fatcats

I would like to add another recommendation for Miguel, who did my highlights along with a cut. He really takes the time to listen to what you want but also offers his own ideas and advice. My colour came out really well and I am also very happy with the cut. I will definitely go back.

Hi there I can also recommend David O'Brien who removed a chimney breast and load bearing wall from our property and organised some plastering and plumbing etc. I can second what rubyclark says above about him being excellent at keeping in touch and helping you solve issues. He gives lots of useful advice and suggestions without being at all pushy. The people who worked for him at our place were all very pleasant and as well and we were very happy with the quality of the work.

Hi there We are having similar work done at the moment in that we are having a chimney breast and load bearing wall removed. We got a few builders round to quote and it seems that they tend to have a structural engineer that they regularly work with and they will give you the contact details for this person if they need plans to work from. So for us it was the builder first, then the structural engineer to draw up the plans and do any calculations necessary. I'm pretty sure you will need to contact building control at the council because you are making structural changes and I would be tempted to ring them up and ask them for their advice in terms of the changes you are planning to make and the best way for you to approach it. Building control will want to send a surveyor round to check everything once the work is done and this will cost a few hundred quid, ask building control to clarify this for you. I've pointed it out as it's one of those hidden costs that you don't necessarily think about at the outset.

Hi We have just completed on a house and we used Aasima Riaz of Alexander JLO. I can't recommend her highly enough as she made the legal side of buying the house completely stress free. She always returned calls and emails promptly. We were first time buyers and she was very patient with all of our queries and very down to earth. She also has good ratings on the Good Lawyer guide, which convinced us to instruct her. http://www.goodlawyerguide.co.uk/lawyers/200100-aasima-riaz

Ok this is a long shot i realise but we are looking for a builder to remove a chimney breast in a small terraced house. We have already had a structural engineer visit and draw up plans. Would be grateful for any recommendations etc. Thanks in advance Sorry chimney breast not chimney stack

I guess a lot of people your age may still be at uni which may makes things more difficult. Maybe via meetup it may be easier to meet a younger crowd. I think the best thing would be just to try things out and if they work, they work, and if they don't, they don't. I don't think you'll ever regret giving things a try. Good luck anyway, whatever you decide. I know it can be isolating in London sometimes so I hope you find a way to meet people that works for you. Have a lovely xmas and New Year.

Hi again I know a few people who have gone to these social things on their own and they are not strange or anything! What do you have to lose? If you try one out and find that everyone is actually weird or that everyone thinks you're weird (which they wont) then don't go back; it's that simple really, I doubt you'll bump into the people again and if you do say something came up at work. Remember there are a lot of people who move to London after uni or from other countries who find themselves in a similar boat to you. Just to clarify, it's not a meeting new people section, it's the What on in East Dulwich section and within that there is a Meet new people in East Dulwich group that meets up.

It is really difficult in London, I think. Luckily, you are living in a really good place to meet people- just check out the What's On in East Dulwich section there are all kinds of sports activities, book clubs, language nights etc & there is the "Meet New People in East Dulwich" meet-ups. I think the fact that there are all these activities demonstrates that you live in a good community where people are open to the idea of meeting other like-minded people. I really wish I had moved somewhere like East Dulwich when I first came to London. You could also check out www.meetup.com, there are loads of similar events and things on there.

Cheers Alan Medic, yes I was looking at your post in that link. You are right about Esher train station, if I was going to do it that way I think I would get a folding bike as I live a 20-25 minute walk from Peckham or East Dulwich stations as well. But my preference would still be to go via moped, have heard mixed reports about how difficult/dangerous the journey would be.

Ok thanks, not what I wanted to hear as I only just bought it! (Bought it before I was offered the new job). Sods law eh. I have just dug out this thread which suggests a couple of alternative routes, don't know if any of the suggestions seem any safer? http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,892106

Hi El Pipe Thanks for the suggestion. No, I thought if I was going to do something like that I may as well cycle to Vauxhall as there is a direct train from there. Still hoping there may be an ok route for driving/moped. Thanks again

Starting a new job in Esher next month and will hopefully eventually be commuting via moped. Does anyone else commute out this way and if so please could you give any advice on the best route? I have heard the South Circular is a nightmare at that time of day even if you are heading out of London. Google maps says East Dulwich - Tulse Hill - Clapham - Tooting - Wimbledon then eventually get on the A3. Wondering if anyone has any better ideas? Thanks in advance

It has appeared in Bournemouth local news as well: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9761672.Missing_pensioner_could_be_in_Bournemouth_and_Poole_area/ And looks like ITV covered it at the weekend, but only in brief: http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2012-06-09/police-appeal-for-help-to-help-trace-missing-pensioner-from-peckham/

Hi there A girl at my work had a charity cake sale this week and raised more than ?200. Some of my other colleagues helped by baking cakes for her to sell. Nice simple idea that works pretty well in a big company. ETA: apologies I just saw that you are looking for long term ideas. Is it just for patients at Kings or cancer patients nationwide? If it just for local patients you could approach local companies to see if one of them might sponsor the initiative?

How about a petition calling for the BBC to give this issue some media coverage (chosen the BBC as it is publicly funded)?

Thanks James, and this is not meant to be sarky but isn't that what these Empty Homes departments are supposed to do? My point is just really that it is a waste of taxpayers money that these teams even exist, if all they do is settle for empty assurances and turn a blind eye.

Wasn't really aimed at James, but apologies if it came across that way, I think it's great that councillors directly address people's concerns on here.

Well as long as they have "repeatedly assured" them. I mean that's all it takes the rest of us proles when we have to deal with the council, right? Is there anywhere where one can find out what this Empty Homes team actually achieves? In terms of numbers of empty properties actually brought back into use?

No Winglessbird, they go out into the back garden but if they run along the back fence which adjoins several other gardens they eventually would come to a road that joins with Underhill.

thanks Minkey, it wasn't mine, I got home from work to find him waiting for his dinner as usual. Feel awful for the cat's owner and the cat, of course. Thanks for flagging it up OP and sorry you had to witness it.

Whereabouts on Underhill road was this? I don't know where the new houses are. I have an 8 month old black kitten and am stuck at work worrying about him.