kitwhitfield

Our roof is collapsing - no holes as yet, but we've been advised not to sleep upstairs - and we need to clear the loft so builders can come in and sort it out asap! It'll involve hauling stuff downstairs; we can provide a bit of help, but it's a two-man job and one of us has a back injuiry. Awkward for everyone to do it over the Christmas period, but if anyone wants to pick up a day's work, please do get in touch.

Dad?

Hi. Published author/former editor here. :-) You could get a report, but fair warning, they're not cheap; I charge ?100 per 10,000 words. A cheaper way for him to get feedback would be to join a writer's group; a good one can be really helpful. As regards agents - Jazzer's right, they don't give feedback unless you're their client; they can only afford to spend time on people they represent. The way to find one when you're ready to send the book out is to get the most recent edition of The Writers And Artists Yearbook; that contains a section with all the reputable agents, including their submission requirements. Have a look at the kind of books they already represent, and start with a handful that seem like their taste would be a good match for the book. (Also, though this probably doens't need saying - if you do end up talking to an agent, be as lovely and likeable as you can. The author-agent relationship lasts decades, all going well, and agents want clients they're comfortable working with. ;-) ) Hope this helps! :-)

Testy.

Hello. :-) I have some fabric I want made up into curtains. The specs: 4 curtains - that is, two matching pairs. About 220cm. I have 10m of fabric, so with hems and pattern matching, as close to that as possible. Lined (lining provided). Curtain tape at the top (ie nothing fancy). Can anyone give me a quote, or recommend someone? I know there's a shop on Lordship Lane up towards the library end, but I had a bad experience the only time I tried there, so anywhere else? Thanks.

Hi. :-) We have an old cast-iron fireplace, and the hood has snapped off. The damage isn?t visible, it?s on the bit that attaches it to the fireplace, so what we need is someone who can weld on a replacement bit. Can anyone recommend a place /tradesman? Thanks.

Hi Robin, Sorry about the link! Is this any better? https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/preserve-southwark-s-street-trees The house number I'm not sure about, but it is (or was) the only tree on the block, so if you're standing across from Balchier Road you can't miss it. It's been cropped down to a stump at this point.

I'm very upset about the destruction of the woods, and I've written a letter. There are a lot more of us than you might think.

Other than posting it here, does anyone have experience of good places to share petitions? I'm a bit new to this...

I wonder if it would cost more than the cost of uprooting it and paving over the hole left behind? Seems questionable.

Anyone who's an expert on trees and horticulture, your input would be great here!

I figure that if they don't have the budget to replace damaged trees, they're perfectly free to make that call as and when. I'm just proposing that they don't have a blanket rule against it for non-financial reasons. Besides, given the strain on people's mental health in hard times, I figure that living in a depressing or non-depressing neighbourhood does actually have medical effects. I know plenty of people who are struggling that way, and feeling like everything good is vanishing is not helpful. Nature tends to be good for the spirits, and goodness knows everyone's spirits are under strain.

The tree they're refusing to replace in Dunstans Road is a small maple, for the record. Not a structural problem as far as can be seen: the pavement's perfectly smooth around it, and the arrangement of gardens means that it's quite a ways from any houses. I'm sure none of us would object if they replaced it with something slow-growing or naturally small, but it really was Not Guilty when it comes to structural damage! Surely the sensible thing would be for the Council to look at trees on a case-by-case basis. Damaging trees, nobody wants. Innocent trees, I think most of us really like. It's this blanket policy that's so unresaonable.

Thanks rbtdngl. Share it if you're willing! :-)

Thanks. :-) Our home insurance is fine, tree and all.