Pugwash

Oskar and Lemon did a fantastic job to our garden too. It was a big task. They installed new Indian sandstone to the back garden side return pathway and created a matching larger terrace in the back garden. They also replaced the entire back garden fencing. And then in the front of our house they installed an authentic victorian black and white tile pathway, more paving for the front garden and then fantastic brick walls using recycled bricks. They are great guys - friendly, very helpful, tidy, really industrious and full of good ideas. We're delighted with the final result. Strongly recommend. Oskar 07545 372421 is there a website for these guys - looking to have most of our garden covered by slabs/crazy paving etc and removing some of the earth beds.

BoJo keeps saying that NI increases will provide extra money for health and social care. Those of us who have worked in social care know that Social Services are the ones who contribute towards care Home costs for those who are eligible for funding. In reality, most care homes now charge between ?600 - ?1000 per week, and every social service depts in the country have a maximum fee limit. Very complicated way of explaining to people how placements are funded if social services assess someone in NEED (not WANT) of placement. With government cutbacks in funding local authorities - all Social Services Depts have to decide which services they need to cut and many home care receivers have had their hours reduced and costs increase. It is sometimes more cost effective to provide 24 hour care in the person's own home. A friend of our's mother had advanced dementia and he and his sister felt that remaining in her own home was the best option. They found a live in carer via an agency, our friend, a taxi driver, was home between 10pm and 8 am so carer got a break during these times although she still stayed on the premises and would help out in emergencies. Mother lived until 102 and had 3/4 years of live in carers. Costs were roughly ?150 - ?200 per week less than care/nursing home fees.

I reached retirement age at 60 but carried on working until 66 and would have continued working in a job I loved for more years. During those 6 years I did not pay any NI contribution - I would have been happy to pay these contributions. I know that statutory retirement age has now changed, but those who continue to work after statutory age should still pay NI contributions. I was at the top of my professional wage scale, many of my colleagues who were younger also were on the same pay scale, why should they be penalised because of their age. Increase NI on those earning in excess of ?20,000 per year.

What will happen to the traffic lights?

Received 9 letters yesterday - we appear to now get post once a week in Barry road.

Let the Dulwich Hill police know (Mark or Gavin) Sometimes they can link this to a known offender.

Impossible at this point to get 2 buses passing each other.

i did consider a ZIP car a while ago but found that they did not do automatic - (have driven an automatic for 15 /20 years) Also as stated above - no good if you have an emergency. We are emergency contacts for our youngest grandchildren in Sussex- if daughter is ill etc, need a car to collect them from school etc.

Due to a leg injury I have not been able to get in or drive my car for over 2 months.Hubby has been doing weekly shopping at DKH Sainsbury's and getting a cab home (approx ?9 a time) I have not been able to do child minding of my grandchildren as although I can get on a bus for short journeys, I would not be able to get into my daughter's car at the end of a train journey as there is a limited bus service in Sussex where she lives. Whilst I could possibly reduce drastically my car usage around ED, I would need to take 3/4 buses plus a mile uphill walk to visit one daughter in Kent, it would also take 2 buses and another mile or so walk uphill to visit my best friend. With many family and friends scattered around Kent, Sussex and Essex where transport links are poor, it is essential to drive a car - I would not be prepared to give up my car but fully appreciate that within London it is possible to use public transport for 80% of journeys.

My teenage grandson loves Thai Green Curry - made with chicken. He makes this himself and does enough for 2 days. When his Mum had to go away for a couple of nights- he made a big chicken curry and invited all his friends round to watch the Euros. Not bad for a 17 year old.

I try not to order stuff on line as it is detrimental to our high street shops. It may be cheaper, but I prefer to look at the quality of goods first. Purchased my grandchildren's' Christmas Gifts in Just William.

Must admit seeing my eldest daughter off at Central Lancashire Uni, made me cry - it was her first step into independence. I had seen her accommodation and met a couple of her flat mates, but that final hug goodbye set me off. Was not as bad with younger daughter dropping off in Brighton - possibly the nearest to ED was a factor (compared with the 5-6 hour journey to Lancs).

Used Paul for the first time yesterday - had loads of garden waste from an earlier clean up as (at the time) the recycling centres were appointment only. Also 3 chairs and other bulky items. Turned up on time (actually earlier but he went for a coffee as did not want to disturb us). Took all the rubbish away immediately - charge was very reasonable. Will use again.

Having had 2 daughters and a granddaughter at Uni - I know the feeling. Eldest daughter went to Central Lancashire and she had to book into halls before midday. We went up the night before and stayed at a Travelodge type of place at one of the M6 motorway stations about an hour drive from Preston. Car loaded with duvets etc. Left ED around 4.30 am to avoid traffic on M1/M6. Next daughter was at Brighton so much easier. Granddaughter went to Leeds, her Mum also drove up day before and stayed with friends in Knaresborough and this became the routine for 3 years. Why not make a mini break of it taking your son up with you. If she is in Halls - check what they provide i.e. kettles/microwave etc so to eliminate what you need to take with you. With both girls - I took them to local supermarket and stocked up with non perishable food (pasta/tins of tuna/Beans/passata/pesto) etc Also supply of loo rolls and washing powder. Eldest daughter shared flat in halls with 4 others and they remained in touch for several years after leaving Uni. Grand daughter and a couple of her halls flat mates joined up together for next 2 years in a privately rented house. Despite being back in Kent since last September due to lockdowns, granddaughter kept in touch via email/zoom etc with her house mates who for the vast majority, living with family all over UK.

i had a client many years ago whose husband took out an Equity Release on their house in Upland Road. He died and years later the wife was admitted into hospital. My team were asked to help out sorting her finances- she had forgotten about the ER - the amount borrowed was more than the house was worth as she had not kept up with the maintenance of the property. We had to refer her to a financial advisor/solicitor who took up the case - we never found out what happened.

Government advice is that you may lower your mask if a deaf/partially hearing person requests this as they are lip readers. Equally if you are accompanying a deaf person who relies on lip reading - you are exempt from wearing a mask.

Confused messages re reason for closure - many bus drivers were told not to stop there as with the barriers on the other side of road, there was insufficient space for 2 large vehicles (buses?)to pass. Also with food shortages in supermarkets plus long queues, more people were shopping locally especially at Roses Butchers, queues going past cinema and down to Blackwater street.

Chairs/tables outside shops. Having a couple of friends who are partially sighted, and being the occasional wheelchair pusher myself, many of the eateries in LL have increased their number of tables and chairs to the extent that they cause obstructions to pedestrians. Whilst I can understand the need to recoup/recover income by having more customers outside, there is a need for caution and for some diners to have better 'manners'. bags/buggies/kids scooters etc are seen to extend into the path of passing pedestrians. Originally you had to have a table permit from Southwark to extend onto the pavement beyond your official frontage, whether that has gone by the board since covid. Outside the Ice Cream parlour, many people are queuing but others are just standing around chatting, add a sprinkling of children and you easily have 30 plus people in this small area. One friend will only go down LL if she is with someone who is fully sighted as she cannot see clearly enough to negotiate a safe pathway. Disabled people have enough obstacles in their everyday lives and inconsiderate people add to this.

I heard from a resident at Bradbury Oak that the person stated that he/she advised tenant that they were a representative from the tenants cleaning company who wanted to check the cleanliness of the flat. The resident had a regular cleaner and did not query the information. Apparently another resident's door bell was also rung but thief did not get an answer.

Lancers of Beckenham - family have purchased 4 cars from this dealer over the past 12 years.

We complained about the Leisure Centre's IT system last year and James Mccash advised that you could book at the centre if you did not have a computer. We told him that staff had refused to do this on several occasions previously. Staff, like most of Southwark, automatically assume you have access to IT - talk about equality!!

BARA has asked that this be put on EDF. ARE YOU COMMUNITY MINDED? BARA NEEDS YOU! Over the past year East Dulwich has seen a tremendous surge in community action. Many of you may have heard of BARA (Barry Area Residents? Association), which operates in the area bounded by Crystal Palace Road, Upland Road, Friern Road and Lordship Lane. BARA first came into existence in the 1970s along with two neighbouring associations. All three had senior citizens groups and a large membership, but in the late 1980s they saw a decline in membership as the older folk got too frail to attend events and the younger members left the area. BARA was revived in the early 1990s and has played an important role within the local community ever since. We have organised coach trips and, in partnership with the East Dulwich Community Centre, have held social events such as the popular ?Curry & Jazz? evenings. Workshops covering retirement planning, energy conservation and gardening have proved popular. On sometimes controversial issues such as planning applications, the proposal for a needle exchange, traffic management schemes, road safety and other residents? concerns we have hosted public meetings involving interested parties and public officials. In 2020/21 we have seen changes where people recognise the need to ?be involved? and BARA is seeking to embrace this community spirit. We are in search of new members, some of whom may wish to join our committee, and new ideas on how we can reach out to our residents. Do you have an idea to retain this community feeling? Are you able to run a daytime or evening session at the Community Centre? We are interested in hearing from individuals and groups who wish to promote and run projects. We particularly welcome proposals that challenge the isolation, anxiety, loneliness and poor mental health that have affected many within our community. BARA is holding their AGM on Tuesday 13th July 8.10 for 8.20 start. East Dulwich Community Centre, Darrell Road. SE22. Email [email protected]

As a former health and Social Care professional, I regularly visited Greenhive over many years and can confirm that it has been a good home with plenty of activities etc. Can also recommend The Elms in Barry Road. Private carers seem to range from ?15 - ?25 per hour depending on agency etc.

The pavements outsides shops/businesses opposite closed bus stop have increased numbers of pavement tables and chairs. If you remove some of these - there would be sufficient space for pedestrians and no need for the barriers. There was discussion recently by a health person on TV stating social distancing is being taken too literally by some people - the few seconds it takes to pass people in the street is unlikely to pass on covid. However, if people stop and talk or queue for shops etc then social distancing is essential. People were lining up for Roses' butchers along LL and down past the Picture House. This caused a bottleneck at the bus stop with those waiting for buses, those just walking past and the shopping queue. If they took the bus shelter way this would free up a little extra space.But we would of course lose the seats etc. Having visited the Picture House last week for the first time since lockdown, I struggled with my arthritis to walk from the Post Office stop. Have spoken to several people who have membership at the picture House who have stated that the walk (and dodgy pavements)from Post Office had but them off seeing films. (These are mainly older folk and some with disabilities).

Have you tried speaking to the Anti social behaviour officer in Southwark Council. Trying to remember her name as she was a frequent attendee at the SNT Ward Meetings prior to lockdown. She dealt with concerns relating to drugs.