DuncanW

Isn't there resurfacing work happening throughout the borough? It's only a casual observation but I cycle around a lot and seem to notice its not only happening it ED.

Little Kickers at Haberdasher Askes in Nunhead, It's in the indoor hall in winter and outside when the weather permits There's normally a wait list though

I was aware of the strike from the media, but have received no communication from our son's school (Bessemer Grange) about it. Is it definitely on - is Bessemer affected?

OP - what an amazing display of mean-spirited solipsism. I hope you have learned something from this.

Happened to us!

Agreed! I think we need a degree of pragmatism here. Let's move forward with the best of the available options. There's so much discussion about choice and entrance criteria which is all valid, but the critical issue here is that currently there aren't enough places available. redjam Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hooray, I am so pleased this is moving forward. > And credit where it's due - well done James for > leading this and for the steering committee > members who are giving up their time and expertise > to help it reach the next step. There's been a lot > of tough questioning going on this thread, which > is all well and good, but I think it's also > important to make the point that many of us > parents are just very grateful someone is taking > up this issue. Thank you all, and let's hope we > get the outcome we want.

My boy has gone to Little Kickers for about three years now and it's been excellent. Don't recognise any of the negative opinions that you cite. He goes to the class at Haberdasher Askes in Nunhead, so if you're looking at the West Dulwich classes there may be some difference, but these groups are run by the same franchisee so wouldn't expect too much difference.

Sorry to begin another crime related thread but cycling home from work last night down the alley which runs from Champion Hill to Greendale, four kids jumped out at me just by the Wanley Road turn. One of them lunged at me in a fashion that suggested a knife may have been in play, although I didn't see a blade. The other three were on the opposite side of the alley and one of them made a half-hearted attempt at kicking me. Although I had initially slowed my speed down seeing these kids in the alley, when I decided they were up to no good I was able to accelerate quite quickly and I think that's what put them off trying harder to physically stop me. I didn't hang around, but when I reached the road at Greendale, I called the police who attended. I was completely unharmed but I would hate for someone else to have a worse experience than me here. I will still cycle this way, but just a word of warning to other cyclists using this route to be wary. Duncan

It's not just the pricing that is the issue though. It's the pace of change that upsets people as it would anyone who feels they are getting priced out of an area they think of as home. Obviously that doesn't alter the realities of the situation. Also, even for those with the right kind of budget, the scarcity of stock and intense competition for good properties, can be extremely frustrating.

The open house day/sealed bids thing is definitely designed to increase the competition and sense of urgency for prospective buyers. And it does result in higher prices being paid for properties. But that?s what an agent is supposed to be doing isn?t it? If any of us had employed a firm to sell our most valuable assett for us, would we not expect them to employ every (legal and decent) tactic in the armoury to get us the best possible price for it?

pinecone Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > it's more likely the young unfortunate who got > stabbed was a low-ranking drugs dealer who didn't > pay his supplier on time. How nasty!

Standard scam - knocking on the door late at night is quite a rude variant of it I must say!!

picmicnic Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > My understanding (could be quite wrong) is that > roughly 1/3 of the price of a new build property > is the cost of the land. Therefore if the land is > being sold for ?5 million, the developer will be > looking to build properties on that plot of land > worth ?15 million. Lets say that is roughly 30, > two bedroom flats selling for ?500,000 each. > Taking a rough look at the size of plot I suspect > that many flats could be fit on that plot of land > e.g. a 3 story building with 3 flats on each floor > on the Lordship lane and Landcroft road side of > the plot of land and 4 flats on each floor on the > Whateley road side. Doesn't the ratio of land price/build cost = value vary massively dependent upon where in the country or even where in London the property is, as build costs are fairly uniform but land costs vary hugely?

Out of interest Louisa, why do you think that the pace of change will be so rapid in Peckham?

What does real mean anyway, in this context?

How is it not a market? Of course you may not think it's a particularly good one, that's up to you. But it's definitely a market.

We have had no internet all afternoon and evening in Ulverscroft Road. It happens quite regularly and is really frustrating!!

I agree - a choice of providers would be preferable, if that's an option...

I'm not familiar with the funding arrangements, but if they do receive additional money,it would appear to me they have spent it well.

Bawdy Man, my kids are reception class and pre-school age so although I have been inside a Harris school the context was not especially relevant here. And, yes I do mean exam results when I say success, that and Ofsted reports. I appreciate that's not the be-all and end-all, but some of the schools Harris run were failing miserably to deliver results and they have turned them around. EG In 2008 Harris Girls achieved 42% gaining 5 or more A-C grades at GCSE inc Maths and English and was graded 3 in its Ofsted report. In 2012 it was graded 1 (outstanding) and 64% getting the GCSE grades. I think that is a commendable achievement and a real and tangible difference made to the lives of the girls who left there with much brighter futures than they old have in days of old.

@ James thank you for answering my question re: compulsory purchase of other sites. I didn't have a specific site in mind in ED but within the wider area, there would be contenders one would imagine. But if it's available land, then the hospital site must be the only option. On a separate note, not all parents in the area are anti Harris Federation. I am certainly not, although I do share the view that as the Academy/Free School model is designed to introduce competition and choice, to allow one provider a monopoly position would seem unwise. But Harris are successful for a very good reason, and some people must have very short memories or be new to the area (which is fine) if they can't see that.

James Barber Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sorry I'm being dim this Friday afternoon - CPO's? No, not at all - I meant Compulsory Purchase Order

James - thank you for your comments about Tony Blair. Are you able to answer the question about CPO's?

My two children will reach secondary school age after the dates outlined on the OP but would like to register my support for a new secondary school to serve East Dulwich. My strong preference would be for Co-Ed and non-Faith. LA run would be nice, but that doesn't seem like an option at the moment. Question: does the plot need to be already for sale, or would/could the council consider a CPO?

ratty Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Genuine question. Are cyclists allowed to overtake > on the inside? This oft has caused me a problem! When I studied for my driving test I was taught that you may not overtake on the inside, other than if the other vehicle is turning right, or in slow-moving traffic. Is this still not the case? @Josephine - I'm glad you're okay. If a motorist hits you, knocks you off your bike and then fails to stop - I'm pretty sure a criminal offence has been committed, so you should report that to the police