Pugwash

Real pain this - I try not to use my car much and would have normally travelled to my GP in the Gardens by bus, but with no buses running down to the Rye either had to use car or take 2 buses (12 to Kings Arms and then another up to the Gardens). I have mobility problems and walking more than 100 yards is difficult.

Having done a couple of the community speed watch sessions with the police, anything of 25 mph - your registration and make of car is noted and placed on data base as previously stated. Everything else is as previous post states.

Highshore Road - we have used Ms. Robinson for over 15 years.

A decent Thai restaurant - the one we have is not very good. Clothing shop that caters for those of us who have 'restricted incomes' and are not size 12.

I can remember many years ago my mum needed a new fridge and I took her to purchase one at a large electrical outlet. Neither of us realised until we went to pay that the shop had stopped taking cheques supported by a cheque guarantee card (many years later this facility was phased out). The cashier demanded cash or credit card, mum did not carry $100 plus cash on her, and neither did she have a credit card as her only income were retirement pensions. Mum was in tears and everyone was looking at her. Fortunately I had my bank card with me and I paid for the fridge. Mum was very angry and said in a loud voice that she hoped that when the cashier was old, she would not be treated as a second class citizen because she was receiving a pension. Mum was very wary after that about purchasing goods, an although her meagre occupational pension was paid into her bank account, she drew her retirement pension from the post office. Eventually I became the second card holder for her state retirement pension and when ever we had to get expensive items, I would pay by card and Mum gave me the money. Mum at that time (prior to her death in 2011) only had a couple of hundred pounds in her bank account and was not eligible for a debit card. Imagine how she would feel going into a caf? for a treat and not being able to pay cash for a cup of tea and a cake. I think all premises should prominently display a notice on their window and on the menu that they do not take cash. I can understand shops etc wanting card payments but equally they should state that for purchases under ?20 they would be happy to take cash - this leaves it up to the customer to make the choice.

Waitrose shopping was a treat for my late Mum, used to take her to Beckenham. She loved most of their products but complained that they were beyond her weekly budget. She thought Sainsbury's were expensive until she went to Waitrose. Some of their stuff is reasonable price wise, but not for a weekly shop.

I visited Marks and Spencer's yesterday for the first time in a couple of months. I also wandered in to the new sweet shop and decided that I could not afford any of the goods on offer. However I did purchase a couple of items in Superdrug and also Farmers. My family and I try to support local eateries i.e. Johnnies, Dulwich caf?, Mr.Lu and a couple of the Indian restaurants. but the majority of the other eateries are places we would only go for very special occasions due to their costs. The last time I went into one of the pubs was meeting some old work colleagues a couple of years ago for a drink (none of us wanted to pay the prices quoted for meals). I fully understand that high rents mean high priced goods as traders struggle to exist. A chain wanted to purchase the large St. Christopher's shop but since this was a high money making venue for the Hospice, they agreed to pay the increased rent- consequently the price of all their 'goods' had to be increased. If I remember correctly, the shop has to achieve ?1,000 plus a day to meet rental costs and money towards the hospice. I do not know what the answer is- more 'niche' shops with high prices? empty shops reflecting 'failed' businesses? do we know who the landlords are for the majority of shops in LL?. Perhaps my previous rant about ED not being disabled friendly is putting off shoppers/residents who have the financial means to be able to support local businesses.

I am not sure of the weekly/monthly charges that banks charge businesses for their card machines but I am advised that small businesses/charities cannot guarantee a set weekly income to warrant the cost of one of these machines. My hairdresser only takes cash, many small concerns used to take cheques supported by a cheque guarantee card but with the abolition of these cards, they will only accept cash. Today I paid by card in Marks and Spencers, cash in Farmers and card in Superdrug. Cash at my local newsagent, and caf?. My kids and grandchildren get cash or cheques for presents.

Christ Church in Barry Road hires out halls - check with Elaine at the Bread of Life caf? re availability. East Dulwich Community Centre Darrell Road may have some free slots

Perhaps as local residents we should make a list of hazards to those who have disabilities regardless whether they are on crutches with broken limbs, visually impaired, require a wheelchair etc. My bugbear is eateries who extend past their forecourts and customers who spread out over the forecourts with their scooters, bikes and prams. Dropped kerbs with 'lips', uneven pavements and roads (especially at traffic lights) shops with steps and heavy doors. Should we 'name and shame' or just give locations i.e. Whately Road - Bawdale?

I heard of another incident relating to the same area A male wheelchair user was being pushed along Barry Road by his male friend and went over the tarmac under the tree, the wheelchair tilted right but the 'passenger' gripped the chain railings of the Plough car park, however the friend was strong enough to be able stabilise the chair before it completely overturned. I was talking to a local resident who stated that when she was on crutches following an accident, she did not realise how bad the pavements and roads were around Barry Road/Lordship Lane and that the dropped kerbs at the traffic lights were uneven. She avoided the tree between the Plough/278 Barry after nearly falling over on the uneven camber. I have heard from Cllr Browning who has raised a member's enquiry with Highways.

As a mother of 3 girls and 8 grandchildren ranging from 3 to 25 I am aware that kids do play up especially in public. The temper tantrum in the supermarket makes you feel useless and embarrassed as to what other shoppers think of your parenting skills. I have a fear of falling onto tracks and whenever I am at stations I stand well back until the train/tube arrives. Consequently neither of my kids or grandchildren are allowed to run about on platforms not only for their own safety but the safety of others. JL's comments that the child was running about the platform apparently unsupervised does somewhat question the parents awareness of the situation. Yes the child may have an unseen disability, but having worked with disabled kids -they too need a level of discipline and taught to apologise if they mistakenly hurt someone. All kids get excited and I have found that a few minutes of sitting/standing still can take the edge of their behaviour. I would have certainly insisted that my child apologised to the lady and give them knowledge that their actions can sometimes harm others albeit unintentionally. At 8 years old I would expect a child to have some understanding of 'acceptable behaviour' more so than a 3 year old. Our youngest grandchildren are 5 and 3 and their parents are quite strict as to their behaviour both at home and elsewhere. If either of the kids hurt each other, they are made to apologise immediately.

Christ Church in Barry Road also hire out space. Talk with Elaine in the Bread of Life Caf? who will be able to advise on costs and availability.

I have had an email from Highways to say they are now looking into my complaint. I also emailed Cllrs browning and Hartley (Dulwich Hill) and cc the Goose Green Cllrs in. The tree in Barry Road was 'smoothed over' but the camber is so sleep and uneven that a wheelchair can topple over. There was at one time a charge for eateries who wanted to put tables and chairs onto their forecourts as an attempt to regulate the number of tables/chairs being set out. Franklins seem to be one of the worse offenders having extended their tables to the pavement edge. If I remember correctly, James Barber campaigned for the LL/EDG crossing when he was Cllr. The problem is that shop forecourts are the responsibility of their owners/leaseholders and they are not willing to fork out cash to repair them. I also have a problem with steps going into shops/cafes although some have provided a short ramp for wheelchairs. In my professional life, I was frequently an advocate for my clients who had seen and unseen disabilities, fostered partially by growing up in a household with disabled adults. My father in his later years was partially sighted and living in a village - became isolated as could not go to shops independently ( 30 mins walk) and later died of advanced dementia. Disabled people value their independence greatly and 'small issues' like pavements/access can have a profound effect on their emotional and physical well being. Perhaps we should have a group - Disabled of Dulwich and campaign for our healthy streets.!!

Whilst I appreciate that having trees is essential to our environment and that Southwark does not like cutting down trees but in some cases trees are detrimental to some members of society. Today I had to push a disabled male relative in a wheelchair to enable him to get to his barbers. Tree roots at the top of Barry Road by the Plough car park had raised the camber of the pavement to such extent that I could not get the chair over this section and was forced to go back a few yards to find a dropped kerb and pushed the wheelchair in the road facing the incoming traffic. Crossing at the lights over Lordship lane was a nightmare and the chair nearly toppled over when a friend came to my rescue and also a young man on a moped stopped to assist. On the return journey, I had to pull the chair backwards across the crossing and again walk in the road until I found a dropped kerb. The paving stones near this tree are being uprooted and are dangerous for those with limited vision and reduced mobility. I have informed Southwark Highways of this area. Looking at Lordship Lane in general, I have noticed that with cafes using their forecourts (and beyond) for table as and chairs, there is limited space on the pavements for wheelchairs. I watched as several women with buggies, were standing talking near Farmers and disregarded elderly folk using their 3 wheeler walkers trying to pass them. I was too far away on the other side of the road to suggest to them that they were obstructing the pavement. I have a number of disabled friends, one with impaired vision, the others with varying degrees of mobility issues who admit that sometimes just going to the shops can be a major hurdle - bus drivers can be impatient if you take too long to get on and off the bus, street furniture, poorly maintained forecourts, lack of accessible WCs in some of the eateries on LL, and sometimes general lack of consideration by other shoppers/visitors to the area. Southwark wants us to have 'healthy streets' we need to look beyond having strategically placed benches, 'green walls' and see how we can make life easier, safer and better for those who have various forms of disability and mobility.

Unfortunately he does not qualify for a Blue badge as with his rollator he can walk a short distance. Also his mobility is caused by OA and he is awaiting a hip replacement - so classed as a temporary condition. He is not in receipt of Attendance Allowance or any other mobility/health related benefits. I was lucky as there was a space outside Barclays and he could walk the few yards to the dentist.

I will have to 'unload' a person with a rollator frame in the next couple of days, in order that they can attend their dentist. this will be in Lordship lane. He cannot use public transport and just about able to get in a car. I hope that I can stop a few yards from the Post Office area for a few minutes. We have arranged that since his appointment could be anything from 15 minutes - 45 minutes that I return home and he will ring me when free.

When I used to visit my Mum in Lewisham Hospital after work in the evening, I still had to pay parking charges. The meters in Lewisham Park opposite may be free after this time.

The was a prefabricated building there in the early 1960s but housed a telephone exchange. Cannot imagine a school as whole site belonged to Post Office/BT

Sorry not a fan of fried chicken, pizzas or burgers. On the very rare occasions (twice in last 3 years) - I get the veggie option.

What is the latest situation regarding your parents Minitoots? Did you manage to sort things out ? I had carers in whilst looking after my elderly aunt and they covered both day and night. She got on very well with them as It was only a few days. I think she would have got frustrated and bored with them for a longer period as she was not keen on sharing her home with others.