wonderwoman

I would say register for online where you can book appointments and get repeat prescriptions yourself. I've found that useful for myself. However last year I completed forms for my 3 children and heard nothing. I called them yesterday and they said up till recently they were not able to register anyone under 16 but now can so would send the forms straightaway. I asked why they did not let me know that rather than leaving me waiting for two months, faced with silence. But really if I had not rang they would have no doubt left the forms at the bottom of the basket. If blood results come through they also never ring to give you the results or what happens next. Wonder if the GPs ever cast eyes on them. There is a meeting on 25th and would urge people to attend to relay concerns. I've been with the surgery for 40 years and it's had better days lets just say.

Dreadful I wouldn't risk it. Recently hubby booked for morning servicing returned at midday hadn't even touched the car no apologies or explanation given just told to return later which then coincided with schoolrun. Another time they did some work on our VW and replaced the screws which held the panel underneath front of car with wooden dowds! I phoned them to query this thinking they did this by mistake the reply was "well we'll have to order the screws as they are VW originals". Clearly shows they would have got away with it if they could. Bunch of cowboys!

Heber primary school have hired out their halls for weddings and other functions I think

The best we've used is photographer who has a little studio area in the back of Crackerjacks grocery shop in peckham high st a few doors from Burgerking. Great for kids photos as well. Cheap professional quick usually one shot (even with wriggly toddlers) and professional.

Sorry to hijack this thread we are looking to replace our Zanussi W.machine which has been great for over 10 years but now making banging noises and not washing properly. Having a look at washer dryers, does anyone have experience of these and do they have same condensation problem as a dryer? Any recommendations?

The hearing was at London Tribunals. Fat cats i refer to TFL. If they didnt have box junctions in such places to catch people there would be less PCNs and subsequent hearings. Accepted we were caught in the box no doubt about that but the man (judge?)supporting authorities stating they can do what they like and put box junction where they like i didnt accept and i queried thd legality of this. He declined to comment on this.

Attended hearing today and lost. Made our representation with info gathered. His response was basically a contravention has occurred heres the fine to pay. Regarding the box junction rules he said verbatim the authorities can do what they like and put box junction where they like, that cant be used as a defence. I suggest that the location of them results in problems fines profitting TFL which therefore should be removed maybe local MP would like to take up the cause. Disappointed to say the least lost faith in system completely bolstering fat cats.

Good point nashoi and worth noting.TFL objected to our challenge sending a CD of recording our vehicle along with a catalogue of papers defending their position aggressively advising us to pay the now increased charge of ?130. We have tribunal hearing tomorrow for our case to be heard. Therefore useful to arm ourselves with information for our defence.

I dont think we can rely on arguing against the fact we did enter and stop in the box although momentarily and partially. Hoping more to argue on the position, purpose therefore validity or legality of the box junctions. Tfl argue that they sought consultation through proper channels. Meaningless to me as its proof of functionality thats important, confusion to public, inadequate traffic management and only serving purpose of lining their purses increaing their revenue is worth challenging. Have checked some of the sites suggested by Loz and tips like what constitutes a road is useful to know. Thanks. The point of whether it would be same argument for an ambulance or firestation is irrelevant as its not, its outside a bus station/garage operated by TFL.

Hi we got a PCN from TFL as our car slipped into the box junction, pictures show us going in and waiting with tail half in the box. We challenged this as there are two box junctions positioned close together between sets of traffic lights outside the Peckham bus garage, but moreover the fact that they are there not to help filter traffic but actually causes problems and for accummulating revenue for the TFL, e.g there is no real right hand turn, the traffic lights are between each box change so increases chance of being caught in them, therefore they are not appropriately placed. We have a hearing tomorrow but wondering if anyone else has had experience of successfully appealing or being fined for going into the boxes. There seems to be ample room for the buses to enter the garage and I do not know why they don't just have a keep clear sign in place or just wait a few minutes like other vehicles, why do buses have special priority? Failing that I was going to challenge them on the amount ?130 which is disproportionate to the offence?

Hi just checking is this the one next to bank and dry cleaners down lordship lane? I thought the post office is closed next to the Sainsbury's local although it's still listed on the PO website as our nearest one?

Hi my son's 8 and joined Southwark Saturday Music School which is great. He's been playing Ukele for a year, brings home great variety of tunes to practice from Elvis to Bowie and disco. Its really fun and they have concerts twice a year with the rest of the school. He's now moving onto guitar group.

Ok thanks will give it a go, although we have tried linking up both computers through different firewire cables with pinnacle and movie maker installed. Canon support said that it's sounds like firewire connection faulty on camcorder but as the camcorder old now they don't even repair them. Snappy snap charge minimum of ?25!

Hi just wondering if anyone knows of a service or how to get my dv tapes converted to dvd or saved onto digital format on computer. Our camcorder does not seem to allow this to happen, we've tried different software,cables and different computers. Local services like Snappy Snaps seem quite expensive as well.

We're travelling on Saturday early morning. Not sure if we have to start earlier because of the problems. But some tweets suggest its ok so unsure.

Hi we booked to go to France before the recent problems.Just wondering if anyone has travelled through eurotunnel recently. I heard there are diversions on M20 due to lorry stacks but how much earlier would we meed to set out. Our booking is 7.50am so should be quieter on the roads. Also is Calais side ok?

Many thanks for all your suggestions. Some of which I've looked into already. As some of you say there is no excuse for poor inefficient workers. When the IT system was down yesterday I got through accidentally to someone in finance who could not understand how communication could not get through, he simply said he walked over to pass on my concerns and advised to call him back if no one called within the hour. This is about a can do rather than can't do attitude. Our current situation is that Southwark had responded quite early that the Contractors admitted fault but since then its been a slog to get them to arrange works to be done in a timely fashion, due to workmen availability, materials being ordered. Still I've had to remind them about basic things which they've neglected to do and disputes about how the repair should be done. The onus is on them to put right to reflect at least how it was before, not do a slap dash job and go off. But instead of contracting someone to do job properly they rely on barely skilled workmen which actually is ineffective would seem to me more costly with repetitive call outs. To date we have had nothing in writing even though complaints are involved stating what has been agreed in terms of compensation or resolution. Only a cheque for a couple of missed appointments. Where I work we have to give written response within two weeks sometimes sooner when legal are involved.

Hi yes understand about cuts, IT systems etc. But this is just about poor communication and lack of responsibility or initiative. I've been dealing with them for years and can pinpoint failures recommendations for improvements which can save them time and waste. I mean we have had workmen come and go because they've not been communicated to properly. I too work in a council and specific dealings with housing and other services, so I can compare their service delivery compared to others as well. This case has been exhausted by complaint dept who are equally frustrated by contractors. I'm a tenant and even if i was a leaseholder southwark would have same responsibilities with building faults as they have to manage maintenence which i contribute to as part of my rent to them.

Hi we've had ongoing problems with Southwark repairs. Due to historical flooding we've had them to deal with complaints to get them to redo our flooring. Its taken 4months but today we've had to move everything in our flat for them to turn up dump flooring saying they'll book another time to return. Completely unacceptable. We have small kids me and my partner has had to rearrange and manage this with work and childcare. Cant even get through on phones due to their systems being down. We go away next week and they promised this would be done. Desperate and stressed. Ive contacted James Barber as he's aware of our problems left message. Anyone know a good lawyer or Southwark news are you interested? Would ombudsman be any good? Ive been trying to fend of having to go through more stress of pursung a case but am at wits end!

Hi James wondering if you or anyone else knows who we can contact about overgrown bushes which are causing a problem for pedestrians on the pavement. I'm referring in particular to the building next to Christ Church on Barry Road and the Forest. Is it Ray Mansions? The bushes are going into the road, people are having to walk single file along the area and even at times especially during school run we end up on the roads. Can the Council or anyone enforce the owners to trim these bushes asap!

There are now two mattresses aling with rubbish flying around outside the plough bus stop. Have we heard from council officials yet on this matter have the residents been notified or advised about this? Also what are cleaning sceles do we know?

Back to 70s

I'm not sure about scrapping it altogether but putting it as lower priority. I can see it more useful in primary school if you have all the children in same school but not necessary at Secondary stage where one school may be more suitable for one child but not for another. Also with single sex schools the children may well end up in different schools if their siblings are of different gender.

Hi we stayed in Rosendale in Causeway which is not too far. Hong Kong is small so easy to get around. Never been to Disney yet but have been to Ocean Park loads of times and that is really accessible. But last time round we booked our own apartment via Wimdu which was much cheaper, more space etc than a hotel room. Owner really helpful and anything we asked for literally she supplied.

I think I kind of understand the comments from Mrs TP's friend. When we visited we found that although there was a sense of order and organisation about the place, it was quite regimented and when the boys for example were changing to move to their next lessons we noticed that lots of the staff were on hand to ensure pupils moved along with minimum fuss. This is very different from other schools we visited. Also the staff were in hi-viz vests so it looked almost kind of borstal like. They said they stop every day to read but this came across as having to "make" the boys do this rather than encourage it. All in all we didn't get a great impression of the school which is a shame as it doesn't do justice to what others are saying in reflection of the good support and great GCSE results they have achieved.