Pugwash

Cuppa with a copper has been around for a couple of years, maybe longer. Some of you may remember WPCs Trish and Deepa who regularly held informal sessions at Christ Church. They found out more what was going on in the neighbourhood, what scams were about, who was causing trouble etc, burglary, intimidation, drug dealing etc. People, especially Mums with young children and older people felt more comfortable in this informal environment. Trish and Deepa's informal sessions were expanded later after pandemic to the roll out across the borough of 'Cuppa with a Copper'. There have been a number of such events in ED - Dawson Heights, a PH in Forest Hill Road. Many areas in London and England operate similar initiatives.

Many years ago my elderly aunt was knocked down outside what is now Sainsburys, by a boy cycling on the pavement. People witnessing the fall, tried to find out the lad's name, where his parents were also why cycling where people were shopping, Aunt taken to hospital with fractured hip and was reluctant to go out unless accompanied. From that point she physically declined, her health suffered and her happy go lucky personality went. We are talking about 40 years ago at least and people were rooting for bikes to have registration plates, and be covered by insurance.

Dulwich Hill SNT will have their quarterly evening meeting in December - I will check the date (it is in the first week)

Landells Road comes under the Dulwich Hill SNT, At their last meeting at Christ Church, car thefts were one to the statistics discussed. The problem is that everyone assumes that the police are useless, but so much crime goes unreported it sways the statistics and the wrong impression is given that the area has a low crime rate. It is known that certain roads are targeted for different reasons theft from cars, theft of cars, burglary etc Information given gets built up - Police can identify times of day, type pf vehicle etc and I have known them to 'stake out' in unmarked vehicles of an area which had an increase of incidents/criminal activity. There should be a cuppa with a coppa meeting at Christ Church on 25th November at 11 am. Dulwich Hill SNT will post details on EDF. There is also the quarterly evening meeting in the first week of December . I will post date on here.

I am a signatory of a trust fund which requires 2 out of 3 signatories, The investment company who manages the fund pay into the account by BACs but we pay the trust reciprocates by cheque.

Were things much simpler in the 80/90s? I remember both my girls belonging to a 6th Form Consortium which covered Sydenham Girls, Forest Hill Boys and Sedgehill off Bromley Road. A level classes were spread across the 3 schools - i remember Forest Hill boys coming to Sydenham Girls for one subject (think it was sociology or psychology ) A mini bus was provided to transport pupils to different sites, But I guess with less schools being 'managed' by the local authority, providers such as Harris etc have different priorities.

There are teachers who have extensive experience of working with children with SEN but cannot access training to become SEN assessor (sorry cannot think of the correct title - senior moment ) as schools do not have the budget to undertake this.

In certain cultures, it is the norm to have a period of singing at certain times after a death.

Charities rely on cheques. If you have ever been to a funeral recently, there is a tendency for family/friends to request donations to charities instead of flowers Cash and cheques are usually given (funeral directors usually prefer cheques which they send off to the appropriate organisations.} if you do not operate an on line banking account- you cannot scan cheques. Banks are still sending our cheques books and paying in slips. Churches still take cheques for one off 'payment' i.e. hall hire. Hubby received a cheque from Tax Office as they had over charged him. Also a cheque from a shares company - interest on a couple of shares- under £40 for the year.

Do you know whether Leon would be able to remove old double oven (in wall unit at eye level) and install new? Looks as though may have to splash out to get newer model.

Since the closure of HSBC bank in ED and Peckham, any cheques we receive (about 5=10 a year) go through LL Post Office. Agree at times long waits. Generally for PO type business - I go to Forest Hill. understand that you cannot process Lloyds Bank cheques through LLane.

More Like 70K. For a loft conversion Our neighbours did not pay this. Previous neighbours had wanted to do this but Southwark were taking so long at approving their application, they decided to look for another property. This was 2/3 years ago and it was costing around £35K. They ended up paying £40k more to secure a 3 bed property in Lewisham. Delay by Southwark was due to covid/working from home by planning officers.

We are in Barry but did not see or hear anything. Which end of Barry?

Our neighbours did this- was a one bedroom upper floor flat and they extended into the roof/loft. No problems at all during construction and since completion. Southwark as landlords approved of the construction. Just heard of a half house with 2 bedroom locally which is up for sale at just under £900.000 It makes far more economical sense, where viable, to spend some £30 - £40K on a conversion

A Premier Inn or Travel Lodge would be ideal. There was a big write up in last week's Southwark News. Dulwich Estates are refusing to answer questions.

Used Leon for the first time today as our usual electrician was out of London. neighbour gave us his details as we lost all power in the lower part of our house. Fortunately we had a separate circuit for the first floor so could boil up a kettle. Leon when rang advised he could come this afternoon, turned up and checked every thing and got power back on and to call him back if we had any more problems. Reasonable rate considering it was an emergency call out. Nice chap, very helpful, would recommend.

Hubby went in to enquire re washing a double duvet - cost quoted £20. He paid £25 a few weeks ago of another duvet in a laundrette opposite Peckham Bus Garage.

My granddaughter (25) passed her test first time. She had been learning on a manual car for many months but progress was slow. She changed to an automatic vehicle with the same instructor and put in for her test within 6 weeks. By the time she can afford to buy a car- there will be more automatic and electrical cars about. Driving instructor was based in Orpington, He advised that more and more learners were using automatics.

Tried to see laundrette in Grove Vale when I passed through on the bus- whereabouts is it?

Never met or seen Peter but his garden in full bloom is the best in the area.

Our neighbour in Barry Road had subsidence about 15-20 years ago and the insurance company thought it was caused by the roots of a large tree in street. At that time there were similar occurrences else where in the borough, and Southwark Council were forced by various insurance companies to increase their tree maintenance including felling of unsafe trees.

I am afraid that the days when it was normal to have a copper on the beat who was seen daily are long gone. Those of us who have lived in ED for years will remember our old beat officer Adrian Crust who spent around 10 years in the area. Adrian knew his patch and the informal chats he had with residents and businesses gave him essential information of crime/possible crime/concerns etc. Also for many years we had a local police station (plus police horses) where you could pop in to give/receive information. During the pandemic, the SNT held zoom meetings from their base at the time in Gipsy Hill. These were well advertised via social media and EDF - attendance varied from about 4 - 8 people. The SNT is now based along with many other teams in Peckham Police Station. Dulwich Hill Team cover from Crystal Palace Road, Forest Hill Road, Wood Vale plus the Dawson Heights Estate, They work on foot so are limited in what they can cover on a shift. At the moment they are down to 2 staff due to sickness. On their way to the Cuppa Session, they were stopped by a number of residents who had various concerns i.e car thefts/damage etc which they noted. Dulwich Library= this was used by SNT for a few sessions but was abandoned as residents felt uncomfortable in a public place with limited privacy. If privacy is requested in Christ Church- the police can access one of the vestry rooms. Whilst many of the regular attendees do have access to computers etc, the Wi Fi connection is not always brilliant in Christ Church. I will mention the idea of zoom meetings to the team when I next see them. The aim is to have monthly Cuppa Sessions during the day and continue with the evening quarterly meetings. Police visibility over the year has been patchy as they have been called to cover riots/demonstrations etc. Many people complain that the police do not do anything- what has been noticed that incidents are not being reported to the police. This came up at the evening meeting where several comments were made about incidents (mobile phone thefts) which were taking place around a specific area. Despite the number of incidents- the victims had not actually informed the police on the basis that the police would not do anything. Details were given to the officers present at the meeting.

It is to do with shift patterns, they were working 10 am - 7 pm. Many of those who spoke with the team today were retired. They hold meetings in the evenings every 3 months. The next one is the first week in December at 6.30. I believe it is the 4th but will double check and publish details nearer the time. Some time ago people complained that evening meetings were difficult to attend as could not get babysitters and wanted day time meetings. Being half term there were folk with children in the café, but were not interested in talking with the officers.

When our girls were young we took them to restaurants to inform them that there were certain establishments where children were permitted but they had to be on their best behaviour. It worked, Now with their own children (when they were under 11 years) similar expectations re behaviour but colouring books. pencils, comic to ward off boredom. Have been to pubs with our 8 and 10 year old grandchildren but for meals during the afternoons. Would not dream of taking them in the evening.

Pleased to announce that the above went ahead which gave a few residents of Dulwich Hill the opportunity to meet 2 of our local police team. Car and mobile phone thefts were concerns raised by local residents. Next Cuppa will take place on Monday 25th November 2024 at 11am Make a note in your diary