Pamela78

Another recommendation for Sebastian at Bastek. He completely redid our family bathroom and transformed it into such a beautiful space. He is methodical in his work, really pays attention to detail and gives clear, considered advice. As well as fitting the new bathroom suite so carefully, he did a fabulous job with the tiling, painting and finishes. An added bonus was the great communication and tidiness! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him and hope to involve him in future projects. He's on 07947 751333 and is really responsive on WhatsApp.

I'm pretty sure the team who run the holiday drop off club at Dulwich College run swimming parties with slides/floats/scooters. https://www.dcsportsclub.co.uk/childrens-parties-2/big-splash-pool-parties/ The website isn't working properly at the moment - but there's a number to call

I think Holiday Drop Off at Dulwich College runs both weeks. My kids love it.

I'd also recommend Brixton - our pair have had lessons there since they were three and have done really well. Most of the teachers are excellent and there's a warm, shallow training pool for the little ones. Easy to get into classes, unlike JAGS which is a bit crazy for registering!

If anyone is looking for a damp survey, damp proofing or plastering, I can highly recommend Dave Reilly from Plastercare. We weren't sure whether we had a damp issue in our kitchen - Dave came over and quickly diagnosed a case of sub standard plaster soaking up moisture instead. He then has beautifully replastered the wall for us. He was fast, efficient and really thorough - keen to explain what he was doing and careful to tidy up afterwards. I'm so pleased with the results. His number is 07932 505589.

We had a really lovely weekend recently in Whitstable with my pair - stayed in a little place right by the high street and v close to the water. Would highly recommend it. Some pics and details of where we stayed/what we did are in my blog - https://hernehillmum.com/2018/03/30/a-weekend-in-whitstable/

And we've had several brilliant trips to Edinburgh - usually stay in South Queensferry so kids can play on the beach / rockpools. It's a quick train/drive into the city centre where there's obviously loads to do (especially in August with the Festival - there's masses on for kids). And in the surrounding area, there's the zoo, country parks, aquarium and great day trips to castles/North Berwick etc.

We've enjoyed a couple of great family holidays in Tenby in Pembrokeshire - beautiful beaches, walks, castles, family farms/zoos - plus Bluestone for lagoon style swimming.

Thanks again for your excellent site - we did the Shoreham 3.5 mile circular today with the kids and absolutely loved it. So easy by train, and it felt like a world away! Popped some pics up on my blog: https://hernehillmum.com/2018/01/14/walk-shoreham/

Lucky you! We were very comfortable staying here with our small children earlier this year - https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1986412

Just noticed that there's are a couple of camps at Dulwich Hamlet Football Club in the bank holiday week at the end of August - anyone done these before? Are they any good? http://www.dhfitc.org.uk/site/NonSecure/index.aspx Anyone found any other full day clubs at the end of August?

Sarah Langslow is based in Brixton and is excellent - http://www.sarahlangslowcoaching.com/

Hi We're starting to think about holiday clubs for the Summer school break. We've been really impressed in previous holidays with Holiday Drop off, Nimble Arts, Stagecoach etc and will certainly sign up for some combination of those - but I struggle to find anything that's running right at the end of the holiday. Anyone know of clubs that run during the bank holiday week at the very end of August? (w/b 28 Aug 2017?) Thank you!

Thanks so much for the reminder about your blog. We made the most of it yesterday with the Chislehurst circuit - perfect for our little ones and a great way to walk off some off the turkey excess! Shared some photos on our blog - https://hernehillmum.com/2016/12/28/a-wintry-woodland-walk/ Thanks again!

I contacted Aria following the glowing recommendations on the EDF as I needed someone to refit a radiator. He came over the next day and completed the task really quickly and thoroughly, taking time to double check our system while he was here. Happy to recommend him, and am sure he'll be my go-to plumber from now on!

Sylvain did a great job on our small Herne Hill garden recently, building raised beds, beautiful patio and returfing etc. Would highly recommend him. http://www.jullienlandscaping.co.uk/ [email protected]

Just a reminder - Imperial Festival is this weekend! The weather is going to be gorgeous and there's lots to do outside - plus the London Farmers' Market for yummy food. I've just watched some of the veteran cars arrive for the "horseless carriage" exhibition in the Festival transport zone, and they are fabulous! Hope to see some of you there - I'll be in the info tent all weekend so if you have questions, come find me! Pamela

Thanks Cora and Help-Ma-Boab - you beat me to it! I've updated the main post with the 2016 details. Hope to see you there!

Hi My son is currently in Reception at Bessemer and my daughter is in the Nursery. We are so pleased with the school and i'd highly recommend it. Both children are flourishing there - both academically and personally. My son's reading and writing in particular has come on incredibly well in a short time. The facilities are great and the staff are excellent. I particularly like how parents are involved - there are regular workshops so you can find out how you can support your child's learning, there are loads of opportunities to talk to staff/find out what the children are up to and they are really responsive to feedback. It's a great, friendly school.

Thanks so much for posting your blog on here - we thoroughly enjoyed the Downe Circular today. It was perfect for our 5 and 3 year olds. Posted some pics on my blog http://hernehillmum.com/2016/03/28/a-family-walk-around-down-house/ I'll be working my way down the list of suggested walks during the year I expect!

The JAGS bouncy castle parties are fab for little ones.

Hi I've commuted from Herne Hill to Victoria for well over a decade - and think it's generally a good service. Some of the morning trains can be pretty busy (going both routes into London), but you can almost always get on - and even get a seat, unless there's been earlier disruption. There are, of course, times when there are cancellations and delays, but one of the things I love about living in Herne Hill is the fact that there are loads of options for travel, so if the trains are having a shocker, there are good buses and Brixton isn't far for the tube. And I second what Cora says, Bessemer Grange is fabulous - my son's at nursery there, starting reception in September. My experience so far is that it's welcoming, academically strong, encourages parents to get involved and really embraces diversity.

* * Original post updated to share to 2016 Festival details * * After such great feedback from the readers of this forum, I?m pleased to share details of this year?s Imperial Festival - a free weekend event that is perfect for families. Make a date with discovery and enjoy the livelier side of science at the 2016 Imperial Festival on 7/8 May, bringing you ground-breaking research, music and art, talks, dance and workshops. If you've ever wondered if you can outsmart a robot, what your pee says about you, or whether music makes you healthy, then we have the festival for you. This free weekend of hands-on, inspiring science is open to all. So whether you're a regular or first-time visitor to the College, join us to celebrate the fifth Imperial Festival. * Saturday 7 May 12.00-18.00 * Sunday 8 May 12.00-17.00 Imperial?s South Kensington Campus on Exhibition Road (nearest tubes are South Kensington or Gloucester Road) You can explore the programme online at http://www.imperial.ac.uk/festival, but highlights include: * Take part in over 40 hands-on research?s demonstrations in our Research Zone, including opportunities to explore astrophysics through food, find out what your pee says about your lifestyle, make art with fat, and play noughts and crosses with lasers * Explore a unique horseless carriage exhibition, with cars from the turn of the 20th Century being displayed alongside new research into the future of mobility within our brand new Transport Zone * Meet the next generation of robots that could revolutionise our daily lives and explore how research into the inner workings of our brain could produce true artifical intelligence * Listen to an inspiring talks programme on everything from predicting the future through science fiction, the health of the Chinese economy, and the geology behind Italy?s dramatic scenery * Have a tipple at our pop-up pub, the Haemo Globe Inn * Make jelly worms and DNA bracelets with your young budding scientists in the Explore Zone * Propose ideas for Paralympic sports of the future with students from the Department of Bioengineering * Journey into the tiny world of bacteria and the organisms that share our homes and bodies, before learning all about the threat of antimicrobial resistance in our Superbug Zone * Get away from the crowds with our tours programme featuring opportunities to relax under a sky full of stars in our pop-up planetarium, and become fully immersed in new research within our 313 degree, 64 screen Data Observatory * Enjoy food and drink from the London Farmer?s Market

We're very excited to have a place for our son this September! He's already loving his time in the nursery there. Look forward to meeting you all

I did this when I was on maternity leave. It's brilliant fun! There are always lots of toddlers running around, joining in with the singing, adding percussion etc! Even in the concerts, there are multiple toddler stage invasions - it's hilarious. I found it hugely de-stressing and I think my two children got a lot out of it. My oldest still sings the songs we performaed!