new gigs.

1978 Tom Robinson Band, sadly in some ways the world hasn't changed. Apologies for the offensive word, it was to make a point. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6QJr2ID_Ac&t=1s

No doubt most have seen the videos of the stop sign with the Banksy drones being stolen. There was an arrest earlier today so hopefully it will be returned and put somewhere on public display. Bit daft to nick something when people are filming you. For irrelevant comments on this subject a separate thread has been set up on the transport section. www.itv.com/news/2023-12-23/man-arrested-over-banksy-street-art-removal

Have you hit the Xmas sherry, egg nogs and baby shams a little early?

Spartacus, I'm laughing due to the absurdness of some of the posts. I've just gone down a bit of a warren hole looking at articles that vilify our traffic wardens, some dark places including the Daily Mail that I will not share. But I found something more positive - government advice on the skills and experience needed to become a civil enforcement officer: the ability to work on your own to be flexible and open to change the ability to understand people’s reactions patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations to be thorough and pay attention to detail excellent verbal communication skills knowledge of public safety and security legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device I also came across a town where they are even more extreme in enforcing traffic regulations, Fulchester - better known for the talking fish that plays goalkeeper for the local team. Happy Xmas all,

Nice, defamation of character now. Nothing like a good conspiracy theory. I suggest you write to councillors with your accusation. Well I'm amused anyway 😂

Seems a bit naive, revenue is important to whatever authority enforces. And if everyone behaved themselves then you wouldn't get any revenue. Until this car lover came to power (Sunak) the general political interest was the private enforcers, some of whom seemed very unaccountable. It was in one of the Tory manifestos. Fortunately Sunak's appeasement to the poor motorist (gets out a small violin) hasn't had much of an impact in the polls. Thank heavens he is pretty useless (IMHO) otherwise it could be the sort of issue to swing things. All the die hard petrol heads will no doubt vote Reform in any case - nice link here https://road.cc/content/forum/reform-party-and-uks-lurch-towards-fascism-303603 Rocks, as a Christmas treat why don't you engage with one of my broader issues? Difficult to have a debate when there is so much tunnel vision on this forum.

There are charities that reuse it, www.southwark.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/recycling/community-repaint Well done Southwark for promoting this!

You are paying them, remind them of the rules. Not an excuse.

In deed, you have to go towards the village or SE22 for parking, a fair walk. Get an Uber or bus. And if you get the bus back whilst you are waiting admire the sculptures/machines by the bus stop.

On a general point why do we let builders do this. Most large building projects are at homes such as those owned by people who frequent the forum. Certain builders may not give a fig. But property owners pay for them. We have regular examples of builders working outside hours, in the numerous often grandiose projects around here. I've stopped complaining to Environmental health as closer neighbours do not seem to be bothered. Had some success in the past where is was closer to me. With that in mind do talk with your other neighbours who are affected. Good luck, it is wrong. Noise controls, also apply to those doing major DIY themselves. Rules will be slightly more lenient than with builders, but do you want to p your neighbours off in any case. Yes? Oh dear......