Alec John Moore

I wish I had known about all those other decent schools when my son was in year 7. Are they within reasonable travelling distance of the east sied of East Dulwich, co-ed, have a good Ofsted report, where my son's friends are going to etc, etc? Can you name any so that I can be thinking about them for my daughter when she is old enough just in case the sibling policy is no longer? Alec

That's a big assumption, SJ, to adduce happiness with responses to the offer of food in an animal that is bred to be stuffed. It would be interesting to explore the question of animal welfare a bit more on the forum but I'm not sure this thread is the place for it. However, I had a look at the Compassion in World Farming website just now (there's a clue in the title of their organisation in case you hadn't noticed) and it seems that in 1997 "animals were legally recognised as sentient beings (capable of feeling pain and discomfort) by the EU." Also from CiWF website: "In 1999, against all the odds, the EU agreed to ban barren battery cages for laying hens from 2012. . . . . In 2007, the UK government stated the ban would be enforced in the UK despite continued opposition from many in the egg industry and many EU member states." That puts the comparisons between treatment of ducks and geese for foie gras production and the treatment of battery chickens for egg production into a wider context.

Sorry, "Katie Morag and the big boy cousins", cross posting. My reference to Tom's method was in relation to H and SJ's posts, I seem to recall. Alec

I don't know the details of Tom's method, or the method of the group of which he is a member - I don't think Tom acts alone - but I reckon he used his powers of persuasion rather than coercion or force on the proprietors of the businesses concerned. So, if Tom and his cohorts have restricted choice or access a bit in the local area this is a small victory given the ubiquity of most things via the interweb. He has raised debate and discussion about the issue as a result of his "forcing people to fit in with him" and generated lots of vitriolic response to his actions. But then, that's what one finds oneself wondering about after reading the EDF, to refer to another thread on here.

I was beginning to think that this request had got the ED forumites stumped. I reckon there are only those three options for schooling - state, private or home. Southwark has information about inter year applications which I think refers to any applications that occur outside the regular annual pan London process. I take it you have a list of preferences having done your research and visited schools etc. It should then be a case of finding a temporary solution for your daughter until you can get her into a school of your/her choice. Following WOD's point, travel to school was one of the important considerations for us along with co-ed, reputation, Ofsted, results etc. Alec

"he wants to force you to fit in with him" could be said of a number of posters on this thread from both ends of the spectrum. Having met Tom I reckon I could confidently say he has the courage of his convictions and believes in his "cause". That doesn't mean he is intolerant of others who don't share his views. Could that be said of most of the people who have posted on this thread?

You can buy citronella candles from the 99p shop, either the big ones you stick in the ground or little ones in terracota pots. Alec

I'm pretty sure I've seen a sign advertising this service at the wee garden centre on Upland Road, Plantnation I think it's called. Very nice guys who run it by the way. Alec

I can vouch for Lyndhurst. We kept our kids there after we moved to ED from Camberwell. It is a bit inconvenient having to take them on the bus etc but we think it's worth it. The school has recently moved to a 2 form entry and the knock on effect will mean big changes to the school buildings and all the disruption that will bring. Aside from that it's a very friendly school with good and caring teaching staff, a dyslexia unit, radio station and extra curricular clubs such as a gardening club. Alec

I've let the brambles grow in a part of my garden. They have been bearing fruit for the last few weeks and the blackberries are delicious. Have managed to train the kids to pick them when they are just ripe, when they come off the plant with just a little bit of pressure. Great with vanilla yogurt. Oops, turning into a food post.

Tree pit corner Tyrrell and Oakhurst. Gaudy. Edited to make it read more "guerilla" and to say that the previous version of the post wasn't in response to Sue's post. Alec

Hi DJKQ It's a bit depressing to see this kind of spat in the drawing room. I've grown to expect them in the lounge since I understood that was where a more "robust" discussion could be had. I see your point about people/posters taking a belittling approach to others who make apparently genuine statements of opinion but that don't quite chime with some others point of view. And, it doesn't have to be a conspiracy or concerted effort on the part of a croup of people for it to have a negative effect. I've noticed that most threads of this type follow a similar pattern. They start off with a reasonable exchange of views and then rapidly descend into sarcasm, in jokes, petty infighting and name calling having often been diverted so off topic that only a few regular posters can understand the exchange - and then they peter out. As you suggest, the lack of respect is a common enough phenomenon but it does put people off from using the forum as a place to share and learn. I've been thinking there must be an EDF version of Godwin's law - Edwin's perhaps - for this but it would need to cover so many types of post that it would become overused very quickly. We could limit it to references to Waitrose within the first ten posts, or something.

Over the last few (many) months I've been building a den and doing other stuff for the kids in the garden. The other week my 4 year old boy spontaneously said "I really like what you are doing for us in the garden, daddy."

I've counted 3 forced rhubarb "jokes" so far in this thread. Could be more but I'm concentrating on the juicy bits.

This just in: MOGADISHU, 21 July 2011 (IRIN) - Heavy rains have fallen in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, making life harder for thousands of people displaced by drought who cannot find shelter, officials said. Link to article: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=93287 Governance is always a question when considering the effects of emergencies on populations but it is also the case that East Africa is a region made up of arid and semi arid areas that are prone to drought. When the rains fail consistently over a long enough period of time there is unlikely to be enough water in the aquifer to supply wells adequately. There is a degree of sense in MM's post about dependency but it's only part of the picture. It's also important to be aware of the distinction between emergency relief of the type that is provided in refugee camps/situations and the development work that NGOs do continually. The former is responding to extreme need and the latter stives to build self reliance. There is undoubtedly a problem with dependency but the reality is quite complex.

@TM "Im not against local businesses, Im against animal abuse where ever it crops up. (plant pun unintended!)" Actually Thomas that's more of a pun than you seem to have realised. A goose's crop is part of its digestive system adjacent to the very gullet down which feed is forced in the process of producing foie gras. Thanks for starting this thread. Alec

@maxxi "Have to say I agree with DC too and (incidentally) having looked at the OP again I think it's the "Hey Guys" intro that turns my stomach." Oh well, as long as it wasn't the food that turned your stomach.

Help, my courgettes are rapidly turning into mini marrows. I also have lots of lovely French beans. Would anyone like to swap? I have plenty of pots and beetroot but they can stay in the ground until we need them. We've been using the courgettes grated in salads or with pasta. Any other suggestions welcome. Let me know if you are interested in a swap. We will take any fresh veg. We've eaten all of the first sowing of lettuce. Alec 07812 150229

Sounds like product placement in ED.

I'd recommend Cloud Atlas, too, very imaginative and a real page turner. I'd also recommend English Passengers by Matthew Kneale. It plays with language in a very amusing and informed way, takes pops at pompous characters and has a very satisfying ending.

Some words and phrases to have in your armoury when faced with such situations: "It's safer if the children are seated, They could easily get thrown around, traffic being what it is." "All the seats for children are taken." "We're getting off soon." "We have to travel at these busy times to get to school." "Thank you so much for your suggestion." "They're fine like that." Of course, tone of voice is impossible to communicate in this post but if you use a light and friendly tone or a matter of fact, even handed, just being sensible, tone then it should help diffuse the situation. Easier said than done some mornings.

Is anything worn under the kilt? No, it's all in perfect working order.

Hi We've stayed in this place en route to Ayrshire: http://primrosecottagecumbria.co.uk/ It's been a few years but the woman who runs it is lovely and really likes children. The accommodation was fine and views are great. Very handy for the M6 but perhaps a bit far north. Alec

That was carp.

I've just planted more salad leaves and rocket. Both are quick growing. You can plant some things now that will mature in the autumn. See my earlier post. I was going to post a link to the Guardian article that I got this info from but the site keeps crashing. You could also try radishes for a quick return. And East Dulwich Garden Centre is good for bedding plants.