Nigello

I never went in, even though I love tea and cake. I think it just seemed very out of place when it opened (but this says more about my attitudes that its enterprising values) at that end of "the strip" and the shabby chic feel just felt a bit too "Miss Haversham" for me. Perhaps I missed out and I am sorry that it is having to close though.

That sucks! (A phrase that, unfortunately, is already standard usage over here.)

The artist who painted the electricity substation near the Herne Tavern and the bollards further up FHR also painted the bins that belong to some properties near to the Herne. Morganico is the name, I think. If the number/size of bins was not enough then those householders who leave them on the (already narrow) pavements instead of housing them in the garden should be pulled up over it: I've seen some people (with dogs/children/shopping trolleys) struggle to get around them.

I just looked at two threads within a minute of each other and saw two US spellings - "enrollment" and "neighbor" and just wondered whether this is because US English is given as a default on all/most/some devices.

I just wrote to Southern to ask that they clean the platform approaches and keep them clean, as well as cutting back the hedges etc. (Others can help by not littering in the first place.)

Are coffee filters a good substitute?

Great idea and one that I would support but I agree that the first port of call would be reminding the operating company and/or Railtrack that they must remove litter and keep the station clean and tidy and attractive as well as safe. Let us know how you get on with that.

Just because someone didn't complain on a particular day doesn't mean it's all right. Burning material that produces smoke - in the garden or in the fireplace - is not allowed, with good reason. (There are plenty of EDites who burn wood/coal and it really does cause breathing difficulties for some people, so if you are doing it, or planning bonfire, please don't!)

This morning was bad. I'm still trying to get through on the phone but get an engaged tone. I used to be put on hold. Has their system changed? Once I do get through I'll be asking how to complain properly because 50+ redials over an hour is very poor.

8 hours a day is plenty. If you can't organise workload to allow your staff at least a semblance of home/leisure life, you are the one who is failing, perhaps. Presenteeism is rife and wasteful: just sticking around so the boss can see you after your shift finishes is far from being efficient. How do you define "weakest"? Could it have anything to do with "not willing to do everything/anything the boss says"? (I agree with you about the pernicious aspect of "sleb culture" and hope for an end to it soon.)

don't feint at the prospect of longer hours or extra commitment / support required at times, - Wanting summat for nowt, KK? If you're the only one defining "decent" then nobody - from here, there or anywhere - will ever be able to really know what you mean. (Faint) I agree with uncleglen - Labour has barely and rarely shown itself friend of the working class these past thirty years.

Nature abhors a vacuum so if cheap labour (for that is what a lot of newly-arrived immigrants constitute, to the benefit of big business which can keep wages low because it knows there is always another Pole/Lithuanian/Colombian to do unattractive jobs) in the shape of immigrants goes or is reduced, why wouldn't they be quickly replaced with those that are already here - whatever place they or their forbears may have come from? London is stratified and segmented in unhealthy ways and I don't see it getting more integrated anytime soon. This can't be healthy and best practice for either the established or the newly arrived. Being able to have a cheap cleaner (I've never had one and doubt I ever will, cheap or otherwise), hop into an Uber (ditto) or get a takeaway delivered (double ditto) isn't a sound argument for unfettered immigration: why should one's middle-class keenness for cheap indulgences maintain a precarious and badly paid and worse-cushioned serving class who, because of the ubiquity of cheap labour, may never be ever to better themselves? Is it healthy that certain jobs and roles will mostly be taken by people from certain countries or backgrounds? It creates precedents that stick in the national psyche and which may well dictate one's perception and one's action.

nevermind her taking pictures of other peoples cars with no authorisation. - Why do you need permission to take a picture, on a private road or not? It makes even less sense if that private road belongs to the person who is taking the photos. Other aspects of her behaviour may well be unreasonable but I cannot see that one falling into that category. If private road rules extend to photography, I'd be happy to be corrected.

Cillit Bang activity?

I would say that the "waves" were generated by different causes (pogroms, persecution, invitation) and were also much weaker in strength than at the current time. Free movement is a great idea but if the hosts can't/won't keep up in terms of providing infrastructure (both physical and social/cultural) its attractiveness fades.

As well as the economic issues - both good and bad - there are cultural and social issues that do not get as much prominence. It is because that would mean talking about people as people and not people as money-producing units.

Not SE22, not SE15 but further afield: a new convenience shop is opening on Camberwell New Rd near the Green (224, I think). I mention it because there is loads of housing going up along that stretch of road and this is the first bit of additional, useful infrastructure I have seen to go with it. I do fear the worst for bus routes and traffic in general for those of us who travel from SE22 into town down this route when hundreds more people are wanting to do the same.

Out

Do it digitally and in person; posters about pyschotic cat torturers around primary schools is not a great idea.

THe fact remains that people do take their lives - and that of others in their care - in their hands every hour in and around where we live. Just have a look and you'll see people dashing out from behind parked lorries or stationalry buses into oncoming traffic, even when carrying children and at a distance of only a few feet from a crossing. They have to share some responsibility for accidents.

If "they" - the powers that be - are really interested in keeping casualties to a minimum, why not bring in rules that mean pedestrians have to cross at designated crossing points?

Go and see a Morrissey concert. Even if you love him, the pro-vegan video show he puts on is very disturbing and has made me reduce my animal product consumption. I am hoping that posher fast-food places use some of their profit to buy from excellent suppliers which care for their animals (before they do the opposite of caring by slaughtering them).

"I have to say one thing I find extraordinary about London is that businesses rarely will do anything to go out of their way to help someone." Are you basing this finding on the one example of three garages not being willing to help you? I agree it is frustrating but perhaps these businesses have insurance rules that prevent them from coming off premises, or it could be that leaving the business would mean potential loss of earnings. It's easy to think that "nobody cares" when you're in a stressful and testing situation but that may not be the best interpretation. Having good neighbours (or at least decent relations with even fairly good ones) is a much better idea in small countries like England.......

Actually talking to the people whose house/business has been affected by vandalism can work too. I've told a few householders/business owners about the council services and they've done the right thing - some of them have cleaned up even without Southwark's assistance. Cllrs Hamvas and Barber have been helpful too.

The sun can be very strong, so use sunscreen. Don't try to do too much in either place and build in some buffer areas so they can add a few days here and there if they like a particular place.