bawdy-nan

This is probably just the kind of thing you could make happen (either small fixed chess boards or big chess) with a bit of badgering of Dulwich Community Council. They have money for projects to improve facilities and this sounds like a good community minded thing.

Indeed Scruffy M. When this was first proposed I have to confess to a good deal of pooh poohing and a nervousness about the feminist implications of a celebration of all things domestic and an attraction to pole dancing. I had, however, heard good things about the WI already and looked them up and think that they're rather marvellous. I do hope the ED branch works out. Its great to see some community action and there's lots of projects they could be involved in. I wish them the best of luck. (And am sure their cakes will be delicious)

Indeed ... I don't think we need to have a custard pie fight about it.:)) I really do think the more the merrier and that people really do love a good sponge (though gingerbread people are extremely popular too). Its great that there's a new willing and able force for the community good on the scene and I hope you get lots of people signing up...

Is cake-stalling some kind of contemporary extreme sport? Is the WI in the habit of trying to give local community organisations a "run for their money" or is that just the "young and trendy" ones? Blue Mountain were there last year too. Their cakes are delicious, of course, but I think people really like home-made cakes at that kind of event. As I said already I think there's a tremendous appetite for home baked goods. Hope you have fun!

I have to declare an interest, I think I may be involved in the "competition" - which is a cake stall fundraising for a local community charity (a nursery). We did it last year and we cleaned up. Probably because we were the only stall with lovely homemade cakes and we weren't charging an absolute fortune. I'm not clear what the nascent young and trendy WI are raising funds for exactly - but its probably just sour buttercream... Last year we sold out in less than 2 hours and we had masses of stock - there's evidently a demand for delicious sugary stuff thats not being satisfied. (Edit: I mean, its probably sour buttercream on my part - not that you're raising money for sour buttercream or that your efforts are going to involve sour buttercream :-$- I got lost in a rubbish sugar based adaption of a figure of speech)

Who are you "up against"? What are you raising money for?

East Dulwich is slightly more white than London with 74% compared to 71% across London generally but it also has slightly more black residents (17% compared to 11% across London). At least, thats accoridng to the census. I think the visibility of different ethnicities depends on where you go in ED and what you do. I don't hang out at EDT or the Palmerston but I see a rich mix of people at my children's nursery, at the doctors and at the bus stop... I imagine if you go to church (which I don't ) its pretty mixed (given what I see on the sunday morning streets). I had a great time at the amazing Sikh festival/parade on Lordship Lane and Goose Green. There are lots of different experiences of ED and lots of different ways to be part of the community. Shops, bars and restaurants are just one way.

What are you going to do with the cash?

I believe what we're having is a meta-debate. Sometimes messy and not always un/fulfilling. Bob, I'm sure you don't mean it, but you are coming across as a bit of a bully. Its probably a mis-match in posting style but its a shame if someone feels as though they daren't post even if they've been reading it for a while. A diversity of views and range of opinion and approach is best, isn't it? (H - I too bear the red badge of admin hand-shaped smarting reprimand ... a little savlon and the kindly promise of crumpets from a bosomy-strict admin works wonders)

BB - come back!

Well, I know mentions of the "L" word don't go down very well here (you know who you are, though btw, I aced my exam and came top of my class, beating the whipper-snappers hands down - so stick that in your Meerschaum and smoke it H). But it might be useful to forum users to familiarise themselves with the law surrounding defamation (and its defences, including fair comment, in which opnion is allwed based on true facts and to which insult is no bar, malice, in this case not meaning nastiness at all, rather, expressing opnion that you don't truly hold, or basing an opnion onfacts you know not to be true). The BBC have obviously encountered this problem in their H2G2 and associated sites and have developed a useful laymans guide to the law in this area. Here it is. Its a little out of date so here's a more detailed analysis of current law. Its a bit dense.

yup! :)) (by which I meant, I'm feeling generally agreeable to the last couple of posts - brevity did not serve me well)

There is a difference, isn't there, between setting up your stall on a high street and setting out your stall on an internet forum? A shop or other business can't expect the same levels of privacy, or indeed, courtesy, that are accorded to private individuals. G&B, and indeed any other business, sets up and invites the public inside in order to make money. Fair enough, of course, but the relationship is constructed around the fact of a commercial transaction. If I'm disappointed by a lover its right and proper that I address it with them first rather than singing it to the rooftops. A shop or restaurant operates in a very public sphere and should expect public comment positive and negative. That's part of the rough and tumble of a vibrant market-place isn't it and why businesses generally try to work hard to retain customer goodwill. Surely it is within the rights of a customer and member of the public to pass comment on their experiences. BB found her trip to G&B uncomfortable, but she's not asking anyone to shun the place, says she usually likes it and just wanted to pass on her observations - why on earth shouldn't she? I shouldn't think the reputation of the place is tarnished, and if it is, thats their own fault and maybe they'll realise that people come to their place because they like the atmosphere, food and drink - thats what they're paying for and its not unreasonable to expect that they get it - rather than an accidental peep into current sales tactics.

BB - i totally agree with you. :))

Hello Bellenden Belle I'm afraid you have to be quite careful on here when posting about your experiences with local businesses and especially when making criticisms that do not concern the behaviour of the clientele. I suppose the idea is that this is a community rather than a consumer website and, as such, should reflect the needs and wants of the entire community - commercial interests are highly visible in ED and, I suppose, that's reflected here. In my opinion I think that you should be able to express your experiences but sometimes it feels as though it is preferred if you express delight and gratitude at the exceptional range of goods and services available in this thoroughly delightful elysian arrivistaville. You may, of course, debate the pros and cons of the increase in house prices and whether children clog up the streets in an annoying manner! Council services / ecological issues are often up for grabs (you may wish to include a link to Cllr Richard Thomas' website). For what its worth I think that your comment is quite interesting and totally inoffensive, but certainly wouldn't make me shun the place Try not to feel reprimanded - please continue to post as you find...

I wouldn't care if you were. How lovely that an Italian place is opening up. I was just struck by how cynical I've become and how my hackles rise ...

certainly not a consistent note, I agree, but there is an argument quite often put forward about the "improvements" to ED (shops etc) being "great" for house prices.

I love these figures and am slightly ashamed to say that I'd already looked at them in some detail ... I think something that is interesting, in light of the issues posted about on this forum, is that only just over half the people in east dulwich live in houses that they own. As the house prices continue to increase there's a growing gulf between the two tribes. All the delighted crowing on the site about the increase in capital is at the expense of a rather large section of ED, especially as there is a much bigger than average number of people renting from private(er) landlords. Obviously its a situation happening all over London, and throughout the country, but this forum puts a focus on it glinty razor edge.

why am I always so suspicious when someone turns up saying things like this ...? Thing is, I'd be less rankled if they just came out and said they're opening up / thinking of opening up a new place Hurrah for a family run italian restaurant. Boo hiss to the alienation induced by the revelation of one's place in the commercial scheme of things - passive gaping maw to the low-brow plankton of sub-standard "stealth" marketing.

Did you know that the Chinese Elvis currently starring in Martha Josie and the Chinese Elvis actually lives in East Dulwich. I read a profile on him in which he mentioned the sacred SE22. His name is Paul Hyu and he used to stand in sometimes at Gracelands Palace. His website is pretty extraordinary.

I didnt do any for my first baby - found the NCT too expensive and a little terrifyingly cliquey. I read loads of books and did a weekly active birth yoga class with Janet Balaskas which taught me everything I needed to know. Second time around I did a yoga class (and made good friends in an NCT stylee). In hindsight I'd probably recommend NCT if you can bear it - mostly feedback I've had from people is that one of the biggest benefits is the instant baby-circle you've got to hand for the weeks after the birth which is especially useful if you don't have any friends with kids. As for whats "best" - everyone has an opinion. I was extremely lucky both times. Had them both at home in a pool with no complications and pretty easily. Painful of course but kind of interesting and something of an extreme sport. I know that this isn't the way for everyone but I felt well-prepared and superbly well supported by my splendid consultant from Kings (not sure if he's still there - Mr Marshall) and excellent set of Brierley midwives. Very pleased and glad I was fortunate enough to have that experience, others would disagree and say its better in hospital, or that it would have been better with pain relief etc etc etc. There's more than one way to skin a cat (er?). But the main thing is the baby will come out one wway or another and thats what bodies do. Good luck to you both!

Someone had a post about this somewhere on the forum ... there's a town that has gone plastic bag free following a locals film about plastic bag pollution she'd come across. May be we could get hold of the film and show it to the lovely local traders? Surely this should be an initiative in which they participate, and even drive - lots in it for them. Some of the shops give them away already ... If they can't find an economical supplier perhaps it could be the first effort of the massed bands of EDWI - knitting pins and jute yard at the ready girls ...

Gentlemen. Might I suggest you follow the example of the needlewomen of this parish and set up your own society. Perhaps the ED Union where you can dress up as 18th C gentlemen and debate in style. You might wish to contact the English Speaking Union who will, I'm sure, be happy to advise on your initial meeting, administrative posts etc.

which "collins" do you wish to consign to the bin? The dusty tome or the testy dame?

ah - have royally messed up trying to edit my typo smattered subject heading and have now posted two - oh dear - and now am multi-posting my error message - I am trapped in a twinning web of my own making