Alec John Moore

Could you be more specific? Do you mean primary or secondary? I take it you are thinking state not private.

Hi Zeban, I always find it difficult writing posts on the forum so apologies if I'm not making my point cleary enough. My general view is that having indepedent media is some protection from the inevitable bias we get in all communications. The BBC is largely free from the influence of state and private sector influence because of the way it is funded, because of its governance structure and because of its public service remit. My view is also that our democracy would be less secure if it was not for the public services ethos in the media and therefore we all benefit from this. I used the example of Radio 4's reproting of the situation in Egypt because it is current and it has provided a number of different voices on the situation. The reassuring thing for me, and I may well be proved wrong depending how events unfold over the next few days and weeks, is that there is a great deal of tolerance and stability in Eyptian society and that it isn't there because of a ruler who maintained stability through oppressive rule. My other general point is that we all, and I include myself in this, interpret media and all forms of communication according to our own personal, cultural sensibilities.

I hope that if we didn't have a public service media organisation like the BBC then we would be clamouring for one. The news and comment on Radio 4 is diverse enough for me and where there is a suspicion of bias then the op, or whoever, should specify their concern and that can be discussed. I have found the reporting and comment from the BBC on the situation in Egypt to be very helpful in trying to get a sense of how worried we should be about destabilisation in the Middle East, for instance. Given its independent nature and its historical position in British and global society, I think it's safe to say that even those who don't pay a licence fee or who do and don't really need to, benefit from the BBC. Whether they like it or not.

I've been meaning to mention Barry's. It has really improved since Shine became the manager a while ago. He's an entrepreneur with a real sense of his clientele's needs and interests. So, good customer service doesn't just mean that you don't feel so bad about paying a bit over the odds for stuff but that the shop actually stocks the products you are interested in and new ones you might like to try. Where else can you get Marmite XO, for instance? That was a rheorical question, by the way.

Just to add to the identity confusion, the orange Scottish "turnips" or neeps are actually swedes. So, for all Burns Supper afficianados, here's tae us, wha's like us, gie few and they're a' deid.

I like veggie haggis and I like some of Burns's poetry. I'm also interested in how Scottish identity is expressed, interpreted and appropriated through events such as Burns night. Coming from "Burns Country" I also like the way his work plays a part in my life. His line "The best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley." often comes to mind in the course of my working life.

Interesting take on the Burns Supper standard format. Particularly nice to see the use of another poet's work.

Hmm, the whole thing is a bit anachronistic. Follow this link for an alternative view of the event: http://entertainment.stv.tv/opinion/222249-address-to-burns-suppers-time-to-go-get-stuffed/ While I donlt agree with everything in the article, I do think that the Burns Supper formula doesn't do the man's poetry or the image of Scotland any favours. I do love a veggie haggis, though.

Hi N&N, I think this thread might give you some insight into what ED people are up to: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,590558,page=1 I like the Green adn Blue book club which I found through this forum.

Hi Dorothy, there's a lot to remember on this thread but I recall James saying that there is a council property on LL that will become available at some point. Therein lies his interest, I think. Alec

This also relates http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?20,601479,603021#msg-603021 Half of all fish caught in the North Sea are thrown back.

What decision making process are we involved in? I thought we were just voicing opinions.

People like Hugh and Jamie are merely the high profile public face of a movement that wants to see a sustainable approach to human consumption and development. There is more likely to be effective change at a multi lateral level (EC) if publics put pressure on their governments to vote for change. I didn't see the TV programme but I spent some time on the website just now and I am better informed as a result. I am also motivated to take part in the campaign to seek change in EC regulations on fishing and to continue to change my eating habits to effect change at a personal level.

I'm liking where this thread might be going. By that I mean that there is a growing recongnition in the postings that it could be possible to lobby for changes to the service provided by LL's food retailers. I'd be happy for the Co-op to raise its game in terms of customer service - stock levels etc - since I like their ethical stance and would want to be able to do more shopping there. However, I seem to recall that when Somerfield was revamped a few years ago they had a small fresh fish stall. That may well have closed due to lack of patronage. That is a shame and it is interesting that Moxons seems to be surviving further up the Lane. As with the farmers' market that is being clamoured for on another thread, any new provision will only survive and thrive if we play our part.

Haven't read it all but looks like an interesting article on how charity shops (based on an Oxfam example) operate and the contribution they can make to their community. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jan/04/what-happens-to-oxfam-donations

I'd love there to be a farmer's market as part of any extension. I respect the residents' concerns about disturbance so I'd like to see some compromise between expansion and inconvenience.

I'd be prepared to pay for the experience of a "cinema ambience" particualry if there was the added opportunity to discuss the film and/or have film makers discuss their work etc. In our house HD quality is now available through our Blu ray player - including streamed movies - but that's not the same as the communal experience of watching a movie with a group of people, friends or srangers, of course. I'll make a point of checking out Paradiso film soc in the spring.

I've been thinking recently that I'd love there to be a film version of the forum's Green and Blue book club. I imagined that something like Paul's idea, perhaps run as a club itself, would be the only way to have a suitable venue. Paul mentioned the thread about what ED lacks but there has also been a discussion on the forum about an arts centre, That discussion fizzled out but there would seem to be an interest in an arts cinema of some kind in ED. There are some examples of successful film societies throughout the UK which have been reported on radio 4's film programme over the last few weeks. Paul, do you think you will follow up on the suggestions above regarding other cinema ventures in London? I'd be happy to support looking into how ED might have its own little cinema.

I wouldn't like to see another supermarket on LL but I would be interested to know how many others would support a regular (weekly?) farmers' market in East Dulwich - along with the previous poster who suggested it.

Hi Louisiana When we had our loft converted recently we had to have the smoke alarms connected to the mains. So, we have a spare battery operated smoke alarm available if you would like it. We did have two but one got "dropped" behind one of the new walls by the builder. We only knew about it several months later when the battery began to fail and a constant beeping noise was heard from somewhere within the wall, starting at 5.00 am one Saturday morning. It took the builder several hours to locate and remove it!

S/he will run rings round us.

I think you are referring to the lesser spotted variety. They've driven south for the winter.

you can offer your shovel for loan on www.streetbank.com I seem to be the only one who clears the snow done my street so it makes me wonder how useful my efforts are. I did make a start on it today and then it snowed again! I'll give it a go again tomorrow if fresh falls of snow are not forecast.

A regular dosage of The Archers does it for me!

We got a 2nd hand mini Gaggia the other from another forumite. Seems like a bargain, fits neatly in the corner of the kitchen and does the job. I wonder where I could get one of those "trainee barista" tee shirts.