Bellenden Belle

a) Four jobs I had in my life Newspaper girl: I delivered free local newspapers for a day - for some reason I decided it would be easier to put them down the toilet - literally - one of the most ludicrous things I have ever done in my life. The sight of our blocked toilet stays with me to this day - particularly as I denied all involvement and then watched as the plumber pulled out pages and pages of the Barnet Times. Retail assistant/ manager Production editor in publishing Development officer for a charity Four places I have lived: Birmingham, Brighton, Salisbury, in a Catholic seminary Four movies I could watch over and over again: Magnolia; The Way we Were, 9-5, On Golden Pond Four favourite foods: Sushi, dark chocolate, avocado, roast chicken Four television shows I watch: ER; Gilmore Girls; Property Ladder; The F Word Websites I visit daily: EDF, Amazon, Hotmail, Facebook scrabulous page Four places I would rather be: At home; in a cafe/ restaurant ; on holiday; anywhere but work.

If that space became an M&S, a post office, whatever and had commercial usage - that would be it, it would be lost as a resource for the community forever. If the library thrives - then fantastic, if it doesn't at least there will be some discussion in the future about what would best benefit the area as a whole. Some people are very dismissive of "community" facilities which really disheartens me - Thatcher's children, eh? I think the future challenge for developments is exactly coming up with solutions such as this - where the private and public sectors collaborate. Looking at the work of successful community builders such as Coin Street (who own the Oxo Tower on the South Bank) can give us a real insight into making these spaces work. For example I would equally support having commercial facilities, such as a sushi restaurant, or a Waitrose, or such like in the space if the housing was then social housing. Personally I like that idea even more than the private housing/ public facility option we are being offered.

KalamityKel Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > BB... this thread is for the Garden Centre. > Discussing the Library... mayb good for a new > thread? no? KK, If you followed the thread - my comments reflected the previous three posts which began with Simon's observation: So the Council's lease on the Grove Vale library premises is nearing the end. Place your bets now.....another bookies or estate agents. If the garden centre is making way for a new library following the lease on the site of the current library expiring, then I think they are actually part of the same discussion.

Since I'm WFH I am thinking a warm goats cheese, beetroot and walnut salad.... but served with Kale rather than rabbit leaves.

Sod that KalamityKel - we're now discussing (I think) the commercial space that will be left behind by the old library - in which case I would love to see a sushi restaurant. Oooh, Tuna Sashimi, Agedashi Tofu, a warm bowl of miso soup, a hand roll made with eel...... ooooh, I think I need to lie down (see give me sushi and I have no need for a sex shop!)

Thank you for clarifying this Richard.

It's a very very small library across the road - I have been in there once and my overall impression is that it was really cramped. If, (and I haven't seen the plans) they are offering a really decent library for the community - then I don't think we should dismiss this scheme out of hand. Dare I say that out of the two I think more people would benefit from a decent library than a garden centre - and I say that as someone with a garden who has used the Garden Centre myself. In short - library = facility for all the community; and particularly a resource for people who may be on a lower income and may benefit those who aren't privleged enough to have a garden. Garden centre ... a commercial business benefitting a few.

But a library is a really good community resource for everyone - particularly with the large number of primary schools in the area. The fact there is a community element as part of this commercial enterprise does appeal to me - I think such uses of space are very important when there is such a huge pressure on resources.

Keef - Thanks for clarifying what you meant - I think you made a fair point. I think I felt defensive as I have been in trouble before for commenting on places which have earnt a soft spot in people's hearts. Frisco - I agree with you though - the more information that can be gathered; the better chance they have of really shaping a training programme to address current problems.

Hang on Keef... let's examine the facts here. I have loved Sea Cow in the past; I was then disappointed by the food so stopped going; and then - on the very basis of this forum and because I really really wanted to respond in a positive manner to what I see as being a very honest and genuine response by Seacow - made the effort to brave the cold and go to the Seacow last night. It wasn't a good experience - that was all I was reporting.

I suspect we may have spied each other Frisco - because I indeed went in to try the Coley yesterday at about 9pm. It is rare for me to leave a place without ordering but both Mr BB and myself experienced such an overwhelming smell of dettol and bleach, that it would have been rather like eating in a freshly cleaned toilet (no offence Dan). And actually there was a funny atmosphere which I think came directly from the waitress - my initial thought was "oh they are closing" such was the welcome - it wasn't rude; just indifferent. My overall sense of sitting in the restaurant was one of confusion. Really strange.

Radiohead - any period - I just don't understand what makes them so special Mighty Boosch, Fast Show, Little Britain....erm, are they overated or do I simply have no sense of humour! Hope and Greenwood-ooooh, I'm treading dangerous territory here. Why does sugar and fat have to be so twee? (and expensive) David Mamet - his plays leave me cold. But I rather like Russell Brand and as for the film Magnolia - I loved it.

My hand is featured on the box of the 80s board game Game of Life. LizzygotDizzy - did your doctor give you any advice? Rolo Tomasi - did all your photos get lost in a fire?And *Bob* you are just being a tease!

Actually while the buck can stop with the headteacher, actually what needs examining are the School Governors, to whom the headteacher reports. Some governors are very experienced; very hands-on - others rely entirely on the headteacher. A similar situation occurs in the charity field - in which I work - a good board can bring skills, expertise and demand transparency - a weak board can let charity directors do what they like - I have seen both.

And your point dear Macroban is...

That's the whole point Jan T - the guardian article points out that betting shops no longer have to prove there is a demand for the service, due to a recent change in the law - it's basically a free for all now.

Great thread - you know what I really like - just the little walk through Goose Green - I love the architecture of St John's; I love all those town houses; I like the bollards that always make me smile; the kids playground. And it connects me from the Bellenden area where I live to Lordship Lane. It's a short five minute walk I do all the time but it never ceases to make me smile. And the fact that it is on a main road doesn't bother me in the slightest - cause I love cities and like the fact that a small patch of grass can make me happy.

The Royal Court does special deals if you join their facebook group; the Old Vic does tickets on a Wednesday for ?10 if you're a Southwark resident; the National has its ?10 travelex deal - there's plenty of great theatre for reasonable prices out there. Re McPherson's films - did you ever see his second film, The Actors, which had Dylan Moran and Michael Caine in it? Omigod - it was terrible. A right proper Turkey!

debbie tucker green's new play at the Royal Court is worth looking out for - she's a very powerful writer - very original - not necessarily an entertaining night out as such, but definitely makes people think - http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/whatson01.asp?play=505 Quite fancy seeing Dealer's Choice too at the Trafalgar Studios. Big fan of Irish playwrights Conor McPherson and Owen McCafferty; like new playwright Laura Wade; and also the work of Dennis Kelly. Should we set up a theatregoing club?

Yawn yawn yawn. There are numerous threads echoing your sentiments - have a search. I don't know - next you'll be starting a "I hate Foxtons" thread; or a "why is East Dulwich so middle class" thread. Please guys - let's make 2008 the year we become a little more original in our thoughts.

CWALD is absolutely correct in her analysis. Don't forget we are still charged interest charges when we go overdrawn - and you could argue ??? that that interest covers your "free banking" - not to mention our mortgage repayments - oh and all those investments that banks make with the money you give them. In the days before computers, when your trusty bank manager would sit down with a quill and write a missive when you went overdrawn you could justify paying for the twenty minutes he might have spent licking the stamp. It's all done by computer now - and so we are now talking pence not even pounds. Hubby got 90% of six years of charges paid back back in January - thanks to Martin Lewis' template letters. We never went to court - just threatened it and refused their halfway house settlements. Keep watching the site for info.

Lovely - I really like Oliver Bonas and I have always found their stuff to be far more interesting/ useful/ tasteful than the likes of Ed and Celestial. I get so bored of all that girly tat - Oliver Bonas is all about nice clean lines and clever design. It's a little bit like Mrs Robinson - but without the hefty price tags. And it really isn't that large a chain. And the clothes they do are rather lovely and rather good value.

Ain't got no, I got life - Nina Simone

When you think about it - 25p an egg in a supermarket - a farmer's wage has to come out of that; along with transport costs; the supermarket's overheads; the fraction of a penny to the supermarket employees - little wonder that it works out cheep-er (do chickens cheep?) to produce your own. Good luck - looking forward to hearing your progress. It's a bit like Blue Peter for grown ups isn't it?

Leaglebeagle - I think your post is really rather rude regarding Peckhamgatecrasher's definition. A good debater takes issue with what a person says, without directing their negative comments towards the person themselves. I like Green and Blue but I think (and I have said it before) they are terribly unprofessional - the tears in the shop (according to their own blog); the petty notes on the door. And let's not be under any doubt - they have every intention of making Green and Blue into a chain - they have been very upfront in their ambition. I hope it opens - but I do feel for poor old Celestial.