Louisa

Whinging forum members boasting about the good old days when they and their clique ruled the roost on the EDF by ramming incomprehensible banter (passed off as 'intelligence') in the lounge. Get over it. Louisa.

Nigello, I don't think you'll have to dream much longer about a certain chain restaurant appearing in Peckham (one of the four you mention). Louisa.

I don't wanna be there thanks! What with all you self congratulatory lounge bar lawyers putting the world to rights thinking you're intelligent and boring the pants off of everyone. No wonder I get pissed whenever I'm on here, it's excruciating! Louisa.

Rye Lane is indeed smelly and as much as I can accept that the post war decline (accelerated by the channel tunnel threat) caused a series of unfortunate events for the area, it doesn't justify the current businesses ripping historic shop fronts off and displaying meat and fish out on the pavements. It's not healthy (especially in summer) and there is no need for it. Rye Lane has some beautiful and historical buildings, and I think to bring them back to life with a good healthy mix of shops would be the ideal compromise. We definitely need a chain revival for some of the larger retail spaces (might even help to tidy up those great buildings). And some of the empty spaces are being filled by new businesses now too which is good news. But the most important thing is retain shop fronts and keep the place smelling sweet. No excuse for filthy pavements. And the hipster kids puking everywhere after a night out are just as much to blame as some of the butchers and hair extension shops! So what chains would everyone like to see make a return in an ideal world? Louisa.

KidKruger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Loving humanity's ego trip. > There's nowt, so get on with yer day as they'll > soon all be used-up. Oh the delicious irony KK! Louisa.

Absolutely miga. Science provides more evidence than religion, pointing towards nothingness beyond this life. But I personally like to keep my mind open to the possibility of more evidence coming along proving and disproving what we already know. That evidence isn't around currently, but maybe it will be in the future. If not, we go back to dust and as? es la vida! Louisa.

And who says it is true? Yes the cause of the rocks floating around in space had a cause, but yet again you are going on evidence produced by science (interpreted by humans) and relying on that answer being untouchable and correct. You seem very final in your response. It seems lame to me to be so sure of something one of your fellow species has told you. Louisa.

KK and without people having some sort of belief, what kind of world would we be living in? I world full of people who have no purpose beyond existing and then dying. Yes science tells us we are all made from the same atomic particles as every other piece of rock floating around the sky, I don't disagree with you there. But we are only using our human intelligent to interpret what evidence we have and we know little to nothing beyond our understanding of how life was created here. Our planet was by some fluke close enough to our star for life to form, but we live in a universe with billions of galaxies where that same or a similar scenario could have happened. Who created the rocks floating around in space? Why were they there in the first place? So so many questions the mind boggles. It is way beyond our comprehension to have a firm and definitive yes/no answer to such a fundamental question. You're saying with some firm belief that this is it, and everything we know from a scientific viewpoint can answer that. That surely isn't true! Religion cannot answer things and neither can science, they're both human interpretations of what we believe the evidence shows us. All I'm suggesting is keep an open mind to anything and everything. Louisa.

I agree with you rah. Organised religion endoctrinated many of my peers, and elders before me. I always remember Sunday school and how it annoyed me being forced to do it. My nan was strict with it too, despite being a closet gin drinker and puffing away on numerous packets of fags. Always recall going to my great uncles funeral and when we turned up at the house she looked at my younger male cousin and said "getcha bleedin 'air cut, jesus won't let you upstairs in that state". She was a bit of an old bag bless her but still, that culture of scaring a child into believing something is all done in the name of religion. Don't agree with it at all. Louisa.

And what is reality? The only reality you know is what you've been taught and grown to accept as reality. We are only as intelligent as we perceive ourselves to be. Maybe this is it, or maybe there's a whole lot we know nothing about. I think it's far too complacent and ignorant to assume what we know as reality to be the only reality. Louisa.

KidKruger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > "I think there is a lot we do not know and will > never know about why we are here on earth" > > We're here by fluke, just like all beings and the > earth itself. > > There is no 'why' because there is no reason. > It's an emotional dependency to think there's some > grand design to our existence. Just as determined and confident in your belief as any number of endoctrinated believers of faith around the world aren't you KK? The simple fact is we do not know. Maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong. You don't know and neither do I or anyone else on this planet. Even science can't tell us. Louisa.

Good choice IMO JohnL. It's nice to have that spiritual element as a nod to what may or may not be beyond this life waiting for us, but equally that personal touch of letting a loved one or friend take the service is such a great tribute to the individual and a memory for everyone who's survived that person. Louisa.

Goodness me I had a heavy one yesterday. Sorry for any stupid posts on here. I agree with the whole premise let people believe what they want freedom of choice to believe what you want etc. I do find organised religion too reliant on ancient 'facts' which do not adapt to scientific findings and changes in certain realities. I think there is a lot we do not know and will never know about why we are here on earth, but I don't personally believe religion can answer those questions. Louisa.

I love wandering around graveyards and also certain churches do send a tingle down my spine. But I'm not really religious in the traditional organised sense. I'd be in confession box for days if I were a catholic. Louisa.

Kennedy's was a traditional London deli. It didn't sell fancy organic crap, but it sold tasty sausages and savoury/fruit pies amongst other things like savaloys, ham, cheese, corned beef. The list is endless. A proper South-East London institution. A small independent family owned business around for well over a century with its factory based in Peckham. Give me that again over any of the overpriced crap on offer locally now prancing around as superior and unique, when it goes bust and closes up within a year or two. Louisa.

Yep woolies went just after Christmas In 2009. Seems like only yesterday to me. What a terrible shame that lovely huge retail space was ripped into two like that. Louisa.

Thanks. Unfortunately I can't give you my vote as its reserved for one of my nemesis in general issues. Louisa.

I'm down for that Alan!!! I'm sure I'd be in the top 2 to be sacrificed ;-) Louisa.

And general issues is any better? the whole forum is predictable now. Some of that is to do with it being a decade almost of covering topic after topic multiple times. Posters come and go. None of us are sacred cows. I would argue none of us have ever been that great either, lots of self congratulation going on and dare I say it 'rose tinted' spectacles being worn. Louisa.

I agree with some of what you say stringvest. But as has been discussed numerous times before, neighbourhoods are constantly changing, Peckham is no exception. I too miss the days of good quality tailors, numerous department stores and some fine delicatessens (notably kennedys), but they all left as the demographic changed and were replaced with shops aimed at the new population. Once again now, the demographic appears to be shifting once more, and with many younger working age and relatively affluent people around, I feel it is time Peckham's high street reflected the new population alongside the old one. Can't see the likes of M&S or BHS every returning, but certainly wouldn't rule out H&M with all that prime (and relatively cheap by London standards) retail space up for grabs. Someone needs to start a Facebook page again! Louisa.

It may seem like an odd time to resurrect this thread, but with the Peckham Peculiar today reporting on the plans to submit a planning application http://peckhampeculiar.tumblr.com for the re-development of the area in front of the station and the restoration of the railway arches etc isn't it time we re-visit this question on useable chains who should be returning to the local area and who would benefit the population by producing more choice in clothing without us having to travel far and wide to find the things we want. I'm all for keeping Peckham independent, but a good healthy mix of chain and indy, as was the case in the past would be beneficial for all of us. The former C&A building opposite the current Art Deco building in the station square and between the two railway lines would be an ideal spot for someone along the lines of H&M what does everyone think? Louisa.

The right in the U.S. is in serious decline (outside of the rural elderly base). This could be the first time the Democrats secure the White House for a third term. Louisa.

See this is why I don't use public transport. I would have to sit where I wanted to sit, even if it was inconvenient for other commuters. I'm very wary of enclosed spaces as it is, just have to find my comfort zone. My sister is just the same. Louisa.

I quite like Donald Trump to look at. Not so keen on his politics. Love a mop of hair though. A kind of Boris supersize version. Louisa.

rahrahrah Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If there were other seats available I don't think > it really fair to ask them to move. I agree in principle, however, in said circumstances the cultural norm would be to politely move across. Louisa.