katanita

Can also recommend 7clean, they left my flat sparkling after I moved out, almost made me think I should move back in. Especially sterling effort restoring a mucky oven to its former glory.

Another massive recommendation for No Flies! I've had a right saga of a sale process (through no fault of mine or the agents) and they have been absolute rocks throughout. Fast and efficient and responsive, and always happy to help and advise. Especially considering their commission, this is remarkable service. Wouldn't go with anyone else locally.

I used Animal Friends. I seem to remember that they did lifelong cover, but not for pre-existing conditions, and for senior cats there was a higher excess but it still saved me hundreds, if not thousands of pounds when my cats got sick. They always paid out without fuss.

Sometimes doorbells just go off due to signals on the same frequency from car key fobs etc.

My usual go-to people for decorating jobs are not available right now, nor are some of the stronger forum recommendations, and there are a few things I need to get done ASAP - Outside window and door woodwork minor repairs and repaint Ceiling repainting Hallway stripped, lined and repainted and vinyl floor laid. Does any one have solid recommendations for this? Or your own business if you can provide references or check a trade link etc? Preference for businesses who will happily put information and agreements in writing via email. Thank you in advance!

Can you share your cycle route to those @melissavf? I couldn't find one that looked very nice but that would make a big difference!

Beckhenham Place Park lake did reopen after the initial closure last year. I didn't have a chance to try it before it was closed with lockdown but there were people swimming there, supervised by lifeguards, in March this year. It looked like any changing facilities etc were very rudimentary or non-existent but perhaps someone will know more. It appears to still be closed https://lewisham.gov.uk/lake. I actually loved swimming in the Royal Docks. It's a bit of a pig to get to from here but there is something quite amazing about the enormous space and being surrounded by the various buildings and industry and planes flying overhead. Yes it is a bit more expensive though and they are being very strictly managed currently to keep people safe. It is really for serious swimmers. You have to sign up for NOWCA membership but that gives you other opportunities. There are also swims in the Thames listed on the NOWCA site https://nowca.org/nowca-lake-directory/. Not tried these.

Still waiting for a couple items from late March. Given up hope. I assume they are at the bottom of the backlog pile.

loads of missing parcels for me. Two items that I've been waiting for since late March, others more recently. In the meantime, other things have arrived, especially tracked items. Seems very erratic.

Oh good, love Vegan Plates and am pleased to see I can now order direct again!

A reminder that this is tomorrow, still space so feel free to share with anyone else you think might find it useful, whether within Southwark or not. Will also cover how to prevent Zoom bombing!

Thanks @Sue, glad you found it helpful! Running another next Tuesday 1pm. Sign up here https://forms.gle/JcQoy4ta8gNJgxfe7

Can confirm that the collections are happening zbags have been picked up :)

I booked a garden bag collection a month ago and it hasn't happened. Anyone know what the expected waiting time is? Or has anyone had a successful collection recently? Took me about 3 months and various complaints to actually get the bags delivered, would be nice not to have to go through the same to get them picked up :( Not going to push it right now though if it is just delayed due to all the disruption. But paper bags sitting outside in all weather is not ideal, I'm worried by the time they do get picked up they will just disintegrate!

Running this again on Tuesday, sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWEQ_6VdotPNBDW9VYhceV_rbKn-adiZ6hCSOQekJvw4ZUTw/viewform

Yes, I also turned away from SMBS yesterday as well, for the same reason. Organic Village was better as hardly anyone in there, and I think they were monitoring numbers but not very clear and no one way system at that point. Was very reassured by stricter rules limiting numbers at Lloyd's Pharmacy and Luca's, amongst others. BUT, especially surprised that Sogim pharmacy had apparently NO restrictions, esp given its very small size. Really needed to get in there but felt very uncomfortable with two others milling about waiting for a prescription (could they not have waited outside??). I did say that at the time but got no reaction.

Don't necessarily need to waste the discarded sourdough starter when you feed! I add salt and herbs and bake it just as it is as a flatbread, maybe with a bit of olive oil - good with dips! It's sticky though, so best to bake on a silicon sheet if you have one. If I still have too much after my next feed in a week or so I'll let you know.

Happening today, please sign up via the link above if interested. Feel free to share with others in the community or beyond!

We've run a few of these sessions now and people seem to be finding them useful, so have added more dates for next week. Please feel free to share! How to use Zoom for online meetings Online training for all run by XR Southwark Tuesday 31st March 1pm and 7.30pm (1 hour long, same session run twice) Are you suddenly having to run meetings remotely, without any training? Are you unsure about how the technology works, good practice for how to behave in online meetings, or how to facilitate them? Extinction Rebellion has been delivering training and running meetings in Zoom for a while and has built up some tips and knowledge that we would like to share. These would be relevant to other platforms as well, and we will briefly look at other video conferencing tools. This training is run by XR Southwark for our local community, so anyone is welcome to join. Please sign up here https://forms.gle/JcQoy4ta8gNJgxfe7 to register and so we can send you full details for how to join the call.. If you are having trouble signing up, please email [email protected].

Walked past the councillors noticeboard by Karavan, on Lordship Lane, looks like it hasn't been updated in a while. These boards should be good places to put latest community information, where to get help etc.

Echoing what others have said above and some other thoughts: - Providing isolating facilities for those who can't isolate at home safely, or who have no home. - Acting as a source of locally specific information about where to find aid or volunteer - Being proactively transparent about council activities - I am concerned that there will be less scrutiny on council activities during this time when there are likely to be no in person meetings etc. Instead the council must find a way to demonstrate what it is doing both about COVID and everything else that still allows for accountability and feedback. This is not the time to be pushing through anything controversial. It would be good to see councillors being more active and responsive here, in particular.

I did eventually get my garden bags after lodging a complaint with Southwark. Does anyone know how long it takes for them to pick up the bags once you arrange for a pickup? No info on the website. Wondering how long I'll have to store them for (especially with even more bad weather forecast). Thanks!

Excellent local charity The Bike Project is in search of new volunteers, particularly in the office which is close by in Herne Hill https://thebikeproject.co.uk/pages/volunteer. Have been volunteering with them for a few years now and it's very satisfying and they are all absolutely lovely. Let me know if you want more information or get in touch with them directly through the website. Also do think of them if you have bikes to get rid of or are in search of a bike to buy, their shop also sells various accessories.

What a joke. 17 days since I enquired with Southwark council about my missing garden bags (from my NOVEMBER order) and no response. Will try emailing but not hopeful given the experience of others above. Has anyone had any joy getting this system to work?

Has anyone had any luck with the Garden Waste Bag system?? I ordered some in November that still haven't arrived (apparently they can take up to 15 working days which already seems ridiculously slow, but this is way past that now). Had some feeble non-help via the Southwark twitter account so called the council today today to be told I couldn't speak to the relevant team directly, but they could put in a request which should be dealt with within 7-15 working days (insert eyeroll here). Wondering if I'm just unlucky? Meanwhile, my little garden is weeks past the usual pruning date and it's probably going to make a mess of my lovely plants when I do it so late :(