Ann

I have fond memories too of those stamps, SimonM you have s good memory, they were much more fun than loyalty cards. But is this the same Co-op? Because it seemed to disappear off the high street for years. Certainly the one I remember was value for money because I don't think my mum would have shopped there otherwise.

Hi Clare, I think you've just answered your own question. Harris Birthright are undoubtedly pioneers in ante natal ultrasound. For example the nuchal test was researched and developed at Kings and is now a world wide screening test; when I was pregnant with my daughter (15) that test wasn't available but when I had my son ( 13) it was. There have been many other screening tests that have been developed over the years and the test you describe is a more recent one. The thing is midwives have always screened for PET and growth retardation at all routine visits by urine testing , blood pressure monitoring and abdominal palpation. That's not going to change! Also there is a separate Blood Pressure clinic at Kings where women can be seen more freguently and more importantly have approptiate treatment at the appropriate time. Keep your appointments and you'll be fine.

I've never shopped at a Co-op although my mum did years ago ( remember Green Shield stamps?) I do shop quite frequently at Somerfields and I think they're OK. What do others think about the Co-op? How will it be better than Somerfields?

Dr Rosemany Leonard was talking about it on this morning's Breakfast News. She said the incubation period is 14 days but symptoms ususally present themselves at around 5 days, and this would be diarrhoea and feeling generally very unwell. Hope all your kids are okay. Have happy memories of Godstone Farm.

I agree it is a bit of a shock but they do get used to it. Boys especially can have problems with organising themselves and will often leave it to the last minute if not kept in check. I also think the secondaries do thid from the beginning so the children get an idea of what's expected from them. I like Huggers comment ' we've already done one', as my son's homework has often felt as if it was mine! For what it's worth homework setting is usually a good sign that it's a good school. From my experience the better teacher are the ones that regularly set and mark homework. Year 7 can be tiring but I'll bet your son adapts quicker than you think.

Crumble, nice and crunchy.

Goodrich was always a large primary school, I know of no other primary schools with a three form ( 90 ) intake. If that has been increased, albeit temporarily, to a four form intake, then this years intake will be 120. This is the intake for many Comprehensives, but for 4 year olds. I think Coudnine's post was very relevant and I would have concerns about this.

Those are interesting points Timster. Does anyone know how much weight is given to traditional subjects? My daughter is entering year 11 and hopes to study modern languages (French) at University. Although the exams may be modular languages must be built on, you can't forget what you did in the last module and continue to get good grades. Arguably you could with humanities and science, which are still good subjects to have at A level. What would others advise as good subjects to study from as employers' viewpoint?

I'm a midwife and have been for 20 years now. It would seem to me that midwifery has in recent years had an increase in interest as a possible career, perhaps to the enhanced status perceived by Diploma/Degree status. I am aware of numerous midwives who are working beyond retirement on a part time basis and others that have taken early retirement. It has not been my experience that my older colleagues have been guilty of 'sickies', quite the opposite. To summarise, I have worked for many years for an NHS that I am totally committed to. My sickness record is ( I believe) exemplary and can say the same for many colleagues from all disciplines. If the figures quoted are true it's a shame , but I'm very proud of the organization I work for.

I have followed these threads with interest. My children went to primary school when there was considerably less demand for places. What strikes me as being wholly unfair is that those of you who made applications at the usual time have been pushed down the list by late applicants. Of course the children of those applicants have a right to a nearby decent primary school; but if I was a parent in that situation I would not expect to 'jump the queue'. If there has been an unprecedented amount of late applicants then does this tell us the situation is becoming even more acute? I would like to add my very best wishes to all the children about to embark on their school-life. Please keep us all posted. Ann

I thought the butcher's was the other side but could be wrong, the greengrocer's was definitely on that side. The Sainsbury's on DKH had only been open a couple of years then and many felt that sealed the fate of those to local businesses. There was also a women's cloth shop on the EDT side. Somewhere near Binnester toys.

There used to be a mini-mart/off license around the area where Moxon's is. Also I remember there was a butchers on the Somerfield side and an old jewellers that was hardly ever open.

He was part of the East Dulwich lanscape. I hope your dad's OK. Keep us up to date with your venture as cat owners.

I agree, stillbirth usually applies to a baby that is born with no signs of life. However some babies are born with little signs of life that are not actually stillborn. You can register a child that is stillborn, and you can register a livebirth, even if the child died shortly after, but you can't register both for the same birth. I don't think Linzkg meant to cause confusion but has illustrated how it felt to her at that time. Please keep us posted on his progress! Also good luck HeidiHi. I posted on Linzig's thread about my breech experience and I think a lot of local mothers have given very sound and honest advice.

Great idea. We had a family league last year ( my brother won). It was a lot of fun, free and I would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't entered a team before.

Apparently for the moment the answer is no. It's nothing to do with the midwives but more of a transportation ussue. There are strict guidelines about how these samples are transported and Kingscord are currently waiting for accreditation from the Human Tissue Authority. It will happen but for those of you having home births in the near future it won't be possible. I will keep you posted when I hear otherwise.

Talk to Terry. She is a midwife who coordiantes the scheme. You should have been given a leaflet with her contact details. if not call Kings and speak to someone on the Birth Centre and they will give you her contact details.

I'm with you Lsdymuck. I think there was a thread about Clowns some months back, probably started as a joke and has been mentioned in all threads about local isues since! My guess is it's about our collective SE22 neurosis regarding certain issues and I would be delighted if other formites would enlighten us. Please.

Boomerang's post made me laugh, not sure if it was supposed to. Glad I've only got a territorial dog to care for.

Congratulations to you both . Enjoy your lovely new daughter.

They are asylum seekers and Barry House is a temporary holding house until the people are re-directed to other parts of the country where their applications are processed. Hence the constant flow of coaches.

Wasn't the original post about NHS provision as apposed to private care? Talk about local midwifery practices is fine but they are certainly not available for all. Sherwick also mentioned that his wife was not UK born. Pretty much all health care provision in the developed world has a very different pattern of care than the UK, particularly maternity care. In the UK the majority of care is delivered by qualified midwives with direct access to Obstetricians at any given time. Where health care is predominatly private ,care of pregnant women is usualy led by an Obstetrician. Sherwick, maternity care in this country has been of a high standard for many years. If you do plan to have your baby in a private hospital you would still be supported by an NHS midwife when your wife and baby come home, and that is worth having. Good luck, Ann

Hi all, I also thought it was 9 bands but with the top 15% or so from each band that got in. The posts saying the selection has changed has confused me. I found dulwich-park- fairies post interesting. I wasn't aware that some schools could set their own 'rules'. It seems to me a lot of parents over the years have been misled.

I presume you mean Surma House on Lordship Lane? I've had problems with their deliveries but they have been prompt with correct order when called. However I would add that I think the quality of food has gone down recently. Like the OP, we have used them for years to the point that when I give my order he tells me my address! I wonder if they've got a new chef? Tempted to use another Curry House.

Thanks for that. On a slightly lower level of cricket playing; my son is playing next Tuesday in the Croydon Schools U 13s final. Cricket fans rest assured the game is thriving at lower levels.