first mate

It seems to boil down to a case of the behaviour of one of the people involved in this incident was OTT. If the guy having a leak was seen to be trying to be discreet about it I just don't think the OP would have reacted. Most of us have had the experience of being caught short and we tend to recognise the body language of someone who is at once desperate but trying not to be noticed. It seems to me, from what the OP has said, that the reaction of the OP was triggered by an indifferent/couldn't care less/even slightly exhibitionist attitude displayed by the public widdler. That kind of attitude might be the result of extreme inebriation, but the OP has said he did not appear to be drunk in any way, it might also be consistent with getting a little thrill from doing something a bit off in a public place, it could also explain the 'perps' further reaction of laughter and more aggressive display of genitals on being challenged.

Pugwash said- "James Thanks for confirming the council property sell off. The money collected could go to creating more extra sheltered council housing for those aged 55 plus. There is a scarcity of property for older people in ED to rent or purchase, especially important for those of us who want to downsize and still live in ED in accommodation suited for people with reduced mobility etc. I cannot remember seeing anything on the various leaflets we have had from all parties as to what each party is going to do for us 'older folk'. Given the recent publicity that loneliness is on the increase on pensioners, what can be done to reduce this in ED? There do not seem to be many activities/clubs etc around which cater for the less well off older person, who does not need care or day centres." Pugwash, Yes, very little if anything on old folk. Libdems are obsessed with garnering parent vote and wholly focused on schools; other parties seem little better. Of course kids need schools but impression made by James and others is short term vote catching and precious little long-term care of community. If all resources are going in one direction (every tiny plot of land is a new school, a new supermarket or new flats) what happens long term to other sections of society?

If you are prepared to give the willy waver the benefit of the doubt, why not the OP? Is it not possible that the man in question did not appear drunk, was making absolutely no attempt to be discreet and simply appeared not to give a damn, thus explaining the OP's outrage and reaction? Had the guy semed even mildly apologetic I imagine the OP would have walked on, as would most of us.

healey, your tone suggests that urinating in public, against a work of art and then waving your genitalia at anyone who dares to object is more or less acceptable- no evidence at all that he was drunk. Don't think the OP is being OTT in their response, if someone is genuinely caught short they should try to find somewhere unobtrusive and perhaps apologise to anyone that happens to see them.

Hasn't he also been charged with making/possessing indecent images of children? If, along with all the various witnesses for the prosecution, that is true it looks more likely that he is guilty as charged. Don't want to believe it but fear it is the case.

Whatever you do don't go to Acer!

The objection is not to another food store it is to the development in its current form. This fact has been repeated here ad nauseam yet some posters still seem to believe this is an anti brand lobby. I don't know what more can be said to clarify. Planners do not decide on the brand of store but on the nature, scale and legality of a proposed development.

Perhaps the Harris Academy for foetal development.

Richy, yes have a read. Those pesky older folk eh, always in the way of bright young things.... Soylent Green appearing on local menus soon.

Richy, development is not necessarily synonymous with progress either. Plese do read the M&S application.

Thanks Renata. If the current playground is so little used that it can be rented out for significant periods why do we need another one?

Richy, Many might find an M&S more of an imposition- do read the planning application and then you will understand local concerns about over development. In what ways do you think the area would benefit from 'regeneration' and the interest of larger businesses moving in? Do you have a particular vision for the high street?

No, amazingly not just rumour, read the following from the school's own website:note that this space is closed to the public in school hours. No wonder they need another adventure playground. Frankly I am aghast at how this has been swung by. Where was the consultation? How does this impact on the future of the park, which is now an extension of the school? I for one would appreciate the comments of any of the politicians that frequent this website, whether James, Renata, Rosie or anyone else. How has this situation come about, what are the implications long term. Do you all support his private school that has the park as its "extended classroom"? "Small Acres is based in the adventure playground at Peckham Rye Park. This amazing playground is a large, grassy outdoor area that is closed to the public during school hours. Within the playground you will find a ball court, areas for bikes and scooters, a small woodland, large grassy areas, plenty of climbing structures, a zip wire, ropes and swings and a garden full of vegetables and fruit bushes in the spring and summer. The building situated to one side offers toilet facilities, a place to put up tables for work and art, room to create, practice yoga, dance and move, space for our meeting, corners for quiet reading and it also offers the warmth of a heated floor in winter, while a shady place in summer. Beyond the fence is Peckham Rye Park, which Small Acres uses as an extended 'classroom'. There are wooded areas, meadows, a restored Victorian garden, ornamental gardens, flowing streams, ponds with ducks, fish and turtles, play structures, a caf?, playing fields and much more. We often visit the various places within the park to measure trees, draw, observe nature, study the habits of the local wildlife, observe the bees and learn about the seasonal changes that are so rich and ...."

I think this was dismissed as an ill-founded runour before. There is no way a school, especially a fee paying school, could take a chunk of public park space to be used as a dedicated school space. I would be thoroughly alarmned if there was any truth in this. Perhaps Renata could comment? Actually just checked http://www.smallacresschool.org/ It would seem that a private school is allowed to operate out of the Adventure Playground. What precedents does it set for the future of the park, since it has two large Harris Schools on each side? How long has this alternative shcool been operating and who in the council okayed it? I don't understand how this alternative school has been set up with so little publicity- who benefits from the fees? I would now like to know where the 2 million has come from, is this public money or a public private partnership?

I still cannot get my head around the 2 million figure. I'd rather see more money spent on the park and its upkeep. Toddlers do need special spaces to play but should the emphasis be more on engaging with the natural world and less on plastic, metal and other artificial structures? What about a maze, some special trees and logs which kids can climb over, a tree house, a secret garden? I don't understand why a wondeful outdoor space has to 'built' on to make it suitable for use.

katgod, Yes, toddlers do need somewhere safe, but why on earth should we trust the decision-makers who got it so wrong before? Buzz phrases like "open access" sprinkled with hype words like 'fantastic' are empty and meaningless if we have no idea of the detail. What should be put to consultation are plans with meat on them, so people can see exactly how their money will be spent and can comment accordingly. What this feels like is 2 million has been ringfenced to do something that will get the parent vote, fluffing up lack of detail by calling the scheme 'fantastic' and 'open access'...and the detail will be cobbled together as they go. 2 million is a lot of money... Henryb, yep the upward flowing stream...what a mess. I ask again, how much did that 'fantastic' little disaster cost?

Golly, it must be a terribly complex process to be taking all this time to organise, or is it a case of lots of conversation between developers and planners behind closed doors.

This does feel like a done deal. A huge amount of money to be invested with seemingly very limited notice and very limited consultation. What exactly is a 'fantastic new open access play area'? What will be in it. Why do we need it? Isn't the whole of the park an open access play area? A new play area by the hut was only built a few years ago...how much did that cost?

Yes, those wishing the chains in are wishing the identity of ED away.

TBH I really do not think the RSPCA will do anything, since there is no proff the dog is ill treated. Many dog do suffer separation anxiety or boredome, or both. Either of which could set off barking and howling sessions. If anything this is a matter for Southwark and the noise nuisance team. You need to keep times etc.. of when dog howls/barks and for how long. If it is during the day I would really think it quite possible the owners are not aware and I would still put the most energy into first identifying where the dog lives and then making contact with owner- at least you then have a clearer idea of what is going on. If you stick at it you should be able to identify the house. I managed to do this last summer, when a dog was howling through the night. It took a while but the noise enabled me to narrow it down and finally locate the dog. In this instance the dog had been left in a derelict room, in boiling heat, without food or water. It took two days of constant calls to the RSPCA for them to decide to intervene.

How often does dog howl for and for how long, on average, each time?

Dogs can also howl if a bitch is in season within a couple of miles radius. Best thing would be first to identify where dog lives and speak to owner. The owner, if they work and leave the dog for any time they may be unaware. Dog daycare or a walker may help if it is separation anxiety. Key thing is try to speak to owner first. Also wanted to add that some dogs and some breeds enjoy howling.

p68, yes, you are quite right.

Does seem an awful lot of money. Where has the demand from these services come from? The football/ sports changing rooms are temporary so that makes sense but thought it would make sense for a toddler play group to be close to the cafe. The cynical side of me wonders if redevelopment of areas in the park enables the council to rewrite terms of use....sorry don't know the correct terminology? As others have said if it ain't broke. It would be good to know who has been lobbying for these changes, is there huge public support or is it something the council has concocted...if so, who and why?

p68, great idea. Tell you what why don't we just hand over policy making to the EDF- seem to get better ideas here in a few minutes than highly paid council officers take a year to make.