PeckhamNicola

When I lived in LB of Barnet I was allowed a deed of variation which made me responsible for some aspects of maintenance my flat - is anything similar available in Southwark? Afraid my memory is hazy on what came over to me and what didn't. Mind you, it didn't stop them from trying to charge me ?500 for a one ninth share of double glazing four windows in the communal area (utterly pointlessly as they were always left open). They then repeatedly insisted that there was nothing fishy about 4 windows costing a total of ?4,500. Sorry, it was a long time ago but I'm not completely over it yet... Sadly my subsequent experience of a non-council freeholder was not a whole lot better. There's no room for logic or common sense in these people's lives. Rant over.

Done - thank you.

?5 per month (net) on a Halifax current account as long as you don't go overdrawn at all in the month. Can't remember conditions as regards how much needs to be paid in each month, or other small print, but might be worth a look.

Horniman Museum is a great place for kids. Welcome to the area.

Hi Cazz. I went in May, my second trip to Cuba. I echo comments above about staying in casas particulares. If you stay in a chain hotel in Varadero you might as well save some money and go to the Costa del Sol (probably...). If you stay in someone's home you can find out more about their lives and benefit them directly (they are taxed on renting out rooms but still earn hugely more than in the average job in Cuba - we stayed with one family where we paid the equivalent of $25 per night for an ensuite room. The owner earned $30 per month equivalent in his job as a security guard). All the homes I stayed in provided large and delicious breakfasts and dinners (optional). They were also extremely helpful with onward travel arrangements and local tours. For a first time visit I agree Havana and Trinidad are good options (south coast, UNESCO listed heritage site, excellent snorkeling, interesting local trips etc). Travel with Viazul coaches is fine - air con, barely any traffic on the roads, cheap as a foreigner. In fact in Havana we paid as much for a taxi to the Viazul station to buy our onward tickets as we did for the tickets for a roughly 100km trip! We booked a hotel for our first few nights in Havana and a taxi transfer from the airport via Trailfinders. Thereafter we stayed in casas and once you find one they can put you in touch with an owner in the next town, who will likely meet you off your bus. I'm not sure if Cuba is really a Latin American country or not, being in the Caribbean. But as a Spanish speaking country it's got a similar feel, but so much safer (I have travelled extensively in South America) - I wouldn't hesitate to take children for example. It's a wonderful place and I can't wait to go back!

I don't know if it would work out but you can get a 1 year two together rail card for ?30 which gives 2 people a third off the price as long as they travel together. It doesn't take many journeys to save ?30. And I concur with lswayne on the timing.

Thank you very much!

For 5/6 year old. Preferably Nunhead / Peckham, Brockley/Telegraph Hill/ ED also ok. After school or weekend. Thanks

Can you provide details of who to contact and reference of existing complaint?

Hospitals often have book trolleys for patients to borrow.

It would be great to have a genuine alternative to the Tories. And principles to boot - who'd have imagined it? I think the argument that Labour need to be more like the Tories because that is what people want per the way the last election went is flawed. For one thing Labour slightly increased their share of the vote in the recent election vs the 2010 election, and by more than the Tories (although both changes were pretty marginal) but clearly the SNP had a massive impact on the number of Labour seats. Who knows what would have happened if they'd offered a real alternative? I agree with Rahrahrah that they should lead opinion.

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I get that debts need to be paid, but I feel like > Germany in particular are almost enjoying beating > Greece with a stick. I agree with the sentiment, but debts don't need to be paid, the Greeks can default. The renewal of loans the Greeks need are mainly to continue paying back the loans made to them by French and German banks. So basically the strongest EU countries are using their power to protect their own banks who made careless lending decisions. Whatever happened to banks managing risk when lending? Oh...

Full house! I love Harrogate, and it's pretty easy to get to by train (tho not as easy as York which is direct and also quite nice). RHS gardens and a park to go wandering in, tea shops etc. I spent ages trying to persuade my husband to move there but he was having none of it. Went to Winchester recently and really enjoyed it, lots of good places to eat, nice walks, enjoyed evensong at the cathedral (despite not being religious). Very easy to get to for a short break. Bristol is fine, I wouldn't mind living thre as an alternative to London, but would not count it as a romantic getaway - it's still another city. Stratford - yep, nice river walks, town is OK, Shakespeare etc Cheltenham - on shaky ground now, think I was just passing through on a bike ride. Also you could consider Oxford or Cambridge. sophie_e_down Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Love all of these... > > Has anyone been to any of the following? > > Bristol > Cheltenham > Winchester > Stratford-upon-Avon > Harrogate > > Thoughts?

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1540988 more problems with houses shaking after installation of speed bumps. Just saying...

Residents at top end of Ivydale got their speed bumps removed not that long after they were put in. The thread I know about on this is on the South East Central forum, I've tried before but failed to post a link as the EDF rejects it for some reason. Google south east central ivydale cheltenham and it comes up. Councillor Hamvas was involved with helping those residents to get the speedbumps removed, so definitely do contact your local councillors. I was told by the Council when I raised this issue that they no longer install this type of speedbump (the ones which span the whole road) but I'm really not sure that's true. It's completely irresponsible to install them on roads which carry heay traffic, unless they are going to do the job properly and strengthen the roads to stop the ground shaking. Road narrowing, and/or pedestrian islands, as suggested in this thread, are much better.

Agree it sounds intimidating but also agree with Mike he might have mental health issues and need help. So perhaps he cannnot rationalise the success or otherwise of his 'tactics'. For example the fact that he shouted at someone who did give him money as well as all those who didn't seems a bit odd, no? Sadly funding for mental health care is not what it should be.

Upstairs at the Old Nuns Head, or upstairs at the East Dulwich Tavern.

Thanks very much both of you.

Thanks for this RC. Does this mean you're having the container for the sedum already built in? We have a ready made bike box and it's the roof top tray I'm trying to find. As I've seen a few around I thought it might be possible to buy them ready made but Internet search not turning anything up.

hi - does anyone have one of these and if so where did you get it from? we are not very practical people so realistically i am looking to buy rather than make. thanks for any tips

Thanks very much Etta and Dulwich13 for posting these links.

See thread on South East forum about terrible impact of speed bumps and the hassle to remove them from top end of Ivydale Road/Cheltenham Road a few years ago (I tried to post a link but it seems EDF didn't like having a rival! - google South East forum speedbumps Cheltenham Road and you will easily find the thread). Renata was one of the Councillors who helped to get them removed and replaed with narower pinch points and alternating priority, which is what I would suggest you go for if you mae a CGS application. Southwark did tell me these speed bumps which span the road would no longer be installed. The roads round here just aren't strong enough to support the thuddung of traffic over speed bumps (mostly at >>>20mph), and unfortunately the council doesn't seem to think to strengthen the road when it does install speedbumps. It would be nice if they spent the money on enforcing the 20mph limit instead (speed cameras, fines, traffic police etc). I had inserted some other links but the EDF didn't like them either. If you search for 'damage caused to houses by speedbumps' you will find plenty eg Bromley Borough Roads Action Group. I looked up the Speedwatch link from one of the posts above. Unfortunately it operates only in Cambridgeshire, but I've contacted them to see if they can point me in the direction of any more local schemes. I'd be more than willing to participate in something like that.

I PROMISE you you don't want speed bumps. I live next to one and as the traffic goes over it my house shakes right through to the back room, a complete nightmare in terms of noise, being shaken around and potential damage to my house. I know as well that the speedbumps at the top end of Ivydale Road, near Cheltenham Road, where the 343 (double decker) runs were removed not long after being installed for exactly this reason. Some other way of traffic calming needs to be found.

Victoria Inn on Bellenden Road was reasonably priced and clean the last time I needed somewhere BUT it was a bit noisy on a Saturday night due to music in pub. Might be better if you can get top floor rooms and perhaps ok for one night. Friends of mine highly recommended the Church Street hotel in Camberwell but it is a bit more expensive. There's also a b&b in Crystal Palace called the Fox Hill. I haven't been there but it looks nice in its website and has good Internet reviews.

In the block of flats I used to live in we had an oocasional estate agent's sign up despite NONE of the flats being for sale. Opportunistic so and so's.