Pugwash

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?

James - I was always wary about the Free School meals in Southwark's primary schools for various reasons. One of the questions I put to the last ED labour candidates was success may need to be made in measure of wastage. Kids can be very fussy eaters and waste food - so free meals does not always mean the food is going in the stomachs of the kids. Is there any feedback from the schools as whether the free meals have a high or low 'wastage/swill bin'?

We have a combined sewer which comes across our back garden and down our side return ( we are in a semi detached) We had sewage (liquid) rise in the cellar many years ago and discovered that building works on other side of Barry Road - builders had let bricks/debris fall into sewer which caused the main sewer in road to block up and liquid sewage seeping into our cellar. Next time - our neighbours had been flushing nappies down the toilet and this had blocked the combined sewage. As we could prove that we did not have young children, the neighbours had to pay for the bill.

ED is full of underground streams. we in Barry Road have streams under the cellar which every so many years make the floor damp. Usually happens after a very long period of rain over several weeks.

Agree the multiplex is great value - went to see the last Dustin Hoffman directed film there ( The Quartet). Every time someone came into the cinema there was a cheer. In the end there were about 20 of us watching the film with most of the audience talking briefly afterwards. popcorn and drinks a bit too pricey for us . One night hubby and I went to the pics and then nipped to the Chinese near Morrisons for a meal. Great night out for less than ?25

see above

If wearing a dark coat - make sure your child wears a reflective band as with dark nights coming and street lights not as good as they could be - they need to be seen.

I have a small drive which goes into a main road. I inch out every day at snails pace because of children running ahead of their parents on the pavement, dog owners who have those ridiculous long leads, suddenly appearing. I have a dropped kerb which may give an indication to others that there may be a car in that drive. I am irritated that as a reasonable observer of the Highway Code, I try when coming back into my drive, to reverse into the drive, my reverse lights and indicators going, checking all mirrors to suddenly find that an idiot decides to cross at angles from the other side of the road and goes behind the reversing car and swears at me when I slam on the brakes as they suddenly appear in my mirrors. The same goes for cyclist who suddenly decide to do a u turn in the main road and get annoyed that I am there. If there is a need for a cyclist to be on the pavement, they should dismount and walk with their bikes for everyone safety.

Re my previous post - the incident quoted was several years ago and things have changed a lot in Children and families Social services because of the high profile cases which come to court. Although I have not had to notify them of concerns re a child as a neighbour, professionally I have raised questions and have done joint assessments with C & F. If I had mentioned my profession years ago - I wonder whether I would have got the same response.

Still not really sure how this will work? Are you affected by the changes in Housing Benefit? Come along and quiz Southwark CAB about the changes. ED Community Centre, 10th September 8 for 8.15 start See poster for more details

My husband knows the lady in question she is 90 years old and was on her way to church

I am a social worker for adults, I had concerns many years ago about a family who used to live next to me and contacted children and families social work team. I was horrified at the way the spoke to me (I did not tell them my profession) and how they reacted to the information I gave them. Stepfather of the 2 girls was always shouting at them, they looked frightened in his company - one was a bed wetter and was publically humiliated by her stepfather. Mother could not care less - stayed in bed most of the time and let the girls do what they want. The final straw was when I was going to work one morning a man came up to me and asked whether I knew 'this little girl' it was the 3 year old. He had found her playing out in the street near the Plough Pub and was concerned. He had knocked on many doors until he came to me and I of course recognised her. Managed to rouse her mother from her bed who had no concern that the child could have been abducted or injured. My other neighbour contacted the NSPCC who acted and we found that the girls were on the child protection list If all else fails and you do not get response from SSD or NSPCC I would contact Child Line and ask their advice.

I think you will find that orphanages are a thing of the past most are now children's homes and children are kitted out either by the local authority or by the voluntary agency managing the home. I would suggest you find whether a local church or voluntary group are sending clothes abroad to Rumania/Africa etc where orphanages are more common place

See attached for details of the animals, the activities etc.

The Old Bellenden School was used in part by ILEA to around 1990 as a workplace nursery along side their site in County Hall. Only the ground floor and playground were used by the nursery but I believe they may have had community groups in the remainder of the building. My youngest daughter went to the nursery from the age of 15 months to rising 5.

When non London based family members visit- they usually pay cash for one or sometimes two bus journeys as it is not worth them getting a pass etc. We keep 2 spare oyster cards for grandchildren visiting ( 2 are over 15) but hubby usually meets them at the train station so takes Oyster cards with him.

Because of the risk of infection, it is highly unlikely you will be able to hire one. When people are given commodes, mediquip or the company supplying them will not take back if used. I think you can also get them from Argos and some of the bigger Boots have them

I am surprised that no one has already asked this. Coming home from work around 7.15 to find several fire engines, plus police plus a cordoned off road on the DK Hill estate ( not Albrighton the one nearest to the station cannot remember the name) and loads of people