Angelina

really, it's the fact that a chain is muscling in when there is already one in a small area - if it was just a chain coming to a new area, it's a little different

why not have a pasty shop - we could have Cornish pasties, Jamaican patties, empanadas from all the different regions.... I like all three. I'm still going to support the Chacarero family business, as I don't support chains, just as I don't buy anything from Gail's, Nero, Starbucks etc.

You really have to go and look at the schools yourself, and do some research. My children went to the same school in different years and had very different experiences. Different school focus on different things. It's very personal. We bought close to the school I wanted to go to, and then moved a bit later, when they were old enough to travel on their own.

It’s about chains, and the ethos of family run business versus unhealthy competition

Turf and surf third item in the main courses

Has anyone from the school commented? Have they said why? Is it a fresh start? Is it that Grove in the name may have connotations of wealth and they want to attract more applicants from a wider area? Is that it currently is linked to the DKH Estate?

It might help if there are body cams to record evidence and a presence maybe a deterrent but I very much doubt a park warden would intervene with obnoxious and violent thugs - children or not. We need police for that.

If no one else has a problem, then it sugggests that the delivery person may not be aware of any harm and would respond well to a conversation. It also goes without saying that just because no one else has a problem, that the OP is not valid in raising their issues.

If someone comes to my house and bangs my door and slams my gate, I'd speak to them about it nicely and ask if they would please not do that. And then subsequently less nicely if they keep doing it, ending in reporting them. We don't slam doors at home and I don't put up with that either. I can see us moving to a culture where we bribe drivers to be nice by tipping them, but we shouldn't have to. It's not necessary - does not matter if they are on minimum wage or not, or if society means that delivery services are outsourced or whatever reason anyone would like to concoct.

Best avoided unless journey is essential to that area. Lots of alternative roads Three people standing around, no work going on.

Anyone can deliver for Evri - my daughter having just passed her driving test tried Evri to make some money - they basically give you a route and as many parcels as they think you can cope with - you make money for each one you deliver, so you can imagine - speed is the priority. Why would they wait for you to answer the door when they can just throw it and take a photo? If you have a choice, choose a different courier service or shop elsewhere where they do.

that's exactly what happened - Brickhouse were forced to close due to rent hike and then Gail's didn't move in until covid restrictions lifted and normality resumed. Gail's would have opened much sooner as they were lined up and able to offer the landlord much higher rents. Brickhouse was a local favourite

It was The Brickhouse - we liked them and it was very sad when they had to close

Let’s just boycott all chains in favour of local businesses. Places like Gail’s popping up everywhere has a very damaging impact on small businesses. It’s just the same as the new empanadas place but on a bigger scale. I’ll say it a million times more, we hold the power with our choices. Let’s use our power to look after ourselves and our environment (which includes small local family businesses). And yes, I also love Chacarero.

presumably the only thing they would sell to the school children is fast food

So important to give them the best chance. You can buy bells on Amazon I’ve bought the cheap collars on amazon and find they fray quickly and aren’t great quality. The bells don’t really make a noise either. I’ve also bought a posh one from Pets Couture and it’s absolutely beautiful, got a proper bell and still looks like new after nearly a whole year! Definitely worth the money

I wonder if we haven't been suitably offended - did we miss a trick in allowing the OP to call her a woman - perhaps the person identifies as gender fluid (or other) and is offended.

actually narrowed down to a woman and black and 30 years old.

Shoplifting, although on the surface a minor crime, actually affects our community. There are so many minor crimes that are too small for the police to attend, yet they all add up

because it could affect any police action, if a suspect is posted on social media

Just because the security did not chase the shoplifter does not mean no action was taken. Security camera footage can be sent to the police and used in evidence and actually is an effective means of prosecution. Staff should not put themselves in a potentially dangerous position - stock is insured and can be replaced. I remember a member of Coop staff chasing a thief and getting hurt

The descriptors are Woman 30s Black There is no point in describing clothes as they change. If it was a white woman, descriptors should include hair colour, eye colour. While sex or race on their own are not helpful, the three descriptors do not warrant the OP to be labelled racist (and why not sexist or ageist while you're at it???). Sometimes, facts are just that. We know that there is an increase due to financial circumstances, organised crime and mental health. The real issue is the observation of the temerity and lack of consequence. Grow up.

The fact is, high spec phones are worth money. Be secure - passwords, face recognition, strong passwords for your banking etc. Get your phones backed up. Get your phone insured. Don't fight if you are being robbed. It’s just a phone. Be safe. Annoying as it is, it’s prolific and you can take steps to minimise your chance of being targeted.

Common sense does not prevail. Keep saying things that need to be heard, whether some people are bored of hearing it or not.

What is obvious to one may not be to another. DOGS DIE IN THE HEAT. PAVEMENTS BURN THEIR FEET. DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG OUT IN THE HOT SUN. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG (OR CHILD) IN A CAR UNATTENDED.