lizbells6

Tallulah, I'm not against the CGS funding public art at all, I was wondering how it gets chosen. I'm sure lots of artists would like to have their work on show at such a busy location so there should be a transparent selection process to avoid suggestions of "commissions for mates". Maybe there is- I looked on the Southwark website but perhaps I missed it. And I don't think it was unreasonable to mention it has overrun, even allowing for nails and the fact that it is art. How do artists cost their work if they don't know roughly how long it will take?

According to an earlier post, it was funded by Southwark from their Cleaner Greener Safer fund after an application from a local resident. No info about the selection process for the artist and design though.

Only two months or so overdue so far.

We have a thick door curtain which we draw shut in the evenings. It's on a track fixed to the top of the door, and the pleating covers the gap at the top of the door and it's a bit wider than the actual door so it covers the side gaps too. It's wedged in place at the bottom with a draught excluder when everyone is in. You can lose a lot of heat through the glass and letterbox.

What astonishingly high handed and inconsiderate behaviour from the OP's neighbours. I would take lots of photos before the work starts and get it in writing that they will make good any damage the builders do on your property e.g. trampled plants, damaged brickwork, paint and cement drips. Surely they should also consult you about what finish you would like on the wall you will have to look at from your kitchen window. I suppose on the plus side having a wall there might cut down on the party noise.

We had a similar problem. Are you in a Victorian terrace? If so the drains are probably shared in pairs of houses. Ours go across to our neighbour's rear side return, join theirs and go out to the road under their house. Thames Water are responsible for the shared drain from the junction out to the road. In our case, they checked there was no blockage using dye and then went on about underground streams and London clay. Finally some nice TW man checked the rodding point in the front garden of the neighbour on the other side and found theirs was badly blocked so had been seeping in to our cellar. After that was unblocked we didn't have any more problems. Don't know if any of this applies in your case though.

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > They did a very minor job that took them about > thirty seconds, and charged me thirty pounds :( > > It was something I could have done myself if I'd > realised what needed to be done, but unfortunately > googling had not brought up the information I > needed. ?30 for a 30 second repair sounds a lot but most tradespeople have a call out charge to cover costs like travel to and from the work, possibly insurance and office costs. Perhaps the charge should have been made clear when you booked him. Also you were paying for his knowledge and skill in being able to identify and fix a problem, which you hadn't been able to find out how to do yourself, even though it only took a short time.

Davies and Vaughan are very experienced jewellery makers and designers who have just relocated their shop and workshop from Gabriel's Wharf to 7 Upland Road. They are very friendly and can give you advice about designs if you want and then they make them themselves.

If you google images 'wooden test tube holder' there are a couple of pics of similar tools showing them on stands, about 40th images in.

Test tube holder originally? Central hole clamps to vertical pole and two side jaws clamp glass tubes.

Thanks for suggestions everyone.

Im meeting an old friend who is in transit through Liverpool Street Station. Does anyone know a decent cafe/cheapish restaurant nearby where we could meet for lunch and a catch up?

As if the carbon footprint of this event wasn't big enough already.

Please note that the London Beekeepers DON'T collect wasps nests and I'm afraid we don't move bumble bees nests either. We can collect swarms of honey bees from gardens, trees, outside walls etc up to an accessible height, within a day or two of them arriving. The swarm is then taken to a local apiary to be quarantined and checked for disease and a laying queen. We have a waiting list of members wanting new colonies.

Lots of info on the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website.

I witnessed a vicious dog fight on Hampstead Heath once. From this I deduced that the area was full of dangerous low life and gangs, rubbish strewn streets and crap shops so I didn't move there.

Have sent you a pm.

Thanks for the link, flOwer.

From the photo, I would go with a Tillia (lime) too. The council planted some along our road about 5 years ago. They have small heart shaped leaves,and are meant to be a small-growing variety with lots of summer flowers for the bees and no sticky drop. We have one right outside which so far has reached the top of the upstairs windows. It's only about 3 metres from our house wall and I'm hoping the roots won't be a problem.

Does anyone know where I can get hold of a copy of the Yellow Book of gardens opening in South London? Is it stocked by any local bookshops?

Congratulations (insert new restaurant name here) on a brilliant marketing strategy.

If you don't mind starting from basics, The Real Seed Company, mail order online, do brilliant veg seeds.

Thanks again everyone. Dont know why i didnt think of Brockley. Looks like that would be easiest.

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I'll have a word with him and suggest some alternatives.

I need to collect someone with mobility issues travelling from London Bridge to Nunhead. Can anyone tell me what platform the LB trains arrive at at PR? I think he needs to get to platform 4 for the Nunhead train so wondering if this involves steps? (He's in a huge hurry so the 343 bus would take too long). Thanks.