Pugwash

Many of you will recall my previous posts seeking recommendation of local eateries for a family meal. Having vegetarians, those who cannot take dairy products or are gluten intolerant we were looking at a menu which could accommodate everyone's requirements. Having been to Love Dulwich twice in t he past for lunch, we went again and discovered that we could reserve for 10 people (would have been 12 ). I am pleased to say Love Dulwich did not disappoint - a wide choice, beautifully cooked and presented, adults and kids loved the food. We booked for 7 pm and were surprised at the number of people already dining there, with several more coming through the evening. Service was good and coped well with multiple orders. Well recommended.

Organised by the Barry Area Residents' Association (BARA) This is a free family event to be held at the East Dulwich Community Centre, 46 Darrell Road. SE22 9NL Prior booking essential to ensure sufficient container/compost and plants . Book either via email to [email protected] or 0208 693 5536.

Southwark in the past have not been proactive in collecting debts =.

Obviously a Sunday Lunch at £45 can only be considered a treat for a special occasion. With all the extras that Suzanne mentioned and classed as private dining for the odd anniversary lunch is probably ok. The hospitality business is being hit hard - we used to have a takeaway meal every 2- 3 weeks, but our local Chinese shut down a few months ago and we have not got round to finding another within walking distance. Had Fish and Chips from Joseph's a couple of weeks ago as was too tired to cook.

Maggie Browning a DH councillor recently had a baby and I believe plans to return to work. I think that to have the additional stress of being a councillor, a new mother and having a job is a good reason for not standing again. Maggie was one of the few labour councillors who were approachable, acted on your behalf in regards to several concerns and appeared at various public events i.e Police SNT Meetings, community events etc. Have met one of the new prospective councillors and introduced her to various community based organisations.

Have you spoken to Turners in Barry Road?

Agree that councils were not allowed to plough back housing revenue to create or improve stock. Young people especially, if they are lucky to have a decent job salary wise, find it impossible almost to find rented accommodation which is in a reasonable condition. We have a family member who is sharing a 3 bed ex council flat in Kings Cross area and are paying £2,500 pm between the 4 of them plus all utilities.

The lack of affordable housing is down to Thatcher's promoting sale of council properties. When I was working, I had to deal with many families/older folk/ disabled folk in inferior housing. The worst ones were ex council properties purchased by their tenants with a very high discount who then sold on for a profit. The new owners frequently rented out at exorbitant prices and failed to maintain the properties. I remember a gentleman who needed to be visited by a district nurse daily becoming very upset as he rented a room in an ex council flat and shared kitchen and bathroom with 6 other people (it was a 3 bed flat) the landlord did not allow visitors to the flat and this gut was frightened he would be evicted if the nurse visited daily. Unfortunately, the guy was re admitted to hospital and ended up in a care home as he could not receive medical help at home. Private developers are not keen on providing a larger percentage of 'social housing' as it dents their profits. Also a social rent is still around £200 plus a week

I was lucky that I received a student grant from 1990-1995 first 3 years for degree and 2 years post graduate bursary. Both were based on my income and I did not have to pay back. Eldest daughter got student loan and after 20 years managed to pay it off, Youngest daughter still paying hers 18 years later. Granddaughter - still paying after 6 years. Grandson decided against FE and secured an apprentenship. I am glad that I am an old codger and not young anymore !

It is not only Southwark - our grandson, partner and 7 year old had a one bed council flat for years in Harlow Essex and all the properties offered were in poor condition. They eventually took a property as if they refused another one they would drop to the bottom of the Housing List. It was damp and in need of a level of renovation. Having lived in these conditions for a while they were offered better council accommodation recently, but further away from child's school. They had to pay 2 lots of rent for a few weeks as council had to undertake work in the new premises before they could move in,

Try Baseline who are based in Peckham - find them under Which Trusted Traders,

Niko recommended by many on the forum - 07818607583

It looks as though there will be 10 of us! We are going to Love Dulwich again for a lunch and will checkout their 'normal' menu - from what we remember from the last 2 times we went = there was plenty to satisfy every one and they were happy to take party bookings.- Hubby and I have worked out that if all our daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren were to come - there would be 20 of us!! As it is - the Essex family branch live too far away to come over for an evening - so we will meet up in Essex at a later date.

Tend to use 37 or 42 bus as rarely been able to find parking space. Sods Law - there is sometimes a few spaces when I bus it.!

Both of our girls went to Dulwich Orthodontics - both had braces in their early teams.