i*Rate

A brilliant piece of work - wow!

Maxxi, Remember that film; 'Day of the Hackall' - mind you, I think that was about someone who 'took out' hedgerows and shrubbery. And of course there's the recent; 'Eat, Pray, Lop', Julia Roberts as a municipal council worker in leafy Rome. Shame that did'nt get released, but her other one of similar title was quite successful. Look out for her latest film with Tom Hanks in which she plays someone poor, but with perfect teeth - imagine that!

Deewoffaz, I'm sorry to hear about your tree, you have been rather unlucky there. If the tree had been planted by the council on the pavement near your house then it would certainly have been left alone, just like the one that has been wrecking the front of my house for the past few years. Unfortunately, in spite of my insurance company 'dealing with the case' for past two years (premiums for that period ?1,500) there has been no action by the council. I was told that they were going to cut it back in January, then that it was being taken down by the end of June (Thursday - no sign of notices or tree surgeons). Meanwhile, the cracks in the front room are getting bigger and the front of the house looks a mess because I can't redecorate until this is resolves. Southwark puts big financial values of their trees once they're established, ever thought they're the wrong type for the place where they've planted them! What next - find a tree assassin?

Hello, Has anyone had problems with their blue recycling box, like it being thrown into the front garden onto the plants or left half way up the street on collection day? I'm a very fussy recycler and because I'm worried about getting fined for not sorting it into two compartments I took the trouble to call Southwark for a replacement divider twice. It seems that they just empty the boxes into wheeley bins then sort it out themselves, I think the dividers just get carted away too. This week I was left with a box full of bits of broken glass after they used it down the street for sorting, then it was left two doors away in spite of having a very clear number painted on it. I've told Southwark I'm fed up now and I'll probably take my stuff to the local recycling centre myself - don't know why I bother really. Global Warming - what the hell - bring it on!

WELL DONE JAMES! More Congratulations from me too. James really deserves the award for his constant patience and ability to get things done. We've certainly had to put up with a lot of waffle and broken promises from past councillors of other political parties.

There're a string of small white lights - not the sort of thing that's used for security, but more for decoration. That's what started me on this thread; there could be squatters, but really secretive ones living in a house with no daylight because all of the windows are boarded up. Maybe asleep in coffins!

Many thanks ed_pete, now I know and others will too. No mystery, just the complications of property ownership.

Does anyone know anything about this large gloomy house on the corner of East Dulwich Grove and Elsie Road? The strange thing is that one dark afternoon over the Christmas period, I could see a string of white festive lights on in one of the top rooms through a crack in panelled-over windows and yet the rest of the house seemed to be in darkness. Could anyone be living there, has anyone seen the occupants? Welcome to the East Dulwich Twilight Zone - watch this thread!

Ridgley, I believe that all that you are allowed to do is cut off any parts of the tree overhanging the fence on your side and then throw them over for your neighbour to dispose of. As for the light problem, I think it depends on if your neighbours is willing to cut down or cut back the tree at their own expense. Are they friend or foe? Good luck and kind regards.

This is addressed to James Barber, James, Could I echo Pebble's remarks about Southwark's attitude to their trees. I have cracks in the front of my house which have been worstening over the past eighteen months and, in the professional opinion of my insurance company, they are caused by the tree planted by Southwark on the pavement outside. I have lived in this house for thirty years and I was pleased when this 'ornamental' tree were planted outside, but now I have to watch the front of my house and the rooms inside deteriorated as this tree dwarfs the house and Southwark, so far, will not agreed to any compensation. The situation is about to drag on into the new year and maybe another hot damaging summer. By the way, to add insult to injury the tree surgeons came along this year to prune the tree(opening up the crown and getting rid of any dead growth)- which will of course help it grow even bigger. Regards.

I am sure that it was a Sikh wedding judging by the emormous stretched white limo and cars with white ribbons on outside the temple. Earlier in the day there was the sound of music and drums. I feel a bit ignorant in not understanding the Sikh religion enough, but it's good to have that temple here amongst our community so that we can learn more.

jessdow, Sorry, I just posted a similar message without seeing your one - I'm half asleep today after being awoken early by the hellicopter hovering around. Regards,

Hello, Does anyone know why the (police) hellicopter was hovering around for quite a while at 6.30 this morning, I did'nt hear any police or ambulance sirens? Regards and thanks.

Barry, Thank you very much for responding so swiftly to my complaint. Now that I know the correct location for station closures, I am sure that any disappointments will be avoided in the future. Kind regards.

Hello, My wife and I were very disappointed to find East Dulwich station closed today (together with Peckham Rye and Denmark Hill), as we were looking forward to going to a one-off event in Richmond. We had our foldaway bikes with us and it is not at all convenient to use the replacement bus services. We planned out route and train times on the National Rail Enquiries website at 3.00pm, yesterday and it told us that there were no disruptions to services. Likewise, the website is telling us that there is still no disruptions at 11.45 today. I also just checked the National Rail - Service Disruptions webside and that does'nt have any mention of any works effecting East Dulwich station. This is the second time now that we have been disappointed at the last moment about not being able to get to special events by rail. We really enjoyed train travel and use it as our main form of transportation. Surely, Nation Rail, can come up with some sort of 'joined-up' thinking to ensure that we know what is going on at our local stations, otherwise what is the point of having these elaborate website if the information is wrong? Regards.

Huguenot, I really admire your eloquent argument on this issue - but you've put and extra 'e' in unbelievable. I get sick of the noise at times, but I like plane spotting. ANORAKS OF THE WORLD UNITE! Incidentally; I'd love to see BA collapse, just to see their greedy, pompous, arrogant directors lose their jobs. But of course we all know that most of the ordinary staff would probably end up jobless for some time and suffer hardship. Meanwhile, Willy and his pals will get new high-power jobs from their mates in the City. That's the world we live in today.

PandG, you find that the noise from the planes will get on your nerves more in summer, although being woken at 4.45am when it's light is better than in the winter. Also, when you have the windows open on a warm evening, they will drown out the TV until 10.30pm, maybe later. When I moved here, 30 years ago, there were some planes and there was Concord too, but I don'nt think that they were allowed to land at night. Someone correct me on this, please. You do get a break, though, when the wind changes, because then they come in to land from the other side of London. Why not do what I do; take up plane spotting, it's a bit sad, but at least you get some pleasure from the situation. It can be extremely fascinating at times.

Can I add my comments to the above about '..keep the Red Flag flying' and subsequent remarks. Ever since Labour re-invented themselves as the New Labour 'Champagne Socialists' in 1997, purely to appeal to the middleclass, disillusioned Tory voters, they have done very little at all for 'working class' people. I remember, as a local government officer, how staff and management were amazed at how Labour put through even bigger cuts than the Tories when they got back into office. But, did'nt they find money to pay private consultants at every opportunity they could - it was never good enough to use the knowledge and skills of long-term staff who were experienced in their own particular field. And when strike action was taken, did'nt we get some 'union-bashing' from management when we returned to work the next day. Just look at their current ministers and passed leader, are'nt they all doing well; Tony's made millions and good old John 'ordinary nothern bloke' Prescott is in line for a wacking great pension. Yes, I am a real 'working class' person, I embarrass my middleclass friends sometimes with the way that I speak and my ranting, but I have a very good memory of what has gone on over the passed thirteen years. Now, how do I vote? the Tories disgust me, but I don't want to let the formely socialist Labour party down - therefore the Liberals are very tempting and good for them.

Hello everyone, Spare a thought for us plane spotters - I have spend the last two years listing all of the aircraft nationalities and airlines that have flown over my garden and what an extremely interesting time I have had. It is a small price to pay, being woken up at 4.45am and having the noise of planes drowning out the TV until 10.00pm+, to see those amazing machines overhead. If the situation does not change soon I am sorry to say that I will have to GET A LIFE! yours mornfully,

Alice, Mr. Barber and all, What has happened about the Northcross Street Mural? I knew there was a public meeting sometime ago, but what came of it?

James, Thanks for you response; I raised the issue of this site being a fire hazard last year with your collegue Richard Thomas. Every time you walk past it, it looks more like a bonfire waiting for someone to put a match to it. If they did, it could well do damage to the little church hall next door and the adjacent flats. I do hope that the developers get a move and the council will keep chasing them.

Better than a blank brick wall, but is it art! Check out the mural at goose green - real paint brushes were used on that.

I am 61 and male. I am slim and look after my health and dress quite well. But - one morning on the tube a young bloke offered me his seat and looked at me as if I needed it. Then I realised - I LOOK MY AGE (OR OLDER)!

Barry - have just posted a message about the dangerous condition of the ramps at East Dulwich station; at 5.00pm today they were very slippery with snow and ice and by tomorrow they will be worse. I saw one person fall today, but luckily not hurt badly, but tomorrow there could be some serious injuries.

My wife and I just got off of the train from London Bridge today at around 5.00 pm and had great difficulty getting down the ice-covered ramp from the platform. Nearly all of the other passengers with us were younger, but all had problems and one person fell over in front of us. Everyone had to hang on to the wire fencing to be able to get out of the station. By tomorrow the situation will be worse as the surface freezes over overnight; there most be something done to clear both ramps ASAP otherwise it is very likely that someone will be injured.