andrew-lynch

I want to add another recommendation for the brilliant Brian and his expert team. They have just finished painting and restoring my first floor windows, and let me tell you, they have done a great job. The sash window frames were completely rotten having been neglected for years. I thought it was a hopeless case and might need to be replaced - but Brian and his team rebuilt them with precision, skill and hard work. We are now the pride of the street, with many neighbours asking for Brian's number. I should also add that Brian's prices are highly completive and is one of the only decorators that can work without the nuisance of expensive and unsightly scaffolding. Brian and his colleagues are friendly, trustworthy and very clean. The first job they did was protect the carpets. I left the house keys with Brian whilst we were away and felt the property was in safe hands. Thanks Brian, Great job!

I'm over the moon having just passed my driving test with Nick Pauli from Nicholas driving school (www.nicholasdrivingacademy.co.uk/). If anyone is looking for an instructor I can heartily recommend Nick. I learned from scratch and his laid back but experienced approach was just perfect. I went into the test well prepared and knew what to expect. Decent rates and always good conversation. His number 07956221706

He came, he saw, he fixed... ...and then he gave some good aftercare advise on the phone. Good service and no messing. Great!

Any updates on this? I walked by today and there are large areas fenced off and ready for planting / possibly planted up already. The orchard hasn't been touched though. It'a cow parsley heaven at the moment. I also noticed a spectacular oak on Donkey Lane. Most likely an old boundary tree.

Oh yes, traditional orchards are fantastic spaces for nature, and sadly much in decline. As long as they are managed with traditional methods and dead wood is left on site. They are valuable not just for heritage but also provide habitat and food for birds, insects, mammals, fungi etc. And make great outdoor classrooms! They have a variety of micro habitats with different temperatures and niches. Open areas give heat for basking butterflies and habitat for crickets - great hunting ground for birds too. I agree, brambles provide lots of good food and shelter, but in some cases they shade out the species-rich ground flora. Open areas are essential for providing sunny sheltered places for flowering plants and shrubs which produce the nectar and pollen which attract invertebrates. As a BAP habitat traditional orchards are the most threatened and require immediate conservation action. It is important to protect the most valuable habitat, something which is rare and unique to Dawsons Hill. Apple and cherry trees live between 80 and 120 years. Pear trees can live for up to 300 years, so this is well worth investigating. A restoration project is not something the council has the resources to get behind, in fact the 2010 Management Plan for Dawsons Hill makes no mention of the traditional orchard, possibly it was not recognised as it has fallen into secondary woodland and scrub, but a friends of group could make a real difference with workdays and guidance from The London Orchard Project etc. Making space for nature and visitors.

There is also a Traditional Orchard BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) Priority Habitat located on the north of the site beside the Donkey Alley entrance. This is listed on Defra's Magic website: http://tinyurl.com/k2vt6tb The area is quite scrubbed up but there is massive potential for a restoration project, imaging restoring a traditional orchard.

Thanks, I contacted the Energy Saving Trust and they said it was all above board, the government (not Southwark) was trying to cut CO2 emissions with loft insulation and cavity walls. - Instead of getting fines from the EU for not meeting targets. They came and did the job today. Energy Saving Trust were very helpful. So good so far.

Has anyone had Everwarm around to their house offering free loft insulation? I had my loft checked and was told I qualified for free insulation. Arranged a date last week, cleared the loft... ...but they never showed up, rescheduled but they never showed up again! Supposed to come today. All seems above board on their website - http://www.everwarmgroup.com/ - and there's some good reviews online but I'm no longer convinced... Has anyone dealt with them / had a positive experience?

Thanks KidKruger & ComputedShorty, Yes I got a lot of good information from the excellent Dulwich Society post, thank you. I'm now looking to see if The Dawson's Hill Trust is still together or if anyone was a member in the past. I presume they've finished now as the website was last updated in 2004. I'm also interested in anyone who has information on the species of bats and other wildlife found on the hill - even if it's just sightings while out walking I have found that the the area of Secondary Woodland / Roughland beside Donkey Alley is listed as 'TRADITIONAL ORCHARD PRIORITY HABITAT' by DEFRA although quite overgrown now. Anyone spotted any apple tree species?

Hi, I'm doing some research on Dawson's Hill as part of a project for my MSc. Dawson's Hill is the greenspace between Dunstans Road and the Dawson Heights Estate. Can anyone tell me if The Dawson's Hill Trust - http://www.dawsonshill.org.uk/ - is still organising workdays and promoting the hill? I'm wondering if there is a management plan or particular work days volunteers meet? Has there been any biodiversity/flora/fauna/invertebrate surveys carried out on the hill by the trust/local groups/individuals? The website mentions bats and woodpeckers but does anyone know the specific species? Also any personal opinions are welcome, what do people enjoy about the hill and use it for? - Recreation, nature study, peace & quiet or to take in the views? If anyone can offer help with these questions or wants to share experiences I'd be grateful. Warm wishes, Andrew Lynch

Problem solved! Happy flushing!

Hi, Anyone having trouble with water this afternoon? Cut off about one o'clock with no warning. Hope all our pipes are ok.

She is one of us (you)... ...a Dulwich girl. Does anyone know where she lives exactly? Curious...

The Spinney beside Dulwich Woods Upper is under threat. If you haven't visited Dulwich Woods Upper and live in East Dulwich it's a treat and very beautiful at this time of year - you can take a stroll through Sydenham Hill Woods and cut down College Road. Remember... Once it's gone, it's gone... This from the flier posted in the woods: * A planning application has been made to construct a flat-roofed building of four flats. * This is a commercial residential development. * It would cause the loss of this small naturally wooded area, which connects to Dulwich Woods Upper local nature reserve, and would border against the Wood. Many of the trees in the spinney would be felled, others cut back and part of the site hard-surfaced for parking spaces. * If you object to this please do so in writing or by email before 27th July 2011 to Southwark Council. Quote application no. 11/AP/1923 and the title 'Land Adjacent to 7-14 Spinney Gardens, SE19 1LL'. * All documents and plans for this application and details of how to object are online at http://www.southwark.gov.uk (click on 'planning' and search spinney gardens). Your help is needed to save our spinney! [email protected] We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. - Aldo Leopold

Thanks. That explains it... Painting and decorating this week so lots of rubbish! While we're on it will they take extra rubbish left beside the allocated bins neatly packed up or is there rules about quantity?