Growlybear

Sally81 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Grok you think my 4 year old should have to run > about on the park dodging dog muck do you? > And Growlybear - of course there are many, many > more important things to discuss but this is a > local forum for chatting about local issues that > annoy us. Get it?? How about you pop on to the For > Sale section and pick on someone there, maybe ask > if there are not more important things to do than > selling an old toaster for a fiver? > > Dog mess is a real problem all over East Dulwich > and surrounding areas and I've definitely noticed > it getting worse. There was talk of Dog Licensing > in some (one particular?) areas, again, recently > wasn't there? Yes, I am aware that this is a local forum where people are free to express their views. You and others clearly get quite irritated by dog poo, but surely I also have the right to make a comment on the subject? I think your somewhat snide remark is rather uncalled for. I really haven't noticed any increase in the amount of dog poo on the pavements in my local area, but I have to say that I don't generally find it too difficult to avoid.

I think it is a real abuse of the system if people are demanding urgent appointments because they have run out of medication. It isn't exactly difficult to keep track of the amount of medication you take and submit a repeat prescription request in time so that you don't run out! Most long term medications have to be reviewed from time to time, but my repeat prescription forms have always been very clear when a review is needed, and now that the surgery has its own pharmacist, she is able to carry out prescription reviews over the phone. There really shouldn't be any need for people to run out of their medicine!

I find threads like this totally baffling. Are there not rather more important things in life than slagging people off who don't clear up dog poo? Yes, it's horrible if you tread in it, but it's hardly the end of the world having to clean your shoes!

I think I must be going to a different Forest Hill Road Group Practice to some people. My most recent experience was two weeks ago, when I phoned very late in the day to ask about some blood test results. There was a problem with one of the results, which meant I had to speak to a doctor. The receptionist understandably couldn't tell me what the problem was, but was able to reassure me enough so that I didn't jump too much to conclusions that it could indicate a recurrence of my recent serious illness. There were no telephone consultations available that week, so I was told to ring the next morning and I would be able to book an on the day telephone appointment to speak to a doctor. I rang shortly after the surgery opened the following day, explained why I needed to speak to a doctor, and a delightful new doctor rang me back less than two hours later. Both of the receptionists I spoke to were as helpful and polite as the reception staff always are at the surgery. I made two visits to the surgery after the telephone consultation to collect prescriptions and to clarify something the doctor had told me, and on both occasions was helped by Anne, who is unfailingly cheerful and pleasant, and always goes out of her way to be helpful. Whenever I wait in the Reception queue, I'm always struck by the way in which some patients speak to the reception staff, and yet they still manage to be polite in response. I joined this practice in 1975, and have seen in grow from strength to strength. After 40 years, I have still never had cause for complaint, and have had some truly superb treatment, particularly over the last four years. I accept that it can take a while to get an appointment with some doctors, but if I need to be seen urgently, I'm just grateful to see whoever is available. I have never yet been unable to see or speak to a doctor the same day if it's been necessary, but I do think people need to have realistic expectations about whether they need a same day appointment. I've often heard people demanding urgent appointments for trivial ailments, which they could easily discuss with a pharmacist. If you're entitled to free prescriptions, then many medications are now available under the Pharmacy First scheme free of charge from the chemist, so there is no benefit in seeing a doctor for something really routine. I really do feel fortunate to have such an excellent practice on my doorstep. I agree with the poster above about Krystal pharmacy - they provide a brilliant service, and are the only pharmacy I've ever found who have been prepared to order in a specific brand of medicine for me; I was having difficulty in finding the brand that I take and was doing a tour of pharmacists in the area; the lovely pharmacist at Krystal offered to order in a huge supply of my medication for me, which is waiting for me each time I get a repeat prescription. There is a huge contrast between Krystal and Day Lewis opposite the Practice, and the staff at Krystal are lovely, unlike one of the women in Day Lewis. It is also quicker for me to drive to Nunhead to collect prescriptions from Krystal, which are dispensed at lightning speed, than queue up in Day Lewis for ages.

I thought they used to have metal detectors at Kingsdale before it was rebranded? I remember just what a rough school it used to be a few years ago. Many secondary schools in this area (and no doubt in many other inner city areas) have a problem with students bringing weapons into school, but fortunately they are usually found and confiscated before they can be used.

I'm always surprised when I read complaints about the practice. I've been a patient for the last 35 years, and without exception, have always had a superb service. I have never, in all that time, had to wait on the phone for more than 10 minutes, and my call is usually answered within a couple of minutes. In 35 years, I can only remember two instances where I've found the Reception staff to be unhelpful, and on many occasions they have gone very far beyond my expectations in trying to help me. Whilst it's true that you have to book about three weeks ahead much of the time if you want to see a particular doctor, I have never been unable to get a same day appointment if I've really needed one. Otherwise, if I'm not bothered which doctor I see, I've always been able to get an appointment within a week for non urgent problems. Almost without exception I have always found that the doctors, nurses, and reception staff go out of their way to be kind and helpful. I have always felt very fortunate to be registered with the Forest Hill Road practice.

I know both schools well, and I think there is little to choose between them. Both schools have exceptional leadership and teaching standards, and both schools benefit from being federated with another school.

All of the swimming pools in the Woolwich complex have always been like a warm bath when I've been there. The temperature at Forest Hill seems a bit warmer than many pools.

Reg Smeeton Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Twenty years ago there were several more around > here: one (or were there two even) opposite Goose > Green playground, one of which was SG Smith. Then > there was what's now the car dealers (SG Smith?) > in the Village. One up Denmark Hill by Salvation > Army. Two on Camberwell New Rd near the Green. At > least one more on Walworth Road. > > Are cars more fuel efficient now? Or do they have > bigger tanks? Or are there fewer cars? Or just > busier petrol stations? There was also a petrol station in Underhill Road, just before the junction with Barry Road.

that's an interesting article on the Mirena coil, which I've seen before. My daughter recently wanted to get a more permanent form of contraception rather than taking the pill, which didn't agree with her. She discussed her options with our GP, the Marie Stopes Centre, and the Margaret Pyke Centre, none of whom would consider fitting her with a Mirena coil, given my treatment for breast cancer. They were also aware that I've had genetic testing and do not have a faulty gene, so are clearly taking on board the links between the Mirena coil and breast cancer.

I used to have a Mirena coil, and having it changed after five years was probably the most excrutiating experience of my life. But I used the coil for around 10 years altogether and thought at the time that it was wonderful, especially when my periods stopped completely. I was always aware of the huge number of horror stories which many women reported with side effects, but didn't suffer from any of these. But to all the women who are using a Mirena coil or considering having one, please please please read some of the growing body of evidence that these can contribute towards causing some types of breast cancer. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, around two years after my coil was removed, my surgeon was very clear that there are definite links between the Mirena and breast cancer, and since my diagnosis, I have come across several other women who have used a Mirena coil and then gone on to develop breast cancer. I would give anything to be able to go back in time and choose a different form of contraception.

I've recently bought a Dualit oven as well. I had also intended to use it as a spare or for times like Christmas when the main oven is full, but it's so good that so far I've used it almost daily. It is much more expensive than most of the mini ovens I've seen advertised, but it's really worth the money as it's very robust and has lots of different functions.

Hairspray has always worked for me.

I would agree with Penguin and nxjen. I have also been with Forest Hill Road Group Practice for well over 25 years, and can't speak highly enough of the surgery. In all the years I have been a patient there, I have never found the reception staff to be anything other than polite and helpful, despite them having to put up with some appallingly rude behaviour from some patients. Whilst it's true that you do sometimes have to wait for a while for a routine appointment to see a named doctor, some of whom work part time, there has never been an occasion when I haven't been able to get a same day appointment with one of the doctors if I've needed it. I have always been very happy with the Practice, but since being diagnosed with a life threatening illness in 2011, the treatment I have had has been incredible.

My daughter had a hamster when she was little, and it was a lovely pet. She ended up being really tame and very sociable. I had hamsters myself as a child, and had forgotten how they bite the bars of their cages, and the rumbling of their exercise wheels, but my daughter soon got used to this, and it never kept her awake. The hamster used a little plastic toilet, and so long as this was cleaned very regularly, there was never a problem with a smell. I thought it was a perfect first pet.

I bought this combined washer/drier in the summer in black http://ao.com/product/IWDE7145B-Indesit-Advance-Washer-Dryer-White-15790.aspx . I've always had separate washing machines and tumble driers, but when I had my laundry room refitted I decided that I would prefer to make better use of the space and bought a combined machine. This was my third Indesit washing machine - both of the previous ones lasted for 10 years each with at least daily use, and the second one was still working well when I replaced it. So far, I have been delighted with the new machine, and haven't missed having a separate tumble drier at all. I bought one of the really cheap electric clothes airers from eBay for about ?25, which is ideal for drying smaller loads rather than tumble drying.

I've never had a problem getting a same day appointment at Forest Hill Road Group Practice when I've really needed one.

It's so easy to catch a heel in paving and dislodge the heel tip - I've done it so many times and not realised at the time. I'm afraid that I think it's the OP whose being unreasonable in this instance not the man in Merrifields. If the heel tip was in place when you left the shop, then he only has your word that you haven't caught your heel, and quite frankly, for the sake of ?3.50, I would be far too embarrassed to make such a fuss and would have paid for a new heel rather than risk damaging my boots.

My daughter went to Newstead Wood in Orpington. It is excellent for sciences and maths, and also has very strong music provision.

But it looks as though you're the only person who is bothered by the noise? fazer71 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Otta Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Okay being completely serious for a moment. > > > > Just say you're right and the noise has gotten > a > > lot louder in the last couple of years. > > > > What do you suggest is done about it? > > How about getting Heathrow Air Traffic control to > put it back to how it was for the 50 years before > DEC 2012 ???

I couldn't agree more with what Penguin has said. I've lived here for almost 40 years, and, apart from when Concorde used to fly overhead, could count on one hand the number of times when I've found aircraft noise intrusive. But even the noise from Concorde was hardly a problem, and as others have said, it was easy to forgive. I'm always baffled when I see people complaining about aircraft noise - I think it is fairly minimal compared to areas closer to major airports.

I've known a number of people who have got PCNs for parking on the pavement on Straker Road, but I'm afraid I've never known anyone to get a ticket cancelled - it's very clear in the Highway Code that you must not park partly or wholly on the pavement in London unless signs say otherwise.

I'm not suggesting that 1.30 a.m. isn't a bit too late to be playing loud music during the week; your two previous posts just seemed to read that the students' 'rubbish music' appeared to be as much of an issue for you as the time. I also think there's a bit of a difference between a half eaten apple and emptying out your food bin!

Is part of the problem that you don't like their taste in music? Perhaps your neighbours might think that you like 'rubbish music'! Mind you, it must be very grim indeed to be faced with something as unpleasant as a half eaten apple in your front garden - some of these young people need stringing up. monkeylite Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Last night our student neighbours had a party with > 30 or so. Wasn't too bad at first and we initially > decided to tolerate them (freshers week after > all). Eventually their party spilled into the > garden and front of the house, the rubbish music > was turned up. At 1.30am our patience finally ran > out, and we went next door and politely told them > to pipe down. Apologies were muttered (by the few > who were still sober) but it was an hour later > before things finally calmed down (in fact, it got > nosier before it got quieter). > > This morning I found used cigarettes and a half > eaten apple in our garden which I promptly threw > back. > > The previous sets of student neighbours were much > quieter but this lot seems a tad unruly. We will > likely tolerate their behaviors for the time > being, at least until term starts, but in the mean > time we've started a log. > > I can't wait until they find out that my other > half is a course director at their university.

All primary schools have different approaches to homework and it always seems to really polarise parents' opinions. In all the schools I work with, there are as many parents who feel that children don't get enough homework as those who feel that they get too much. All schools have a homework policy, so the amount given at a particular school really shouldn't come as a surprise.