Markydesade

Internal Works Kitchen/Dining Area Small Shower Room Front Living Room Main Bedroom (one specific area) Hall Over three floors, including stripping of two flights of stairs to match lower two flights, and replacement risers. Budget £ 15k plus 20% contingency, as we knew certain walls had problems. Initial quote £ 14.5k – approx. 6 weeks Final cost just north of £ 20k – ten weeks We contacted Gary in mid-February, and within a day or so we had an initial quote of £ 14.5k, which was acceptable. We knew they would be extras as some of, quite a few as it turned out, the hall walls were in a bad way. The hall was the one part of the house that had nothing done to it since we moved in, around 20 years ago! Work started on 17 March with Cliff and Ashley, who were permanent throughout. We had a lot in common with Cliff, due to our respective ages, musical taste, mutual acquaintances, and we used to live next door to his aunt! Ashley is in his early twenties and has a tremendous work ethic. Always polite, they would always clean up after themselves each day and leave the house (although it did resemble a building site) as best they could. The standard of their work is excellent. The re-plastering work gave us the most anxiety. The hacking-off was as expected but because of the fellas who did the boarding and plastering, Scott and Jason, had their own work, we agreed to some evening work (around 16 April) but then they both seemed not available further, and that stalled. Meanwhile Cliff and Ashley continued to paint where they could. Gary then suggested that Omar and his colleague (I cannot recall his name) could come on Sunday (27 April) but after agreeing to it, we were advised that they were not available until Tuesday. Boy, do Omar and his colleague put in a shift! By the time they had left on Tuesday, we were back on track, and that the end was in sight. Of course, the new plaster had to dry and bond before painting could take place. Once that had been done Cliff and Ashley pressed ahead with the painting, and by mid-May it all started to come together. At the very last the upper stairs were stripped, and whilst some of the new risers had been painted in anticipation, it turned out that the correct amount had not been ordered. This was quickly resolved and were installed by another of Gary’s merry band, Tony, who had previously popped in and had done one or two bits and pieces. As the job had taken longer than expected, Gary sent in another fella (name escapes me) to assist, and they finally left on 27 May. Save a couple of minor things that we shall sort out ourselves, we are really pleased with the results. The work in the hall especially has completely transformed the house. So, a big thank you to Gary, Cliff, Ashley, Tony, Scott, Jason, Omar and his colleague, and one other. Would definitely recommend these guys.

Email 1: I was given your contact details by xxxxxxxxxx who suggested I contact you regarding the nearest Beaver club to my home in East Dulwich. My son xxxxxxxx is due to be 7 in a few days time and I believe he would really enjoy becoming a Beaver with a view to joining the cubs in a year or so? I wonder if you wouldn't mind letting me know what age you need to be to join The Beavers & then Cubs as well? I have 2 more sons aged 4 & 5 & think they will enjoy joining in due course. How much does it cost to join & what uniform do they need? Lastly, and probably most importantly is there any free spaces in your club? Response: We are a Catholic based group and preference is given to children of the Parish of St. Thomas More, usually attending St. Anthony's school. That being said there is no direct entry into our Cub Pack for child as all places are taken by those who have been in our Beaver Colony. We do not have a Scout Group. As regards xxxxxxxx we would not take him into the Beavers given his age as that section is fall and subject to a waiting list. Below are the contact details of other local groups who may be in a position to offer xxxxxxxxx a place. Email 2: What a shame! Sad that children are separated by faith. Am sure that the love of god* should be a unifying thing rather than a reason to segregate. Still, thanks for giving me details of other groups where he will be welcome. * Written by the same person who above wrote "As an atheist, I guess I was being a tad naive. My son does believe in god... Although he also believes in Father Christmas!" Response 2: All I said was preference was given to Catholics within the Parish attending St. Anthony's, we have non Catholics in the group. As the school and Parish have provided us with all our facilities for about the last 50 years, it's only fair that they have some input the group. This is not unusual in Scouting as there are many faith groups or closed groups, such as that run by Dulwich College and for a time there was a solely Vietnamese group in Peckham. I am surprised that Paul O'Brien feels the need to look into as he was told in a face to face meeting exactly what our criteria is and even asked the County Commissioner to look into formalising our sponsorship agreement. Had it not been for the parish of St. Thomas More and latterly St. Anthony's School the group may well have disappeared like so many other local groups have. We are a group that is predominately single faith due to where we are based and where we have drawn our leaders and helpers from. We are not a group that is only open to a single faith. I am not even Catholic myself.