ltd-edition

Happy to add my full endorsement of John Power's work, professionalism, ethics and good cheer! Yesterday was the second or third time that John's helped us out. It is no surprise to see such great reviews on here about him. He's this week fixed a gas boiler issue created by a clearly incompetent (likely unqualified) person I once used in an emergency. He popped by twice - first to diagnose and mitigate the problem, and again to complete the replacement of the boiler fan (which had finally failed early due to an incompetent installation). What's special about all of this is that we communicated regularly by text, he came over at short notice last week, gave tips on reducing the cost of the new part, and arrived after 8pm on an already long day to install it - very welcome as the boiler stopped working earlier in the day. When we chatted properly I also found a pretty knowledgeable guy. I was so enthused by his knowledge of clever boiler and heating technology that I'm keen to have him do an hour or two's review of our place and take his advice on rebalancing our heating and plumbing systems for our future needs. He's helped me out before on small jobs and I've been happy. I am happier now as I have found someone sufficiently knowledgeable, professional and ethical to do for our place the bigger job that I'd really like. He's very good value too! And if you're reading this, John, thank you again for yesterday and last week!

Call Malcolm at vjnatural flooring. Excellent service and price. Dedicated - he'll need to be booked in properly as there's a long lead time for his services.

Wouldn't use him, didn't, and neither did neighbours closely located to two of his projects. Why? Several reasons, mostly best left unstated here.

Daniel came out to fix a leaking inlet valve for my toilet cistern on Friday. I've used him and his associates three-four times now. The result was that the job was done as promised, to the agreed price, and with a receipted part. I'm no new member and have no problem with being reminded by Daniel to post on this thread. It shows he's hungry. That's good in my books. Interesting re those complaining about his using subcontractors. Lots of tradesmen do so. Including every one of the others I use. Daniel knows I commission others. Some won't come out for small jobs. I am happy with the service I get from him, and am very clear with him (indeed everyone) about what I'm buying before I commission it. Good luck!

Christmas eve, boiler didn't fire up in the evenining. Sent sms to Daniel, and he replied within 30 minutes, offering to come round. Discussed the options, got the boiler started again by myself, but arranged a service anyway (overdue). The service was done today, gas safe certificate now in hand, and a boiler that's behaving better. FWIW, I worked with Daniel last summer too. Same experience - quick, reasonable price, and communicative (they also found a leak I was sure was there and which another engineer assured me was normal). Registered gas engineer with ID provided. As far as I know, Daniel at the end of the phone numbers I have doesn't do the gas work - he works with colleagues who are registered to do so and they show their ID. You only need to ask for it to satisfy yourself (as indeed I do). I'd recommend Daniel of Dulwich Plumbing and Heating and have done. Oh, and I found him via this forum last year!

I'm sure every parent at HH and Rosemead will be mainly positive about the schools and that's good, I guess. Both schools have good/excellent ISI reports. I think it is easier to score well when you're a smaller school with a narrower range of activities, though. The ISI reports don't pick up everything - they couldn't possibly. I read the reports for both schools and the HH report didn't pick up a couple of things I and some others don't like about HH - pretty obvious in the winter. They'll change I expect. The ISI for Rosemead didn't pick up on something else I've noticed, but it's something I can more easily live with. They're both good. If you're a parent looking to move your child at 4+ or 7+, then HH is probably for you. If you want stability all the way to 11+ and the option of moving early, Rosemead's probably a better option, all other things considered. Oh, and if you go for the first option (HH) and your child cannot make it into the HH destination schools (for whatever reason), what do you do? Isn't it easier to get into the main prep schools early (nursery) than at 4+ or 7+?

Late for the OP, but this could be helpful for others looking. Got experience of both schools. Both are good schools, but with different approaches. My tips? Compare their curricula (what they teach and the activities). Watch the kids and parents when leaving from or arriving at school. Get copies of their parents' handbooks if you can (really says a lot!). Key leaders in Rosemead come from DCPS (I think). Dunno where HH head came from. Teaching staff at both are very good. But: overall, my experience is that HH offers a narrower set of activities and taught subjects - Rosemead offers more (see their websites/curricula etc). Both sets of kids are polite, but Rosemead kids were much more polite, better behaved, yet very active, and brimming with confidence. HH is less diverse than Rosemead (kids and staff) - Rosemead better reflects London (again it depends on what you want for your kids and yourself). Look (on their websites) at where their kids go and the bursaries and scholarships they win at their destinations. I can see why Rosemead don't (need to?) train any kids for any particular tests. HH appears to have better (brighter, newer?) buildings. Rosemead offers hot sit-down lunches in the hall - something to behold! New head comes to Rosemead in 2012. Has excellent reputation at his school in Chelsea (can't recall). Current head will stay on longer to make the transition easier. Governors at Rosemead are impressive. Both are good schools. It just depends on what you want.