Pugwash

Have used Turners in Barry Road for a number of years since the retirement of Andrew Brock.

Is he local to South London? My father made his solicitor the executive. I, for many years had Lasting Power of Attorney to deal with all his finances including liaison with his bank and payment of his care home fees. I was also responsible for the sale of his home to release funds for care home fees. When he died, I notified the solicitor, obtained the death certificate and organized the funeral, cleared his care home of his possessions . Myself and my cousin were beneficiaries but my father had left a small sum of money to a man in the Midlands whose name was unknown to all of us including my step mother. It took around 9 months for solicitor to establish that this gentleman had been deceased for a number of years . This obviously put additional charges onto the fees.

The Police and a couple of local residents took part in a Road Watch last week. In the hour we were there - 20 odd cars were doing over 23 mph, one doing 41 mph, plus a bus was caught. Registration details were noted and these will be recorded on a data base. Traffic was lighter than normal as half term.

I suppose we are lucky that our daughters both drive so do not have alcohol when they are with us. I start my Christmas food shopping in October, when prices are generally lower. Turkey Crown from Iceland, gammon from Sainsbury's, get put into freezer as do any other bits and pieces i.e. prawns/seafood. Fruit and veg from Aldi nearer the time,. Having 3 vegetarians plus a gluten intolerant, I make much of the other food stuff including desserts. Aldi's version of Baileys is half the price, plus beers and ciders are good value. Neither of us are wine drinkers We generally have fish or vegetarian based food from Marks plus a dessert, I suppose I have always been a careful shopper - I was a single parent for many years where all my wages went to paying the mortgage leaving around £10 a week for food and other bills. My work colleagues used to mock me when I said that a chicken would last us all the week ending up boiling up bones to make a soup base. Old habits die hard even when you have a bit more in your pocket to spend.

Most of those originally caught are travelling through the area and generally not local residents. If the same rules apply from last time we did this - those caught were sent a caution letter but as all number registrations are recorded, those who had already received a letter as a warning, are then fined.

I may be a scrooge but to pay over £100 plus for a meal is a bit much. I understand that staff costs would be a high factor in this price and that being no transport on Christmas Day - pubs may have to pay car hire fees. The café in Christ Church will be doing a 3 course meal in the run up to Christmas for around £30 per head (Booking essential) so to charge an additional £60 plus seems somewhat unreasonable. The past few years, there have only been the 2 of us on Christmas Day, so we lash out and buy a lot of M & S food - ready prepared or with minimal cooking at a cost of between £30 and £40. We host the family Boxing Day onwards (8 - 10 people) spending around £60 on food and drink. Rather spend £100 for food etc over a couple of days rather than £200 for one meal. We are fortunate that we have the finances to do this as many people are not able to do this. One family member with young children would find it hard to spend even £10 on a Christmas meal. Our kids come armed with plastic boxes to all family meals to take home any leftovers - so we are left with minimal waste- any veg and meat get made into soup.

If anyone is concerned about speeding on Barry Road, there will be a Road Watch organised by Met Police on Friday 31st October at 2.30. Local residents can take part in this exercise - meet at junction of Etherow Street and Barry Road.

There seems to be a change in the reception staff - did not recognise a couple of them when I last visited. Not sure whether one of the long term staff has retired as not seen her for a while. Used on line facility as my podiatrist recommended antibiotics for a toe infection and also took photo of my toe which I attached yo my request. Got a message back within a day to say medication ordered from chemist.

Not sure where the cameras are- an Etherow Street resident informed me last week that they were up - perhaps she meant that the wiring etc were in place. Car owning residents of the street have to pay for parking permits to be able to park their cars during the 'school street hours'

Been with The Gardens now for around 30 years and very rarely do I have a problem. I went in to collect a form and mentioned that my leg was hurting and hot- was seen immediately by the Practice nurse who then arranged an appointment on the Saturday with the Extra care service at TJ Centre where I saw a doctor, who then sent me off to Kings for further tests.. I recently booked a flu jab but appointment is in 2 weeks.

Have used Milk and More for years. When the price went up we cancelled a couple of pints but we still have 8 pints a week. If we are expecting family etc we buy from Sainsburys to top up. We kept on with M & M as if weather bad we could order extra stuff from them to save us a trip to Sainsburys Local. Also gives employment to our milkman.

St Anthony's school will have a school street in a few weeks time - the cameras have already been installed. It also covers Friern Road as well as Etherow Street.

Most churches rent out halls for children's' parties but rarely adult parties, Christ Church only does afternoon parties, The East Dulwich Community centre hires out halls to 9 pm only and all music needs to be on a sound restrictor as is in a residential area. St Johns with St Clements have a small hall but not sure if they allow adult parties. Nunhead Green has a newish community centre with a couple of different size halls. Most places seem to charge around £40 ph with a deposit of £100/200 (returned if no damage or excess cleaning needed.

Having had several cats over the past 40 years - mainly rescue, we have a tried and tested routine, Initially confined to one room with litter tray/food/water - we take it in turns to stay for a few minutes several times a day so they become familiar with our scent. They are gradually introduced to the rest of the house. We have a wire cat basket and we place cat in basket and take them outside, over a few days we place basket in different areas of the garden - grass area/gravel area, patio area etc - different flowers/plants. Some of the more nervous cats we walk around the garden on a lead. They get use to the scent of the garden. We have a cat flap in the back door so they have full access - If we need to keep cat in - just block off the cat flap so they cannot escape! We are now down to one elderly cat - who during the summer just laid on the garden chairs and came in for food, but as weather getting colder prefers to sit on a worktop in the kitchen looking out into the garden. So we are back to the cat litter as she is reluctant to go out in the rain/cold.

For those who are concerned about speed in Barry Road - the police are doing a Road Watch on 31st October at 2.30 pm at the Etherow Street junction with Barry Road. Last time we did a speed check on Barry was some years ago so will be interesting to see the results. Come along and participate - last time we all took turns with the speed gun.

Usually a very good service etc -went to get a replacement showerhead for my aqualina system to find that they no longer stocked this product and I would need to get this on line.

You may come into the catchment area of Fair Lawn primary in Honor Oak, Secondary would possibly be Sydenham Girls in Dartmouth Road or one of the private schools

I drive an automatic car and have to go into drive 2 to maintain a 20mph otherwise in 'normal drive' I am constantly using my brakes. Discussed this recently with local police who stated that this was common with automatic engines. I have recently been approached by the Police Road Watch team to see if I would be interested in doing a speed road watch in Barry Road. (I have done 2 in the past 5 - 10 years). They will give me some dates so if anyone in Barry Road interested in joining me - PM me. It is likely to be at the Etherow Street end.

As an avid reader and user of Dulwich Library it is a facility I could not live without. Listening to friends/family who live outside London where library hours are reduced, book loans limited and fines exorbitant, we are very fortunate. However, if push came to shove I would be more than willing to pay a yearly subscription of up to £50 pa to retain this valuable asset should there be an attempt to close the library due to funding restraints. I am a pensioner but could afford that yearly amount - when you think that even buying a paperback would cost you £8 - £10. Have purchased a number of books from charity shops and have a pile of them on my bedroom floor to return to them. Many years ago we donated brand new books in Polish which my father in law ordered before his death. Dulwich Library reluctantly took them when we informed that there was a large Polish community in the area. Although husband speaks Polish his reading of the language is quite poor.

Contact the local fire brigade- they used to visit premises and advise on fire prevention. Different 'fires' use a variety of extinguishers.

We have had post 3 times this week.

if you have safeguarding concerns, please contact social services. Unfortunately, financial abuse of the elderly is an ongoing problem. In my professional life I investigated a large number of cases where the elderly person lived alone and was befriended by helper/carer/gardener/ church visitor etc. However, this may not be the case in this instance.

The closure of the bus stops are having a knock on effect on local businesses. The café at Christ Church have seen a massive drop in their income over the past couple of weeks as many of their regular customers come by bus. I am involved in running a club for over 55s, many of whom have physical disabilities which affect their walking. Not having the bus stop opposite the library, they struggle to walk from Crystal Palace Road and Upland Roads. Was also advised that not all the No 40 bus drivers allow you to board etc at terminus in Etherow Street.

My friend is an elderly lady and prefers to wash her own hair. She also has mobility problems and is dependant on mini cabs. They took her to the hairdresser and waited whilst she had it cut.. She obviously paid extra to the driver. If she had her hair washed- would have been in the salon a lot longer. They did spray wet her hair.

I have used Adam for many years. I have cut and blow dry for £23. Lowlights twice a year - I think I paid around £45 for this. A friend went to an ED hairdressers and was charged £40 for a trim only with no wash.