fatcats

Did you try the Beckenham one? Just thought they might venture out as they are only down the road.

Try this thread http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?20,1101596,1116512#msg-1116512 i remember the OP of this thread had a similar issue, and she tried the RSPCA but found them to be unhelpful. I think the consensus was that there were a couple of small, local charities that were far more helpful. Here's some relevant posts from the thread: meduza Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > What a sad situation, i wish i had seen this > post....Putting your feelings aside, you should > keep the RSPCA informed of any changes or not, to > the situation.You are their eyes and ears. Also > there is a small charity in Beckenham called the > wildlife lodge.They are a small charity so please > use your judgement well.If they cant help they > will most certainly know someone that can. > www.thewildlifelodge.co.uk Also try: Willowildlfe.co.uk and The National Fox Welfare Society Good luck I hope you find someone to help in time

Thanks you all for your input, it's very much appreciated and some great advice! Thanks again.

Hithere Hoping for any advice from anyone that has had an extension built. We are looking at building a second storey over an existing single storey extension. We would need to extend our mortgage in order to do this and get need planning permission. I believe we would also need our builders to do a test dig to check that the foundations of the existing extension could support a second storey. We're not really sure what of what order to do things in, we are thinking that trying to arrange finance first might be the best thing to do, however, I was hoping for advice for anyone that might have done something similar to their house? Thanks in advance

I can recommend David O'Brien and his team, they did some structural work at our house but he has lots of recommendations on here and the Virtual Norwood forum for all kinds of building work including kitchens and bathrooms. We were really happy with the work he did. He works with quite a big team so was able to fit us in at short notice. He doesn't demand lots of money upfront and his prices are very reasonable. All the work he did for us was inspected by a surveyor from the council's building control department, who signed it off. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend him and would definitely use him again. His number is 07960 938621.

Can't believe how insensitive some people are. The OP has just lost a beloved pet, for God's sake, could debates not be left for another thread? OP, I'm really sorry for your loss.

vicksg Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I can highly recommend David O'Brien, who has now > done two extensions for me. Give him a call on > 07960 938621. > > He's totally reliable, does an excellent job, and > is a lovely bloke as well - what more could you > want?! Can second the recommendation of David O'Brien, who has done some structural work for us including removal of 2 chimney breasts and a load-bearing wall. We were very happy with him and his team.

Hi there I would happily recommend David O'Brien, I've put a review of him on this thread including the work he did for us. http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,1045474,1060694#msg-1060694 Since I posted last time we have used his team to fit a new back door and lead flashing and guttering. We have been very happy with all the work his guys have done and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.

JohnL Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > direct.gov.uk has that lane marking (and a road > sign) > and the following comment > > "Where there is a break in a bus lane at a > junction, > other traffic may use the left-hand lane for > turning > left only > > http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_ > digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasse > t/dg_191924.pdf > > > fatcats Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > BrandNewGuy Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ----- > > > A quick check on Google Streetview shows it's > > not > > > marked a bus lane at or just before that > point > > - > > > it's marked with large left-turn arrows. > Buses > > can > > > carry straight on at that point but for all > > other > > > road users it's a left-turning lane. > > > > The lane is red tarmac all the way up to the > cycle > > box, which I think - and again I could be > > completely wrong - is used to mark a bus lane. > > There isn't a blue sign directly there but > there > > is one a bit further back. > > > > Where is the sign that says all other road > users > > must turn left - apart from buses? Where is the > > sign that draws a distinction at this point > > between buses and the other vehicles that are > > allowed to use this particular bus lane, > including > > cyclists, cabs and motorcyclists? I realise > that > > there are directional arrows, but surely this > is > > to let cars know they allowed move over to the > > left, not to tell the vehicles using the bus > lane > > that it has suddenly become left-hand turn only > > and they must move over. I would interpret that to mean that traffic that is not usually permitted to travel in that lane can enter it only to turn left. In this particular bus lane cyclists, motorcyclists and cabs would already be travelling in that lane. I think this link is how I would have interpreted the situation at this particular junction: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/redroutes/963.aspx

BrandNewGuy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > A quick check on Google Streetview shows it's not > marked a bus lane at or just before that point - > it's marked with large left-turn arrows. Buses can > carry straight on at that point but for all other > road users it's a left-turning lane. The lane is red tarmac all the way up to the cycle box, which I think - and again I could be completely wrong - is used to mark a bus lane. There isn't a blue sign directly there but there is one a bit further back. Where is the sign that says all other road users must turn left - apart from buses? Where is the sign that draws a distinction at this point between buses and the other vehicles that are allowed to use this particular bus lane, including cyclists, cabs and motorcyclists? I realise that there are directional arrows, but surely this is to let cars know they allowed move over to the left, not to tell the vehicles using the bus lane that it has suddenly become left-hand turn only and they must move over.

BrandNewGuy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The left-hand lane is a clearly marked for a > hundred yards or so as a left-turning lane for all > traffic. The right-hand lane is straight on. > Terrible tragedy. For buses as well? As the bus lane continues immediately after the traffic lights, as far as I can see, and the road surface right up to the traffic lights appears to be red, which I think means it is still very much a bus lane, even if it is also a left-hand turn for car drivers (I could be completely wrong on all counts, I'm only a learner). There are directional arrows leading up the traffic lights, but does this mean that all traffic - including buses and other vehicles that use the bus lane - has to turn left? And do buses tend to change lane if they carry straight on or do they stay over on the left hand side? I suppose it would just be good to clarify, as it may not be as simple as all motorcyclists always trying to undertake people. All I can see on Tfl website is this: Motorcycles in bus lanes "Motorcycles can use bus lanes as part of a trial - make sure you look out for them, when turning out of or into a side road".

Is there a bus lane at this bit of road? If so was the motorcyclist in the bus lane and the lorry in the car lane? Just seems so odd that you would try and undertake a large vehicle that is clearly trying to turn left.

Do you mean how much should the structural engineer cost? As in how much will it cost to draw up the plans and do the calculations? We paid about ?650 I think. We had two chimney breasts removed and a load bearing wall. The structural engineer didn't visit the property he seemed to work in conjunction with someone else that came to measure up and do the calculations regarding the steels etc. All worked out fine but I don't know if this is the best way of doing it. Removing the load bearing wall cost between ?1500 and ?2k I think just in building costs. Then you have to factor in a few hundred quid for building control if you're going to do it the way the council says you're supposed to. The council will send a surveyor out to make sure the job has been done properly. Often a builder will recommend a structural engineer as they will have worked with that person before and so it makes it easier if any queries arise over the plans. That's what we were told anyway. I'd probably get a builder round first to quote for the job and see if he can recommend the engineer.

Hi again, yes I was happy actually, although my teeth have some fluorosis staining and the bleaching can't help with that. Nor can it whiten veneers, just in case you have some. Definitely a good idea to run it past your dentist first. I didn't get any problems with sensitivity. The technician who made the trays for me told me to use Sensodyne toothpaste before and after using the bleaching trays and not to use the trays overnight but instead for a few hours a day (I think he might have said to leave a day inbetween bleaching sessions as well but I can't quite remember). I followed all the the advice he gave me and didn't get any problems. I think you have to give up tea and coffee if you want to maintain the whiteness though. I'm a tea junkie so found that part of it impossible.

Yes I have tried laser whitening, and it didn't work at all, not even one tiny little bit. Since that disappointment I have done a lot more research and the conclusion I drew (which may or may not be correct) is that the only way to really whiten your teeth is through the trays that you get made at the dentist and then add bleach to. If you are open to the trays approach, there is a place in Honor Oak (on the main road bit) that does (relatively) low cost cosmetic dentistry including bleaching. They charged me ?199 for the trays and 4-6 (can't quite remember) syringes of bleach, which is half the price I was quoted just about everywhere else. They also make the trays for many other practices around south east London (as well as other cosmetic dentistry products including veneers I believe) as they started out as a dental technician, so I don't believe that the quality is substandard. I was happy with the service there, haven't had this particular type of bleaching done anywhere else though, so can't compare it directly with any other dental practice.

My mum had her eyes done at Moorfields, got to be 15 years ago now. She has never had any problems and is still very happy. Two other family members also went to Moorfields on the back of my mum's recommendation and they have also not had any issues.

We went with London and County, we were also very pleased with them. They made everything simple and were very prompt when responding to emails etc.

Yes, please go to a rescue, there are so many benefits in addition to helping a charity. We got our cats from Battersea when they were kittens and they are lovely, affectionate creatures. I've heard some people say that they think cats from rescues will have "an attitude" but this really is ridiculous. Benefits of adopting from a rescue include: free or reduced low-cost neutering, free or reduced cost initial vaccinations, free microchipping, possibly a few weeks free food, possibly free insurance for a month or so (Battersea offer this, not sure about other rescues). Also advice and support. Also, not all rescues have long-winded adoption procedures, Battersea certainly doesn't. Not sure about the others but would still recommend going to a rescue, even if they do, as at least you know that their kittens/cats will have been health-checked, defleaed and wormed etc.

Thanks all, for your input. I'm not too convinced by the scheme either, the only thing I thought might make it worthwhile is the Government cashback for various things. One of the things that puts me off most is that the debt is tied to your home, and that if you sell the new owner takes on the debt. Can imagine that putting a lot of potential buyers off.

thanks for this link, Lowlander

Hi All Was hoping to get some independent feedback on the Green Deal scheme and if it is actually worthwhile. We have moved into a doer upper that is freezing cold and needs floorboard insulation, double glazed windows, new rads, probably a new boiler at some stage - these are just the things we know about. I'm sure if we had an assessment that they may find other things as well. Was wondering if anyone had actually signed up the green deal and what their experience had been so far. I appreciate it's only recently launched.

For a minute I forgot that this is the EDF and that there always has to be someone to turn every thread into a debate.

Hi benners This sounds awful, I'd be horrified if something like this happened to my cat. The only advice I can offer is to call all of the rescues, not just Celia Hammond and/or Battersea. You could try Blue Cross, Cats Protection League, RSPCA Southeast,(they post on here so maybe you could PM them or reply to one of their threads). You could try popping into Celia Hammond on a Saturday or something to speak to someone as I know they can't always answer the phone. Maybe one of these charities could offer some advice to help you trap the cat and neuter it for you. Also, could you try calling the council? They may be able to give some advice. Good luck, I hope you get somewhere with this.

Ignore, sorry

He is also really flexible with his opening times and said he was open til 8 or 9 (can't remember exactly) on weekday evenings.