tarafitness

Anyone due in September? I'm thinking I might potentially sneak into this group, as my next child is due on the 27th of August (and my 3 year old was 6 days late) :-) I'm hoping for a 1st September arrival date, but I know that in reality, babies come when they feel like it :-D

MarkT Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I've sent a link to this thread to one of the > Council's project management team who, I think, > were involved in setting up the playground. > MarkT Thank you

Nigello Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > _____You'd hope that the contractors/supervisor > would have a quick scoot around to see if there > are any other problems, but I doubt it happens. I > bet they get given a task, finish it, then go > home, which could well have more to do with > council procedure than any lack of initiative > (perhaps). The cable I photographed - with the wire poking out - is actually situated *below* the new handles.. they can't have missed it really :-(

I love Brighton. It's the only place I'd consider leaving ED for. My grown up son lives there. He moved down for uni, but ended up staying there when he made the decision to end his course and work instead. We just spent a weekend down there with our three year old for a friend's wedding, and had a lovely time. We stayed in an airbnb place, which was a lot cheaper than a hotel, and nice to be close to my son's house (and the beautiful Queen's Park, and excellent Hanover pub!). The place has a lovely feel to it. It's a great place to go out in, both for young people like my elder son, and families too. It's hilly as hell.. I was exhausted hauling my heavy pregnant self up the gigantic hill to our rented place, but it was nice to see all the houses along the way, and feel like I was getting a bit of exercise too :-) I can't drive so it wouldn't bother me that you have to walk/bus everywhere in the centre. A good friend of mine lives a little further out, in Portslade, and says it's really lovely around there for families, lots of beautiful parks to explore. It's only the lack of jobs (we're both in IT), and moving away from my partner's parents that puts me off moving down!

I'm just sharing the view of another who works a lot harder, for a lot less. I'm not saying that either is right or just. I'd dearly love for my son to work somewhere else, but he likes the camaraderie and family feel to the place.

That's an intranet link, I'm afraid. I take it you're a BBC employee? Do you happen to have one for an external website? Thanks :-)

I'd advise you to look for a rescue cat that needs rehoming, and one that has always been kept indoors - as plenty have. From my own experience, female cats seem to prefer staying indoors - but that's my limited experience of two females (and talking to other people about their cats).. the latter is one of a pair of siblings, and won't leave the house via the catflap, but will venture into the garden if you open the door for her, and makes no attempt to explore further. Our other female cat would only use our garden. If a cat has been kept in all their life - without any distress being noted - then it might be perfect for you? :-) But yes, please consider a rescue cat, rather than a new kitten :-)

My 20 year old son walked past your lot on Saturday. He works at McDonald's in Brighton. His starting salary was ?5.45ph, and he works his arse off on a zero hours contract. He had to giggle, and point out that you really don't know how lucky you have it.

The fabric from the foot holds/treads on the infant play structure in Goose Green adventure playground, have been in sorry state for a while now. One of the handles was broken for absolutely ages, and now had been replaced - hurrah! However, the fabric from the foot rest underneath has worn off, exposing the metal cable strands below, including sharp pieces sticking out (see pics), waiting to shorts the legs of any child who slips onto it. I ended up having to move my shorts-wearing son away. The other net-style foot/hand holds are suffering similarly, and have been patched up with duct tape, which is also wearing through. Does anyone know who to contact about this? I don't understand how the hanging handles can have been replaced, without anyone doing anything about the rest of the apparatus, which is in such a visibly bad state? Cheers, Tara.

Response received by email today: Dear Tara XXXX, The Government has responded to the petition you signed ? ?Immediately stop plans to cut Southeastern services to Charing Cross & Victoria?. Government responded: We are seeking passengers? views on the principle of reducing the choice of London termini to provide a more regular timetable and reliable service. We are not proposing to cut specific services. The Department for Transport has launched a public consultation to seek passengers? views on their priorities for the train service on the South Eastern network. These will be used by the Department of Transport to specify the service required from the next train operator, which is planned to start in December 2018. The public consultation seeks views on all aspects of the train service, including the provision of more space for passengers, improvements to customer service, simplifying fares and ticketing, improving access and facilities at stations, priorities for speeding up journeys, and providing additional services. Question 17 seeks views about whether passengers would support the principle of reducing the choice of London termini served from individual stations to provide a more regular timetable and reliable service. We are not proposing to reduce or change specific services. An example is provided to explain how the concept could potentially operate in practice if passengers supported it. This question is being asked because passengers have indicated that reducing delays is a priority. Paragraph 4.6 of the consultation document explains that one of the causes of delays is the need for trains to cross complex junctions at key points such as London Bridge and Lewisham, which are operating at close to maximum capability. Reducing the need for trains to cross these junctions, by reducing the number of London termini served from individual stations, would help to reduce delays. Journeys could also be quicker. It is currently necessary to add in waiting times at stations to timetable moves across these junctions and these could be reduced or eliminated if services ran to a single London termini. In the peak periods, the majority of passengers change at London Bridge, although a significant number do continue through to Cannon Street, Waterloo East, and Charing Cross. We know that these passengers value a choice of London stations. We are therefore seeking passengers? views on the principle of reducing the choice of London termini to provide a more regular timetable and reliable service. In answering this question, it is important to consider the many new journey choices for passengers that will result from the completion of the Thameslink programme and the opening of the Elizabeth line. For example, by 2019, passengers from many South Eastern stations will be able to travel via Abbey Wood or Woolwich for fast and regular onward connections to Canary Wharf and central London. Many more passengers will change at London Bridge to join Thameslink trains that run every five minutes between London Bridge-Blackfriars-City Thameslink-Farringdon-St. Pancras. On the Bexleyheath line the number of passengers from intermediate stations between Dartford and Lewisham and who travel beyond Lewisham towards Victoria is relatively small when compared with those travelling on much faster trains to London Bridge. In the future some passenger from the outer stations on this route will travel via Abbey Wood and the Elizabeth line, or change at London Bridge for Thameslink onward connections. Overall all passengers will benefit from more reliable journeys and many will benefit from faster journey times. The public consultation will end on 23 May 2017, after which the Department for Transport will carefully analyse each response. The conclusions will be published in the Autumn in a Stakeholder Response document. It is important to note that there would need to be a separate public consultation by the next train operator before any significant timetable changes were introduced, and this would include reducing the choice of London termini served from stations on the South Eastern network. Department for Transport Click this link to view the response online: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/190894?reveal_response=yes The Petitions Committee will take a look at this petition and its response. They can press the government for action and gather evidence. If this petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Committee will consider it for a debate. The Committee is made up of 11 MPs, from political parties in government and in opposition. It is entirely independent of the Government. Find out more about the Committee: https://petition.parliament.uk/help#petitions-committee Thanks, The Petitions team UK Government and Parliament I guess this is the crunch paragraph? Tara

If you contact local ED beekeeper, Chick, he might be able to help you out :-)

All children must attend primary school between the ages of five and eleven. Most children start primary school in the Reception Class (although this is part of Early Years provision and is not compulsory). so it's not compulsory, but I guess it's the preferred intake age for local schools?

thank you for your thoughts :-) that's interesting re reception not being optional. It's been a while since I've had a child in school this young (my older son will be 21 this May), so my memory of the school entry system is quite hazy! Very good point about the potentially unsettling leap from preschool to year one. I guess having him used to a more formal setting by that point would be more gentle. I just really really love his nursery (as does he!), and the convenience of having him in one place for most of the year!

This is a little way off (my son will be 4 this December, so this won't apply until next September intake), and appreciate I'm being a bit premature - but I just wanted to ask for people's view/experience on starting kids off in Reception, as opposed to continuing in the preschool room at nursery. Pros for moving him to Reception are no more childcare fees, and not having to worry about Yr 1 intake as he'll already be at the school, be settled and have made friends. Cons are - school holidays! Currently his nursery only has 2 weeks off a year, so it's not much of a biggie. My partner and I both work though, so what's the holiday provision like in this area? I'd be a bit apprehensive about him being a tiny 4 year old in a facility with 11 year olds. Is there anything age-group specific? I'm also concerned by how much emphasis will be placed on classroom learning vs physical play - again, not something I have to worry about at his nursery. Thanks! Tara.

Thank you, Renata. I use both Herne Hill and Denmark Hill stations to travel to Victoria, and there are definitely fewer people at HH. Seems unfathomable that they'd want to cut such a popular service?!

I sincerely hope this does not become a reality. There are many local people who need to travel to/via Victoria. The platform at Denmark Hill is always full in the mornings!

I wish we had the same on Worlingham Road. We're always having mattresses and large pieces of furniture deposited in the large section at the end of the road. It's such an eyesore :-(

My elder son went to JASSPA at JAGS for a couple of years. Really enjoyed it.

Thanks for all the advice! He doesn't really like his scooter either ;-) The Strider sessions at the Velodrome sound perfect. Unfortunately they're only run during the week, and not on the day we have off together, what a shame! We picked up a Specialized Hotrock 12" starter bike from this forum. It needs a fair bit of work to make it rideable again, but it's a nice bike, and my son already looks a lot keener on it than he did his shiny new red Strider... typical! If we're off on a Tuesday or Wednesday at some point, I'll be sure to take him to the HH Velodrome. Thanks again, Tara.

We bought our (now) 3 year old a really gorgeous bright red strider balance bike the Christmas before last. He has zero interest in it, and makes a halfhearted effort to ride it - at best - then gives up. I think we made a bit of an error of judgement, as he really seems to prefer things he can sit on and pedal - and that are a bit more stable (he's quite risk averse). Can anyone please recommend a good first/starter bike (with stabilisers!), that might suit a reasonably tall 3 year old? Many thanks, Tara.

Gosh I'm sorry, I missed your response! Yes, ED is a much better place for small children :) there's a lot more going in in terms of baby/young child friendly caf?s, restaurants, pubs etc.. And we've got the excellent Horniman Museum and Gardens a short bus ride or walk away, and Sydenham Hill woods. Plenty of baby groups too.

Hi there I've just seen this petition, and attached consultation document, but I'm having trouble reading it on my phone. Can anyone please elucidate further on this matter? As a regular Victoria commuter, this has left me feeling quite panicked. Thanks! Tara.

Bit of interesting reading: Katy Bowman And The Biomechanics Of Human Growth: Barefoot Babies Thoughts on a Proper Child?s Shoe And also a great site here for shoes and advice: Happy Little Soles

As someone who has moved *from* Herne Hill and *to* East Dulwich, I'd say it was a much better place for small children. There are also plenty of non-denomination primary schools, and we've got the existing old Charter - and new planned Charter secondary school opening up very soon. HH is great for Brockwell Park, and there is a community feel thanks to some very active locals who make a big difference to the area. However, the 'heart' of it is centred around the station, and while that is no longer a traffic thoroughfare, it is not fully pedestrianised. We were in HH for > 2 years, and it's coming up to 7 years in ED, and we have absolutely no regrets about moving :-)

Another recommendation for Gently Elephant. They have a great range of flexible high quality shoes, perfect for growing feet. :-) You can also buy online too, their range is a bit better there too. The shop also sells clothes, toys, gifts etc..