Pugwash

As well meaning as everybody is, it is difficult for a vulnerable person as to whether to trust a 'stranger' who turns up offering to do some shopping. I do the occasional voluntary work with elderly people via a local charity - I have an ID badge and the older person is rung by the charity and given my name, I then ring the person and arrange a time to visit them. Unfortunately there are people in Southwark who would think nothing of trying to con vulnerable people and it is more common than you would think. The best way is for people to know their neighbours - we know the young couple who moved in 18 months ago next door- we introduced ourselves, we also know neighbours 2 doors down on the other side of the house and a few people even further down the street. Why wait until a crisis to be friendly. I think going via churches is a good idea also if you have a tenants and residents' association in your street to contact their committee as they will have access to those who may need help.

is it the fact that we now have more schools in the Dulwich area? When my kids were young there was St. Anthony's, Goodrich, Heber, St. Johns and St Clements, Grove Vale, Dog Kennel Hill, Dulwich Village and Dulwich Hamlet. You then had the independent schools plus JAGS, Alleyns, Dulwich College and prep,I cannot remember whether the 2 other independent primaries were around in the period 1978= 1990). Charter School was initially William Penn in the 1960-70s, and eventually became another secondary school but half or quarter the size of Charter. There was Friern which became Waverley and amalgamated with Honor Oak and no other secondary school

I contacted our local councillor (Maggie Browning)and she was advised that Southwark were sending out with effect from 9th March - I was advised that if not received by next week to contact her again. The Dulwich Hill Ward Forum is on 17th at Dulwich Library 6.30 - 8.

Many thanks for info- still waiting for BT to give us approx. time for a visit on Thursday. Need to get my mobile topped up as having to tell family/friends not to ring landline. At least some of them are on email.

Went into Farmers yesterday and were surprised to find they had sanitising and cleaning stuff a plenty. I noticed they had kitchen rolls but as to whether they had loo rolls I did not look as they were not a priority for me. If the worse came to the worse and I had to self isolate - have plenty of stuff in the freezer and loads of tins. We have a 3 times weekly delivery of milk so I could order extra foodstuffs off milkman (one of the reasons why we chose to keep our milkman even though more expensive).

2 of the phones are cordless handsets but sit in a plugged in console. 2 other phones are the old fashioned type. Hubby phoned BT who think it is our outside line which I do not believe is correct as I have internet connection ( they cannot come to us until Thursday), I did Google originally which told me to check sockets etc.

Our landline has gone down -and phone is showing the above message. I have checked all the phones and sockets to ensure they are connecting but no change. Any ideas please what to do next as we rely on our landline as we have very basic PAYE phones. We are with BT.

Not sure whether Kings can offer work experiences -they certainly provide student placements.

With an independent school, children will come from differing areas of London and making friends who live locally may be problematic. A friend sent her daughter to an independent school and found that most of her friends lived in Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich with only a couple in Dulwich.

Uplands Care Home with Nursing is also very good - a friend has had 3 elderly relations being cared for there. I have visited there in the past and found it clean, staff appeared caring and residents appear to be well supported. The lady I had to visit had Parkinson's related dementia and needed a pureed diet.

I found when we were visiting schools (secondary) for both of our daughters, we got a feeling/intuition that one particular school was the right one for our girls. We had visited several other schools and did not feel comfortable in them. I would seek a tour of whatever school you were thinking of for your son and ask questions. My eldest daughter was keen to get her child into a local primary school which had a very good reputation and OFSTED report, when she was shown around the school and asked questions she was not happy at the answers or the atmosphere in the school. My grand daughter eventually went to a school further way, which was listed as 3rd best, it had a happier atmosphere and all questions were answered.

The Dulwich Estates since the 1950s (or earlier) rejected the idea of public transport going through the village as they wanted to maintain a 'village atmosphere' to encourage wealthy people to live there. I had friends who lived in Court Lane who at times would have benefitted access to public transport - especially to get to Norwood and the Palace. I think it was only in the 1990s that a bus route was 'authorised' due to the increasing elderly population and growth of schools being used by non local parents.

The pub was well attended - you usually had to queue up for a table as they would only take reservations at Christmas only. It was a fire in kitchen/dining room that closed the pub.

Orpington - good train and bus links. House prices generally cheaper than ED however very mixed housing area with large expensive properties and cheaper bungalows and flats

last time this happened in our area, I was told by our SNT Police Officer to report it. Also genuine salespeople will have a licence authorising door to door selling. It is a scam and could be linked to possible burglaries later on.

As a trustee to a counselling charity who specialised in preventative mental health work with children and young people, we were initially funded by a local council and then the Clinical Commissioning group. Last year the CCG decided that they were reducing funding for all counselling organisations in the borough which offered more than 6 weeks support. This has led to staff redundancies, long waiting lists and heightened stress for those who are seeking support. Schools are finding money out of their diminished budgets to pay for a counsellor for a few hours per week to help vulnerable children/young people and their families. Talking to one counsellor, I was told that the Government's response is that all teachers need to have additional training in mental health issues (paid for out of school budget)so that they can 'double up' on the work they do!!. I think this centre is a good idea.

The Elms is brilliant as I had a relative there many years ago and also have a friend living there. If Mum has been diagnosed as needing a nursing home with specialist nursing care - the Elms is a care/residential home. The nursing side of your mother's care maybe beyond the care that The Elms staff can provide as staff are not qualified nurses. District nurses are usually brought in to deal with injections and other procedures. I would take a copy of your Mum's assessment of need and look at the Elms, they would be able to advise you as to whether they can care for your mother. They deal with many residents with dementia who either developed this whilst in the home or were placed with dementia. They are in great demand as one of the best homes in the area - very friendly and helpful staff and fantastic food.

It may not apply to many people but my husband had several types of schooling when he was younger. A village school in Sussex from age 5 - 7 where he was diagnosed as above average intelligence, a catholic primary school for boys, and again diagnosed as very high IQ. Was offered free place at Dulwich College and Alleyns, but parents paid for St Joseph's College as wanted catholic education. Was later placed into a private boarding school in mid teens and then private tutorial college. Consistent changes in education for a sensitive child and the continual pressure from both his parents and private school/college lead to him having a breakdown and being placed in Maudsley at 17 for several months. He is now in his 60s but still has poor mental health. Since the 1960/70s there has been more awareness of child mental health and there have been considerable changes is way schools operate. More and more schools are aware of the impact of peer/parent/exam pressure and seek to rectify this. It is important that whatever school your son goes to, that they are aware that not all pupils are academically inclined and seek to provide education which is holistic and person centred. Although we looked at an independent school for our youngest daughter as she was fairly shy and we thought smaller classes would support her, - she decided that this was not for her. She went to Sydenham Girls - at the time there were around 1000 girls attending, and this was the making of her. University followed and she is now an associate lecturer in a Sussex college.

Can you text payments on a non SMART phone ( a basic phone costing less than ?60 - pay as you go) if not this will affect many disabled people who do not qualify for a blue badge especially those who have very limited hearing/ poor speech due to deafness/physical disability.

Depends on whether your mother is assessed as needing a care home or a care home with nursing. The social worker will advise you as to the recommendation and undertake an assessment of need, also you will need to complete a financial assessment of your mother's income and savings and any property owned. In Southwark you have Anchor Care Homes (4)plus The Elms in Barry Road. You are looking at fees around ?650 - ?850 for residential care but with nursing this could rise upto ?1000. There is a general shortage nationwide of both types of care homes and you may wish, depending on finances, as to whether to employ a live in carer.

Just a reminder that you can meet the Dulwich Hill police team on Weds 19th Feb 7 pm . WILL NOW TAKE PLACE IN THE MAIN CHURCH IN CAFE AREA - Please use main church entrance.

At Christ Church Barry Road on the following dates;- Weds 22nd January 12 - 1 pm. Weds 29th January 1-2 pm, Weds 5th February 2- 3 pm, Tues.11th Feb 12- 1 pm Weds 19th Feb 1- 2 pm. Weds 26th Feb 12- 1pm. At Dawson Heights Overhill Road Community Space - on the following dates;- Monday 27th January 10 - 11 am, Monday 10th February 10 - 11 am, Monday 2nd March 10 -11 am, Monday 16th March 10 - 11 am. have a cuppa with your local cops. St. Clements with St. Peters Church Friern Road. Thursday 5th March 10.30 - 11.30 am. These meetings are for any member of the public who wish to attend. This is a great opportunity to meet members of the Safer Neighbourhood Police Team.

Irwin Mitchell have a good reputation. I am shocked re the cafe's attitude - they should have a public liability insurance and should have taken full details of the incident. At least taken your phone number to get back to you for more information One questions as to whether the parent of the toddler was negligent in supervising their child? Admittedly young children are unpredictable, but depending on the size of the caf? and how full it was, young children should be in high chairs or on laps. Was this a 'local cafe'? did you recognise any other diners who would give a witness statement?.

From 'Which' full report will be in January's edition. Relates to the problems of business etc not accepting cash and how this is affecting rural communities, the elderly and disabled.(in Sweden) A cautionary tale for the UK Even with the banks brought to heel, there remains the problem of what should be expected of shops and businesses. In April 2019, the Riksbank petitioned the government to review the concept of a ?legal tender?, including the question of whether businesses should be legally obliged to accept national currency. ?More and more shops and caf?s are putting up signs saying ?We are not accepting cash?. It?s not only about being able to take out money. That?s not enough. It?s about being able to use it,? said Jan from the SCA. Although Cash Rebellion thinks that its work is far from done, we?re inspired by its achievements. We are concerned that the UK is sleepwalking towards a cashless society and are urging the government to take note of the Swedish lesson and implement laws to protect access to cash before it?s too late. You can find out more about our ?Freedom to pay. Our way? campaign and sign the petition calling for better protections on cash access. You can also share your views by joining the discussion at Which? Conversation. We?re continuing to lobby the government to intervene and protect the UK?s banking and cash infrastructure. Measures taken so far have not been enough to halt the rapid decline of banks and cash machines  [?

Can you afford ED house prices? Most terraced 2 bed houses are in the ?800K area? bus transport links are good and you have a selection of stations to choose from . if you only commute a couple of times a week try Orpington area where you get more for your money. having lived in ED all my life with the exception of about 4 years in Forest Hill of which a year was spent staying several months in Wimbledon, Maidenhead and Charlton for work purposes. I am happy to spend the rest of my days in this area