Tom

whatever.... Enjoy the forum. I'm off.

I seem to have got away quite lightly with that one.. I was expecting to be lynched and the post re: 'try being interesting yourself' is just the type of response that isn't needed and can scare away new / timid posters. And - without being smug, I'm glad some people find this type of debate interesting. I hope the forum continues its excellent work and can start to widen its appeal.

Agreed. I think there would also be a benefit to the forum if we could get more people involved. There is a hardcore of about 10 who I would imagine make up 50% of the posts, and I think this clique can frighten off the occasional poster / lurker. While business involvement is not necessarily the right thing, I think a section encouraging them to post info about events, offers and ideas, where they are also somewhat protected by the admin team from vindictive posting (see White stuff post) This would have 2 benefits: 1. Bring possible revenue to the site 2. Attract more of the community & neighbouring communites to use the site. Only ideas, of course its up to you, but I think the site needs to become more community minded in a broader sense and keep the old loons at bay.

what i meant was that there was a point when there were a lot of threads about new developments in the area (of any kind), but it seems to have turned into a forum for venting spleen at one another over really trivial things - the house prices, arriviste masses, Shite stuff etc which is becoming a bit dull. I am holding back from adding threads as I think there are already too many about nothing at all and I don't think the forum needs more opinions, just more information. Is it also an idea to start closing threads once they decend into a general free-for-all? A 20 page thread on the tip situation of thai restaurants is initially funny then gets really political and ends up as a personal crusade for people who just can't let go. Anyway - just a thought...

Anyone else noticed this??

I posted having read only the first page - i didn't realise the thread reached pp7....! to join in - interesting banker clothing is a non-entity, they are after all, collectivly known as a wunch.

The Darmouth Arms in Forest Hill is excellent - and right by the station. Good food & beer, nice people - no garden as I recall....

Some of you need to get a life. It's a shop for gods sake. (Not a great one - but if you like stripey Polo shirts which have been pre-washed your spoilt rotten)

Too many gift shops?? I had to buy a 'gift' on saturday for my 29 yr old sister. It was impossible to find something interesting, stylish and usefull at the ?50-60 mark. She ended up with Dr Boo stuff and booze. All I wanted was something for the house / lifestyle, but the shops on LL are so small they only sell shitty little knick nacks. Picture frames, fluffy things, shoes for the disabled (Crocs I think they are called) novelty moroccan tea glasses, really duff jewellery etc. Then - ?200 for a DAB radio, ?70 for a pot plant (bush really), ?1000 for a venitian painting. I say bring on the gift shops - just stock something usefull and interesting in them. The gift shop is usefull - just wish it was Oliver Bonas who at least has some nice stuff and changes stock regularly.

Explains the recent house price boom / recent drop....! Obviously a lack of funds in the area now...!

I was told by a garage that wet weater = punctures. Considering the weather, I would assume we have found our culprit...

Wow - I never noticed what a grand building it is. I hope they do open up the plaza - but also would be great of there was a local market there - well maintained and the old fruit sellers do a roaring trade. Looking at the photo above, there may be some arches for a cool cafe, shops, newsagents etc. It may kick start a general improvement in the area - not regeneration, just a decline in the threatening vibe. Some of the current shops seem to have nothing more than an old tin of beans in them - its amazing how they keep going. I would imaging the dearth of trade is due to concerns over safety - my wife hates going there at night.

Just rock up - they seem to always be able to fit people in. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather as they have an outside bit.

I went to Barcelona about 2 weeks ago. It was a tad pricey, but Tapas often is. Those ?4 dishes soon add up! I thought it was actually pretty good. It was certainly as good as anything I have had in a while. If you want great Tapas, you still need to head to stockwell - estrella is excellent on a sunny afternoon.

Its maybe not japanese but I went to Buddah Jazz last night nr Denmark hill and for the second time had an absolutely superb meal. 3 courses, bottle of wine 2 people ?45. Really really good. really fresh. lovely people too.

It makes me wonder if the goverments new drive to build new homes will sadly backfire as it did with the 70's push into towerblocks. What people want a good sizes houses with character in a convenient location for a sensible price. Doesn't sound much - but is increasingly impossible to find in and around London. Cramming too many people into high density areas in flawed locations is never an good idea.

Banfields on Corner of Barry and Underhill will cut by hand if necessary. or you could buy yourself a saw a learn a new trick!!?

blackberry all the way. i hate it. but i also love it. I can sit in st james' park whilst still pretending to be at my desk. if you work from home/ alone, it also takes some of the fear when you go travelling / holiday so you don't have a mess to return to and fractious customers...!

Direct action... like it. Will the EDF have a whip round and chip in for my court fine??!!

www.halfapercent.com or loot do a pack. To be honest, with the strength of the market in ED you could probably put a hand written note up in the window and still get people trying to gazump one another. and remember - not a penny under ?700k.

we have a disabled parking bay on our street. The old girl who was disabled and really needed the space moven on a year or so ago. The council won't remove the bay even though there isn't a disabled person within 100 metres either way up the road and parking space is in short supply. I have ranted numerous times to the council to no avail. Then i parked there one eve and forgot to move the following morning. ?60. cnuts. Anyone got any ideas how i can get this resolved without tearing down the signs myself??

la lane? a leetle beet of frranch in there perchance?

how can i find out? Google earth is totally out of whack.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the planning issue is to do with business use rather than the shitty corporate identity applied. I was mulling this over whilst sat in a very dull meeting and have decided that a whacking great fine that would essentially render the business unprofitable for 2yrs would hurt them sufficiently, and also set a great precident for any other chains thinking along the same lines.

BTW, The plough heaters are electric wall mounted fan heaters about 2.5m long and there are 2 of them, so you can all sit in the warmth, rather than one person getting scorched while the other freeze their knackers off. I sound like a complete geek, but I was quite impressed. make me want to smoke full time so I can go and sit out there.