vicksg

This isn't strictly connected, but if you go into the basement of the 'Grove Vale Barbers' on the roundabout (which is currently up for rent), you'll find a big room with bar type seating and the odd beer mat floating around. Does anyone remember this subterranean drinking hole? Maybe it was a secret members-only type place? It obviously hasn't been used for some time, but is fascinating in that way that old forgotten rooms are. Much like when I worked at the Brighton Sea Life Centre and the back corridors held all sorts of spooky Victoriana. Would be intrigued if anyone can shed light on this.

My vote goes for Mon Petit Chou - always friendly, efficient and smiley :)

I love East Dulwich and am happy to say it's only small things that annoy me: The scruffiness of the lower part of Lordship Lane near Goose Green Shop staff who don't greet you or even look at you, let alone thank you. (but that's UK wide, not just ED) Over-priced shops. I love the variety of shops in East Dulwich but not the prices of many of them. Mind you, I'm from Brighton originally and it's just as bad there so maybe I just haven't got the hang of inflation! The snobbery and lack of tolerance displayed by people who live in East Dulwich, towards those who live in the Village or West Dulwich. I live in West Dulwich but spend probably a third of my time in the village, a third in West D and a third in East D. And I love them all, for different reasons. God forbid everywhere should become the same. On that last point - I was guilty of the same stereotyping of people who live in the village before I moved here so (like a reformed smoker) I notice it even more now. But to reiterate - ED rules!

As the 11th is kick off night for the Dulwich Festival, I won't be able to make it this time - but count me in for next time!

Hi Jenny, I play korfball - it's a mixed team sport with similarities to netball and basketball but better than both those! That's the good news. The bad news is that our season has just ended. However, we'll be doing a demo/try out session at the Green Fair in Dulwich Park on 20th May. Bring your boyfriend along too and try it out - you never know you might get hooked and come along when training starts again in September. x

EDD must surely have over purchased Easter stock in massive style? You (literally) can't move for eggs and such like. However, being without child & buggy I'm able to nip in and buy too many of their 75% off bargains so can't complain.

I liked the This Life reunion but it did make me a bit depressed - being at the same stage in my life as they are in the show. Where mad nights out give way to nights in as all your friends become parents. And mortgages and DIY take more of your thoughts than drinking and flirting. But most of all it made me realise how much I love my uni friends and how much I miss them!

Couldn't agree with you more about Beauberry House Nutty. We went for a 'special' Valentine's meal which turned into one disaster after another. Perhaps best illustrated by the fact that when we arrived, after being kept waiting for about 5 minutes in the foyer, the greeting lady said her colleague would take my coat. So I gratefully gave it to him. Whereupon he handed it to my husband and told him there was a cloakroom downstairs. In a daze my husband took the coat downstairs himself , only to be charged ?1! My lobster was not cooked - it was revolting, there was no apology or even concern. It was atrocious. I haven't received a reply to my complaint letter. I hope they sort themselves out - such a waste of a beautiful building.

Mon Petit Chou (as rightly recommended by Karter)- looks a bit like a greasy spoon from outside. Inside it's lovely - great service and mouth-watering food. Only recently discovered it, but will be going back regularly! They do take-away too.

I agree DirtyBox - I've nothing against the odd Gastropub but why does every single pub have to become one? What's wrong with a down to earth boozer? Why is it impossible to play pool or darts anymore? I despair. And Ganleys did the best chips in Herne Hill - much better than the over-hyped (and priced) Ollies. Thought I'd throw in a little controversy there! :)-D

If anyone would like to see An Inconvenient Truth, I very much recommend the Prince Charles cinema. They were so blown away by it that they have pledged to show it every week during 2007. When I went to see it they also had 3 green business people do a Q & A afterwards. It was great - all that for ?5 or just ?1 without the speakers. www.princecharlescinema.com

As I've said elsewhere on the forum, one of the reasons you don't get more independent businesses opening up in East Dulwich is that the landlords who own the premises will only rent them to 'established' businesses. So they're doing more than any other group of people to make it easy for chain stores to open up. It's frustrating, unfair and ought to be banned, but it's the landlords prerogative.

You may be interested to know that one of the reasons that there aren't more independent shops opening up in East Dulwich is because many of the landlords who own these properties will only rent premises to 'established' businesses. So they are doing more than anyone else to turn Lordship Lane into an area of chain shops. I wish there was something we could do, but it's the landlords prerogative. I guess the only thing we can do is object to planning applications and boycott the stores?