Zak

Thanks for the replies - the original post said she was thought to be Dutch so it's probably the same lady, HPsaucey. The reference number had a digit missing, by the way - I copied it from the lounged thread where it appeared the second time and that has been edited, so I've edited mine now. It's 209116. Ratty, I left a message with the Southwark co-ordinator for the Outreach team who is based at Tooley Street so that may be the same person. It would be good to get back to him with some more information.

I saw a post about this earlier today ( Lady With But No Van)and then it vanished - I now realise that it's been relegated to the Lounge: "The Place To Relax & Chat About Anything ! This was serious post, asking people to help in getting assistance to someone who is clearly homeless and I guess pretty distressed - on the pavement and surrounded by her possessions. Last spotted around Grove Vale/Oglander Road. Surely, this is an appropriate post, for this most visited page. Anyway, we're told by Hare, who made the initial post, that "she is not sleeping in the same spot tonight, so the Street Link Outreach Team won't be able to locate her very easily .....keep your eyes out and let them know on 0300 5000914.quoting reference number WD209116, by which they can identify her as someone who has already been reported to them. A bit of local intelligence could play an important part in helping some one make contact and getting a roof over her head. If you see her tonight or tomorrow, them ring the outreach team Thanks Zak

At last, it's opened. Has anyone been in there yet? Have the previous owners been thoroughly exorcised?

Yes, please keep banging away at it! It will be a tragedy if they manage to get some dreadful scheme through, which results in the demolition of two of the three cottages. Is there really no chance of getting them listed by English Heritage, as possibly the only remaining examples of occupied purpose-built station accommodation, developed by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway in the latter half of the 1800s?

As I came home last night I noticed that the Cherry Tree on Grove Vale was closed and that there were padlocks on the doors. Anyone know what's happening?

It's no wonder that there are rats running around the station, since nothing has been done for months and months about the gradual build up of litter and rubbish behind the fenced off areas. I made a few enquiries and found out that it's Network Rail that are actually responsible for those fenced off areas. However, since Southern run the station I wrote to Joan Fairbrass, who is the station manager, with a few choice photos(including one of a very obliging rat),suggesting that she gets Network Rail to sort out what is actually a health & safety risk for Southern. She's come back to me and said that she'll get it dealt with. If nothing happens, then I think we need an "adopt a station rat" story in one of the local papers!

If these are "nondescript" and "squalid" buildings, as suggested by the person commenting on the Planning Website on 26th February, then that could surely be said of a lot of buildings in East Dulwich! However, the case can equally be made that they are examples of charming vernacular architecture, which is in keeping with the surrounding station environment and generally enhance the area. By contrast, what is being proposed is insensitive, ugly and entirely out of character. Furthermore, it's possible that these are the only remaining examples of occupied purpose built station accommodation, that was built by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway in the latter half of the 1800s. If this were the case, then surely they would merit listing by English Heritage.

Went over to Upland Road yesterday and found the jewellers open and business as usual. It's amazing, considering what they've been through in the last week, but Mac (the jeweller) says they refuse to be intimidated and went on to express his thanks to all the people who have been in touch and have sent them messages of support. They're a great asset to East Dulwich and if you've not been over to their shop then go and see what you're missing. They've also got a lovely dog called Gem, who is in charge of greeting new customers!

I have to say that I've always found Mr Merryfield to be really helpful. He's carried out one or two out small repairs for free in the past and I've just picked up a pair of shoes that he's re-heeled very nicely. I think having him on Grove Vale is a real asset to the community.

Can anyone recommend a magician? We?re going to hold a party in East Dulwich for both adults and children and we?d like to have a magician along, who can mingle with everyone and entertain them with some close-up magic. We?re not expecting anyone to be quite as good as Dynamo, just to be entertaining! Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Thanks Zak

Can anyone recommend an experienced tiler whom they've used? We need to get some tiling done in our kitchen, around the existing surfaces/units, and want someone who can do a really good job. Thanks Zak

There's a notice in the window of the shop which explains how they intend to operate. It says that the shop has been set up by a group of people who have previously worked in charity shops and that they intend to support local charities.I think it then goes on to say that they're open to approaches from any local charity wanting support - although they don't say how they will arrive at whatever they decide to donate I happen to work in the charitable sector and I think there's a great deal to be said for raising money for local causes. Large national charities are very good at getting all the limelight, but small local ones,which are often closer to the "front line",just don't get heard. It takes a bit of courage to go local and not just support the usual suspects. Pret A Manger, for example, used to support Crisis at Christmas but over the last couple of years have been funding many local charities with whom they and their staff work - by the way I don't work for Pret!

It looks like Southwark have been at it again. As part of the Baroque The Streets initiative, the Mexican artist,Pablo Delgado produced a minature interpretation of several works from Dulwich Gallery. It was was located on a small low wall at the end of Oglander Road and only the other day I saw a party of school children on a Baroque The Streets art tour, inspecting this particular work of art. Sadly that won't happen again, since someone keen to improve that quality of our environment,I imagine from Southwark Council,has decided that the wall in question needed a nice coat of white paint. And guess what's happened? See attached photo of said art. Which other pieces of street art do you think they might believe need to be cleaned up?

Ed Nagaiutb writes .........."Their neighbouring unit, Rabbit On, has been empty for years. Unless someone can take on both units and make the space more useable, but unlikely". Interestingly the "shop" called "Rabbit On" appears never to have been a shop. I've watched people go in and out of the premises over the years and it seems fairly clear that it's simply a front for a building providing residential accommodation - a planning scam. Strange that Southwark haven't been able to work that one out!

I was told, last year, by a Southwark officer that income from parking charge/fines for the borough is between ?11-12m per year. Of that, c?5m is accounted for by parking fines. True, not that much out of a ?323m budget - but worth having and only likley ever to increase!

Definitely the latter offence!

Just back from Lordship Lane where Sorsi & Morsi have been handing out free "tasters" to passers-by, from outside the restaurant. I had my doubts when Indian Mischief went down and what looked like just another pizza & pasta joint appeared, but they seem to really know what they're doing. A range of pizzas were on offer and from among them we tried the mozzarella and caramelised onion offering - it was brilliant! The dough was excellent and the accompanying cherry tomatoes and fresh basil (from a basil plant of course) were lovely. At one point the chef came out and demonstrated the art of "throwing" pizza dough, much to everyone's delight! It seems like a great addition to Lordship Lane and I think they really deserve to succeed.

CPZ's are a fabulous cash cow for the local authority Look what happened in Forest Hill: ""At yesterday?s meeting of Mayor and Cabinet, the Mayor approved the increase from ?60 to ?120pa for Resident?s Parking Permits. Visitors permits will also double, going up from ?2.80 to ?5.60 daily. Weekly permits will now cost the same as five daily permits instead of three". Don't be fooled by assurances from Southwark - they need money and lots of it! Charges for CPZs will only ever go in one direction - up!

Thnks for that information James, but what's going to happen to the service to and from London Bridge as from May 2013 when platorms 14-16 close and there will be 3 fewer platforms available for trains? What's more, these 3 platforms are of course those most used by trains passing through East Dulwich. Plus, for how long are they going to be out of service? The leaflet I picked up was silent on this - but implied that it would be for a long time! I fear a reduced service to and from London Bridge, for quite some time.

I picked up a leaflet at London Bridge station last week with details of all the exciting improvements that lie in store for us, in the run up to the "new" station being completed in 2018! One of these is that from May 2013 platforms 14-16 are going to be taken out of service for a couple of years. I guess that means that they'll be down to only 13 platforms. Fewer platforms seems likley to mean fewer trains. Does anyone know if that's the case and if so can we expect a reduced service into London Bridge station?

Oops, looks like I missed a few posts and particular the comments from James.

No word from James as yet in defence of his inspired idea - although I'm sure he's following this thread very closely. In the right place trams are great, but there's little evidence to suggest that what is being proposed is the right place and furthermore the gearing of benefits to likley cost seems exceptionally poor. This may sound a little uncharitable, but I can't help feeling that this is as much about promoting James Barber, as it is about promoting trams. If you're interested in a low cost eco-friendly transport solution, James, how about a new 21st century trolly bus route? That would be a first!

What do people think about the new shelters that have been erected on either side of the platforms at ED Station? Both shelters will definitely offer better protection from the weather, but..... * Do they have enough seats? * Are they too cramped? * Where are the litter bins? It looks like they've been designed so that litter simply blows away - all over the surrounding area! * What's going to happen to the very serviceable seating that is now stacked up alongside them? Will it be just left to rust away? Was this money well spent?