chicknic

Thanks for all your ideas. My friend is booking us on the G&B wone tasting and and I'm also investigating bee keeper taster courses - very excited!

Thanks for all the ideas, lots of choose from. I'll see what the bee people know about local courses too. Cheers.

Anyone know of any local bee keeping courses/days? I've always fancied keeping bees, that could be fun.

Blimey. I do like meat, but I'm not sure that I could hack that (excuse the pun) :-)

I do like the pottery idea! However, all my stuff has already been shipped to Australia and I'm already having to get rid of things I'd like, but won't fit in my suitcase - so not sure I'd have space for any pottery. I also like the wine tasting, all not sure I'm that civilised. The idea of spitting wine out horrifies me :-) Any cooking classes nearby anyone know of?

I am looking for ideas for local things to do as a bit of a birthday treat - any suggestions? I'm moving abroad soon, so I have asked for family and friends not to buy me physical gifts. I was interested in the chocolate making at The Melange, but there are no classes before I leave in June. I'd quite like to do something where I can have fun learning something new...any ideas? Thanks.

One of my favourite things in ED is Hamlets gym next to Sainsbury's. It's basic and a little rough around the edges, but it's unpretentious, there is great mix of people that use it and the people are really friendly - Skip the gym manager always makes an effort say hello to everyone. It's the first time that I've had gym membership and actually used it regularly, and as an added bonus it's really cheap.

I don't think they will be caught. Steve couldn't see, so unless there were any other witnesses that come forward (unlikely) they would never have enough evidence. He was fine by late evening, enjoying a drink with friends, so no lasting harm done. My main concern is that the individual may do the same or worse to someone more vulnerable, who isn't stumbling distance from their home. On the issue of race - I did debate not putting their ethnic origin on my OP, as I know there are a lot of negative stereotypes which we didn't want to contribute to, but the police asked for it in their description so I thought it was sensible to include it. There is nothing further to say really. My original intention was just to warn people in case they came across them on Saturday. Although reading back, I realise that the description may not have been very useful, I just felt it was important to share at the time as we were so shocked by it all. Thanks for your messages of support, and I'm sure my next post will be something far more cheery!

Thanks for all your messages, he is fine now. It was a bit of a shock earlier, but I guess these things can happen anywhere. No time machine required I think, faith in humanity has been restored by a couple of friends (met through the forum) who have offered to semi-manage our flat while we are travelling, such a generous offer. I genuinely try and see the good in most people, and we won?t let one incident affect that.

My boyfriend was sprayed in the face today, by what we suspect was a mace or pepper spray. He was just walking home from the gym and was at the top of Dog Kennel Hill when it happened at 3.30pm this afternoon. Three men, late teens early twenties were walking in the opposite direction (down the hill towards ED) and one of them just took out a cannister and sprayed his face as he walked past. He was in immense pain, and his face has felt like it is on fire for the past two hours and he did have diffulty seeing. Luckily he was very near home and managed to run back and rinse it in cold water before going to hospital. He has filed a report with the police, who said they have sent a patrol car looking for them. A brief description, they were black males, all around 5ft 10/11, one was slighty skinnier and he was wearing a black jacket. The guy that sprayed him was wearing a greyish duffle coat which had a hood. He didn't get a chance to look properly at the third individual. They didn't even run off after the attack, they just walked away whilst by boyfiend was on the floor. If you suspect you may have seen them please call the police on 0300 123 1212. Thanks.

Also, is it still moving down the Walworth Road so I can at least walk to E Dulwich from Camberwell? Cheers.

Yes thanks, we had a great time and wouldn't have known about the place if not for this thread. Happy New Year!

Amysdad, you can get chickens from the BHWT - http://www.bhwt.org.uk/ they have rehoming sessions every few months. N.

Hi there, We had 2 chickens in an eglu until last week, they are fantastic pets. One of ours died and we've rehomed our other hen with some friends who already have 3 as we're moving abroad next year. We'll probably be selling our elgu soon, so if anyone is interested then let me know! Nicky.

There is a nice friendly lollipop lady on Camberwell Grove, who has been by McNeil Road for at least the last couple of years on school days. However, a number of months ago a pedestrian crossing was installed exactly where she works. Even though this is in use, the lollipop lady is still there! It seems so pointless and a waste of money, particularly this week as the road is closed off for roadworks on railway bridge. There must be so many other roads/schools that would benefit from a lollipop lady (or by the looks of other posts, a parking monitor(!)... the poor woman looks bored out her mind!

Indeed it is, I went to St Nic's primary school. And yes the ice cream parlour in Birchington is great, and it's still there! vinceayre Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Oops its actually St Nicholas at Wade I meant. > > Fantastic knickerbockerglorys at the ice cream > parlour, well they were in the seventies anyway. > > Vince

Where's St Leonards? I grew up in Minnis Bay (near Birchington). Never heard of St Leonards, if you're referring to the same place. Minnis Bay is lovely though, my mum and her friends have a beach hut there :-) vinceayre Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Minnis Bay near St Leonards in Kent

I don't think the RSPCA has been brought into disrepute at all - that is quite a strong comment. I agree with sophiesofa that Tarah has found homes for lots of cats and therfore is an asset to the charity. I work in the non-profit sector and volunteers are integral. Her passion for the cause is clear, and whilst others may not agree with how she has articulated herself recently, previous posts show that she is well meaning and committed.

I think a pet section could work really well, there do seem to lots of lost animals, plus animals that need rehoming, pet sitters, dog walkers etc. RSPCA isn't a Dulwich charity, but does operate in East Dulwich so I'm ok with the posts. Also, I really appreciate the work the admins do, the forum is a great resource - thanks!

Thanks for the suggestion - enjoyed dinner there on New Year's Day!

Hello, Does anyone know if there are any decent BYO restaurants in ED or Denmark Hill? I was a faithful customer of Seymour Brothers in Camberwell Green, but noticed today that it had changed into a wine bar :-( Thanks.

I'm a member of Hamlets, I joined a few weeks ago. I think it's great, it's about ?25/month and there is no joining fee. The gym isn't very fancy, but has all the usual machine's and weights. The people are really friendly too, and it doesn't seem to get very busy. Prob worth dropping in, it's right next to the big Sainsbury's. Nicky.

Hello, Just wanted to clarify that I don't have a cockerel! I do however have 2 chickens (which is not against Southwark by-laws). The council are within their rights to remove a cockerel, but I think this falls within noise pollution regulation rather than anything to do with foxes. There will be foxes in a neighbourhood whether you have chickens or not, I think they tend to lurk around our bins rather than the chickens - prob the nature of lazy urban foxes! My chickens can occasionally be a bit noisy (when laying large eggs!), but as I keep them locked in their house until I get up in the mornings, it is never a problem. I would recommend them as pets whole heartedly...which other pet gives you a tasty breakfast every morning!? Nic.

I know this isn't in East Dulwich, but I live in ED and am organising a charity event in Kensington that I thought some of you may like to come along to: ISS UK World Market This spectacular World Market brings stalls from around the world right to your doorstep in a celebration of international culture and cuisine. With the support of London?s Diplomatic Missions over 100 countries are represented, each selling an exciting array of national crafts and products, from jewellery, textiles and scarves, to designer handbags and exotic food and drink. The World Market also plays host to some fantastic entertainment, including music and performances from national dance troupes. Highlights this year will include steel drummers from the Caribbean and Palestinian dancers. The annual tombola and raffle provides visitors with the opportunity to walk away with some amazing prizes, including hotel stays, luxury hampers, golf days and even international flights and accommodation. The World Market raises funds for ISS UK a unique worldwide charity which helps to protect and promote the rights of children and vulnerable adults across international borders. www.issuk.org.uk Date: Wednesday 14th May 2008 Time: 11am ? 6pm Venue: Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8. Tube: High Street Kensington Cost: ?5 entry (Free for NUS Cardholders) I hope that some of you can come along, and would be interested to hear feedback if you manage to make it! Best wishes, Nicky.

The unusual pet thread about chickens is my boyfriend :-) You don't need masses of space to keep just a couple of chickidees. I was thinking of asking Dog Kennel Primary school round the corner if they wanted to watch them for a week if we go away. Thought it could be a fun project for the kids, but didn't really figure in parental paranoia on bird flu. Maybe not sure a great idea....