Magpie

I agree, I bow to no one in my irritation when public money is wasted, but this is a great idea - for a few thousand quid, thousands of people can get enjoyment out of the new tables and exercise equipment until the things rust away. Its a great idea and money well spent.

Actually the last couple of years demonstrate what a excellent decision it was for the UK not to join the Euro. The UK, like Ireland, Greece, Spain, Italy and to a lesser extent Portugal borrowed execessively private and publicly to generate credit fueled booms. Then comes the bust. The UK with an independent currency and the ability to set its own interest rates is cushioned by a collapsing currency to help rebalance the economy towards exporting, and lower interest rates to reduce lending costs and keep the economy alive. The PIGS are stuck within a strong euro and a too high interest rate backed by solid German financials and its exporting machine. The only way out is stringent spending cuts - the Irish have managed to get this through, the Greeks refuse and take to the streets - hence the banks get nervous they won't get their money back. The run on Greece is the same as the run on the banks a few years ago - confidence needs to be restored to the system - it could be achieved by the Germans intervening to support Greece, but understandably they are not that keen as its not obvious they will ever get their money back. This was the same mistake that stopped the US government stepping in to save Lehmans. Lets be clear here - the run on the Greeks is not caused by the banks per se, it is caused by the Greeks over-spending and running huge budget deficits and current account deficits over many years - something the UK is just as guilty of (but from a stronger starting position) - but we have the freedom to devalue and set our own interest rates, the Greeks do not.

I live in the same area - and last summer heard constant barking from a dog on Landcroft road - although this dog was white fluffy thing not a Great Dane so it may be a different one. We have tried speaking to the family and they said that the dog likes being outside. I have often considered the RSPCA, but have never called them. The council noise people are very effective, but they do come round to check on the sound. We have had them round for the dog previously and they come round within 45 minutes, listen to the noise, and then go directly to the house of the people responsible and give them a verbal warning. Well worth doing.

To be fair I think its more the fact that the scots want to leave than vice versa . . . . I have seen similar stats on government spending per capita by region - think NI is first, but the amount spent on Scotland, Wales and the poorer parts of the UK - Cornwall, North East etc is pretty similar. However, on average Scotland gets more per capita than England. This is not a problem where there is one country and one parliament - Ie UK pre devolution. It becomes a cause of irritation to some once devolution happens.

There are all ready many alternatives; Passports, NHS numbers, national insurance numbers, driving licenses etc. The ID card plan is unnecessary duplication, it is a white elephant and waste of taxpayers money.

The Labour Government has relied on its Scottish MPs on occasions to force through legislation in the house of commons that only affects England - this at the minimum is slightly unfair given there is no reciprocity. Now imagine the situation where the Conservatives have an outright majority of seats (not just votes as happend last time round) in England but not a majority government due to Scottish and Welsh seats held by Labour. It soon becomes a mess constitutionally. The Scots and Welsh moaned throughout the 1980's of being governed by London, it doesn't seem unreasonable for similar moans to be made by the English when the reverse is the case. In any case the number of Scottish and Welsh seats (not sure about NI but probably applies there too) is disproportionate to their respective populations. Hence a neat solution could reduce the number of seats in these countries, and hence minimise their ability to influence policy on England-only matters.

I think from a philisophical perspective the issue of ID cards is absolutely pivotal to civil liberties. Holding an ID Card suggests that your existence is only validated by the state. This entirely goes against the principle of democracy, whereby the State is validated by the public. I am a free born British Citizen by right, the state has no business forcing me to have an ID card, as they are in effect my employee.

Well the issue is really whether England should be the only country in the United Kingdom without its own elected body, and where legislation which affects only the English can be pushed through parliament by Welsh and Scottish MPs.

Anyway Mr Barber is wrong - apparently Falkland Islanders were given British Citizenship in 1983 - as were all citizens of British dependencies in 2002. http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/british-nationality-falkland-islands-act-1983/ Also done a quick google - and apparently there are around twice as many South Africans living in the UK, as there are British citizens in South Africa. http://www.1stcontactvisas.com/visa-news/post/Fewer-South-Africans-living-in-the-UK.aspx http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080617070200AAGaygj

Yet seem to tolerate lots of non-Brits living in our country and slagging us off

Expectation of capital gains is not the single reason to buy a house. Assuming you expect at some point to pay off the mortgage, once its paid off you have the asset regardless of whether prices have changed over time. Hence consideration of the relative monthly cost of buying versus renting should only be a short term consideration. Long term owning a property makes more financial sense - unless you believe that the savings on rental differentials will be greater than the value of the asset at the end of the period. This is unlikely as rental payments are subject to inflation, as are capital values, while mortgage repayments are not.

The historical average income/house price ratio (since early 1980s) based on stats from the Nationwide is around 3.3 - it got to about 4 in the late 1980's before falling well below that. It didn't hit the 3.4 level again till early 2002, before topping off at around 5.5 end 2007. Prices then fell by around 15% to June 2009, though I believe they have now started to rise again. I looked at this last October, and calculated that it would need another 20 - 25% fall in house prices (on top of thr 15%) to get back to the long term average (I did this by multiplying average incomes by 3.3 and comparing with the average house price from the Nationwide). However, one does need to factor in things like low interest rates, dual incomes, rise in house ownership, population growth, lack of space etc as to why the future average will be higher than historics, but I still think average house prices in the UK have some way to fall. However, this is about national averages, the property market in East Dulwich, as has been said above, reflects its relative attractiveness as an area - really the benchmark is Clapham, Wandsworth or Battersea, and I think ED averages are still below levels in those areas. Thus 500k for a family home, while sounding crazy, reflects supply and demand. The obvious long term plan for people who like the area is to buy in Forest Hill, Nunhead, Peckham Rye or further out from LL, and hope that gentrification continues. PS - I am not an Estate Agent, nor do I work in property . . . . .

Think your last line gave you away there: All these works were started at planning stage last July and part of the 09/10 planned programme of street renewals and maintenance. There is an immediate need to repair potholes throughout the area - waiting for all the pavements to be replaced, and then the whole road to be resurfaced, will do nothing to fill in the two potholes in the middle of the pedestrian crossing on Lordship Lane near the Magdala pub (for example).

James - quick question. Given the amount of potholes on the roads, would it make sense to postpone some of the pavement work, and instead use the budget to get the roads sorted?

I think you did the right thing - anti-social behaviour needs to be confronted, particularly when committed by Children, the Police can't be everywhere.

Broadly agree with you predictions - though I have a feeling that Wales may decide not to give their opposition a 20 point head start this time and sneak a win against Ireland.

There are few flats in SE21, those that do come up tend to be ex-LA or modern builds. This is largely because the Alleyn's Estate does not allow for Victorian houses to be broken up into flats as is done in ED.

My wife just had the 20 week scan there, found that much more confusing compared to the 12 week scan, because, as mentioned above, you can't see the whole baby - sounds awful but images of Sigourney Weaver flashed through my mind whenever the spine came into view! Our experience was very good, the researchers are all Doctors rather than Nurses, and were very friendly, sought to reassure us, and responded to our questions. All measurements were done twice by two different people, hence why they swap over. My wife had the internal scan at the 20wk one, but wasn't really asked whether she wanted it, just told she was going to have it (think she may have signed up prior), this was rather surreal as I got to see a male doctor manoeuvring a rather large device between my missus' legs! (all discretely shielded by a blanket I should add) Agreed that you need books, water, etc for the wait, but otherwise a great experience. We were also lucky as for the first scan we were allocated to the room with the 3D scanner, and got to see a little animation of the baby on the screen.

Looks like the lynch mob wins - well done everyone hope you feel proud

I agree with Narnia - I reckon its quicker to get to the one on the A222 via Penge or Crystal Palace, than it will be to get to Sidcup on the SC via Catford

Exactly Sillywomen, on the basis that I think it would have been polite for the mother to ask the shop whether it was ok, I am an evil breast feeding denier, am scared of nipples, and am demanding that all babies are bottlefed. Please carry on with your hysterical lynch mob attempting to get the guy fired.

But a charity shop? Really? Also how long does it take to get the baby fed? If we are talking 5 - 10 mins again you can see why someone may be a bit confused as to why the single changing room in a shop is being used as a mobile canteen. Perhaps it would have been polite to ask first?

http://www.worldofgolf.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=37 About a 20 min drive from ED

Doesn't it seem a bit odd to breastfeed in a changing room of a charity shop? I can see why the poor bloke may have been a bit taken aback.

I watched England vs France from 1995 on ESPN classic yesterday. It was quite upsetting. England played with pace and adventure, combining powerful runs from the likes of Rodber and Ben Clarke, impressive and effective mauling led by Dean Richards and Brian Moore, intelligent kicking for territory by Rob Andrew, and then spinning it wide to take advantage of Guscott and the Underwoods. Verdict on the England match from Saturday - not good, its just all so pedastrian. But a few lessons from the 95 team - when things have slowed down then kick, but kicks have to be effective - either gain the yardage and make touch or cause problems with a nicely weighted garryowen, don't aimlessly hit it up the field. Get big forwards to take the ball at pace, not amble into contact for a net loss of ground. Mauling is an underused art, it ties up defenders and wears them out, creating space for the backs. Ho Hum