James

I now feel like an expert on this as my son has been sitting a whole load of tests for selective and private schools. You can check performance (and Ofsted) reports of each school by borough on the BBC website (type "schools league tables" into the search box). Obviously these figures are to be taken with a pinch of salt as they often tell you more about a the socio-economic background of a school's intake than what it "does with them." However they also score schools by "contextual value added." In my opinion a bright kid will still thrive in an average school like, say Forest Hill Boys. However I believe that the failing schools are definitely to be avoided. If your local school(s) perform significatly below average I would suggest going private - try a scholarship or bursary. Haberdashers is reportedly fantastic but, as has been mentioned, is officially the most over-subscribed comprehensive in the country.

Anything for veggies?

?15 a day! What kind of person can pay that!? (Is it of a similar kind to the sort who might have an ?11 sandwich at Le Chandelier afterwards?)

Well I would like to big up having a good old bitch and moan on this forum. I love it!

I am getting all excited now Tillie! Tell me more, please

Great idea Tillie! Please throw us veggies a bone!!! (Not a real one obviously)

>>I think Sean was suggesting that people think vegetables (not vegetarians) are precluded from the argument, and was pointing out that a lot of veg is picked by exploited migrant workers in v poor working conditions... Yes, I did get this! So we might as well all eat meat and make the animals suffer as well? Um, no. Not in my opinion.

Just to clarify, I don't think that being vegetarian "precludes me from the argument." I still try to make ethical choices with my shopping. It just means I don't have the needless suffering of factory-farmed OR free-range animals on my conscience as well.

Why not just go vegetarian?

>>If God hadn't wanted us to eat animals - why did he make them out of meat?! Um, people are made out of meat too. Do you eat those as well...? I don't understand why anyone would go veggie to be "fashionable." The point is, in these days of rarebait restaurants and retro British cuisine, it has probably never been more UNfashionable. Which means those of us who are veggie tend to be doing it for genuine reasons rather than jumping on a bandwagon. When you tell people you're veggie you tend to get a chorus of derision from meat-eaters, the inevitable "But don't you wear leather shoes?", "Where do you get your protein from?" and other mis-informed cliches. So the chances are, if you meet a vegetarian they are doing it out of choice - not trying to be trendy.

Animals feel pain. Eating meat is a waste of resources. On average, vegetarians live longer and suffer less health problems like obesity and heart disease. Ecover washing-up liquid doesn't contain any animal products. I don't miss meat at all, least of all the taste.

i loved it too. Especially the hammy actors pretending to be goblins etc. and the skull timer thing that would disintegrate as you ran out of time. Freaky.

Personally I never understand it when meat-eaters say it is silly to eat meat substitutes that resemble meat. Most vegetarians are vegetarians not because they hate the taste but for other reasons (e.g. health, morals etc.) As long as it's not meat, it's not meat! Isn't it a bit like saying you shouldn't wear fake fur - if you like fur you must wear the real stuff or not wear it at all. Who says!?

I know it's not exactly local but the Thai place in Crystal Palace is great and has two entire pages of veggie options. There's also a good veggie + fish restaurant called Domali there. My personal favourite is Shahee Bhelpoori in Norbury - delicious vegetarian Indian food. I'm amazed that East Dulwich doesn't have a veggie restaurant - surely there's enough demand? Btw can the second rule of vegetarian club be NO SPINACH & RICOTTA PASTA?

Private companies work as long as they want to attract more customers (e.g. low-cost airlines). The problem with the likes of Southeastern is they don't actually want more customers, as they haven't got enough capacity as it is! So they are actually trying to DISCOURAGE people from travelling with higher fares and more infrequent services, especially at rush hour. All they care about now is keeping their punctuality figures looking okay... so expect more cuts and piddly 4-carriage trains. It is a totally absurd situation, especially when the taxpayer is helping to line the shareholders' pockets via huge Government subsidies (where were the subsidies for Rover or Peugeot at Ryton?) I have given up and get the bus to work now. It takes longer but at least I get a seat and don't have to wait endlessly for services that never materialise.

Same Difference - a touch of the Carpenters? The Krankies, more like

I actually get a little thrill out of telling people how close I live to Peckham, watching them shudder then observing their confused reactions when they see how lovely East Dulwich is. Am I sad? (I am SE22 by the way, but wouldn't mind being SE15. As long as it was the nice bit!)

Agree totally about him being a prawn. What a body, look at those thighs! But I'm sure there has been some kind of enhancement, digital or otherwise, around the lunchbox region. And why is he so grumpy? Lost Rebecca Loos' phone number?

Was that intentional - "liquidation"? I salute you.

I would be okay with it closing... as long as we got an M&S to replace it

Um, the dogs I saw were at the WEEKEND (as I said) and were NOT wearing coats. They were also shivering, and clearly unhappy. Re. CWALD's point about cultural differences, animals are treated atrociously in some parts of the world. That doesn't make it right or acceptable. I'm glad that most people treat animals with more respect here! Regarding having dogs in the cafe, I don't see why not. The Rye pub does, and they serve food.

-- moved topic --

Was amazed at the weekend to see a couple of dogs tethered outside Peckham Rye cafe in the pouring rain while their owners were enjoying a cup of coffee inside. The dogs were shivering and looked distressed. I know it's annoying that the cafe won't allow dogs but this is disgraceful - I'm sure the owners would claim to be animal lovers but as far as I'm concerned this sort of behaviour is abuse. Wish I had gone insde and told them off now!

Glad the dog got a bite in! What scum

I am soooo jealous Georgia!