stereforth

I have a commercial gas cooker Garland GF36 TTR. It is currently set up for Propane but I need it converted to Natural Gas. Located in Peckham. All parts are available online but it must be done by an experienced fitter. Can anyone help?

A new florist's will soon be opening at 120 Cheltenham Road (the old barber's).

I recommend a friend of mine who may be available. Richard Potter 07719098350. He lives in Nunhead.

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I was phoned today, out of the blue, by someone claiming to be from "Windows Service Centre". He got me to run a few commands on-screen and up came a list of software "errors". He then tried to get me to pay ?199 through PayPal for five year's software insurance. I politely told him where to go. Anyone else had a similar experience?

About once a year for the last two years I have benn visited by someone claiming to be from edf. He said it was to read the electricity meter, which he the did. As it is in the communal hallway and not in my home, I wasn't worried, but afterwards I wonderded what it had to do with edf. I contacted my supplier (OVO Energy) and they advised me to refuse access. They claimed to be unaware of why edf would do this. Maybe edf are building profiles of potential customers prior to making a sales call.

Dedicated to Huguenot II Just Fostered a protestant refugee from 16th Century France. All 4 cans hit him right on the back of the head.

Tin Soldier - Stiff Little Fingers

White Light White Heat - Velvet Underground

re the sighting of Paul McGann by Peckhamboy.When observing a McGann one should always be aware of TV critic Nancy Banks-Smith's description of the McGann brothers : " Four actors sharing the same face".

Bredinghurst School is an establishment for boys with behavioural problems. Southwark Council plan to rebuild the school on the existing site and then take back the existing buildings for non-school use, according to their press release on 13/07/10 available at . My point is the future of the existing Victorian buildings. Originaly built as homes, they are unusual in their large size and the principal structure is a large, beautiful detached property. I have been told it was the home of the Dunn family of Dunn & Co fame (once-famous gentlemen's outfitters), who gave us "Sartor" road, as in "sartorial". Are any of the buildings listed? I'm sure someone must have experience of the listing process.Is it possible to ensure they are not sacrificed for a fast buck?

Anyone remember an episode of "Old Harry's Game", written by and starring Andy Hamilton where upon being asked "What shall I do with this new batch of sinners Oh Satan?" Satan: "Put them in the pit with the pregnant Popes" New arrival in Hell: "Pregnant Popes?" Satan: "Yeah. Up to their knecks in excrement while suffering agonising birth pains for all eternaty." Something along those lines anyway. Have I offended some catholics? Tough.

My oh my, what a change in attitudes to JDW over the years. In the mid eighties, the then small company applied for a license for premises in the centre of Croydon. Most local pubs (there were hardly any "bars" in those days) lodged objections to the court. However, JD's boss claimed there was an air of menace in many central pubs. As a regular drinker in that area in those days, I can confirm that (though less violent than today). He also stated that his pubs were cheaper, served food all day and had no music, TV, or gambling machines, unlike any other pub arround. After a refit in excess of ?200.000 (at 1985 prices!) it was probably the best appointed pub in Croydon and the cheapest. Since then the whole industry has changed dramatically. Compared to other domestic commodities beer prices seem to have inflated above and beyond, even if it is less than inflation. This is not down to greedy publicans. 20 years ago I reseached the industry and the normal gross profit recommended by accountants was 33%. Today it is at least 50%. This is a straight doubling of the wholesale price. Wholesale prices are set by pub companies, so if you are not a true free-house you pay far more than big set-ups like JDW. When I left the trade last year my accountant advised me to charge ?3.60 per pint of Stella or similar. Such prices seem affordable to younger drinkers who have probably never entered a traditional pub. If they tried it they may be surprised to find such a thing as a carpet on the floor. Most modern "pubs" are minimalist in decor with no soft furnishings and the consequent foul accoustics. Have you tried having a conversation in, say, the EDT on a crowded night? You can hear the kiddie music and people 30 feet away but not someone two feet away. Yes, JDW attracts people looking for more abv. units per pound but also those looking for a quiet corner. Most of their pubs are so large you can escape the rough looking lot who are usually getting on in years and not inclined to agression, and anyway, they always seem to be near the entrance.(Peckham branch excluded. Do NOT judge JDW by that place). So, horses for courses? Yes. Personally I found the Vale overpriced, noisy, with no atmosphere and a long way from being a pub. Like many new bars it's as though they put certain parameters into a computer and it punched out "design no.93274 KL" or some such. the best pubs are those that have evolved and not just been taken out of the box and assembled. What do you do when the bar becomes out of date as the small minded move to the next new experience up the road? In the case of the Vale JDW come along and spend mega bucks again. How much did it cost for it's current design? A bloody load, I bet. And how long did it last? Weatherspoon pubs have little or no social inter-action acroos the bar, true. Just like so many "modern" pubs. They are not my preferred hostelry but its damned hard to find somewhere without piped music and loud TV's. JDW are like a parallel evolution of pubs: stripped to the bone in the EDT or Gowlett or spacious comfort in such as the George and remarkable Skylark in Croydon. It looks like the new generation of drinkers do their socialising electronically and use the pub for getting plastered whenever possible and not for conversation or discussion. When I was an apprentice drinker we used to put it away quite effectively but to be obviously drunk in public was looked down upon as either greed or an innability to "hold your beer". Throwing up was a disgrace. Times change. I am so very grateful that I shall be dead in about 20 years or so. All the youthful dreams of mankind's ability to correct all the world's injustices have been destroyed. The social world that was the pub has little time left and is in fact dead in most parts of Britain. Stuff this misery. I'm off to one of the few remaining local community pubs left: The Earl Ferrers in Streatham.

I am surprised Southwark Council hasn't already stepped in. Until last year I ran a pub in Nunhead. Friday and Saturday licencing hours were up to 1am. If any customers stood around outside after midnight they were forbidden (by law) from drinking and any conversation would attract complaints and a follow-up from Southwark with a stern warning of further action, if necessary. Lordship Lane is a residential area. Complain to the Council. And keep complaining. I enjoy a good drink, but I am also aware of how anti social behaviour can alienate your neighbours. I employed experienced door minders who would identify likely suspects and discreetly keep an eye on them, as much for that customer's benefit as mine. Groups of people outside would be politely asked to keep the noise down and quietly moved along after closing. Try speaking to a local beat copper or police support officer. They were very helpful in clearing the druggies out when I took over. By the way, as far as I know, urinating in public can be regarded as a sexual offense, bringing the sexual offenders register into the mix.

His name is Tom Hollander. He also played the hapless minister in "In The Loop".

A different view on a sunny disposition. I hope Lou Reed would approve.

The Abruzzo region of Italy is one of the least visited by British tourists. I'm going there in May. Staying in Bisenti. Anyone have any experience or advice on what to do? There is only one English language guide book.

All I want Is You - John Cale

Only the Lonely - Roy Orbison

The popularity of "Strictly Come Dancing","I'm a Celebrity","X Factor" etc. for making me a cultural snob. A friend's daughter told how she and her fellow university student friends rarely watched TV but would never miss the above. My god! What has happened to the younger generation. To quote the late great Ivor Cutler "As I grow older I never cease to be amazed at the stupidity of man".

Think Again - Billy Bragg

A friend of mine ran a video shop in LL near Goose green some years back. Coincidentally, soon after Sainsbury's opened on DKH, parking restrictions were increased and very heavily enforced. Council officers regularly inspected his premises for by-law infringements. This was not isolated. According to him it became a frequent complaint of traders in competition with Sainsbury's. Surely just a coincidence.

The Marching Song Of The Covert Battalions - Billy Brag

Lay Lady Lay - Bob Dylan

Pieces Of A Man - Gil Scott-heron