JessicaCT

A shout out for Mark, owner of Pure Plumbers. 07970 971510 They're well established in the Sevenoaks area, but have recently started doing more work in SE London. Did some v quick and efficient bathroom and boiler fixes for me; have also seen some of the bathrooms he's built, which have a nice attention to detail. Jessica

A quick plug (excuse the pun) for David from Down the Drain who has very swiftly and efficiently unblocked a fatberg from our kitchen drain within an hour of me calling them. https://down-the-drain.co.uk/ Dulwich born and bred, now based in Forest Hill. [email protected] 020 8314 5244

Our highly professional cleaner Polly (Pretty Kitty on here) has had some availability open up. She's impressively thorough and efficient - and lovely to have around. It's no coincidence that she already cleans for several houses in our road! She's also a member of the local community. Contact her on 07727 042636. Jessica

Likewise. You set a benchmark for working hard and engaging with the people you represented. I hope the new councillors follow your example.You will be missed.

Both my children loved going to AVP (held at Dulwich Prep) so much that one of them now works there http://www.avpsports.co.uk/wp/ It's fun and very friendly. But if anyone knows of any activities for children from 11-16 in the area, I'd love to know about them as all the organised clubs seem to stop at age 11.

We're enjoying training at Peckham Town: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/peckhamtownfootballclub/

Have just sent stiffly worded email to school suggesting they clarify (ie actually tell parents rather than children) and mentioning that I won't be forking out for new uniform till my son's grown out of the old lot. Suspect I may not be the only one. Oh, and if you're after cheap Heber sweatshirts, the school's second-hand uniform stall (run by Sol and Louise - yr 5)has loads and only charges ?1 a pop. Not so good for the polos though as white tops don't really survive one owner.

There are lots of local people on twitter, which makes for a nice community of people working from home or in local businesses. @DamonGreenITV is always entertaining, especially if you know him (unless you are Mrs Green) I also follow far too many local food people (which is why I'm always starving by 11am). @sathlondonshona @EatsDulwich @GingerGourmand @M_HammertonChef @FranklinsSE22 @JacksSE22 @victoriainnse15 @PeckhamRyeEats @TheRoseDulwich @Pubhobbit @thepubgeek @BlacksKitchen @TheGowlettArms @gandbwines @ThePalmerston @TheHerne @LittleCoffeeVan @theactressse22 And some non-foodies @SouthEast_Zine @SEMags @RoullierWhite @MrsRobinsonSE22 @Rye_Books @freefilmfest And not technically SE22, but spiritually: @thelidocafe @brixcornercopia @theoldnunshead @andersonandco @BambuniNunhead @BrockleyMarket @thepaxtonpub @SthLambethMkt @ryelanebrewery @PersiainPeckham @ivyhouselondon @KINDRED_BAKERY @CrookedWell @Brixton_Bugle @BrixtonBlog @PeckhamLitFest @PTOOcomedy Have fun! P.S. You can find me at @jctblog

I hope everyone's going to get cross about this: http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=39647&headline=%E2%80%98Rent%20hike%20will%20be%20a%20disaster%E2%80%99 Apparently landlords of Brixton Village (one of the best things to happen to South London for some time) want to hike the rents already. It was probably inevitable it would turn into Borough Market, but surely not this fast?

It has been brought to my attention that while we were away last weekend avoiding the Royal Wedding in a nice Republican country, there was a gale and lots of boxes from our skip blew all over the road. So I just wanted to apologise to my neighbours/passing motorists and say that a) I hope they didn't cause any accidents b) thanks to whoever did clear them up c) if we had been around we would have cleared them up. but we weren't there. honest. we weren't just being lazy d) we have mentioned to our builders that a tarpaulin over the skip might have been a good idea. (other than that, I will actually be recommending our builders in the appropriate strand of the forum) Thanks

Heber's great ? there are even working class people as well as one or two who are properly posh. But there are lots of lovely schools round here so you'll be fine. You might be interested in Heber's Open Day next Thursday, 26 November. From 9.30am to 11am. Refreshments provided by Parents & Friends of Heber Primary School. Or the Heber Christmas Fair, Sat 4 December, 12-3pm. Entry's free and everyone's welcome. It's a good way to get a feel for the school community. (and in reference to a different thread, Santa will also be there in his grotto)

My daughter is also v happy at Kingsdale, the children are genuinely lovely, there is a huge energy about the place, the facilities are amazing, the music incredible, the standards high, and the staff seem to be on call 24/7. Do put it down. re banding, yes they band from day 1 but this can actually be a drawback as they don't know the children yet. The criteria for banding do seem rather haphazard as to who gets put where and is not based on either SATs results or school reports. And even though they are selling themselves on offering two languages (french, german, spanish and/or Latin from yr 7) this is only on offer to higher bands so even if you have got straight Level 5s and have studied certain subjects at your previous school, you could have a fight to be allowed to continue.

Does your daughter's school have a book stall at its Christmas fair? (Heber does, btw) Or is it doing a school jumble sale this term? If you can bear to hang on to them till then, you could donate them to that, then your daughter will, in a round about way, benefit too. http://midlifemanual.wordpress.com/