Pugwash

Stolen car? rushing away from an accident?

You can foster children whilst you are working but are more likely to get the older children. I used to work as a 'link' between foster parents and social services and the foster parents I can saw it as a vocation and an extension of their parenting skills

We had a 9 year old when we got married but could not afford a honeymoon and a family holiday. We all went to a holiday camp in Suffolk!

James, I too try to avoid the Whateley/LL junction due to poor visibility. It is probably ok if you are in a high vehicle and can see over the top of the railings. If you add a couple of people waiting to cross at the lights. this also obscures the on coming traffic

In response to AnotherPaul's comment I have been a cyclist and a moped rider as well as a car driver. I used to cycle from Barry Road right down to Westminster Bridge (County Hall). Like a previous comment, I had wing mirrors on both side of the bike, this had 2 advantages - it gave me extra width - cars gave me a little more room as did not want my mirrors scratching their paintwork. It also gave me some indication of what was happening behind me so if anyone was indicating, I would see them in the mirrors. With the poor light even around 4 pm on a cloudy day, I have to put my car lights on and it is much easier to see reflective clothing. I have had a couple of near misses where in a poorly lit street, I have had to swerve to avoid cyclists in dark clothing, on dark bikes with no lights who seem to appear out of the shadows. My husband has cycled all his life and his worse moment was someone getting out of the drivers seat of their car without checking the road was free, the car door was opened suddenly as he passed by and was knocked into the main road. Apart from bruises and grazes he did not have any injuries. He had a go at the motorist and demanded an apology, when this was not forthcoming, he took down the motorists registration plate and stated that he was going to notify the police. He reported this to the police, and was informed that the police traced the man and gave him a written caution.

I hope you reported this to police. Hubby is a cyclist so I am very wary when I see other cyclists around. Unfortunately, there are still idiots not wearing reflective clothing and have really dim lights back and front. There are also those who think they have to ignore traffic light and just go across when they feel like it. did you get a description of the car i.e. colour, make, which road did they turn left into, chances are that this is a regular route for them and police may have an opportunity to catch them. Likely that their car may have been scratched by your bike.

Halfway houses are also used for people who are waiting to be rehoused. My stepdaughter when she and her partner were expecting their first child, their private landlord gave them notice to quit their bedsit, so the local council put them up in a Halfway House until the baby was born when they got a one bedroomed council flat.

This is a Southwark Council building which holds the Fred Francis Day centre and also the Southwark Alarm Scheme operators. A new larger day centre is to be built in Peckham (Cator Street) with a view for longer opening hours and specialist dementia unit(s).

My husband is a Catholic and I have no religion but if pushed would say I am a Humanist. Our youngest daughter was christened as Catholic and attended St. Anthony's RC School. She did not feel comfortable going to church regularly and we gave her the choice of going to a RC secondary school or a state school. The nearest RC secondary (Sacred Heart) had a poor educational record in those days and therefore the next nearest schools were Streatham Common or Croydon. In the end she went to Sydenham Girls. Religion was something discussed in our home but as we had a wide circle of friends from different cultures -different aspects of religion were included. RE in schools is about teaching tolerance to those who have other or no faiths and sets about dispelling myths and prejudices.

The maternity wards were in the main building and were there until mid - late 70s

If I remember correctly our daughter' christening 25 years ago was a cheap affair. Donation/fee to Father John at St Thomas More, a new dress for our daughter who was about 18 months at that time, then everyone back to the house for food and drink -for about 15 guests plus kids - less than ?50. My church wedding in 1982 with 40 guests, caterers. hall hire and clothing cost less than ?600.

I think I did a little bit of emotional blackmail myself saying that the money he spent was part of our retirement savings and why was I working past retirement age to keep his daughter in fags and booze. He has got a bit tougher now - last time she asked for money he said I will give your ?20 and that's all ( before it was in the hundreds)

My husband is BP and his daughter by his first marriage is also although she refuses to be 'officially diagnosed' and seek treatment. I found that my husband had given her over ?5000 in 6 months because she was not able to manage her benefits and look after the children. He also was worried that she may turn against him if he did not help and was also worried about the children (3 under 16).I had spoken to him about getting a lasting Power of Attorney and having an official 'maximum amount ' which he could send her through the bank. He thought this a good idea as he was conscious that when he is very 'high' he does spend money unwisely. We did not get around to doing a LPA as most of hubby's friends told him in no uncertain terms that he was a fool being blackmailed by his own child. The 16 year old grandson also told his Granddad not to send money to his Mum as she was wasting it on drink and cigarettes and always telling people what a soft touch her Dad was. Fortunately she is going through a stable period at the moment and the requests have stopped.

Do you have good friends who have spare beds for kips. My daughter used to come and sleep at my house, whilst I babysat her children for a few hours.

My friend was a lab technician in a 'H' school outside Southwark. H took over the school over a year ago, most of the original staff resigned within a year. My friend hung in for some time but decided that it was time for her to retire after spending nearly 20 years there as she did not like the way they treated staff and did not respect the individual teaching styles of very experienced and good teachers. The teachers they have now are very much clones

Went pass today - signs up but as usual no workmen

I was doing 20 mph in this area yesterday and a Pratt decided to overtake me about 40 mph - I was going extra slowly as a bus was about to pull out - this did not deter the pratt. I later caught up with him at Dulwich Library in fact I was right behind him so his speed did not make any difference.

In response to buddug - both my husband and I are disabled. I have been classed as disabled since childhood following an illness. I was one of the lucky people to have been able to attend main stream schooling - this was unheard of in the 1950s and 60's for a child with special needs, and had 5 years specialist help on a weekly then monthly basis from the NHS. I struggled to get a job when I left school with one A level - the Civil Service turned me down as a clerical officer as I was too disabled for them at ?10 pw ( 1968 wages) but I was good enough to be employed as a clerical assistance at ?5 pw. Fortunately the GLC saw beyond my disability and gave me a job at ?13 pw so I stuck 2 fingers up at the Civil Service. I have since then gone on to get a degree and a post graduate professional qualification. Many disabled people just get on with life - not all of us want special attention. My husband is bipolar and has been since the age of 17 - he has had over 50 jobs in his life as soon as his mental health plays up, he gets sacked. I know what it is like to bring up 2 children on one income, where the choice is between housing costs and food. My husband was forced to retire at 59 on health grounds and does not get any money from the state as his works pension is ?2 over the amount to claim ESA. There are some very genuine cases out there who need help to appeal and the CAB and other agencies can assist with that

James - glad you are ok.

if you attended the CAB lady's talk on Welfare Benefits on 10th September you will have been informed of the various appeals that have been successfully made with regards to exceptions re spare bedrooms. These appeals are on individual basis and several disabled people or those with disabled relatives/children have won their appeal against the tax. THE CAB will assist anyone who feels they warrant an exception - for advice make contact with them directly It is a government decision re the welfare reforms not local councillors so do not blame them as there is very little they can do about it regardless of their political colour

In reply to the previous poster re ED residents being hit by bedroom tax etc - there was a well publicised event at the ED Community Centre on 10th September at 8 pm with a representative of Southwark CAB who covered the welfare benefit reforms and bedroom tax and answered many questions - it was a pity that so few people came in proportion to the thousands of leaflets which went out advertising all events at the East Dulwich Community Centre including the City Farm/benefits evening/Give and Take days. There were also posters displayed in Emily's Fish Bar and on the various community notice boards around ED. You would have had the opportunity of asking the CAB lady the appeals process and other help available.

Churchill Theatre Bromley are very reasonable - some shows have one child half price to every full paying adults. Just booked for the Buddy Holly Story for February 2014 6 adults and 4 children for just over ?200

I also used Jay and his team a couple of years ago for bathroom, damp proofing cellar, electrics and putting in new double glazed units. His plumber and electrician were extremely good

I think you should also consider the impact of closing down ED police station. Our SNT are now based in one small room in Camberwell Police Station and have further to travel on their shifts. I was driving up Grove Lane last week around 6.30 pm when I spotted PC A.C. who was talking with a guy, having known this PC since he started with Dulwich, I was going to offer him a lift down to Dulwich when I realised that he was probably finishing his shift and going back to the station. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned to him that I spotted him 'outside his normal beat area' - he frequently walks to ED from Camberwell. This is a copper who was well known to many ED residents and very approachable so you could mention any concerns you may have about 'odd characters'. With the ED Police station closure, we have lost a very valuable asset -the neighbourhood copper who knew most of the rogues of the area. By diluting the time our coppers spend in ED - having to add on travel time to their patch, we have opened up more opportunities for criminals. I suggest those who are in 'high crime areas' in ED consider forming a neighbourhood watch even if it is only for a section of a long road. There was a programme on TV a couple of weeks ago where Police and Council in Gloucester enrolled the dog walking community as extra eyes and ears and who were given a dedicated number to report concerns. It appeared to be very successful scheme

It sounds as though you need a 'granny' type person. Is the nursery near your home? could an older person - a substitute granny be appropriate. There must be retired child minders around who would like to earn a few pounds for a couple of afternoons/evenings a week?