redjam

I normally use Dulwich Library up at the top of the hill but I'm curious to check out the new one. Anyone know if I can use them interchangeably? i.e. take back my read books to a different branch from the one I got them from?

There is a massive shortage of instruments in all schools, including primary schools (I remember this was a perennial problem when my kids were at Heber and we did lots of fundraising to address it). School budgets have been cut to the bone and unfortunately music provision is one of the first things to go - see https://www.economist.com/britain/2018/03/01/the-quiet-decline-of-music-in-british-schools. I very much welcome this initiative so thanks James for publicising it. Obviously this doesn't stop people from donating to other schools if they wish to, but Charter ED does have a particular shortage as they are starting from scratch as a new school. I happen to know they are also very short of library books if anyone wishes to donate age-appropriate good-quality books!

Heber often has places in the upper parts of the school as kids move off into the private system or move from London.

I think at that age it's all about cold hard cash to use towards a flat deposit, travelling or buying a car. Or for a more sentimental option maybe an engraved piece of jewellery with the date/her initials on it (e.g. a watch)? Honestly can't remember what my parents got me for my 21st - think it was cash as I was a penniless student. But I do remember they had organised a big meal for me back home with all my relatives and my then-boyfriend (now husband) which I really appreciated.

Just in case anyone is interested, I did end up going to Pro Beauty Clinic on Hindmans in the end to have the mole removed (after getting a GP's letter, which they insisted on). No actual surgery involved in the end - they use advanced electrolysis, so it's just zapped away rather than cut away and stitched up. The lady there was lovely and I was so pleased with the result that I've just gone back to get a couple of skin tags removed. Prices are very reasonable, starting at ?50 for 5 mins, which is enough to do one or two skin tags, and the end result looks great. V happy to recommend.

Have to admit I ignored the signs yesterday but that was because it was lunchtime and there was no one about, and my feet were already on the first step before I'd registered them. But I will definitely adjust my route in future and I think most people will do as it becomes the norm. Hope so, anyway.

They've put 'no exit' signs on all the steps leading out (i.e. the old side of the station) so it's much more visible that there's a one-way system in place; it's not just reliant on one guy standing there shouting and being ignored. I think it's a good thing they're introducing it - though I totally agree with edcam's post that the whole redesign was an utter balls-up in the first place and it should never have got this bad. We will all get used to making sure we get on our homeward-bound trains much further along the platform, so that when we're exit we're near the end by the new steps. As for FCB coffee, it's not exactly far for people to walk round on their way out, and they do enjoy a prime position for the incoming passengers. So I don't think they'll be much affected.

Still waiting for a parcel that was sent on 5 December by Royal Mail - nearly two weeks now...

Ah sorry, hadn't noticed the change of hands. Either way, it's one of the most depressing shops on LL. Wish someone would take that one over as it's a big space. Anyway, don't mean to derail thread... Wonder if the Superdrug rumour is true? I'd been hoping for Boots if it was to be a chain chemist as I like their skincare range!

Fair enough - won't argue with a council report. Just basing my impression on the fact that my daughter (at Kingsdale) knows lots of kids from E Dulwich and the surrounding areas who go there, and a decent proportion seem to go every year from her old primary school, Heber. Maybe it's a lower-than-expected percentage of the total but as it's such a big school it's still a significant number of children.

Loads of SE22 kids go to Kingsdale so of course it relieves the pressure. It's a bit disingenuous to say that 'Kingsdale accepts students from all over London' - while that's true, the vast majority actually come from the immediate surrounding area, especially as Kingsdale isn't well served for public transport. As someone says upthread, the new Charter relieves the pressure on Kingsdale and vice versa; it's all to the good.

I heard a 'chemist' rumour about the Londis site too. I agree Superdrug seems an odd fit for LL, though I'm sure I'll end up using it (Lloyds is good but has a rather limited selection of products and that Co-op chemist is hopeless and should be put out of its misery - you never see anyone in it).

What is the cSe?

I saw a guy walk out of M&S with his arms loaded with expensive steaks a few weeks ago - wonder if it was the same guy you saw in Co-Op, OP? (Obviously a carnivore...) The security alarm went off but no one seemed bothered and I didn't see any staff bat an eyelid. I had walked past him by this stage as my brain hadn't quite computed what I'd seen at first! V depressing if no one is even trying to stop them. I'd have more sympathy with a shoplifter if they were nicking stuff out of genuine need but this was clearly someone stealing high-price items to sell on.

I've voted on behalf of my Celia Hammond cat, snoozing by my feet as I type - thanks for drawing it to my attention, bcam. I'm surprised I didn't get an email urging me to vote from the Celia Hammond Trust itself as I'm sure I signed up to their mailing list at one point. I fear without a coordinated mobilisation campaign for their supporters they won't get enough votes to win. Or maybe I've just dropped off their list somehow... Anyway, all deserving causes, as Angelina says above.

Pumpkin has to be lit too. We had around 100 kids before we ran out of sweets!

singalto Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > According to him, everything is going to be > perfect within a couple of weeks! If you want to > complain, email [email protected]... The thing is, even if the deliveries are back to normal, the blooming sorting office is still in Peckham! Which is massively inconvenient compared to where it was. Unfortunately I couldn't make the meeting but did anyone ask about the likelihood that we might have a collection point back in East Dulwich within our lifetimes? Or is that just out of the question now?

We were in this tricky but privileged position with both our kids and ended up sending one to Kingsdale and one to Charter ED. Ultimately I think they?re both very good schools but very different so you have to see which one suits your child?s personality more. If this helps these are my thoughts: Teaching: Overall both seem very good with some excellent teachers in each (and some not-so-excellent, of course). CED is more consistent from what I?ve seen so far (my youngest has only just started). Kingsdale switches round teaching groups for everything and seems to set for ability in all key subjects, which I quite like, but some won?t. With CED you have the same teaching group for everything (mixed ability) so it?s more like primary school in that respect. My jury is out on that ? I think it?s fine if you?ve got a nice teaching group but you?re very stuck if you end up with one very disruptive kid or a friendship issue as there?s no getting away from them. They do a dissertation-style ?knowledge project? later in Year 7 in CED, which sounds great. Sport: Think Kingsdale edges this, as they have the scholarships and all that green open space. They?re opening a new multimillion-pound gym block, yoga space and dance centre after Christmas too. Obviously CED will have a brand-new sports centre when they?ve moved but there?s no getting away from the fact there?s not much open space on the site. Music: Kingsdale is excellent for this ? my oldest has a scholarship and she has free private lessons, plus ensemble groups, theory lessons, opportunities to hang out in the music block at lunch etc. There are heaps of talented singers, dancers and musicians at the school ? it?s very Kids from Fame. I?m sure CED is good too (my youngest isn?t as musical so hard to compare) but I think Kingsdale has the greater opportunities from its sheer size. Extracurricular: Again Kingsdale edges this from size alone, as there are dozens of clubs from horseriding to musical theatre to debate club to Ancient Greek. My daughter also has a maths scholarship at Kingsdale which is really brilliant. Loads of trips, too. We were a bit disappointed with CED as my daughter put down to do two ?enrichment? activities but only got into one and didn?t get offered a second choice ? though I?m sure this will improve as the school grows and they move to their new premises. Leadership: CED wins this for me hands down ? from what I?ve seen of their leadership team, they seem highly impressive: professional, focused, driven. I think the Kingsdale leadership team does good work behind the scenes but unfortunately the parental impression is one of endless sales pitches about how marvellous Kingsdale is (OMG, those awful, never-ending speeches at open days!) which make me want to shoot myself. There?s also very little in the way of parental community interaction with Kingsdale, whereas CED has a strong Friends society and seems much more outward-facing. Sorry, I?ve written an essay! Overall I do think it?s horses for courses ? Kingsdale is MASSIVE and I do think quieter/more quirky kids might get a bit lost there. It?s so huge your child will definitely find their own tribe, but might be harder at first if they?re shy. It?s good for kids who will seek out and make use of all it has to offer; less so for those who need prodding. CED is more nurturing, more of a natural extension of primary school, more community-focused. I think it?s better suited for kids who like familiarity and a less overwhelming environment. And I do have absolute faith in that CED leadership team so I believe the opportunities available there will continue to grow and improve once it moves premises and fills out. Hope this helps and good luck with your choice!

I emailed their customer service people about the various problems I've had (mail taking weeks to arrive, item left on doorstep with no one ringing the bell, items misdelivered, a booked redelivery that has still not yet appeared). I also registered my general concern about the ability of the Peckham sorting office to cope and the inconvenience of getting there. Thought I might share the reply on this, as people might be interested: [From Royal Mail] Turning to your comments on sorting office at Peckham. May I explain that we do not take operational changes such as this lightly and give them a great deal of thought. It is vital that we change to enable investment in new technology and equipment and upgrade operational facilities. This helps to ensure we have a world class organisation which will provide the most efficient and effective network for delivering the post and a safe working environment for our people. Whilst I understand your concerns I would like to reassure you that Royal Mail has amalgamated offices before and we will be working to ensure that there is a smooth transition. We appreciate any changes may impact on our customers and our planning activities always give due consideration as to how we can best protect and serve their interest. This will continue to be a top priority during any operational changes. Once again, please accept my sincere apologies on behalf of Royal Mail for the problem you've had, and our thanks for taking the time to make us aware of this. Please be assured that we take letting our customers down seriously and will use this information to make further improvements. [Ends] ... So in other words, tough sh*t, you're stuck with this. Sorry our 'world class' service actually sucks. I'm still waiting for the birthday present posted on 20/9, incidentally. Have booked a re-re-redelivery for Thursday. Third time lucky, perhaps?

Thank you Hazelnunhead, that's good to know - though it doesn't really reassure me on the medical knowledge front. Does anyone with a medical background out there know what the deal is re. beauticians carrying out minor surgeries? Is there some kind of qualification I should be asking to see to make sure that they're properly trained to carry out that kind of procedure?

So I've got a mole I'd like removed. I've had moles removed in the past, both privately - back when I had private health insurance - and in a GP's surgery when they just whipped one off there and then. But now I've changed surgeries and my new GP just shrugged and gave me the name of a private hospital when I said I wanted it removed. (She's assured me it's benign.) I don't mind paying but when I phoned the hospital they said it would be ?300 just for the consultation, never mind the actual surgery and histiology (which seems to be compulsory). So I can't imagine I'd be getting away for much under a grand, which is way out of my budget. So my question is, has anyone had experience of having a mole removed in a non-hospital environment? I notice that the Pro Beauty Clinic on Hindmans Road advertises mole removal and its prices are clearly much cheaper (a consultation there is a tenner!). But I'm wary of putting myself in the hands of a non-doctor to administer local anaesthetic and perform a surgery, albeit minor. And I don't really know what questions I should be asking about what experience/qualifications they have. Anyone have any experience or advice?

I wish I had the answer, BNG. I arranged for something to be redelivered on Saturday (I got the dreaded 'Something for you' card when I popped out on Thursday last week). I waited in all day for it but of course it didn't arrive. I vented my ire on the Royal Mail website and got a bland email back three days later saying they'll look into it. Meanwhile, the parcel is lost in the ether, despite the fact I've got a so-called tracking number for it. It's a child's birthday present and the birthday is tomorrow, hey ho... If it was just a one-off I'd overlook it, but we've had such a shambolic and slow 'service' recently it's absolutely beyond a joke.

Finally received a parcel today which was sent 1st class 13 days ago! Yesterday I got a whole other backlog of parcels, including one that wasn't addressed to us (different road entirely) and another that was left outside our door - even though I was in all day and no one rang the bell. It really has been appalling service recently.

Great work - v. cheery!

Thanks for posting that tweet from Helen Hayes, Katanita - what an excellent letter. Let's hope it has an effect. I'm still waiting for a parcel that was posted 1st Class by Royal Mail on 12 September. We didn't get any post at all today. ETA: Cross-posted with BNG!