IlonaM

Last time I had to go there were two receptionists and two very different experiences - first phonecall for an emergency, very unfortunate and unhelpful response; when I later went in for a routine appointment, lovely younger and very professional receptionist on the desk.

Guardian had a good article last week on the buffoon - https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/mar/18/all-hail-the-clown-king-how-boris-johnson-made-it-by-playing-the-fool

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > heartblock Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > 🐘💩 > > > If that's lion dung, does it actually work?! There's something called Silent Roar which is supposed to deter cats - scent of lions' dung!! I use something called 'Get Off' which seems to work.

Nawal El Saadawi - doctor, writer, feminist and human rights advocate https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/21/nawal-el-saadawi-trailblazing-egyptian-writer-dies-aged-89

Where do you buy your litter? Online retailer Zooplus often is better value than elsewhere, especially if you have room for bigger bag. I use Okoplus Cat's Best which I find is a good clumping litter with minimal dust, but I don't have asthma.

Not out and about, but a new discovery at the Horniman!: New species of shrimp found after ?hitchhiking? on ocean rock to south London museum The tiny crustacean, never seen elsewhere, has been ?breeding like mad? at the Horniman by the South Circular road https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/21/new-species-of-shrimp-found-after-hitchhiking-on-ocean-rock-to-south-london-museum

Rhys Davies, general counsel at the Independent Monitoring Authority, introduces and explains the function of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens? Rights Agreements post-Brexit: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/blogs/supporting-eu-citizens-in-the-uk-after-brexit?utm_source=professional_update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PU-03%2f19%2f2021&sc_camp=5C0FE0D28B474F6BA2EE374CB3EE601B

You say the RM voicemail does not recognise the reference, what about the online track and trace? https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#/ There is also info online regarding problems with the reference number and how to contact Royal Mail for help. https://www.royalmail.com/help/tracking-reference-number

Dogkennelhillbilly Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > lousmith Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > What I take a dim view of, and I think many > others too, is the uneven application of laws to > benefit the wealthy or those in positions of power > over those less so. I think the Dominic Cummings > case... > > You might be overegging the pudding a bit - it's a > disagreement with the council and a neighbour over > a fancy shed! > > Did you ask for permission before or after you put > the shed up? On the contrary, in my experience there is a lot of inequitable and inconsistent decision-making by the Council.

Signed and sent a pm Lou.

'The Centrepoint charity for homeless young people has urged the public to contact them or Streetlink on 0300 500 0914 if they see people living out in the cold. Charities have also advised offering anyone sleeping rough a hot drink, meal, blankets or clothing.' [source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/11/uk-temperature-falls-lowest-level-decade-extreme-freeze]

Greater spotted woodpecker and long-tail tits are still visiting as well as a couple of robins, a variety of tits etc. Just spotted the blackbird. Lots of squirrels about. It's a challenge to keep water available, but braving the chill and icy path.

Signed and shared.

I saw them gritting one side of Underhill between Melford & the South Circular. Not sure if they gritted both pavements or not.

Well done Dillan. What a super idea to help.

A very good article in today's Guardian regarding potential underpayments of state pension to women who reached state-pension age before 6 April 2016, who fall under the older-style pension system, which enabled women with a reduced national insurance contributions record to claim a proportion of their husband?s state pension: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/feb/06/woman-state-pension-underpaid See also a free tool to check eligibility: https://www.lcp.uk.com/is-your-state-pension-being-underpaid/ From Guardian article: 'Are you able to claim? You may be due a payout and increased state pension if you fall into the following scenarios: You are a married woman who reached state pension age before April 2016 with a state pension that is less than 60% of your husband?s basic state pension (currently ?80.45, based on the 2020-21 ?134.25 a week). You are a married woman whose husband turned 65 before 17 March 2008 but you did not realise you should get an increase in state pension, and so never claimed. You are a widow whose pension was not increased when your husband died (you can potentially receive a full basic state pension, plus a percentage of your late husband?s additional state pension). You are a widow and may have been underpaid while your husband was alive or you did not receive an increase when your husband died, based on his contributions. You are a woman over 80 in receipt of a basic pension of less than ?80.45. Whatever your marital status, check your entitlement. You may be entitled to a non-contributory state pension that is not currently based on your national insurance contributions record. You are a divorced woman ? particularly if you divorced post retirement ? who is receiving a small pension and may benefit from your ex-husband?s NICs record. You can raise a claim if you believe you may have been underpaid. You can check if you are owed any state pension by contacting the Pension Service, part of the Department for Work and Pensions, on 0800 731 0469. It has a team working on claims for state pension underpayments. Advertisement How far you can backdate claims depends on whether your husband reached 65 before 17 March 2008, in which case you can backdate 12 months. However, if he reached the state pension age after this date, when the uplift should have been automatic, you are eligible to claim the full amount you have been underpaid back to when your husband retired.'

BBC Radio 4's You & Yours programme has just highlighted Covid vaccination invitation scams by email in particular, but also can be by text/phone. Here is a link to an earlier BBC report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-55811161 'The NHS has warned people to be vigilant about fake invitations to have the coronavirus vaccination, sent by scammers. The scam email includes a link to "register" for the vaccine, but no registration for the real vaccination is required. The fake site also asks for bank details either to verify identification or to make a payment. The NHS says it would never ask for bank details, and the vaccine is free. ...'

Yes, please. Place add me to the draw.

Shelter Legal England has this advice: https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/coronavirus#title-4 'Restrictions, repairs and moving home Can my landlord delay repairs? Landlords have the same responsibilities for repairs during coronavirus but there may be delays in getting work done. Government guidance says that unless you're self isolating the following can still take place in all areas: any repairs including non urgent work planned maintenance and inspections Landlords and contractors must follow public health guidance about working safely in people's homes and social distancing. Annual gas safety checks remain an important legal requirement. Gas Safe Register has more coronavirus guidance. Can I refuse access if I'm worried? Your landlord must give you notice of any visits. They shouldn't just turn up. If you're self isolating, no one should come into your home unless it's to fix a serious problem that puts you at direct risk of harm. Government guidance says that landlords should respect that some tenants will want to be cautious. If you don't want people in your home, you could ask for any non urgent work to be postponed. For example, if: minor repairs could wait you're at higher risk from coronavirus Find out more about access to your home and when you can refuse.' You can contact Shelter for advice online/by phone: https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help

RIP Captain Sir Tom Moore https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/captain-tom-moore-obituary-war-veteran-raised-money-nhs-b1796107.html

Excellent!!

That sounds like a brilliant idea. I hope you find some volunteers soon.

The Noise Team (Southwark) has told me this evening that, although they cannot enter a complainant's home to witness noise from inside (due to lockdown), they will attend incidents if appropriate to see if they can witness the noise from outside the offending property. In any event, they are logging complaints of noise nuisance, providing a reference number, and an enforcement officer will call you back to discuss further.

Also, there are now the standard one-hour slots and new saver slots (4 hour slot which is clarified to a one hour slot on morning of delivery) available.