Bobbaz

Have just emailed you anyway but surveymonkey will no doubt give you more results. Good luck!

I live really close to the school (about 3 houses away) but I can definitely say that it's still worth applying from estimating where my Son's friends live. You have to try these things anyway! But I've always been really happy with the school, the Teachers I've come across have always been great and supportive and the atmosphere within the classes has also always been really nice with the children playing nicely together.

There's already lots for maternity/baby wear but definitely short on older children's clothing shops. Personally I'd say some of those that fail were way too expensive for kids clothing. Should be fun, decent quality and good value. As a Mum of 2 boys I also find most shops offer the same standard fair in brown, blue or khaki so stuff that's a bit different/funky is always good and there's not many places offering it.

P M Bennison, I've used him for years and he's always been reliable. You should be able to find him on here or google him.

Opposite end of Lordship Lane I'm afraid but I always go to the photo shop, on the same side as the co-op, heading towards the Mag, just past where Soup Dragon used to be, Acorn estate agents, newsagents etc.

I used Heat 24 7, I found them to be the cheapest when I did a search online. They came out within a day, guy was very helpful who carried out the work as I had no idea where the gas meter was (I'd literally just completed on the flat). I Don't have their number to hand but I'm sure you'd find it if you google.

I've had Lingual STb6 braces fitted behind my front teeth. I did this via a Groupon voucher and now the Dentist has been suspended by the General Dental Council and I am being forced to find a new dentist to continue my treatment as I have a brace attached to my teeth and no one to remove it! Needless to say I'd like to find someone good and reliable. I am already registered with the dentist by Peckham Rye Park but need someone more specialist if possible, doesn't have to be too local, just good.

PM Bennison. I've used him for years and he's always done a good job. I'm sure you'll find other recommendations for him on here too.

The London Door Company were excellent (although not too cheap), but you get what you pay for.

I have a particularly active 2 year old and I'm after a new group to let him burn off some energy and learn some new skills. He's great at kicking a ball and I'm already aware of little kickers as my eldest went years ago but just wondered if anyone knows of any other groups out there before I sign him up?

Sounds good. Can I ask how much it costs and where you hold it please?

My Son goes there at the moment, his big brother also used to attend. My honest appraisal is that in some areas they are great but they do have areas that need improving (I have also given them this feedback and I understand that they are implementing changes). Good points: Both my boys love it there (it is often difficult to drag them away), the food has vastly improved over the years and is very good. It is a safe, clean environment and the staff that work there are all very good (although the new Manager could be a little more welcoming). They have always been accommodating if I've needed to change the odd day for some reason and their opening hours (7-7pm) offer flexibility that most nurseries don't. Bad: The garden is small - but it is generally fine as not all the kids are always outside at the same time. At the moment it's mostly free-play all day with little by way of focused activities (reading/writing/numbers/painting/exercise etc), but apparently this is being worked on. They also have problems with staff turn-over and this has always been the case. From speaking to the staff their biggest problem is the hours, 7-7pm is great for parents but not so good for them. I would recommend it though, nowhere is 100% perfect and my boys are happy and safe which in my personal opinion is the most important thing.

My Son used to go to St John's breakfast club which was ?3 per day from 8am. they get a choice of cereals/toasts and have games/activities before school. He used to also go to Rainbow after school club which was approximately ?8.50 per day, but cheaper to pay for the full week than 4 days and ran until 6pm. Here they had a snack and a drink (fruit/jam tart usually or a hot dog on Fridays), various activities games/crafts/art/dance and occasional visitors like fire brigade/dance teacher (very occasional though). I know Rainbow has places as I still speak to the lady that runs it but probably too far away for you. Hope it helps give you a bit of an idea though.

I was recommended Shutters Up and they did a great job.

Mine were pinched a few months back now, probably stolen about 4 weeks apart from each other. Maybe they wanted to check it would fit before coming back for the matching left hand mirror. I also found some replacements relatively reasonably on ebay, they must be doing a roaring trade.

I've had both of mine pinched (Audi), different occassions - Ondine rd.

I've had both of my wing mirrors nicked recently too (annoyingly on separate occassions, 1 of which was just before a long motorway journey). Looks like the streets of ED have turned into an auto-spares show room!

Sounds great. I am well out of the loop and it's been a long time since I was in the Brownines/Scounts, is Badgers the newer version? Do you know if they have a website or where I can find out more info at all?

New Forest is great for kids of all ages, plenty of places to go nearby, theme parks etc or in my experience the kids have always enjoyed popping on their wellies and going through the forest... and it's free! Beaulieau is great, Peppa Pig world at Paultons is a good day out too. Only a couple of hours drive too. We stayed in self catering accommodation at the Penny Farthing Hotel, pretty basic accomodation but fab location.

I just can't belive what a lot of rubbish is available during the school holidays and how much it costs! Just looked at pretty standard hotels in the balearics and you're looking at ?5,500 for 2 adults, a 2 and 5 year old. If anyone has any good recommendations I'm all ears (anywhere in Europe/3 hour flight time except Portugal as been there last 2 years).

I am looking to put in an offer on a 1 bed flat that I'm hoping to let out. I'm just weighing up the options as to to letting it privately or use a lettings agency. If anyone has any helpful advice as to which way to go it would be appreciated.

Whatever you do, do NOT go to the one on LL next to to post office. I spent a fortune putting right what they did to me.

Don't give in to pressure to this that or the other. If it works for you then go with it I say. I used dummies for my 2 and quite frankly if they're happy then so am I. I did start weaning off it though from 1 yr (if you can around teething!) Personally I think it's only really a problem when you still see 3-4 yr olds stick with them, which can surely only be a means of keeping your kids from talking as opposed to soothing them.

I'm not recommendaing a brand in particular as it depends what you're after. But personally I ended up getting a second one because the height didn't adjust on the 1st which meant I couldn't push it under my table and took up loads of space, it was also a material fabric...not ideal! Someone mentioned headbanging which is pretty common so I'd also avoid a wooden one for that reason and go for something softer and wipe-clean with an adjustable height and reclining seat for when they might nod off while you're faffing in the kitchen. I don't think you need to overboard though at the end of the day, certainly wouldn't spend hundreds!

Does anyone know what various places charge for venue hire (or min numbers/spend) at all? I've got a christening/1st Birthday party coming up and it seems to be too early in the day for anyone to answer the phone (and I can't find the number for the mag?) Thanks.