fl0wer

Food tastes smokily 'different' and a kind of Inner Cave Man likes this cooking method, but until we have sorted out better ways to source the food and charcoal and packaging, barbecues are very, very costly on the planet. I think they should be allowed, but if people set them up thoughtlessly in densely populated areas, it forces lots of us to endure a stink of smoke & burning meat which many find antisocial, especially when fresh air's at a premium in a heatwave. From what I've seen of specially built public barbecue/outdoor cooking facilities, they soon get filthy. If a corner of each park got set aside for 'instant' picnic ones, with very cheap and simple designated cooking slabs perhaps, it could reduce the damage done to the rest of the space. People would still need to be vigilant about the hot coals/food rubbish/vermin aspects, but treating us as if we cannot follow a straightforward safety guide is belittling.

New road surface? The cordons just block the easterly part of Westwood Park, you can still get right along its westerly length, and reach the school and the Horniman Gardens back gate OK.

also to reassure you, even b/f babies can pass fewer stools in a heat wave, and they often regurgitate a bit after each feed, and they often put on weight fairly slowly. My daughter offered goatsmilk formula at one stage of her daughter's weaning - it's rather expensive and rejoices in the name of 'Nanny' - & babies often like goats milk yoghourt [but not before 6 months old]. Some children find goats milk lighter, less likely to form mucus, and skin/nappy rash troubles are less than on cow's milk. Others don't accept the slightly different taste & must have a soya-based milk. There are nicer ones around nowadays, also baby rice for suppertime, all organic etc. Milk has to be offered them alongside any other foods, because milk has to be a baby's main food for its first year of life. If babies get really unwell there are supplies of donated breast milk [which the hospitals keep, frozen], this is for example when allergies get desperate, not for everyday use obviously. Not sure how lactose intolerance influences what formulas are OK so I think you would do best to ask a dietician about it. Ordinary nurses and GP's don't necessarily have appropriate background training, NB. It would be a shocking let-down if you failed to get proper help on the NHS as anyone with a caseload from a large mixed population of people would be sure to have experience. I believe it's really common for particular ethnic groups. Hope this helps. Please don't beat yourself up about only nursing the baby yourself for a month. You will have given him a headstart with proper colostrum and antibodies from your own supplies and his digestion will be a lot healthier and more resilient than it would have been without your input. Every sympathy with the anxiety about his feeds, but smile into the baby's eyes and praise him & every day allow both of you to enjoy skin-closeness as this will help you [as well as him] to know you are nearby, from your heart beat and voice, your bodily presence. In a week or two he will reach up and explore your face and start to focus and smile a little - it is a magical step....

In case you'd all welcome the contrast of a day in green space nearby don't forget Sydenham Hill Woods. Also the Marsden Rd Wildlife Garden, for info about both link here http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/Pages/Category.aspx?IDCategory=dc00cc1e-3e7f-4663-ae9d-e27e315c11e9 - and they are free. With any luck this weather will be helping back the butterflies.

Very sorry to read this. Here's a travel page, in case anyone is in need of it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/london/publictransport/unplanned

This is the word I have had: Every day a mother walks ahead of her little son all the way along my street while he cries in a low, continuous moan the entire time. He must be between 2 & 3 years old and carries a baby's bottle in his hand. She never waits, has nothing to say to him, no buggy, no smile, not responding to the sense that something must feel "wrong" for her beautiful child. This indifference is the most awful thing to witness. If you take issue with my use of the word "wrong" it would surely be better to explain and clarify, so - to be absolutely foolproof - my version of "wrong" is in the sense that a child has few ways to tell us it's not feeling RIGHT, and the OP described some of them. Reassurance of the chicken-soup variety wouldn't help as much as the process of reasoning by which s/he discovers more about her own skills and the child's, yes? Never to alarm, but to enter a logical set of questions which may make a huge difference to a child's progress and comfort, which in turn provide a more solid reassurance. Advice of a professional WAS duly taken into account. A wonderful 20 minute talk here => Another kind of equally valued professional, Rose Petals, identifies a similar possibility, i.e. that the OP's little boy may be ready for playgroup and worded her post very well, so that people read and absorb it more positively than mine perhaps. It is still no reason to write stuff insultingly. I stand by what I wrote, and shan't ever want to see the forum become a disrespectful place.

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > fl0wer Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Something is wrong, but how seriously is hard to > tell from your post. > > > > Idiotic post. > > He's growing up. If you're still worried in a > couple of months go and speak to someone. Otta, please don't charge online writing insultingly when your judgement is questionable late at night! You have not read what was carefully and thoughtfully composed in response to a lifelong awareness. Children ALWAYS play up for a reason, which may be superficial or serious, as my comment says.

Yes, ages 5 - 10 have so much to get into their National Curriculum schooldays that room for Nature Study gets limited, although the teachers do their best and this Centre does host school trips. If parents add to the interest from looking at garden species (many will emerge now the weather's hotted up) it helps a child at the right age, when curiosity is unforced, and brains attuned to observation. A friend of mine is a gifted macro-photographer. Extraordinary images of everyday insects,

just to add, a week or two ago this was on another thread from the Beekeepers Assoc: Re: Wasps nest Posted by lizbells6 June 29, 06:23PM Please note that the London Beekeepers DON'T collect wasps nests and I'm afraid we don't move bumble bees nests either. We can collect swarms of honey bees from gardens, trees, outside walls etc up to an accessible height, within a day or two of them arriving. The swarm is then taken to a local apiary to be quarantined and checked for disease and a laying queen. We have a waiting list of members wanting new colonies.

Usually one like this has got parents wanting to come down to the ground and feed it. If you go outdoors you should be able to observe them. Baby crows, magpies, jackdaws, owls, etc if people hand rear them will bond and 'imprint' on to humans, which might seem sweet, but it is a millstone eventually as they never learn how to feed themselves so are robbed of their adulthood. Wildlife rescue centres are really clued up about this. The baby will die if its parents cannot tend it during the day so don't keep it in a box, think of a cool, shady, accessible spot you can place it outdoors NEARBY. It could be one that a predator snatched, injured & then dropped, or one that was ill anyway & the parents themselves booted it out, in which case the prospects don't look good. Have been known to wring their necks in this circumstance, to spare longdrawn out suffering. Then bury the body pronto or it will become rotten at once in this heat. At least you know under the earth it provides for another sort of life form. Cats who find sickly prey unappetising anyway, will make things harder for the parents than the chick probably.

I was born only 16 months after my sister, a long time ago - 1950's. Our parents and all the other adults around would keep treating us as if we were twins, with the same clothes etc. If I could offer you one comment, it would be, of course be fair but let your love encourage each child into its own uniqueness. My own babies were 2 yrs apart (have written about that here in EDF parents discussion column already) - it was clear at the beginning they'd enjoy different kinds of toys, then as they grew up they played together plenty. If I could have that time again I would welcome a cleaner, just to do the floors when everyone is out of the way. Other housekeeping tasks preferred to do myself. Cooking double recipes to make 2 meals, rather than just one, means your freezer always has a few readymade supper dishes.

If you'd like an introduction to the delights of leaving a garden to grow beyond 'municipal', take the children to see all the beautiful wildflowers, birds & insects, here => http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/Pages/Category.aspx?IDCategory=945fbdd0-a3f0-4d03-9275-d05d4f77f46d

No, don't bother, because someone with hives only wants Apis Mellifera, the honeybee.

Put up a gauze screen of some kind, so you can have the windows open without any insects getting in. A mosquito net or muslin curtain would do. In the frosty end of the year most of them die. A few hibernate, these usually fly to other sites by Oct/Nov. All bees and other pollinator insects are so close to the brink of survival we have to invent ways to tolerate them for this year. Humans providing better sites for them in future will encourage them away from lofts and porches and sheds, which is the issue really, e.g. some Bumble Bees prefer sandy banks for their nests, where voles have left holes, and wasps want wood so they need to choose old hollow trees.

To all it may concern here is a simple page for identification purposes: http://www.cheshire-biodiversity.org.uk/useful-resources/pdf%20black%20poplar%20id%20(Read-Only).pdf and to EDHistory in particular, would you do me the honour of reading my posts more carefully as twice you have assumed I would do harm, and responded with crushing comments. The OLD Cem's huge, unpollarded black poplar offered a few innocent questions and for choice I would not be propagating it at all, as I have just got window boxes and a doorstep for my gardening. The Lombardy I chose along with Weeping Willow in the wintertime, in response specifically to the floods and only with appropriate riverside sites in mind.

edhistory, why not go and look for yourself, take a walk through the old Cem and see. Reading this http://www.rfs.org.uk/learning/Poplar it seems possible the one by the footpath could be a hybrid. I would be surprised if Daniel Greenwood had not seen it already.

Thanks JackieO - for sounding a positive note. I was careful in my research, so as to offer correct identification for what will turn into a substantial tree. The Lombardies were in Camberwell NEW Cemetery forming windbreaks near the playing fields. I will take cuttings of the Black Poplar in Camb. OLD Cem., happy to donate them to the Trust in a few months time. BTW several of these trees are having a particularly spectacular 'snowstorm' of seed-cotton this year. Can anyone answer my questions about this cotton: a) is it actually full of seeds that can grow? If so, why aren't there zillions of baby trees nearby from other years? b) if the seeds are infertile, could the great quantities of cotton be used as layers in compost heap? c) are there uses wild creatures make of this cotton? It would seem ideal as nest lining, etc, but no sign of activity.

Maybe injured, or near the end of its life. They sometimes get hurt by flying into headlights. Place it amongst shady damp wood and leave it. Handling it risks a nip, so let its feet grasp a twig and use that to convey it. Interesting stuff on line, eg http://frontpage.woodland-trust.org.uk/ancient-tree-forum/atfnews/images/stagbeetles.pdf If you moved this post onto the 'ED nature watch' thread someone more knowledgable than me might respond. It is great news you are seeing them, means their several years long larval life cycle has been able to complete in some safe corner.

Something is wrong, but how seriously is hard to tell from your post. LATER NOTE: Further down the thread people have got altogether entangled with the word 'wrong' so am adding that 'wrong' as meant here, means firstly, witnessing behaviour changes which show how a child feels. Some criticised the nuance of there being something 'wrong' in the sense of implying a child isn't normal. So secondly, maybe one's child isn't: maybe it is. It would be wrong to try and tell on line, and loving them matters either way. All children are unique and their wellbeing is paramount, whether they are apparently within the range of normal, or whether they turn out to be differently abled. Some exceptionally highly gifted friends of mine will tell you, their experience of love and happy play or otherwise in childhood affects them for life. These are people society fears for being 'not normal'. Decades ago some were permanently awkward children who were mishandled - the parents embarrassed and inapproprately supported. _____________________________ [back to the original post] Whether he has had a setback in development through illness, or through a psychological process whereby he wants to experiment and test you to get a reaction, I would ask: How is he at playgroup or nursery? What do the helpers say? If he doesn't go to playgroup yet, this apathy towards you could be his way of showing he's ready. Boredom and repetitive TV show a need for new stimuli, changes in daily routines, more socialising and other creative events, maybe with messy paints and clay and fun dressing up, outdoor toys, etc. Don't hesitate to get advice from a paediatrician. All of us worry about our kids from time to time and these people are highly skilled with check-up methods.

Look: everyone: sorry to have to repeat - the simple issue I am raising is the TIMING of the interventions. Nobody is taking responsibility for choosing to do the "essential maintenance" at the most intrusive season possible for the wildlife[late April through to the end of July, for most small birds]... And no wonder. The Council is ultimately guilty of wildlife harm and no admissions can bring back the peace and quiet the emerging creatures needed at the beginning of their nesting/breeding cycles. The damage is done. The tree surgery firms, Council managers and landscape staff had months of wintertime when the "dangerous" fungus-weakened trees were just the same. SOMEONE okayed this job and could have insisted on a more favourable date - at least whilst wild things were dormant. Horrified at this degree of carelessness towards the beleaguered biodiversity. To get a better handle on what's required for protectiveness in future, I would like the Council to get advice from a proper Natural History team. They could start by accepting visits from the London Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, Butterfly Conservation, and Plantlife. It would soon become clear that Camberwell OLD cemetery is well on its way to becoming a genuine haven. The Tree Section wrote back to James Barber as follows: "Southwark Council - Member enquiry Our Reference: 299218 Subject: Felling trees at Camberwell Cemetery ________________________________________ Dear Councillor Barber Thank you for your email of the 30th May regarding the removal of trees in the cemetery. The tree section are in the process of surveying all of our parks and cemetery trees to asses their current condition and for these trees to then be included in our cyclical programme going forward. Due to the enormity of the task we have procured a consultant to assist in this process. Two of the areas we identified for a survey were Camberwell New and Old cemeteries. The survey identified a large number of trees that needed removing due to the fact that they were decaying as a result of a fungus that alters the strength of the wood. Parks tree officer worked closely with the consultant to review his work and recommendations made. Unfortunately the risk presented by these trees requires that they are removed to protect the public. In some cases the work to the dangerous trees means that other trees in a reasonable condition are subjected to the effects of wind for which their root systems and stems have not been exposed to before. This can cause further failures of trees and a risk to the public. We have consulted with some of the friends of Honor Oak Park and I have been in contact with interested residents about the work. We have also put up enhanced felling notices for information. There are a number of works still continuing with further felling of trees. However I can advise that all of the work is being done to address health and safety issues. Following the felling we will be identifying areas for re planting which will be undertaken in the next planting season Winter of 13/14. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information. Yours sincerely, Gary Meadowcroft Tree Services Manager" ________________________________________________

Dear friends during the floods last winter I took a cutting from one of the Lombardy Poplars in Camberwell New Cemetery. Seeing that people are grieving at the recent tree felling, perhaps you'd like to help me find the right spot to plant this healthy baby one, which is about 2 ft high now and still in a pot. We will wait till there is wet weather again (perhaps October/November), to give it the best chance of survival. Need to research whether there are any land drains or built foundations near the place that's chosen - because poplars reach their roots towards water. Therefore, the best site will be by a stream or in damp open ground. Once planted and established this tree will offer many more possibilities for taking cuttings, they are hardy & easy to do, & good for teaching children how roots begin etc.

Again - leave them be. For the sake of tolerating them for a few months, it doesn't cost much. They will die away in the first frosts, October time. Before that a few young will have flown off to hibernate then start colonies elsewhere. These are important, add to UK stocks of pollinator insects.

Can we perhaps avoid going over the topic in the same way of that other thread (for which many thanks - recommend the link). Let's focus instead on protecting the biodiversity, and thinking up solutions which are inclusive. There will always be a need for sacred burial sites. The best will both get used for actual internments, AND provide peaceful woodland walks and gardens where ashes can be sprinkled. They will also provide calm and sheltered spaces in which wildlife can dwell unmolested and gradually form pockets from which to spread out repopulating the presently depleted manmade world. Everywhere, up and down the country, city or not, cemeteries and all sorts of other green spaces, people need to see that Council choices of method will actually promote healthy environments and rich habitats for generations to come. The beauty of thinking this way is that it costs less if well planned. Nobody need get involved with human-centric matters of religion or politics, it is so urgent to stop the wrecking of Nature for the sake of the world our grandchildren will inherit, that all can agree on this yardstick for the future.

Leave them alone, it'll be fine. Someone will come on line soon mentioning things called Wall Bees, so you might as well look them up for differentiation images.

Top post, Penguin68. Can I also refer people across to update re: lopping and strimmer activity on woodland understorey & grassland inside Camberwell OLD Cem along Underhill Rd, have done my best to offer information, as *knowledge is power*