Townleygreen

If you buy a folding bike, and always keep it indoors - by your desk at work, in your house at night, in your car boot - it won't get nicked. That is my experience anyway.

their web site says the fees are Tuition Fees per Month by standing Order ?450 For Pre-School (age 3 to 5) ?550 For Primary (age 6 to 10) ?650 For Secondary (age 11 to 18) a lot cheaper than Alleyns, JAGS or DC - as you'd expect I guess

As PGC has said, you can hire the theatre at Alleyn's. I'm going to a show there tonight that is being perfomed by a troupe that are touring the UK currently.

The Shine Trust seems to run various Saturday schools based at Alleyns, JAGS and DC: http://www.shinetrust.org.uk/site/pages/27_alleynu0027sdulwichjamesallenu0027s.php Looks interesting and helpful?? I think they're free

Cat Deeley - she'd be good in ED. Pity she's so emaciated. But that's a whole different issue.

Good points Asset, well made. Is it possible for them to park on E Dulwich Grove at any point? I presume not!

Sillywoman, I think JBARBER's comments are relevant to what you say: I'm a bit bemused. Its been suggested that users of the private schools coach service should use public trasnport. The coaches only really affect people driving private motor vehicles. The passengers on the coaches are children many quite young. the drivers of the private motor vehicles are clearly adults. Who is best placed of these two groups to use public transport? The Foundation schools website state they transport around 1,000 children a day. Allowing for 2 kids lift sharing per car this coach service is keeping around 500 cars a day am and 500 cars pm from areas around Alleyns, Dulwich College, JAGS. Looking atthe website it appears 25 coaches move those 1,000 kids into and out of the area. So 25 coaches vs. 500+ cars. Which is best. I also pointed out earlier And there are plenty of STATE SCHOOLS that arrange coach services for their pupils too. Are they privileged too? My wife went to a state school that had coach services for its pupils. As I say, our state schools in this area have very local catchments, but that isn't the case everywhere. Hope this is helpful!

The last time I went I didn't bother getting Egyptian pounds till we got there - used ATM at Sharm airport. You don't get a great exchange rate in the UK I found. I've always stayed near the main town, so you can walk in there for dinner. Fantastic choice of excellent places to eat in Sharm (I mean Naama Bay which is the main tourist area). If you're not there, you'll have to get a taxi. Have you looked at Trip Advisor website? There is loads of good advice there, particularly if you look at the Sharm forum there. If you like I could recommend some places in Naama Bay.

Texas, Southwark refused planning permission for the theatre. It was only allowed after an appeal to the Secretary of State.

EDmummy said There is land on the school's grounds which could be used to house these buses in way that is safe to all people who work, live and cycle/drive in the area. Actually, the school has tried (I believe) to persuade Southwark to allow this, but as the school's fields are classified as Metropolitan Open Space (I forget the official term) then the planning allows do not permit this.

Well Texas, are you perfect then? Have you never made a slight mistake? OK, I admit it, I may have got that a bit wrong! But still, there would be lots of cars to replace the kids who come by coach - you can see that surely!? I guess there might be 45 on each coach, and say there are 8 that call at the school - that could be hundreds, couldn't it? 45 times 8 makes 360. Maybe I wasn't wrong then, eh Texas? If there are a 1000 at the school, then 360 is much less than half, the rest are probably within walking or cycling distance.

No, you don't bother to read people's points or answer them, do you? You just like to parade your irrational prejudices. What evidence is there for what you say? Just not keen on the privileged expecting that their needs must automatically supercede everyone elses. The school negotiated the parking of the coaches with Southwark. Presumably the borough is happy with the coaches being in Townley road for an hour a day, even if you aren't! And there are plenty of STATE SCHOOLS that arrange coach services for their pupils too. Are they privileged too? My wife went to a state school that had coach services for its pupils. As I say, our state schools in this area have very local catchments, but that isn't the case everywhere.

Look, there is obviously a big demand for the services that these coaches provide, and it is clearly often far more convenient to get a coach rather than potentially have several changes. We don't all live conveniently on say the 37 bus route in Clapham. How would you suggest a 10 year old gets from West Wickham, for instance? Or from Blackeath? Pimlico is in central London with myriad different options. God, you are so unreasonable, Legal, look at what you said Are the private school kids too posh to sit next to state school kids on public transport? Why the hell should they be allowed, because of their wealth to block everyone's way when there is perfectly adequate public transport in London. Calm down, for goodness sake, you'll have a coronary!

Would you prefer hundreds of cars then? How do you suggest they get home/to school? Bearing in mind they have huge catchment areas compared to schools like Charter, which only take people from a few hundred meters away? That is the problem. There is little point in just sniping at private schools. Many people are grateful for a job there in difficult times, as at any school. As others have said, avoid those times, or use a different route if its a problem to you. It really is only a relatively short time of the day that the damn coaches are there. I don't like it any more than you do, but please be realistic about it.

Texas, I was merely responding to LegalEagle-ish's question which was "Do the private schools employ many local people or spend any money locally anyway?" Next time, may I suggest that before you go off on one, first check what I was posting about? I realise it was off topic, for which I humbly apologise. Dear me. James's new double yellow lines are a move in the right direction I think.

Of course the local kids walk or - dare I say it - even cycle home. Public transport is also used, eg the 37 bus back to Clapham, Balham and Wandsworth. Don't knock it!!

Of course they do. The teachers are mostly local. So are the ancillary staff - cleaners, catering, security and so on. There must be something like 3000 students at the various establishments from senior schools to nurseries. There can't be many more intensive education specialist areas anywhere in the country. The big names (DC, Alleyns, JAGS) are nationally amongst the biggest brands in the country. And overwhelmingly it would seem, the students come from the local area too. Then they employ local firms to do their repairing, maintanence and so on. But no doubt there will now be a load of whingers who will argue the total opposite!! Sighs.

That is my belief, yes. Though some are doubting Ireland's strength, I have great respect for them.

Wales will win the title this year, though not the Triple Crown (I fear).

Malcomio, I checked the Thames Path website and it seemed to suggest it stops at the Thames Barrier. Also parts are not meant for cyclists? Can you confirm? Thanks.

Dear Chick I don't think there's much of a chance of seeing the Northern Lights (aka Aurora Borealis) in August! You need cold weather I believe. I saw them in iceland in late October back in 2005. Quite a sight I must say. You can also see them in Scotland. But definitely not in August!!

It would probably take many centuries for the Antarctic ice to all melt. More to the point it would raise global sea levels by around 65 meters!

They recently found a new supply of rare earths in Greenland http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article6860901.ece

HAL9000 said Three Buttocks is near the Hole of Horcum. That appears to be Wookey Hole, Somersetshire. Please explain.

Cherie Lunghi...she appeals to the older man in me.