Hood83

Another recommendation for Silvano Bozza. I just passed my driving test yesterday. Actually, it was a re-test after losing my license about 15 years ago. I have the concentration span of a goldfish and little spatial awareness, so I doubt I was the easiest to teach, but I only got four faults. That was largely due to Silvano's patience. He's extremely calm and a lovely bloke, and I honestly feel I'm a better driver now than when I first passed, due to him.

Pawel just sorted my Macbook. It needed a new battery. He sourced it quickly, came round to mine this morning and it's good as new. I'm getting him to put in an SSD soon as well. Top service, nice guy.

Agreed KestonKid. I fear there will be more attitudes similar to Keaton's than yours sadly.

Just want to offer another recommendation for Clive. I live on the Dog Kennel Hill Estate, and some of the council fittings aren't great, as a result our shower's hot tap had got clogged up. Clive fixed it, no fuss, really reasonable price. This is not an attempt to bad-mouth others, everyone has good and bad experiences, but I have tried other plumbers through EDF, including some that seem very popular. I found Clive, hands done, not only the best (price, reliability) but also a really nice guy. He even gave my partner a bit of pep talk re self-employment! Lovely guy, please do consider him.

It's a shame people don't seem to think that clear access for disabled people is a relatively noble aim.

Alan - I don't know much about Norbury, what would you recommend about it?

Jeremy - living on the estate clearly does say something about you, it says you probably can't afford to live in the rest of ED. In my case I'd rather live here, so that's fine all round I guess.

KidKruger was that in response to me? Just to say I didn't qualify for a council flat, although I think I probably bought a bit below market rate from the council so I was fortunate in that sense definitely.

It's possible I was being a little provocative but I think people may have taken this a bit to heart. I'm not criticising people, just suggesting ED's inhabitants are wealthier than they would like to believe. I bought off the council, which could mean one less person living in social housing here for all I know, so I'm not trying to get on a moral high horse. Very few privately are exchanging for 280k, and mine about a year ago was not even close to that. Even if it were, that is not remotely similar to the rest of ED as far as I can tell. But again, happy to be proven wrong. As I say, I was possibly stirring a little, but it seems to have touched a nerve so again, I'm not trying to criticise, just point out ED is a rich area. Apologies if anyone was offended by this.

Ha, have we? Just seems that taxing unearned income is fairer.

Most measures of poverty are based on where you sit compared to the average. To use the same principle I'd say being in the top 1% or even 5% makes you rich. If we lived in a developing country I'd see your point, but ED isn't the Congo. Sad thing is a lot of people think earning this sort of income makes them 'average'. Not even close.

It is unearned income, IHT in principle is a perfectly decent thing, but it highlights the sad truth that people are big supporters of social mobility and equality of opportunity...except when it comes to their own kids. We do need a better way of taxing the worst rent seekers though, and those are not those with one house being passed down to their kids I'd agree.

East Dulwich IS full of rich people, rich people who I think would rather not acknowledge that. Happy to be corrected but I think a household income of ?100,000 would put you in the top 5% and ?150,000 in the top 1%. That, in my book, is rich. Maybe not super-rich, but rich. I reckon there are a very decent number of people in ED earning that, but again, happy to be proven wrong. Of course I live on the DKH estate so all this is said from a position of smug, inverted snobbery ;-)

Hi all, Could I ask which estate you're referring to and what exact service charge. Is it part of your annual charge or are you referring to one-off charges to do specific work? I live on the DKH estate and I'm a little perplexed by some of the bills coming my way! Thanks

Had no idea I lived near so many tough guys in ED. Wow. Depressing and emasculating feeling giving something to a mugger I imagine, but the wise move. Got a horrible kicking years and years ago by 'standing my ground' - utterly pointless. I'd rather encourage people to be the sort of person who gives up a phone than gets into a fight over one.