Ann

Anyone watching? Poor old Ravi's struggling.

Fuschia, Hope you're feeling better, the fact that you're posting makes me think perhaps you are! For some reason I thought you were looked after by the Albany Midwives, I know Leona Penna is their linked Consultant. I wonder if you didn't get 'in' with them was because you were expecting twins and unlikely to deliver at home? However you describe a very positive experience of your birth. The group practices mentioned do limit their numbers and in truth most women will have more standard care. It would be a shame for sandy_rose to feel all is lost if she doesn't get in with them as I'm sure lots of you can confirm. Good luck Sandy, keep us posted.

I would have thought it depended on the course chosen. Pugwash's comments were pertinent. It worries me that many youngsters think a degree in , for example Media Studies , will have a career in television or radio, where perhaps degrees in English, History or other traditional subjects would open more doors. My daughter hopes to study modern languages and I would encourage her even if her eventual career might not necessarily need a second language. Good luck to your daughter Santerne.

Child benefit is the only state benefit me or my husband have ever received, having both worked all our lives, it's a benefit we have get as a result of ours and others taxes. We made a decision since their birth to put it into savings and hope that it will support them through college. So theoretically we didn't need it, but I'm sure we could have spent it anyway. Our children are aware of our plans and hopefully will appreciate our decision. Don't forget those same children will be the ones who get no financial support with high education. What benefit to society if all our graduates start working life burdened with debt?

I spoke to some-one from Bejing recently who told me they have whole hospitals set up just for abortions. I got the impression from her , although hardly representative, that among city dwellers one or no children were the norm. Although this was not the case in the villages where perhaps children were needed for economic reasons such as farming. Also , I wonder what our society would be like if we were all only children? No doubt there are forumites without siblings. No doubt most are well adjusted individuals, but what would our world as a whole be like if that was the case?

Yes Reg you're right. The owners had twins the same age as my daughter , now coming up to 16. She was born in January 1994 which is why I like this thread; no-one was up and down Lordship Lane more than me as I was enjoying my maternity leave. I wonder why Weston's closed? I think it was considered quite expensive at the time.

Capt_bidseye, Are you are a Newcastle supporter? So are we . I thought the tribute to Sir Bobby was lovely.

I love Richard Dunwoody's contribution. Yes it was Dad Dancing but what a lovely attitude. It makes the programme what it is. But well done Ricky. The real Ricky that is.

Definitely start going to church as regularly as you can. Once the priest sees a degree of commitment to the church you will be made much more welcome although I rather suspect you don't feel like going just now! I suspect there has been an upturn in requests for Christenings in recent years with the increased birth rate locally. They just want to know you're genuine. Good luck.

I'm fairly sure a crossing was discussed with Southwark a few years ago as the school was keen to have one but it was ultimately turned down. I cant remember he reasons.

Yes there was a Westons, a pasta house which was previously called Spaghetti Weston I think.

Well done Phil Tufnell!

No Claire29 it doesn't.

Went into Somerfields before work today. All the ready meal now have Co-op labels on them, the prices looked very reasonable. Also noticed that there were no prepared sandwiches which makes me think the stock is gradualy being replaced with Co-op brand.

I'm not sure if katgos was referring to my post when he/she said most Comprehensives have mixed ability classes. What I said was that they have mixed ability intakes, whereas most private schools don't. However I can confirm that most schools will stream the children according to ability, and yes, a child could be in top set for maths and bottom set for languages. In other words classes are arranged so that children can have lessons directed at their particular ability. Better to achieve a C grade in maths , than lose out by struggling with brighter students who can get an A* without too much bother. There are also lower and higher tier papers, so not all students sit exactly the same papers but not all grades can be achieved. I rather fell we've caused you more questions than answers!

Hi Vulfin, I'm not American (although I have worked over there) but I do have experience in the UK of both the private and State school system. Most private schools here are selective which means passing an entrance test to get in, you therefore don't the mixed ability classes that non selective comprehensives do. This coupled with smaller classes means they are almost all very good at getting results at GCSE and A level. My daughter is at Streatham and Clapham High and we think it's a very good school ( and gets very good results) but not as academically competitive as JAGS or Alleyns where the standards are high but the students work very hard. No-one gets good results out of nothing. How-ever many children can also do very well in Comprehensives and go on to top Universities. My son is very happy at his. The intake in most Comprehensives is varied but most children will settle in with their own peer group. All schools will have good teachers and a child willing to learn will do very well. Also Private schools tend to stick to the traditional subjects at GCSE and A level whereas some Comprehensives now teach more vocational subjects at NVQ. Good luck

Done and yes it doesn't take long.

Asset I agree about Aleysha, especially when she said "you nailed it. " That most irritating phrase belongs to X Factor, I expect a more articulated response from Srictly judges. Arlene Phillips would never have said that. Rant over.

Oops looks like Martina's gone. She was always going to struggle with the voters, not well known as a personality in the Uk.

Brighton probably the easiest if going by train, direct from Victoria and London Bridge. But Brighton is a pebble beach, not sure about Southend although I have been there years ago. Might be a bit nippy time of year though.

Thanks that's useful. I#m also waiting for an Amazon order for two weeks now.

Hi Kate, I've no experience of step-children but have teenagers of my own. I couldn't imagine having the mother/daughter rows that we have with some-one else's child. You have a baby of your own now I believe. I wonder if the new baby is part of the problem. Perhaps the girls are resentful of the new family that you and your partner now have? Competition for their fathers' and indeed your affection might be part of the problem. I hope life gets back to normal for you soon. Ann

Jamma, My children used to go to St Anthony's and I can assure you this issue is nothing new. The school feels just as angry about his as you do; strongly worded messages were included in the weekly newsletter time and time again. From what others have said it's a problem with other schools, although St Anthony's catchment was traditionally wider so perhaps more journeyed by car. I live near Goose Green and walked my children from Reception. I often see children from St John's and Goose Green walking to school as I leave for work, it seems such a nicer way to start the day.

Most of the Reception children should have started by now, it would be lovely to hear how some of the others are getting on.

It's so nice to hear your children are settling in so well. I know many of you didn't get your preferred schools but it has prooved things are not always as bad as you think. I hope some of the parents with younger children find encouragement from your positive attitude.