DuncanW

I like Will Self, but don't agree with anything in that piece in the Standard. The bit in the Guardian is even worse. At least with Will Self there's always the feeling that at least some of what he is saying is just to get a rise. I'm not against better wages for people in these jobs. Though I'm not convinced that LLW is a practical way to bring this about, and like many others the idea of targeting one business seems like a bit of a witch-hunt to me.

As a cyclist, I'm not a big fan of Evans and would prefer to continue using a local independent for my bike needs. Nonetheless, a new Evans store in place of the existing eyesore at Crown House has got to be an improvement. And I do think it would be a viable site for them, there are so many cyclists in the area...!

Thanks for highlighting - have signed!

There's no such thing as a thimble shop They would commonly be purchased from an Haberdasher's

I did live in ED when Nero opened but wouldn't have described it as a furore - more a storm in a coffee-cup. I've not been in there since it opened, but don't feel particularly troubled by it's presence.

Agree with most of what you say about South Norwood. It's undervalued I would say, but help me out: where is this one possibly decent pub you speak of? I've never been lucky enough to find it. Ctheo Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I?m going to give a shout out to South Norwood > (SE25). > > According to Haart Estate agents in Crystal > Palace, they?re getting a lot of ED renters buying > in SE25. Buyers are coming from Tooting, West > Norwood, Herne Hill and north London. > > Pros: > > South Norwood has great parks (South Norwood > Country Park and South Norwood Lakes). There are > more parks, these are the two that stick out. > > Amazing community spirit > > Excellent travel connections ? Norwood Junction, > zone 4 > > Ginger line > Trains to London Bridge ? journey time 11 minutes > Trains to Victoria ? journey time 28 mins (or less > if you go to East Croydon and change) > Gatwick ? direct journey time 37 mins (20 mins if > you change at East Croydon). > > Property ? good housing stock ? > Victorian/Edwardian and 1930s and so much cheaper > than ED and lot cheaper than Penge, Crystal, > Palace and Anerley. You can still get a 3 bed for > under ?350 > http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope > rty-45362647.html > > Stanley Halls ? has been given back to the > community; this will be hub for theatre, film, > business and arts. It?s an amazing building. > > Proximity to Westfield when that?s completed > > Money has been allocated for regeneration (which > is long overdue for this part of Croydon?s > borough). I understand that there?s a local > regeneration group working with the council on > this. > > There's South Norwood Tourist board, which I'm > sure inspired Penge to set their board up. > > Cons: > > Pubs ? not many decent ones (possibly one). > > Restaurants not too many ? Mantannah is the best > one (even Crystal Palace residents envy). > > Schools ? not many outstanding ones, but are > getting better with the change of demographics. > > Currently the area looks run down (like Hackney > was back in its cheaper day!)

Hmmm - interesting. That parade is a mixed bag at the moment so it will be good to see something nice open up there. just_browsing Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There's going to be a new place called Hop, Burns > and Black on East Dulwich Road near Aneto Cafe and > Flying Pig. As above, Cafe G is opening this > weekend. > > There are a few places being done up at the lower > end of Rye Lane (in addition to Lerryn's and Four > Quarters) - no idea if they will be exciting, but > they'll be new for sure. > > Still a mystery on what's replacing the East > Dulwich Deli, as well as what is happening to > Crown House opposite Goose Green.

It may be anecdotal but I went to school in south London, (not Dulwich area) and attended both a state comprehensive and a well regarded private school at different times. Sure, there were some not so well off kids at the private school and there some kids from wealthier backgrounds at the state comp. But the overall picture at both schools was exactly as you would expect. Anyone who thinks that in a country where the average salary is ?26,500 to have ?16,500 to spend on education per child after you've paid tax is not wealthy needs their head testing imo.

Most parents will do what they can to get the best for their children, and moving in and out of an area is within the rules so you can't knock the individual(s) for doing that. I think the question is - are the current rules fair? There's a balance to be struck between not causing unnecessary inconvenience to parents with children going to different schools and having a admissions systems which favours those with the means to move in and out of a catchment area at will to take advantage of the perceived better schools in the area.

Dulwich Woods Unless it's hammering down, which it isn't forecast to, the canopy gives quite good cover from a shower

'The stats don't lie' They can certainly be taken out of context to misrepresent.

No, you just get a ?10 penalty ticket It's not in any way a criminal offence

We do the Nunhead class and think it's great. Our son (approaching six) has been doing it since he was two and his little sister (2 1/2)is also going now. They both really enjoy it. They run two classes concurrently and the coaches are great on both streams. ETA Rereading the thread - to clarify an earlier question, LK Nunhead have indoor and outdoor facilities.

These proposals look great - I have registered my support for both. Thanks for sharing

Excellent - well done all!

Bedgebury Pinetum They have Go Ape there - it looks awesome!! Fuschia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Climbing at crystal palace? > Bigberough pinetum (I have spelt that wrong)

Exactly!! Jeremy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Surely they're two different things... putting > measures in place to support kids who've taken a > wrong turn, and protecting society from violent or > threatening behaviour. Quite obviously there's a > need for both. They're not mutually exclusive.

Agree with Louisa (shock, horror!) it's definitely a matter for community police, and they do have powers - they should use them.

Cadence, the cycle-shop/cafe at the top of Anerley Hill do group cycles out to Biggin Hill (and beyond) on weekend mornings. You don't have to be a member. I don't even think they charge for the rides.

Cyclemonkey Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If you work a 36 hour week it is less than ?17,000 > p/a before any deductions. Fancy living on that > in an area where one bedroom flats are often ?1000 > a month in rent. Is it possible though that some of the people working these jobs live at home with their parents or are students looking for a bit of extra money for a not-too-demanding job?

Vanstone - are you in the process of opening a business in this area? Is this part of your marketing strategy?

Well said ??

Bring back Inside 72!!

Having lived in ED as both a singleton, through to married with kids I can honestly say that Adventure Bar has never had any appeal to me in the slightest. It looked like it had got lost on the way to Croydon.

I think Louisa has a point. People go in all directions from the station and for a lot of people, walking down to the Iceland site, then all the way back on the way home from work, whilst eminently do-able, isn't that convenient. That said, they probably made their decision on what looked available at a certain point in time, and I'm sure an M&S on LL would/will do well.