Pugwash

Insurance companies will not pay up for any damages to fences but usually will for brick walls.

When we had to get furniture moved from my in laws house, we asked the police to put out their cones as very narrow one way street with limited parking. When the removal van came they could only just squeeze in the spot. We had some aggro from people further down the road as they usually parked outside in laws house as they thought we had nicked the cones from elsewhere. We gave them to police officers name and phone number who arranged the space and they backed off. Must stress this was Lambeth not Southwark. Removal van was gone within a couple of hours.

My Mother in Law converted her very large house to 3 flats and one 4 bed flat was on a long lease. The leaseholder had to pay yearly a percentage of the house insurance (it was based on the area/cubic capacity of the flat), plus the same percentage towards any building or repairs to the external building and garden, plus there was a clause about hanging out laundry, also that the leaseholder was responsible for cleaning the stairs and hallway leading to their flat on a monthly basis. She frequently had to threaten legal action to get her money - cannot remember what the ground rent was - high as in west Dulwich

I am glad Brad is still around, I used him some years ago and was very satisfied with the quality of his work. I have coming up another couple of decorating jobs to be undertaken and will be getting in touch with him later in the year.

I have been to Kings A & E twice in 15 years - both times could not fault them. The only criticism was that , I was taken into A& E early morning with a suspected heart attack, that was quickly ruled out and other tests undertaken, around 3 pm I mentioned that I was a diabetic and had not eaten since the night before and could I go out of the unit to purchase something to eat. The male nurse who was dealing with me was very apologetic as the previous nurse should have noted my diabetic status earlier and got me some sandwiches as my blood sugars were low.

Orpington has a variety of houses and prices, green areas bordering on farmland. My parents retired to W. Sussex - both now living in care homes. Due to the high number of retired people in the county the amount of money available for social care, subsidised travel, activites etc is very much lower than some of London. My step mother had a stroke and lived 10 miles from St Richard's Hospital in Chichester. She was refused ambulance or hospital care transport home and had to pay ?25 mini cab fares as could not use bus. She got a few days care at home with personal care, meal prep and was told that since she had an occupational pension she needed to purchase care privately. There was no Stroke rehab provided, she was not offered Reablement Service or Intermediate Care (either of the last 2 should have been offered for upto 6 weeks free of charge) I would seriously look at the services provided in the area of choice , house prices may be cheap but a ?8 day return by bus to the local big town (without travel concession)can mount up. We found it cheaper to go by minicab for the 2 of us than pay the fare and saved waiting 30 mins for bus.

I would suggest that everyone writes to PALS - or even local press. I work in the health and Social Care sector and always advise my clients to do the above if they feel they have had a poor service. I know from mine and colleagues experiences in our field that one complaint may not generate much interest with the 'powers that be' but a steady trickle or a vast number does eventually produce results. Is there a Health Ombudsman - I think there is

With daughter number 1, I went back to work when she was 6 weeks old, I was lucky that I was based in Peckham so very little travelling. An aunt who just retired looked after her, she also had another aunt and a Gran around who loved her to bits. Her father loved her but was not hands on - useless with nappies etc, did not help with the housework. He was also a bit tight with the housekeeping so my job paid the mortgage and bills. Although I loved my daughter, I was not a 'natural mother' and enjoyed working. Daughter number 2 - different Dad - husband very hands on from day 1, I went back to work when she was 5 months old and had a workplace nursery so she travelled with me. We took turns in getting up at night so at least one of us had a good nights sleep. I was still not a 'natural mother' as I still enjoyed working more than being with the girls. I did worry later about the effects I had on their development by being a working mum and to a certain extent putting them 2nd. I was somewhat emotional reading through one of the girls exam projects/essay when she wrote that she came from a family of strong women, and that she enjoyed her childhood as she knew my work made me a happier person to have around at the weekends and holidays and that we did not have very structured days, friends were always welcomed in and during their teenage years our house was very much open door. I think if you are able to work and do not mind a certain amount of chaos around you ( who is going to worry if you don not dust the shelves every week, and that the house is not as tidy) and other adults and children are given roles - even 5 year olds like to lay tables and help with the drying up of small items. you can cope and have the best of both worlds.

I took redundancy at the age of 40 and had a 4 year old daughter. I went to university and did 3 years BSc and then 2 years for a professional qualification. I was hard going at times, midnight assignment writing etc. Hubby was supportive. As I was the main breadwinner, it was tough financially. I qualified in my profession and now earn over twice as much as I did originally. I could earn more if I went for promotion but have been senior management with responsibility for budgets and staffing in my previous life, and cannot be bothered with all that hassle again. Advantage was that with the exception of half terms, I had all the school holidays off for 5 years.

I have seen all the Drs at The Gardens and I love Dr. Tran's off beat humour. Saw Dr. Cliffe last week and she was very helpful and sent off for a KCH appointment for my painful foot. Dr. Cliffe is also hubby's GP so I could fill her in on the bits that my husband does not tell her . I have a good relationship with Liz the nurse who does all my diabetic checks. The other nurse is also very pleasant. Most of the receptionist staff call me by my first name as I have been around for a long time. Surgery is very well clued up on mental health issues and since hubby is bipolar I rely on them a lot for their expertise. Not always easy to get an appointment but they do early mornings (8 I think is the earliest) and late evenings.

In my job I frequently have to ring GPs and all GP surgeries have a bypass number which is only available to those who work in the medical and social care field. I tried several times yesterday to get through to Melbourne Grove yesterday on the bypass number whose answer phone was telling me that surgery hours were x - x. I was well within these hours. Googled the main number and got through straight away. Receptionist expressed surprise to hear that the bypass number was on an answerphone, but to her credit within 5 minutes I got a return phone call from a helpful GP who issued an immediate prescription to my client. Must admit this was the first time I had spoken with this surgery

There are good and bad points in hospitals. A friend had a quadruple heart bypass at Barts a few weeks ago, he then developed an infection in his leg. Despite asking what it was and how it happened, the Drs refused to discuss the matter. It added to another 10 days stay in hospital and mucked up his discharge arrangements as has been advised that he had to have someome at home for at least 7 days to care for him. The arrangement was for him to go to his sister's for a week before she went on holiday. The delayed discharge meant that he had 2 days at his sisters, 2 days with a niece and then returned home alone. The majority of Drs in Kings - especially on the 'elderly wards' take a great deal of time explaining medical matters to family and patients. I work in Kings and as a patient have had good and bad experiences as both an in and out patient. Went in for an op scheduled to take place before 11 am. (having got there at 6 am) nothing to eat or drink since 8 pm the night before, op did not take place until around 9 pm and was kept overnight, not allowed any food until after midday the 2nd day - despite being a diabetic. One ward stayed in - staff awful, the next 2 - staff could not have been more helpful

As everyone states, Grief is very personal, a friend of mine's daughter last her little girl at almost 9 months gestation and found it very difficult to talk of her experiences for considerable time. We sent a card which just stated thinking of you and our names. In my time years ago as a bereavement counsellor, I had to deal with a young woman who had a still birth of a little boy at 6 months gestation. It took a while for her to talk about the situation including how she found out that her son had died, the effects it had on her and her partner. It was made worse as at the time of the delivery, she did not want to see her son and the child was buried/cremated without his parents being there. Times have changed and parents are encouraged to be actively engaged in this process and being with their child. I know as a mother, at the end of the counselling sessions with her, I used to lock myself in the loo and cry, as I felt her pain. My own daughter is expecting her first child in 2 weeks time and I am on tenterhooks as my life experiences have also shown me that birth and infanthood is not always joyful.

It is very difficult to adopt a baby - you are more likely to see toddlers. When I worked in the Adoption and Fostering services of Greenwich Council in the 1990s - adoption was a very long drawn out affair, but now quicker. You should talk to someone who has recently adopted to get latest information. You will need to provide several character references and those people need to be prepared to be interviewed by social worker. Your lifestyle, and outlooks on life and parenting will be considered. Most Local Authorities hold workshops for prospective adopters and it was compulsory to attend these when I was involved. Are you able to take a sibling group? a child with disabilities?

Just a reminder that this event is open to all residents in East Dulwich but applies to the whole of Southwark

My deeds prevent any building in the front of the house and x number of feet from the road.

Try advertising with Kings College Hospital. There are a number of medics who live weekdays only in the area but go home to family at weekends. My Dad was working for London Ambulance Service and had purchased a house in West Sussex as he had got a transfer to West Sussex. He had exchanged contracts for selling his house and for the new bungalow when W Sussex contacted him withdrawing the offer due to cuts. He managed to work out his shifts in London for the next year and rented a room from Sunday to Thursday in Merton going home at weekends. I would say ?60 - ?75 a week would seem reasonable with access to kitchen/washing machine etc

Many council tenants live in terraced street properties and some in the past have received a poor or inadequate repairs service from Southwark Council, with delays, bad workmanship and overcharging found to be all too common. The Council recently made a priority of improving its housing repairs service and there is an opportunity for residents to share opinions on whether things have changed. Also a chance to look at the related issue of whether an estate orientated local authority can achieve good management of street properties. Christine Bramman, Repairs and Maintenance Manager of Southwark Housing will be the Guest speaker at the Barry Area Residents' Association General Meeting on Tuesday 11th February 2014. 8 pm at the East Dulwich Community Centre, 46 - 50 Darrell Road. SE22 9NL (next to DMC) Council Tenants and Homeowners are all welcomed. After the meeting there will be light refreshments, informal discussion with a chance to meet other Southwark Council street property tenants and home owners. Hope to see many of you as possible

George lived at 77 Court lane for many years, my best friend lived at number 75 and her family foiled a burglar attempting to get into George's house. After that, security was stepped up

St. Mungos, Thamesreach - homeless charities.

Yes we have always had good beat coppers in ED. George was followed by Mike?, we later had Mick Bell and we still have Adrian Crust.

There was talk of a Travel Lodge in a southern part of Southwark, this site would be ideal for a Travel Lodge or small premier inn. We could do with some budget hotels at this end of Dulwich. I know we have the Queens at the Palace and a Travel Lodge in Penge but it would be good to have something here which has disabled facilities i.e. lifts etc.

The 1980s - there was great community spirit mainly due to the GLC making area a Housing Improvement zone and pumping in millions. The Alleyn Ward as it was then, had the highest number of people living in sub standard accommodation with outside toilets and no bathrooms, especially elderly folk. Most property was privately rented or owner occupiers with a few GLC and Southwark rented places. great community spirit with 3 popular residents associations, Pellatt Area, North Cross Area and Barry Area which all met at the Community Centre in Darrell Road. Each association had 80 plus members who rang senior citizens clubs, social events, dinner and dances, bingo, coach trips etc. Sadly many of the 'new commers' do not have that community spirit - ok they like their zumba and other activities but the generations generally do not mix at a social event - in the In 1986 within 2 weeks of having my 2nd child I was at a fund raising event at the centre where my baby was the youngest and the oldest person was nearly 90, around 150 people who raised ?1000 in a night for a scanner for Kings College Hospital as a result of our beat Copper George Hammond being stabbed in Lordship Lane.

Many years ago walking my child down Friern Road to Goodrich School, my daughter was spoken to a replied to both a man and woman in the street. I asked her who they were, she did not know their names but my aunt who used to do the school run had told her that she must be polite and talk to them. Had a go at my aunt and it turned out that these were people she knew who attend the Adult Education Classes at Goodrich (That will show you how long ago this was!!)who lived in that part of Friern. I was annoyed at her more as if my child is going to talk to people on a regular basis, that I wanted to know who they were etc, and where they lived and their connection with my family. I was much later introduced to this couple and was able to explain my concerns to them. They fully appreciated my concerns and realised that they should have introduced themselves to me instead of talking to my daughter. I have since them explained to my daughters that if someone attempted to talk to them, just to smile and walk on, and not engage in conversation

I have worked in Sutton and it does not give off good vibes during the day. St Helier Hospital is not very good. Lots of care and nursing homes in the area. More appealing to older folk than families. Try Carshalton which a work colleague has recently moved to from Cheam.