tasha1

The French cafe on Forest Hill road always has an orange gluten free cake which you an buy by the slice. It's actually very nice

Thank you Sue

This is such a difficult one. I've worked for many many years supervising violent individuals in the criminal justice system. I work with adults but a large percentage are 18-24 year olds caught up in violent crimes. I have to admit that this age group can be exceedingly difficult to engage, despite the fact I have teenagers of my own and would count myself fairly good at getting into teenage brains. I have yet to come across a single individual who is caught up in violent behaviour who has not experienced or witnessed violence during their childhood and the majority being brought up in local authority care. They have no idea what stability or love is and a lack of ability to really appreciate right from wrong or an ability to empathise. That said, there are thousands and thousands of other individuals with equally traumatic upbringings who don't go on to behave in this manner. It cannot be seen as a 'cause' as such, nor an excuse. What I'm always struck with though, is the lack of empathy and lack of appreciation for human life. It is seen as a 'norm'. You either kill or lame for self preservation. These same 'kids' though, won't enter certain post codes for fear of reprisals (Ie they value their own life but not others). There are already tough sentencing guidelines for those caught carrying knives. However, this isn't a deterrent whatsoever. These kids don't stop and think 'I'd better not take a knife/weapon because if I get stopped, I'll go to prison. This honestly does not enter their heads. A fair number, believe they are invincible. They don't think for a moment that they will get caught and the adrenaline rush of whatever is 'going down' overrides anything else. Fair enough, the kids I see have no choice to engage but they commonly really seem to have no regard for life. It's terribly terribly sad and incompressible. However, there are ways to work with these kids and various projects where they are given boundaries and feelings of self worth have enormous benefit. One issue is that they hang around with certain friends and even if they want to move to a different lifestyle, it's virtually impossible. I've seen these youngsters serve custodial sentences and achieve a lot in terms of addressing their behaviour, to be returned to the same neighbourhood. They don't stand much of a chance unless they are really strong and resiliant. That said, one of my own children were friends with two boys who have recently lost their lives to knife crimes. Both kids were really lovely individuals and were no way caught up in violent behaviour themselves. They were murdered by kids because of a silly, pointless argument. It is unbelievably tragic and deeply upsetting. My 15 year old has experienced this within her friendship group. My eldest son was also a victim, although thankfully, no weapons were used but he suffered significant injuries during a street robbery (he being the victim). Senseless violence as he willingly handed over his possessions. I discovered after that he starting carrying a penknife for 'protection'. I obviously put a stop to this and explained it could potentially be used against him and he would never use it in self defence. Most of these kids say they carry. Weapons for self defence. Apologies for such a long post. In essence, I don't think that tougher sentences will not act as deterrent. I don't know what the answer is except a multiagency approach to try and reach these kids at a young age. It does make me terribly sad on many levels. P.ease don't think I'm taking a 'hug a hoodie' approach because I'm not. It's more that the issues are very complex and the answers are by no means straight forward.

I've been a patient here for my entire life (49 years). I Have serious health issues and often need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner urgently. Whenever I call, I am seen the same day or the following day. Maybe because I know the reception staff, they always gp out of their way to help. I've never experienced rudeness, ever. From what I've been told, there are a few issues going on. They had one doctor leave the practice and another went on maternity leave. They tried and tried to get cover but couldn't. This meant they were two full time doctors short. It wasn't an issue of resources. The funds were there to pay a locum GP but no one took either post. They are very aware that their current appointment system is a disaster and they are trying to rectify this by introducing a new system (don't know what that will look like though). Some staff are working way over their contracted hours to try and keep things ticking over as. Best they can but it's exhausting and exasperating for them too. I'm not trying to distract or belittle the terrible service some feel they've experienced but they are aware things are far from ok for their patients or the staff. Hopefully the new system will be more effective for everyone

Cruel I know but when my kids were young, I told them that the ice cream man/women only played music to let the little children know they had run rout of ice cream, so not to pester then!! As I said, very cruel but with four kids, I had it relatively easy on this front as they didn't clock for many many years!! They weren't impressed when the penny dropped though!

Thanks Poppy- 82. Interesting read and now I have some idea what they look like and yes, one could possibly have been responsible for the attack on my cat. It's probably well worth approaching CH as others have suggested to see if its microchipped etc, rather than approaching yourself. Al cats need a lot of attention and care and it would appear Bengals need a bit extra than your common moggy. It's horrible when you know your cat is frightened and stressed and you cannot control what goes on in their life outside. My other cat is very gentle and friendly but knows how to stick up for himself. More dominant cats or any animal, will tend to seek out those more timid or vulnerable as their target. Cats historically, have enjoyed large Territories and it's not really in their genetic make up to have to time share, negotiate territories as they have to in city life. Please don't think I'm suggesting we shouldn't have them, I adore cats!

We had an incident two weeks ago in which my already timid cat was mauled. He was injured, requiring 14 stitches across various parts of his stomach and extremely traumatised. The vet thought it was most likely a fox as his fur had literally been 'ripped' off his body but she also said that it is rare for foxes to attack cats. The only other possibility she could suggest was that it was a Bengal. I have to admit I know nothing about this breed or what they even look like. However, the vet said they were very popular but extremely vicious. I cannot comment from a personal view as the mystery of my cats injuries remain but I'm now constantly worrying about him every time he does venture outside.

He's mainly in at night and doesn't venture out much during the day. Will def be keeping both cats in overnight from now on. We have a Microchip cat flap but apparently you can get one with a timer. Think I'll invest in one. This happened Friday evening and certainly before 8pm as this was when I realised something was wrong. He had been fine earlier during the day. It's a difficult balance with cats in terms of freedom to go out as they please

Thanks for messages. Knew the possibility of young cats but he's four years old. Could have been that he got caught on wire but he had significant bruising, as though pinned down by something quite heavy. However, a few neighbours have anti-cat spikes on their fences. He's always managed to negotiate these but possible. He is quite vulnerable so possibly quite an easy target. He was involved in an RTA a year ago and sustain severe injuries. He still limps as one of his front legs was reconstructed with metal plates. He's become very timid since this accident. He also recently had a nasty abscess, caused by a puncture wound from an animal bite and was still recovering. Think he's busy using his 9 lives up!

I don't post often but looking for wisdom on this. I had to take one of my cats to the vet today as he was clearly very poorly and having difficulty walking. Vet couldn't find what was causing him to be so unwell at first. However, on closer examination, found that a large piece of flesh had been ripped off just under the crook of one of his front legs (arm pit). She initially thought this was a fierce attack by another cat. They kept him in to suture under sedation and IV fluids. However, they then discovered similar injury in the same place on the other side. He had 14 stitches in all. They said that it definitely wasn't another cat because of the degree of 'tearing' and the puncture wounds were too far apart to be another cat. They think it was highly likely to be a fox. We have a lot of foxes where we are as there is a local den but my cats have never been hurt by one in the past and there seems to have been a mutual respect. My cat is really timid (unlike his brother) and runs from trouble. I didn't think foxes did attack cats, unless perhaps felt threatened? A mystery that will probably never be solved. If only cats could talk! Can anyone shed any light on this possibility? Ps I'm not in the slightest anti fox. I'd just like to know whether this is a possible cause for his injuries. Thanks in advance

I use the shop quite regularly for pet supplies and other bits and pieces and my own experience is that they have both always been helpful and friendly. The chap told me the women was leaving to pursue her painting and decorating business. Hope I've got that right!

First time posted but a follower of the EDF. I had to pop in there this morning and asked the chap who owns it whether he was closing. He was very confused and said that they are definitely not closing and wasn't-aware of any speculation that they might be. The women who works there is leaving. He asked me to post on here to let people know

The gardens cafe (old electrical engineers) on Peckham Rye do a nice cream tea for ?5 per person (scones nice and warm). Their opening hours are a bit had hoc though as it depends on how busy they are.