sue k

hi I have used Derek Hall (www.derekhallinteriors.com) for some curtains, and also upholstery work, he did a great job, very pleased, as he was so helpful too with lots of ideas! his no is 07905 020253

will pop along, noticed a couple of new shops open down there, which is great..what times do you think you will be open from - to?

the thread is about the closure and imminent new development of the garden centre site,and I noticed in an earlier post that James Barber mentioned that there part of the new development will include a 'shop unit'. I have heard a rumour, and I really hope it's not true, that it will be a Tesco Express?? Are they getting in again, through a back door yet again?? !! Why can't it be a small independant shop...we have enough of these bullish faceless heavyweights already in our neighbourhood. Can James Barber confirm this is what is happening? Can we object to it still, or is it a fait accompli?

just looked at my tea towels! there is one with carrots, and one with a beetroot design, and also one with an owl and also wild pigs..yes really! They had more designs though, quite quirky but I loved them, go have a look..I am supposed to be giving them as Christmas presents, but might keep one, or two..

I have been to the pop up shop on LL called Lush Designs, who are in the old Soup Dragon shop The shop looked really bright and colourful in this dreary weather, they have some lovely, lovely colourful gifts and homey things, like lampshades, teatowels (i bought a few as they are so light & cheap to post!) also saw mugs, and coasters and lots of reasonably priced things, so will be going back! They also do a fab range of cards..well worth a visit! I love LL for shopping,,won't go anywhere else!

I finally got to go at the weekend...and bought some lovely teatowels and a tray...really love their things and could have bought more! spoke to one of the designers who was in there, just loved her drawings.She said they are there til Jan 20th, so not long.. hope they can find somewhere permanent, as it's so nice to have a small local business making great things.

noticed a new shop on LL , selling lamp shades and all sorts of great homey things, think it used to be the childrens toys shop?, just along from Acorn agents. Apparently they are called Lush and used to sell their wares in Grace n' Favour, and I heard it's just a pop up...hope they stay as the shop looked great,so will have to go and have a proper look at the weekend, not sure how long they are staying though, does anyone know?

I can thoroughly recommend Melanie Weaver, who is fully trained, and works locally. She is such a super person, very understanding and gentle, and has come to our studios a few times to deal with all our aches, tensions and more, and is not expensive! Melanie used to be called Intelligent Beauty but has just renamed her business so here are the details below. Telephone 079 76 98 00 25 Email [email protected] (But you can still contact her on [email protected]) http://www.intelligentbeauty.org.uk

Maybe it's the solar storms that are causing this......see Observer newspaper today....

I live on a road at the bottom of Dog Kennel Hill, near to the Dulwich Hamlets FC. I have just heard that there is a planning application for 60 flats on the carpark there. We have not however, had any consultation letters about this,which I am surprised at as we live so close, and so I thought it was worth bringing it to locals attention who might be concerned about such a large proposed build project. We wonder why Southwark Council do not consider informing local residents about such applications? I will make comments on the website, but here is the link if anyone is interested. http://planningonline.southwarksites.com/planningonline2/AcolNetCGI.exe?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=9537885 this is an extract from the application: Redevelopment of existing car park and car wash site to provide a part 3, 4 and 5 storey building comprising 60 residential units (21 x 1-bed, 26 x 2-bed and 13 x 3-bed) with associated landscaping, amenity space and access to basement which provides 30 car parking spaces and 70 cycle parking spaces.

I am not convinced they slow traffic down either, as virtually all cars/vans can 'straddle' straight over. I have an old style mini and so can't do this, and have to slow down to zero (not that I am ever going fast anyway!) to carefully avoid damaging my exhaust and general suspension. When I do this, most other cars behind just overtake, thus speeding up! I am all for slowing cars down, but am not convinced about this method. There are some areas which are trialing no road markings whatsoever as this apparently makes drivers more aware of their speed and position in the road etc....(I think it is proving quite successful)it would save a lot of money too, by not having more signs/bumps etc which just clutter the streetscape! The main road I do feel strongly about needing speed restrictions/ways to prevent high speed is Dog Kennel Hill. With a recent fatality and several other serious crashes down there, this would seem to me to be needing higher attention and I stated this on the feedback form from Southwark Council. I live just off the hill by the station, and regularly hear screeching of brakes late at night as they speed down the hill and then realise there is a sharp bend just after the bridge....this surely has to be an important concern?