intexasatthe moment

Quite agree about the " I think Robin is finding it hard to adjust " How patronising . I suspect DCC members are wary of letting someone with her past experience and knowledge of how things should work ,who to contact ,where to access information say very much .

I could be equally shocked by misintepretation of my remarks about the Harris Federation and the wider politics of education as criticism of individual schools . I don't think our exchange is boring ( that word again ) nor distracting from information about how to apply for Charter 2 ,which I think has been clarified ,but we can agree to misunderstand eachother and let this exchange rest .

I think you do schoolchildren a disservice if you feel that they have unquestioning acceptance and a blind loyalty that if " threatened " by putting the institution they are passing through into a wider context would shatter their world. They have no choice in the current education system but they're not stupid or unthinking . I'm sure that they can manage to simultaneously appreciate the immense hard work put in by teachers ( and pupils ) and wonder about the power behind the throne ,the politics of it all . I personally don't want to encourage the idea in young minds that their school is better than another school without there being some consideration of how " better " is defined and achieved .

kirstymac ,I do keep highlighting Harris issues which I feel are negative . I'm dismayed by the power and influence they wield - I'm sure many have positive experiences of Harris and their clout but I have none ,quite the opposite . I can understand why you find it boring - apologies . It's just that I'm continually shocked and concerned that our education system is now so fragemented and that childrens' futures are are so affected by large organisations with business backgrounds who seem to have competition as their main motive . I found the Harris statement " challenge any decisions to proceed with all the means available to us" . truly chilling .It's of immense importance to me and I've written to local MP's about it . We're all different - what you find boring I feel strongly about . It's a forum ,we're all free to express our opinions - including the one that my posts are boring -) .

Yes ,looks like Harris get their way again . Living up to their promise to " challenge any decisions to proceed [with Charter 2 ] with all the means available to us" .

" his professional opinion about the size of the consultation area concerning any road changes and his advice was to keep the consultation area as small as possible." I wonder what the rationale is for that ?

Thanks Tessmo ,that's really helpful I don't suppose there were any details about what the barrier would consist of ?

I commented on this and expressed dismay at the idea of using Adys Rd as part of a main cycle route. Seems completely mad to me ,it's a nightmare at the moment with cars squeezing past . But then I also commented on the potential for collisions between pedestrians and cyclists on the shared cycle lane in Peckham Rye .

Cora - http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200074/planning_and_building_control/3832/user_guide scroll down to item 3 . " now that the planning department will not be informing affected parties with letters?! " - why do you say this ? Surely a misunderstanding ?

" The deputation then said they'd spoken with 90% of southern Melbourne Grove residents whereas the draft minutes suggest local residents. [moderngov.southwark.gov.uk] " is it just me who doesn't understand the point being made here ?

" Several of us felt a lot of angst had been generated needlessly " - do you realise how patronising and dismissive this sounds ? If a group of people get together and without fully talking to residents of neighbouring streets present an untitled petition which moots a measure ( with huge implications for neighbouring roads ) as drastic as closing off a street ,presents it to a community council who ( although there is no evidence of speeding or increased traffic flow to suggest to either Southwark council or the person in the street that the case is a priority ) nods it through as worthy of investigating and incurring spending costs of circa ?10000 ,it's hardly surprising that people will become agitated . Well ,not surprising to me . Your view seems to be that most of the " angst" could have been avoided if the minutes had given a clearer picture of the 24 June meeting .Incredible that you ignore and seemingly exclude your role in all the other possibilities .

What are you going with LM ? I'd be interested in the outcome ...

Was there any discussion /clarification re the bike lane at last nights' DCC ?

Apologies for asking ( as I can imagine you must all be exhausted ) but I was driving back from Devon last night and couldn't attend the DCC so....could some brave person give an idea of how things went ? It must have been a long meeting attempting to cover an awful lot .

I think that's very generous of you to warn people and publicise your mistake . I for one am very grateful as this is just the kind of thing I'd fall for ! It all sounds so obvious when you re tell it ,but I know it's so different when they're talking to you . And I think you did well to stand your ground at the end .

No experience of Brighton bikes but I'm planning on one of these http://www.asgardsss.co.uk/bike-cycle-storage/twin-bike-locker because of price ,small footprint and strength . They have other styles . Obviously not for it's good looks !

Wonder if it was thought that the publicity might glamourise and encourage more outings ?

Guess we all have differing views . Personally I think the park like nature would be compromised if the playing field bit were to be more extensively used throughout the week . I agree with firstmate's comments and don't see any NIMBYism going on . " Local children are free to use the park as individuals, the objection is annexing part of the park as a regular school playing field. We also have to consider if Harris start to book pitches as regular users this then forces another school to stop using them. Perhaps other schools have a prior claim? Again, this was all looked at and agreed before Harris opened, with full knowledge of Harris and parents."

Could someone take pics of the dogs and post ? Or would this be too risky for the person taking the pictures?

Two wrongs and all that ..... and Harris Fed remains insensitive . Thanks for offer of help - my mum's no longer there so not a problem for me or her .

Off topic I know but BrandNewGuy's photo almost identical to the scene in Hanover Park in Peckham where the road closure with it's diverted buses is causing chaos . Removal ( goodness knows why ) of some of the road closed signs saw buses doing 3 point turns the other day . Haven't seen a workman ( apart from a Conways van removing signs ) all week .

Or then again perhaps The Federation is equally insensitive to ED residents . I still can't get over their response to the proposal by Charter to open a second school in East Dulwich . 'we will challenge any decisions to proceed with all the means available to us'

EDMummy - yes I realise this is about Harris boys and use of the Rye . Was responding to JB's point about the sensitivity of the Harris Federation . The same Harris Federation that ignored me when I contacted them about the problems I was having with one of their schools .Sorry for the detail ,but I was amazed by the lack of concern and level of arrogance . Perhaps the Federation is more sensitive in their dealings with East Dulwich residents than they are with those who live in Peckham .

I know what you mean Sue . I kind of thought that there might be an element of Friday night demob happy hour about the post . Alice doesn't normally post using such terms ! But what do I know .

Sue that doesn't sound like your normal helpful self . Is it only ok to ask for advice if you're doing up a place you've moved into in and wrong to ask for advice if you're trying to sell ?