Cora

Let's hope you appreciate those children and their parents once you rely on them in your old age......

Can I also suggest to 'them' or those that run the park that a seperate mobile coffee/hot chocolate van set-up would be good preferably stationed near the swings - would massively reduce the queuing in the cafe which always puts me off using them for anything.

I would talk to the police in the station there. I have seen them making notes on parked cars a few times when I've passed they might appreciate a bit of back up from local residents.

Read your post really fleetingly but sure I read in the Standard recently that Kings has been praised very highly, or won an award of some sort for their work with stroke patients.

Done ours!

Yes I agree, the 'newish' owners are great and have made it into a really welcoming local.

There's also Dulwich Helpline that I believe works mainly with the elderly...There should be a link on the forum as someone else asked the same question on another link.

Found the questionaire really frustrating - questions set in a way that do not address the real issues. Just felt like a box ticking exercise.

I really sympathise with you...I think they are a great practice once you get in to see them or if you have children but their appointment system for both doctors and nurses is getting worse. Maybe they've overstretched their patient numbers? I think they call it prioritising, which is fine if you are a priority, but if you have a chronic illness or query and are never a priority then you just get shunted along. I have had a couple of occasions where I have needed antibiotics for a common but all the same uncomfortable and draining infection.....after trying to get an appointment with a nurse (2 weeks wait) or doctor I felt much worse, shattered and just really shocked that I was pretty much not being allowed to see my GP. I don't understand why you can't make an appointment with a GP in advance. I'm assuming it's due to targets (ie with this system everyone gets seen on the day - no waiting). If you're not free (you need to get the kids to school for example?!) to sit down and wait in a queue for 20mins at exactly 8.45 then you've got no chance. My top tip though would be to ask for a telephone appointment with a Dr - This is usually available and at least then you are talking to a Dr about your concerns - someone who hopefully understands your illness and can make you a priority if necessary. I hope they resolve this - at least they've got another complaint letter that they can't ignore.

Thanks Admin, though I think by having a seperate section it would make advertising jobs more legit and therefore you'd get more being put on - Chicken and egg...would also be a way of highlighting the forum to local businesses and, who knows, gleaning some more sponsorship. but hey, fair enough you've only got so much time in the day....and it sounds busy!

Sorry Sean, wasn't trying to hassle. Was genuinely unsure about whether I had posted in the right place or whether I should have put it in 'Ask Admin'. Had expected a sort of 'we'll add it to our list of ideas' response if I'd put it in the right place that's all.

Have I posted this in the right place? Is this where the administrators look?...was hoping they would let us know if it was possible or not....should I be routing it somewhere else?

I'm guessing this has already been asked about before but it would be a really useful resource. I find it's really hard to find out about local jobs. I also think there are probably a growing number of small businesses who would need local part-time support and a growing number of local mothers/parents looking for part-time work locally (not saying these are the only people looking for work but it is a growing sector!). It would be great to match local people up with local jobs - cut down the commuting time!

Thanks for this...really pleased its managed to keep going. Cass, I would be really grateful if you could get hold of the contact number so I could arrange a visit - better I think than just turning up. Is there any reason it wouldn't have an ofsted report? couldn't trace one.

Does anyone know if this did end up closing or whether it is still running and if so have a contact number?

Can I suggest you try the getting permission near the swings at Dulwich Park (and do hot chocolate). The park could so do with a good quality coffee van.I'm sure you'd do roaring trade and mean people could finally avoid the ridiculous queues and monoply that the pavilion has.

If you've got a young baby and a good health visitor I would stick with them until the baby is older... then move...in my experience good health visitors are hard to come by (or at least ones who have any time for you) - I had a fantastic one, changed drs and now get no support from the health visitors.

Believe me my kids have plenty of time banging things at home with me and getting bored....the classes give us a structure to the day which as a full-time mum I appreciate and they enjoy....admittedly I look for the free options first...

I too got a call from Barclays this morning...'they' tried to use my card in Canada, managed once with ?250... Was really impressed and grateful that Barclays caught it quickly as I rarely use that card and wouldn't have noticed before more damage was done (This is the only time I have ever been impressed with Barclays!). Luckily I booked some swimming lessons at the same time someone tried to use my card in Canada. The one thing I know is that it wasn't a petrol station as I don't have a car. Would only have used it on Lordship Lane/Sainsburys. Think Somerfields is most likely place. Now worrying about my other card which I use much more often...

Prices across the board are shooting up and a new irritant is the arrival of the 'Registration Fee'?!! I guess it's the old market forces arguement...if people are willing to pay. I do pay but am much less happy with the arrangement and do feel like I'm being taken for a ride. I would think ?5 for a 45mins class is ample - Ten kids ?50 - ?20 for the hall (that's a guess?!), ?30 quid profit. Although I guess that doesn't count for the preparation, equipment and setting up time. I guess whereas before it was a way to make a little bit of money, while often bringing up your own children, people are now seeing it as a way of making a second income and it's working.... Would be interesting to hear the realities of running a class - any organisers out there? At the moment classes seem to be veering towards ?6.50 for half an hour with a 'registration fee'. The CD music comment is interesting as I recently tried a class that used recorded backing music and my toddler just didn't respond - everything else about the class was very professional and well organised and the person that ran it could certainly have done the songs without the backing music but I think she felt the recorded music was part of the professional package.

We would definately be interested with a 3 1/2 year old....please keep us posted

Which one looks like its been withdrawn the Dulwich DIY or ESPH?

Pretty sure I've seen them in there

Kath Kidston (spelling?) and other designer's stuff...I guess mainly fabrics but probably all gone now - couldn't find the motivation to take pot luck and get out the door early just incase! Shame but not that big a shame...

See there is a sample sale at St Barnabas Church Hall tomorrow but the posters don't have a time on them..bit of a marketing hic up....anyone have inside information?