PhillyIlly

Hi Ginny, Thanks for booking. I would like to pop along too if there is room! Sounds like there will be lots of us. Philippa

Hi all, I am also a second timer, my first will be nearly 22 months when I am due the 9th May. Would love to meet up with you all (especially second timers) as not sure how I will manage half hour breastfeeds with a toddler who wont sit still for 10 mins! I met a few local mums last time through the forum but since going back to work full time, its been hard to fit it all in. Will keep in touch via this page and hope to make the meet up in January. Philippa

Hi Can anyone recommend a carpenter/handyman to fit or tidy up the woodwork to a front door frame and hang an internal door. Thanks Philippa

A new organic whole foods shop and cafe has just opened on Peckham Rye, at the end of Nigel Road called Puzzle Organico. Keen to try some of the cake!

Hi Peachy, Did you manage to sort out the damp problem. I was going to wait out the summer to dry the bricks out..or am I just putting off the inevitable which is to remove the plaster? Let me know how you got on and if you recommend the builder. Thanks Philly

Hi Kittenheels We live in an end of terrace and have exactly the problem you are talking about. The only thing we can put it down to is that the bricks are porous and in this wet weather and if you have poor quality bricks, they just soak up the water. Air circulation and having the heating on helps dry it out but I am currently looking into the paint options jay_p was talking about. Keen to know the outcome.

Thank you all for your support and advice. My husband had to take time off work to finish the job as we couldn't afford to pay for it twice. Cooks Carpentry still have not delivered materials that I have paid for and I am out of pocket by about ?500. He is not answering my calls and my last resort is the small claims court but I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions as to what I can do to get either the materials or money back before I go down this route? Many thanks Philippa

I would like to share my experience of using Ben Cook at Cooks Carpentry. Ben came recommended by Topps Tiles to lay engineered wood flooring and fix skirting. After meeting him, my first impression was that he was professional, experienced and with competitive prices, I decided to give him the work, agreeing a labour cost and with him sourcing materials a trade cost. Alarm bells started ringing when he asked for payment up front for materials. I paid as requested without questioning the costs (as a busy new mum of a 3 month old baby, I didn't have time) but asked for an invoice for all materials. Ben never produced an invoice, instead he text me a break down of the costs which after going over were way above high street rates, in some cases 4 times the cost of the actual material prices if I had sourced them myself. Upon questioning of the costs, and requesting receipts, Ben stuck by his breakdown but never produced a receipt. After a few false starts, when he finally turned up 5 days after he was meant to start the floor was laid to a good standard initially. However, I noticed that he cut corners towards the end of the day such as cutting the flooring to much so that when the skirting board was fixed it would leave a gap and damaging some of the new flooring when laying. The next day, when he was meant to turn up, he text me saying that he thought it best if someone would finish the job of fixing the skirting. The reason he gave was because he felt I didn't trust him after questioning his costs. As a result, I was left with a half finished job, with materials purchased that he never produced and no receipt for the overpriced materials he did source. He also had ?65 of credit which he acknowledge was on my account that he never paid back. I am now looking for someone else to complete this work. After learning the hard way, please everyone, do not pay upfront for materials, it means they have no cash flow and alarm bells should ring and always get an invoice for materials purchased.

Hi All, I was planning to meet up today with Sally in Peckham Rye park cafe at 11:30 if any one else is free. We will probably be inside if it is too cool outside. Look out for the two of us both with lie flat buggies,mine is grey the other is for twins. Philippa and Juliet

Hi everyone, Hope you are all well. I cant make it today or next week as its the Bank holiday. Hopefully see you the following week. Philippa

I can make it, see you all then!

I am enjoying the sunshine (and baby sleeping loads) whilst I can and made it out today which was nice after getting cabin fever in the ward at Kings. Meet up sounds great, either the Monday or Friday afternoon are good for me. Philippa

Congratulations Ginny. Our little girl, Juliet, arrived 2 days early on Monday and after three days on antibiotics for the same reason, we got home last night. Once we are all settled I would be really keen to meet up with everyone again as its been ages and I am looking forward to meeting all the new arrivals. Philippa

We are giving away some furniture that we no longer need, well used but functional. All you need to do is pick it up from Peckham Rye! Available for collection any time today. Large Sofa - Blue, 180cm long by 80cm deep Coffee Table - 100cm long, 50cm high, 43cm deep Chest of drawers - 75cm wide, 45cm deep, 85cm high Cot Mattress - 120cm by 60cm (used but in good condition) Please contact me by PM if interested or text 07789 393929. Thanks

I can also recommend Jim Cox. He has done a great job in our house and is a lovely guy.

Hi All, Congrats to all the new arrivals, I cant believe how quickly time has flown. I cant make it tomorrow night unfortunately, hopefully we can meet again, although we may be in smaller numbers. I have 3 more weeks until maternity leave and I cant wait! Philippa

Hi all,the Clock house can't accommodate us on the 21st. Shall we stick with the EDT? Would some one be able to book it as I am on holiday.Thanks Philippa

Are people keen to do another Tuesday evening drink aswell? Did we decide to try the clockhouse? Happy to book an area for Tuesday 21st May. Philippa

...and me!

Hi all, I was wondering if people would still be keen for another big get together so that July/August babies could get together. How are people for Tuesday 16th April, EDT? Philly

Hello, Can anyone recommend a carpenter/joiner to make and fit a new front door for a Victorian property? Thanks

Hello, Can anyone recommend a carpenter/joiner to make and fit a new front door for a Victorian property? Thanks

Great to meet you all. Any July babies keen to meet separately?

Looking forward to meeting you all. Thanks for organising Ginny. See you at 7.Philly x

Thinking of you at this time. x