damzel

Have you checked your schools after school clubs? My daughter goes to a drama club run at her school which she loves. Lots of pretending to be animals from what I gather although she doesn't tell me much. Low key and fun.

The Bridge at Sydenham do one to one and the teachers are really good and caring, however there is a long waiting list. We managed to get some one to ones during a half term once and I think you can book a block of sessions through school holidays as they are less busy.

This is what happens on Trip Advisor too - my friend built a Riad in Marrakesh and is frequently threatened with bad reviews unless they throw in freebies and discounts. It's disgusting. I'm not sure what the answer is but agree with you as once you give in to blackmail, it won't stop. If it was me, I'd turn down the business (assuming I wasn't desperate for it).

When is it on this year?

actually, ignore me. Seems there are only 2 local opticians anyway so I'll book the LL one. Thanks

Can anyone recommend a good local optician for a child?

There's a shop called Fabric on LL near The Patch (the old Mag)

I'm not sure you can talk about odds in that context. You have to put down 6 schools on your application in order of preference, so if you put Goodrich first and Heber second and they both had space for you, Southwark would offer you a place at Goodrich. The pecking order is:- special needs; fostered(?); siblings; other, and is done on distance as the crow flies. So if the number of SEN/siblings etc. use up all or most of the spaces, there may not be any space left for "other". Although to put it into perspective, our closest school is also St A's and we live c400m from both Goodrich and Heber with Heber being slightly closer. 2 years ago we put Heber first, Goodrich second and got offered a place at Goodrich.

I would like to support both as it is too soon for me to be worrying about secondary school choices but soon enough to realise that we are in dire need of secondary around here. Is there a link to support Habs?

I work on bishopsgate by Liverpool street station. I've been riding to work for a year and have a very quiet route worked out. Happy to take you there and/or back until you feel more confident. I get to work for 8am. Let me know if interested

I might be wrong but I am not sure I ever got mine. I wonder if it's too late now, 6 years on. Sorry, I can't be of more help but will be watching the thread with interest.

hey lucyannejames, unless your 18m old is very light, you may wish to reconsider leaving the buggy at home. The buggy is very useful for naps and carrying baby stuff. Although a standard buggy is tricky on the mud of course - we managed to pick up a cheap second hand 3 wheeler which served us well for a couple of years of festivals. I think you will find things a whole lot easier if you have wheels.

EastDulwichSE22 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Is it possible we could do a template letter or a > petition to send to Mr Gove as suggested earlier > by Littlek1cker's email from Peter John? A template would be great - anyone up for writing one? Perhaps a 38-degrees campaign too? http://www.38degrees.org.uk/

I agree too. I also walk out of shops if the price tags aren't obvious

Robert Poste's Child Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Maybe park at the top of Landells Rd and walk the > 10 or so yards round the corner? What about the people who live on Landells Road and have to park even further away from their homes?

We've taken our 6yo to festivals since she was 1yo but only small ones - Green Man, Port Elliot, End of the Road. However, given the choice I would leave her with Granny so the evenings are easier (none of our festival friends have kids so my OH and I never get to spend an evening together). The days are great and she absolutely loves it, which is why I get over-ruled on the Granny option. This year we are going to End of the Road but none of our festival friends are going. This means that we will have to go out on our lonesome to see the evening bands, not ideal really.

Hats off to you for committing to donate half your profits to the charities supported by Glastonbury. I'm not going this year but have downloaded your book so will read it instead. Good luck with it.

I'm planning on sitting it on a paving slab. Yes, I've been thinking about how the heck to get it into the table! I believe it arrives unassembled so was hoping to lift the bottom section in and then assemble the top/insides afterwards - do you think that's feasible? Edited to add that it's the Large one.

I think the reclamation yard david_carnell mentioned is Surebuild http://surebuild-reclaim.co.uk/contact.html. Do you know if they are open over the weekend? I haven't been able to contact them on the phone

I like that idea too. Where do you get those from?

Thanks - that sounds interesting. I shall certainly go there!

We were able to leave our non fire door to our lounge in place as we had an alarm installed in the lounge. This was 2 years ago in southwark. The fire doors we did have fitted are not self closing - I agree, self closing doors are very dangerous for little fingers!

I remember that game Pickle! I am struggling with the name but it might come to me. Loved leisure suit larry - so naughty. Think I still have all of the series somewhere

I'm building a table for outside but am unsure which wood to use. It needs to be strong as it will hold a large Big Green Egg and they are heavy. However, it doesn't need to be fancy - I quite like the idea of a rough and ready table and also don't want to spend a fortune. Any tips?

I regularly trim my bush... Usually with a smirk on my face. Joking apart, I've often wanted to offer to loan some of my neighbours my power trimmer as their overgrown bushes are so annoying on a narrow path