Penguin68

I had the same problem (disappeared BBC channels - but pre-switchover) - I found that my scart plugs weren't firmly seated - this appeared to impact the BBC channels but not others, curiously. I pushed them firmly in and got the channels back. (I assume you connect a freeview box to your TV via scart). Also make sure the aerial (co-ax) is firmly connected to your friewview box, and that is linked to your TV (scart only is meant to work - don't entirely trust that).

This moth's caterpillar is active (according to the 'cutting') in May - it is now September, so unless, as is possible, there has been a very unseasonal hatch I cannot see this itself being the cause. Tne fact that it started on your torso (which I assume would have been mainly covered during your walk) and only later spread to your arms and legs and neck (more likely to have been immediately exposed on your walk with the dogs), does not suggest a direct topical contamination - unless you have found caterpillars in your clothing. Have you changed your washing powder (or hung things out to dry where pollen could have blown into them - things such as ivy are flowering now)? Whatever the cause, it must have been maddening for you and slightly scary. I do hope the wide range of remedies you have been offered work.

I've been wondering if those who have destroyed their front gardens by putting in hard standing for car parking will damage their properties in the same way as a rogue tree. As long as the hard-standing is porous (such as bricks laid over sand or gravel) then the amount of water entering the ground should be similar and it should have no discernable difference. It is only where the entire front garden is hard paved on concrete or tarmaced that you may get run-off which will (eventually) tend to dry out the land under the front garden, although it also depends where the run-off will go. Remember that water travels sideways (and up) as well as down, so that unless the whole street is paved over if there is enough rain your area will still be damp even if rainwater isn't passing directly through your front garden. And if there is a drought it doesn't matter if your have paved over your front garden, as there will be no rain to permeate anyway! And removing trees can also cause movement - where more ground water is released (not taken up by the tree) so making the sub-soil wetter!

So if you are in a humpy area it is likely to be a 20 Limit.(Or Harry's Hotel! :-) ) Would that were so - but many 30mph roads also have humps - for instance Wood Vale (as mentioned). So it is true that a road without humps will certainly not be 20mph restriction, but not the cororally. And some bus routes are, and some aren't. Road markings (20mpg in a circle) between the humps might help. If Southwark is serious about reducing local road speed limits it should be serious about working to make sure they are adhered to - if enforecment can't be managed then better advisement could. Perhaps they could experiemnt by inserting more road markings - if they did reduce speeds then they could offer the 'Southwark Scheme' into more general use. Frankly what they do now (declare a speed limit, do nothing to enforce or support it) is simply pious - seems good but is of no real value. It puts into mind rows of councillors wringing their hands and weeping copiously while declaring 'there's nothing we can do, but we do mean so well!'.

The problem with the 20mph zones is that it is easy to forget where they are - there is no obvious consistency about where they start and end, and no street markings other than on entry; if you have stopped somewhere you don't always remember you are in such a zone. The French have a very useful habit of signing 'rapel' and the speed limit to remind you that you are in a limited zone - it is a shame we don't use that convention. And they do change - I can remember a long thread arguing whether Wood Vale was 20mph or not - I think it isn't now but it had been. But the parallel Underhill is (I think). I entirely agree that they are a good safety measure - pedestrians will be hurt but not so often maimed and killed when struck at 20mph. I am always furious when I am flashed and hooted by some boy racer who wants to overtake me in the zones when I am doing 20mph. But better signage and some sort of continuing reminder of the limits would help - the boy racers probably think I am doing 20 when they could legally be doing 30, and I can see that would upset them.

There isn't an online option. Don't see why not, if you can do the census and the electoral register in that way. They may need a clear signature if they want to take action where someone is deemed not to be 'alone'. It's easier to prove in a court of law. Additionally, as has been pointed out, many lone residents are either pensioners, who may not be IT users, or single parents, who may not be able to afford internet connectivity. Out of interest you are treated as 'lone' if you have living with you an adult carer - so some technical one person households do have (legitimately) more than one adult person living in them. I suspect that the proportion of IT disenfranchised people in this group ('single' residents) are far higher than in the population as a whole, hence enabling an online option may be far less cost effective.

It is not 'well known' that oustourcing companies cost more, let alone 'twice as much' - indeed the very purpose of outsourcing is normally to reduce expenditure by placing sevices which are the 'day job' of professional companies with them - normally when they tender they do so showing reduced expenditure - of course sometimes public bodies follow political fashions to outsource (this was particularly true in the PFI hayday when Gordon B was desperate to remove public expenditure from the books) and then the in-house quotes for the work can be skewed to make the outsourcer look cheaper. They main problem with local authority outsourcing is that local authorities are very bad at letting and managing contracts effectively - private companies are normally far more effective in that sort of business activity - but's that's of course why public authorities outsource at all - they are generally poor at commercial management of anything (and that's a generalisation I am happy to say is 'well known'). Good contract management of outsourcing includes clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs) - clear quality standards, break clauses etc. etc. I'm afraid most local authority contracts are marked by an absence of these in any detail or power. Local authorities sadly do not self employ good procurement departments (for things other than paper and staples) or think of using effective procurement consultants. Too often decisions are made by local politicians, not trained businesmen. But outsourcing decisions need to be business, not political, decisions.

It's surely simple economics - Capita would have charged out to the council the cost of the return envelope - so (all) council tax payers would have picked up the bill. The council tax concession on single occupancy has to be worth a great deal more than the cost of a stamp and envelope to continue claiming it. The council needs documentary evidence (a signature) if the claim turns out to be innacurate (more than one person living at the property) which does happen.

Trees, particularly growing on clay subsoils can cause cracks to appear, as indeed can the removal of such trees - these cracks may be unsightly but they are rarely evidence of significant (house might fall down) structural damage. Different types of trees can cause different damage, so that ones with deep tap roots will be unlikely to cause root impact damage with e.g. drains etc. although they may dry out the soil a bit. If you have a (small) crack in a wall it is worthwhile photographing it (with something to 'prove' a date) - when you come to sell and if the crack hasn't extended/ widened you can demonstrate that movement hasn't been active. Many Georgian terraces sit on entirely laughable (sometimes non-existant) foundations and those that are still with us will probably be with us for some time. Later Victorian and Edwardian (by which I mean, pace an earlier prodnose those built between about 1902 and 1914 - which is normally known as the Edwardian era even though the last years had George V as king) - often have much better foundations. Either which way, land-slip locally is far more or a worry than 'subsidence' per se, and most houses, even those on the hills, won't be susceptible to it. But the recommendation to use a structural engineer (rather than a general surveyor) is a good one - I had a survey done once where the surveyor tut-tutted through because the house (an old one) didn't have walls at complete right-angles - not because of movement but because of the way it was built. He just liked modern set-square houses.

As a general comment that I have made before, it does seem entirely lunatic that insurance companies won't insure, or will charge very high premiums on, properties where subsidence has actually been corrected and repaired. Actually very many houses suffer (technically) from subsidence, very few actually collapse because of it - most houses are built to 'flex' slightly anyway. Structural problems are far more likely to be caused by poor quality work inside the house (removing structural walls without installing RSJs); loft or basement extensions carried out without structural engineering advice; extensions not properly tied into the main property and so on. The issue of land-slip (rather than classical subsidence) is different - a previous thread discussed the detailed engineering that had to be undertaken when the 'liner' development on Dawson Hights was constructed to mitigate against slip.

It is, of course, true that hornets (like most UK wildlife) won't attack people unless they feel threatened (or unless their nest is threatened) - however, also like most of the social hymenoptera (even the even-tempered ones), if they do feel threatened they can 'call-in' nest mates to assist. A lone hornet is less of an issue, but if one close to a nest gets over-excited then they can mass-attack. Being stung by a hornet is a lot wore than being stung by a wasp. I am sure readers of this forum won't upset hornets, though dogs they are walking may be less well advised. If a nest is close, for instance, to a play-ground or school then extermination may still be the best (safest) option. I am happy for any reader to ignore my warning, or belittle it if it makes them happy.

There is a lot of evidence that the more complex a task is, the more concentration it requires - there have been a number of successful trials removing e.g. road markings and signage, which forces drivers to concentrate just on their driving rather than relying on marked out lanes and broadcast 'sets of rules' so that their attention can wander - it's counter-intuitive but removing markings and street furniture which were originally intended to increase safety actually itself increases safety. Even removing separation of pedestrians and traffic can actually improve road safety!

I have just been 'buzzed' by what I have tentatively identified as a hornet (it settled for a moment) towards the southern end of Underhill (around Langston) - as these are social hymenoptera (like wasps) if my identification is correct it won't be alone. Very large, very stridently coloured in a 'wasp+' livery, definitely not a wasp. The nest could be in Camberwell Old Cemetery - so walkers beware. If anybody does identify the nest, the council should be informed as the stings can be very painful.

Hi James I should have added to my recycle bag post that the Southwark lady did offer to process my request for more bags, but when I knew there was to be a general September delivery I found that acceptable. In the past I too have had next day delivery when I have requested more.

James I have just gone on-line to order more of the kitchen waste recyling bags (little green jobbies) - the site says you can order them but the link only takes you through to a replacement bin ordering page. When I spoke to a helpful lady in Southwark recyling she told me that it isn't possible to order these on line, despite the misleading link on Southwark's site. She also told me (which might be helpful to other readers) that there was to be a general delivery of replacement bags sometime in September. It would be good if the Southwark site could (1) not offer a link to replacement bags when it doesn't allow on-line re-ordering and (2) perhaps could let people know on-line of the intended mass delivery of bags - that way we could avoid wasting operative time. Web sites are only useful if they are accurate and kept up-to-date. The page offering the non-existant bag re-ordering service is here http://www.southwark.gov.uk/a_to_z/service/362/recycling_bags_and_boxes

I suspect that the Post Office is using certain crown privileges it retains from having been a department of state - HMG is often not obliged to go through the same planning hoops as ordinary mortals. I can remember occupying former crown property which absolutely could never have been built under planning regulations then in force.

but the intention is to remove the car park to create a much bigger shop for a more affluent target market who tend to have higher car ownership. Is this entirely true? - I had heard that Iceland has (unusually) virtually no storage space - presumably because initially (in Bejam days) everything was frozen and kept in freezers in-store - so much of the 'additional' space being designed in is about back-shop storage rather than solely expanding sales floor footprint. Stores which nowadays don't have storage out-back (such as the old 7-11s) rely on multiple daily deliveries (up to 5 times a day) to keep stocked.

Hi P68, No, the planning applicatino has been submitted by the freeholder. They state that their intended client is M&S and provide images alnog those lines. James - thanks - I was reacting to an earlier post that 'M&S might act to reduce the number of flats' On the flat numbers, whilst I understand the immediate local worries about increasng local housing density, as a general view increasing domiciles, particularly in London where shortages are driving up rental and sales prices surely has to be a socally good thing? That it should be done sensitively (and legally) is also obviously right. I haven't looked at the plans, but giving up a 'corridor' in the shop space onto Lordship lane to allow access there to steps to the flats (rather than at the back) might mean a re-design of the shop space, but might be a small price to pay.

I know the planning application has been put in by M%S, but I do not believe (happy to be corrected) that they own (or intend to own) this site: I suspect this is a quid pro quo with the ground landlord - they will develop the site to give him extra flats to rent out if he agrees to let them develop the site at all. For M&S and the Landlord this would be a win:win. It is quite common for supermarkets moving into sites to undertake beneficial development for the site owner as part of the deal (and often the development done as part of a major re-build has a quite low marginal cost).

I ought perhaps to remind people that there appear to be two separate arguments contained within this thread, one about the appropriateness of the type (scale and scope) of the proposed changes to the existing Iceland store (regarding building extension, loss of parking amenity, possible local disruption regarding delivery schedules) in which people living adjacent to the site clearly have a direct interest, outwith the retailer which will be sited there, and a second set of arguments about what sort of retailer should be there (M&S etc.) WE CANNOT INFLUENCE THE CHOICE OF RETAILER - either by forcing Iceland to stay, or by arguing that M&S isn't a 'proper' tenant in Lordship Lane. The decisions (to go, to enter) will be being made by very canny marketing departments taking account of demographic etc. changes and long-term retail potential of the site, compared to other possible sites. WE CAN make a case about the planning impact of the proposals. It is that case, not an argument about Iceland or M&S which will be being considered. By all means express preferences for outlets here or elsewhere, but those expressions of interest are neither statistically valid regarding real local opinion, or will actually change anything. We all know that the ED demography has changed in the 20 years that Iceland grew out of Bejam - and the commercial arguments which made it a good site for Iceland 20 years ago may no longer hold true (as also the commercial arguments which kept M&S out of ED 20 years ago).

I think, in fact, that councillors can speak in favour of an enterprise, particularly if they have no commercial interests with that enterprise, if they believe it will benefit their constituents. How otherwise would debate be possible when considering commercial tenders? However, where there is a commercial relationship councillors have to declare an interest and should excuse themselves from any formal participation (votes) in the matter. I suspect that if, for instance, a sex shop and a haberdashers were both to be seeking to rent retail property from the council we would be surprised if any councillor chose manifestly not to express an opinion about these two competing commercial interests.

The following is suggested treatment for Blandford fly bites - these are small flies which are not very noticeable - but fly low to the ground, hence legs are often the site for bites. Doctors familiar with Blandford fly bites suggest the following treatments: Clean the bite wound with soap and water and dry gently Creams that contain camomile lotion, steroid cream or anaesthetic can soothe the pain of a bite, as can an antihistamine tablet. Do not apply cream or ointment to broken skin and always follow the instructions on the packet. Even though it may be itchy, try to avoid scratching the bite because you may damage the skin and allow bacteria to get in Redness and irritation are common and should settle within a few days with these measures Secondary infection is less common. If you notice red lines appearing on the skin or enlarged lymph nodes (swelling) in your armpit or groin, seek medical advice. It is seasonally late for Blandford flies - but the strangely out of season weather may be responsible. The larvae live in water - of which we have had quite a lot recently. The key problem with any bites is secondary infection - where the bite is scratched and secondary infections introduced.

In the past the boys were run by gang-masters - you might see them with white vans handing out packs to boys who then went on the knocker - I am sure there are many different variations of this 'scam' - where sub standard goods are sold apparently for charitable purposes - I know of no 'genuine' schemes where boys are sent out in this way (happy to be advised if there are any).

Kidruger, apologies, I had assumed that when you said 'If it's double-glazed panels you want the only additional cost should be the extra glass cost (my emphasis).' you meant that you would be paying for 2 sheets of glass, not one.

Actually, KidKruger, properly sealed (e.g. gas filled) double-glazed units costs a lot more to make than 'twice the cost of the glass' - amongst other things the actually frame into which they are sealed and the process which makes them energy efficient doesn't come cheap. 'Double glazed' isn't just 2 planes of glass. They have to be specially ordered (if you are a joiner making frames). It isn't just popping up to Walsh for 2 panes of window glass rather than one.