DavidPeckham

Except for every parent and child in an area well-known for schools and families that might want to join the South East London chapter of a nationwide conversation. But also, yes, there are more pigeons on the benches in Goose Green these days, and don't even get me started about Screwfix! Thanks for refocusing on the things that matter.

Since posting, there are now 20+ local groups around the country, a petition to govt and a website launching on Monday. Whatever your view on the debate might be, it's a good example of people mobilising: https://linktr.ee/smartphonefreechildhood

If this is the sort of thread you're interested in, then you may have seen the story this week of two parents whose WhatsApp group discussing the research and risks around kids and smartphones, which has become a national network in the last few days. "They'd discussed their reluctance to give their children smartphones. With this in mind, on Saturday, they set up a WhatsApp group called Parents United for a Smartphone-Free Childhood, half assuming the parents united within it would just be the two of them talking to each other. Neither was prepared for what happened." Their national group reached its cap, and then again after they managed to extend it, so they've begun regional groups for parents wanting support or a space to discuss the topic, and the South East group is here for anyone who's also interested to explore it. Free to join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JyrUaaXWR405LjJZeSRWKR If you haven't seen any of the articles, a non-paywalled feature is here, outlining how organically the conversation was shaped and how far it's gone “As soon as you give someone a smartphone you end their childhood,” "The two friends aren’t aiming to put pressure on the government or technology firms to change things. Their goal is either more modest, or more ambitious, depending on how you look at it: to mobilise parents to change the conversation, on the basis that there’s safety in numbers. “We want to help other people make the decision not to [give their child a smartphone],” says Greenwell. “The ideal outcome would be that we’ve shifted the social norm.” Their decision to set up a group that anyone could join was inspired by a similar initiative taken by parents in Spain last year."

All sorted, thanks

Hi there, I really need some help, I'm half way through a two year rental and the underfloor heating has a life of it's own, I've got two sets (Kitchen and Bathroom) with different makes of Thermostat/controller and neither follow the timings I've set and at times go all the way to 27 in the afternoon when noramlly no ones home. I've tried calling the makers, using the YouTube videos and getting in touch with the original installer, and now just need to find someone who can come and sort it out, please send help, recommendations or ideas, I can't take another cold day with the windows open for the sake of environment, bills and sanity!

Hello, I've had the awesomeness of the Spin Doctor over to fix a new-ish (2 years) old Bosch, but he could find no fault, and it worked when he plugged it in elsewhere, so there's some sort of fuse/connection issue afoot, any electricians out there that can come and help me out ahead of family descending next weekend?? 07944088828 if it's easier to call/text Please send help.

Sorry, forgot to add Lynlea's number: 07984 420827

I moved into a long term rented house with my two daughters, and it was 'fine', but I could tell the 'dads-gone-to-Ikea' aesthetic wasn't helping my girls settle into a new and unusual space, so I looked for help, I searched for someone who'd 'get it', and I found Lynlea West, and I'm so glad and grateful that I did. A few weeks later, a couple of clean and clear presentations, some well managed budget setting, some tight timing plans and now... It's a space transformed, it's a house to a home, a pad to a painting, a casa to a casanova, and most importantly, its kids who come through the door and run into a world they now love. On time, on budget, on point, and always on my side, whether it's getting a better deal on a better bed, or finding someone to fix/fit/flatpack when I couldn't. The difference isn't just the design, it's the detail and the depth of consideration. When we move to a place we can buy, there's no doubt, I'll be back hanging out, having a laugh and having an education in how to make space special, with: https://www.lynleaweststudio.com/

I was sure there must already be nominations on the forum but couldn't find anyway, so sorry to re post a probably old topic, but can anyone suggest a local piano tuner please? Much appreciated!

Objection submitted, thanks, team behind the coal line, it's hard to see all the benefits of something like this until there, here, but from what I've seen with your plans, and similar in other cities and countries, I wish you all the best, I think it will be a positive asset for South London for a long time to come.

We've just completed the second piece of work with Plus Rooms (this time was the loft extension, last time Kitchen side return) and they were just as great, if not better. On budget, on time and responsive, attentive and considerate throughout. I think the real test of a firm like this is when the unexpected happens, such are the challenges of renovating a Victorian House, and they are so solution finding, practical and creative, it means everyone pulls together, avoids any stress and is transparent about costs and time. Very happy to once again recommend the whole team, but a special shout out to Alex our Project Manager, he was such an asset the first time around, we asked for him this time and once again, we were not disappointed, he really kept the whole thing moving, kept costs down and even our 4-year-old daughter ended up a fan. Thank you Alex, if there was anywhere left to extend, we'll be asking for you again.

Sorry to hear you've had a frustrating time with them, but it sounds like the exception not the rule. We used them two years ago and are using them again now. They were recommended to me by a close colleague, and in turn I've recommended them to friends, neighbours and even clients who've used them also. And in all of those experiences, his is the first time I've ever heard a complaint about them. We requested the same project manager we had on our first extension, and have not been disappointed, he's excellent and for someone who doesn't know the first thing about building work, regulations or language (ME) to have Alex be able to make it relatable and to get the most out of all the different specialist teams, is more like the standards I'm used to in my agency life than anything I thought I'd find with a building firm. We cross quoted with both our extensions and noone had the same professionality, detail or project management expectations, and to their credit, Plus Rooms delivered on all of them, and to budget and to time. I think the other thing that makes me want to defend them is each time we've worked with them both the owners, brothers, Robbie and James, have made the effort to be a small part of the journey and the feeling of a family business that cares about you, and their teams, and the standard of work is something we really appreciated, and is worth speaking up for. We're in SE22, near the bottom of LL, so if you want to see the work in progress and how they run a project and ask anything about our experience with them in more detail PM me and we'd be happy too.

Hello, Id' be very interested, can do you do evenings around 8pm, after I've put daughter to bed? I'd be keen to do a two hour lesson, once a week and book for a few months block to really restart my Spanish. Thanks

Hello helpful forum, Can any suggest a local firm who can help install and set up solar panels please? Any and all suggestions very gratefully received! Thanks Dave

I'd also be interested, please PM me too, I need a suit jacket taking in please?

hello, I'd like to get our windows professionally cleaned, in, out, up, down, any and all suggestions of good people much appreciated? Thanks very much

I can reccomend Amphlett Lissimore, they're in Crystal Palace, have done all of mine and a few friends, and our agents on LL said it was the fastest most pain free they've ever seen. X

I picked it up on Saturday and enjoyed it cover to cover, congratulations on a massive achievement. There's room to be more provocative, creative, alternative and exploratory in the space outside the existing local free press and I hope you grow into that sort of direction. Congratulations, good luck and keep it up please.

Archdale Road has one every year and is happening again on June 12th this year for the Big Lunch

Big THANK YOU to Geoffrey, called him at 5pm on a cold Sunday, back from a few days away to a broken boiler, and in five minutes over the phone had us back up and running without breaking a sweat! Thank you very much indeed Geoffrey, excellent, clear, friendly and much appreciated. 07474136583

A year ago the forum gave me really helpful recommendations for beginning some building work and I'd like to repay the favour by giving a heartfelt thanks to the firm we went with, they're a family business from south London, who specialise round here and have been an absolute dream to work with. Plus Rooms is the firm, and from the no nonsense, but incredibly helpful first consultation to the detailed, creative and week by week proposal and detailed budget, the client servicing was unlike any one else we spoke to, and we spoke to a few. After a 2k deposit they took care of all planning, design, architects and approvals and a few months later turned up on the exact estimated day and week by week stuck to the schedule. They devised a clever way to reconfigure the house so we could live through it and avoid the cost of moving out, plus play an active role in decision making as work went on. That sounded like a nightmare and could have been, but instead we became friends with the firm, who were amazing working around a family and each week the work was verified to the original schedule before payment made, and eight weeks later the work was done, on time and on budget. Another 4 weeks of finishing later, same team, also on time and on budget and the work is done, with a level of service that culminated in a follow up meeting weeks after completion where they went over every last detail looking for ways to improve what they do, we hands down gave them 10 out of 10 and so, I thought they deserve credit here, for anyone considering an extension that lives in a victorian house, it's all they do, they were the most reasonable and far and away the most reassuring. [email protected] is the chap, looks about 12 but don't let that fool you, he's one of the two brothers and between them, they're doing an excellent job. if you could buy shares I would, but for now, as I sit enjoying their fine work, I think they deserve credit. I hope that helps someone who was in the same position as we were weighting up confusing and costly alternatives, give these guys a try, if they do half as good a job as they did for us, you will not be disappointed.

I will happily be the 4000th reference for the Spin Doctor, he, and Derek, are a breath of fresh air, a pleasure to deal with reasonable in every way, and a genuine expert at what he does, many thanks Steve!

I had to move half my house into storage on a Sunday morning around a two year old with a looming deadline of builders arrival. It could have been a nightmare, but luckily, I'd been recommended Earl, and his Forest Hill based firm, and I'd like to recommend him here. Earl runs Extra Mile Vans, he's got more spatial awareness than Lewis Hamilton, more charm than Colin Firth and the mind of Tetris when it comes to packing. He made us laugh, he made us relax and he made it all ok and he did it all in a couple of hours, at a lower cost than I'd hoped for, he knew everyone at the storage place, and even made that process simple. His email address is; [email protected] His mobile number is; 07951 535 534 And he's great! Cheers

Hello, I need some help, have you got an email and I can send you the details? Cheers, Dave

You should absolutely go to see Liz Edwards at Amphlett Lissimore in Crystal Palace, they've worked around here for over 20 years and family is her specialism so much so she's been chair of Resolution for the past few years, she's fantastic, sensitive, super well informed and extremely experienced, all at local prices. http://www.qualitysolicitors.com/amphlettlissimore/our-people/liz-edwards Hope that helps. Dave