Pugwash

They are closed for 4 days from 1st December for refurbishment (or is it 3 days) I must admit I have converted to the SMART shop and scan items as I go along. This allows me to pack as I go along which saves time. You do not need a SMART phone - just scan your nectar card. in Lidl and Aldi - I go to the assistant aisles as not overkeen on self scan unless you only have a few items.

Have lived in Barry Road since 1975 - the top end by Lordship Lane. Catchment area for Heber Primary and St Anthony's RC primary. Harris Boys by Peckham Rye. Our girls went to Sydenham Girls secondary school in Forest Hill (short bus ride away). Busy Road with 2 bus routes, parking difficult unless you have off road. Bus terminus in Etherow Street for 40 route. Shops at LL end - newsagent, chemist, grocers, dry cleaner, fish and chips, Chinese take away, Sainsburys' local, Plough Homecraft, Indian take away, Kebabs, library. Café, hairdressers, Bread of Life Café in Christ Church (open weekdays) Fair Trade Centre in same building. In Darrell Road which is between Upland and Underhill Roads - you have East Dulwich Community Centre which is used by various groups during week, plus children's dance groups on Saturdays. Small shops in both Underhill and Upland Road Long gardens both side of road LL to Goodrich, a mix of sizes further down - dependent on whether houses or flats.

BT are changing our phones over to digital in the next 30 days. We are fortunate as we have broadband but many of my associates do not and rely on landlines. None of them have had any communication as to what happens to them after switch over. Some are elderly or have English as a 2nd language. One is partially deaf/blind and physically disabled with a landline but has not been contacted as to how she make calls etc. I have looked at various on line videos by BT how to set up the new system but they are confusing and in some cases require a lot of bending down and re distributing of connection points. Does anyone know an independent person who could be contacted to do some of the physical setting up of the new system? Interested to hear from others who have gone through the process.

I used the Co Op in LL for one Amazon delivery.

If like me you are unable to carry heavy bags then once a week trip in car to a supermarket is essential. I use Sainsbury's. Lidl and Aldi - as I like variety of choice and price. I buy loose veg usually as I can pick out as I need to avoid food waste. I use own brands rather than big names and always look at the reduced items (2 this week which went into the freezer savings of £5). I like Aldi at Bell Green as parking is good - also other shops to look at if required. I watched in amazement yesterday at a middle aged woman picking up 4 packets of Uncle Ben's rice at £2.84 a packet when shops own brand was considerably less. Admittedly some items on my shopping list were not in stock so my bill was considerably lower. I think it is also a question of education re food purchases etc. Both of my daughters tend to ignore brand names, one rarely purchases ready meals preferring to batch cook for herself and 2 primary age children. She works part time as a teacher but gets universal credit to boost her income and help pay for 2 days pre and after school child care. As she and one of the children have food intolerances she is limited with commercially made products. I agree that you can get cheap fruits and veg off stalls in Rye lane (a large bowl of red/green grapes last week for £1) but supermarkets do have their uses.

Barry Road - we have had 2/3 deliveries this week including Sundays.

Many organisations with empty buildings waiting to be sold/redeveloped etc go for the guardianship options. Approved tenants pay a set rent inclusive of bills per room until the owners of property are ready to start work. My granddaughter and partner are in such a scheme in North London - a former care home. One room and ensuite loo and wash basin, communal kitchen and showers. Unfortunately the building has now received planning consent for flats so they will have to move. Joining the many other young couples seeking affordable London accommodation. When they were living at home - were paying £60 pw fares each. Both are NHS workers.

Southwark Council used to rent these out not sure if they are still the owners.

I have suggested a Premier Inn or Travel Lodge in the past - nearest of it's type is Penge and Lewisham.

The cafe at Christ Church Barry Road have been selling them for a couple of weeks. Open generally between 10 and 2 pm. They have different closing times each day I cannot remember them all but Tuesdays they are open to 3 pm

I forgot he is a bit of a stirrer!

Is it a scam? Lots of talk on the television this morning about more scams i.e leaflets/cold calling etc. Advice given includes checking with Companies House if registered. Never heard of house service.

There is a black and white cat which appears from the Etherow Street area on a regular basis and tends to run over Barry Road near Barry House

Conway's have rescheduled the road resurfacing between LL and Goodrich for the above date.

Had food from here a couple of times - fish, chips, tartare sauce, onions for 13.95 . large portions. Next time we go will just order the fish and one portion of chips. Batter crispy.

A friend who moved back to ED earlier this year with a son who had a EHCP from this previous secondary school. Registered with Southwark Education and wanted a school accessible by public transport . Southwark did not give her any guidance so she approached a school direct and was not given any help. Southwark Education sent around an assessor to the home for her son but she never got any feedback. Son was getting more anxious and withdrawn, not willing to go out of the house (he is neurodiverse) and after 6 months of no schooling went back to her original area in Hampshire. Husband was working in London so was living in ED and his son missed him too much hence the move. Was also being bullied at his former school. Have not heard from her recently so not sure of situation. SENCOs are very over worked. Daughter who is a teacher applied for a position at an independent education establishment in Sussex. Although she had vast experience working with all special needs children up to 18, she did not have the SENCO qualification and the establishment could not afford to send her on training. in the end they appointed someone who had SENCO qualifications but only 3 years teaching experience . My daughter has 14 years teaching experience. She also has a daughter who appears to be neurodiverse in terms of behaviour/routines/obsessive behaviour but highly intelligent (at 8 has reading age and language of 13) also a son again very bright especially in Maths and Science also computers who looks as though he may have ADHD. So even as a teacher, she finds it difficult to get an appointment with the primary school's SENCO due to the number of children needing assistance.

Change of date - draw will now be on 9th December as the Church will be open for an all day event selling Fair Trade Products. Light refreshments will be available. Any donations please before end of November.

Many thanks for your assistance, all sorted out now.

Since January 2023, I and a colleague have been running a Warm Hub on a Wednesday morning 10 - 12 noon at Christ Church Barry Road. We have been successful in achieving some funding from a charity which will take us for a few more weeks. Although we have applied for further funding, there is no guarantee that this will be granted. The members of the club have suggested that we hold a raffle in a bid to to raise additional monies. We have sought permission from Christ Church and they are happy to grant this. We currently have members of both sexes ranging from 60 -92 years of age, some with history of poor mental health, others with physical disabilities. We offer a selection of games but most people prefer cards, dominoes or word searches. Everyone is entitled to a free drink and a snack. There is a great deal of conversation and laughter. Attendance is between 12- 18 people depending on weather. We will draw the raffle on 20th December (the last day of the group before Christmas break) and are now seeking raffle prizes. Do you have any unwanted and unused gifts? We will also accept donations of non perishable food items. Are you a shop keeper or business who can offer a free meal, a mini Christmas hamper, a bottle of non alcoholic wine (we are not allowed alcohol in the church) toiletries, sweets, gift vouchers, etc.. Please contact me by private message re donations. I will be able to collect some items in in ED area. Please support this worth while cause.

Barclays approached the East Dulwich Community Centre Last year to use their offices but they were not prepared to pay much per day. .Would cost the centre more in running costs i.e heating, cleaning and caretaking. I gather Barclays also contacted the GP surgery near the Library who were prepared to rent out a room. Details of times were advertised but Barclays did not turn up.

Taps running well this morning to cover shower with hot water. Put on heating to see if that was affected when we could not get hot water. Hubby cannot find instruction booklet for the Valiant boiler to show boiler pressure.! Cannot get hold of our usual heating contractor- have been trying all week to book a maintenance visit.

Is there a burst main anywhere? Our boiler comes up with message - low water pressure.

Went here for lunch today. 2 soups, 1 curry and 1 stir fry with 2 pots of Chinese tea - £25 very good value. Spoke to the owner who stated that she will be doing a bigger menu after 27th October, She now has staff to help with the cooking so can expand. Good quality food and plenty of it. Around 13 people dining whilst we were there.

I imagine that you have not lived in ED for long - the new Grove Vale library has been open for some years. I agree Dulwich Library is bigger. They used to have the Police Surgeries there some years ago but there were complaints by users that there was not enough privacy.

My granddaughter gave up on trying to book driving lessons. She had a few but at the time she was on shift work at Princess Royal Hospital so could do lessons during the weekday. She past her theory test but needs more lessons to take practical test but cannot find anyone who has space for lessons at the weekend as she now works Monday to Friday in Islington and living in Walthamstow. I took my lest in the last century - failed in Norwood but passed in Hither Green. West Wickham is a good place to go - plenty of wide streets. Good Luck