savvygirl

What a lovely man he was and it's so sad to hear that he has passed away. He loved to have a chat and I remember him talking to me about the back room, which at the time was an empty space. I suggested an area with children's books which I believe he did do. That's what was so nice about John, he really did talk to people and would discuss and share ideas he had for the shop. Another was that he wanted to hang trailing ivy above the window and I took him in a root of that. It didn't work! I hope Chener Books continues in tribute to him. I for one will continue to support it as there's something very special about a bookshop. A silver birch might be a nice tree to plant in John's memory. Perhaps a reminder of his lovely silver hair.

More and more people are installing wood burning stoves. I have had one for years. I haven't lit it yet but I know that when I do it may give off a smell of smoke in the atmosphere. I do burn smokeless fuel, so I'm complying with council regulations. I have my chimney swept and checked every year. As winter approaches there will be a number of households lighting wood burners and so long as they are not breaking the law there's not a lot can be done. If you truly believe it was coal being burned then the person responsible is breaking the law and could be fined heavily.

The Chinese are obviously far more respectful. It's probably to do with upbringing and clearly knowing right from wrong. It does say on the OFO website "leave OFO bikes anywhere that traditional bike parking is allowed"! In this case obviously against someone's garden wall!

Yesterday I saw one of these bikes propped against a wall on the corner of Wood Vale and Lordship Lane. Where are these yellow bikes picked up from? Is it the local train stations? Are they really needed in an area where transport links are so good? These bikes are manna from heaven for unscrupulous little g*ts!

I had experienced an officious member of staff at the PO over WHS in Forest Hill when trying to send a package abroad. I had never had a problem at the Forest Hill Road branch so ultimately decided to take the package there. As the content was prescribed medication for my son who has a heart condition, I explained what was in the package and the lady behind the counter checked with the boss, who I take it was Raj, who said there was no problem. They were extremely efficient, friendly and helpful, so different from the member of staff at WHS Post Office, Forest Hill. They will be very much missed as their friendly attitude and approach made it a pleasure to go into the shop. It had the feel of a country style post office and newsagent and they were so much a part of our community. We're gradually being homogenised! Very sad and sorry to see them go.

All street lights and power off in Lordship Lane end of Wood Vale this evening. Anyone know why?

This thread moved so far away from the original subject matter that Foxy says "Lets see what the new place will be doing" - it's tarts Foxy!

It looks like the interior tiles will be kept. Adam at "Tart", the new owners, has said: "I can quickly reassure you that we shall most definitely be respecting the period character of the shop." That is very good news indeed.

Yes it is thank you Siduhe. Much relief as it's a very warm day! Cups of tea all round!

That's what I was told by Thames Water, apparently two burst water mains near Thurlow Park Road which is affecting a big area including Wood Vale where I live. The person I spoke to at Thames Water almost said he would update me by text which he has done - just an apology with a standard message saying we will get your water supply back to normal as soon as possible. Not really that helpful! Looks like we'll all have to buy bottled water unless TW are supplying it, which is what they have done in the past.

I remember my son brought home a daffodil bulb in a pot when he was in primary school. The children had learned how to plant the bulb and care for it as it grew. At a given date the potted daffodils were judged and a certificate was given to each child including one for first prize. The children learned respect and how to nurture and take care of something. Helped to stop them growing into selfish adults!

The parents of these children are ignorant and these children will possibly also grow into ignorant adults. It is an offence to pick flowers in a public place. Maybe there should be 'on the spot' fines for doing so or allowing a child to do so. The flowers are there for everyone's enjoyment. A bunch of daffs from the local supermarket will not break the bank so go there is you want a bunch of daffs - otherwise sit in the park and enjoy them in their natural environment.

Now 10pm and still no water on London Road end of Wood Vale.

Whoever is doing this seems to be covering a lot of ground so must have some kind of transport. Has anything been caught on CCTV at any of the crime scenes? The perpetrator is obviously a sick individual with a grudge of some kind or perhaps just a bloodlust. I find it strange that this person is able to leave the mutilated animals at or near to the home of the owners. What does that tell us, that he/she knows the cat and its owner? I find that hard to believe as most cats I see running around the area and know by sight I wouldn't have a clue where they lived or who owned them. I just hope this person is caught soon as it's a very sick game they are playing - I'm certain they will slip up at some point.

Why has this been re-posted? It's nearly 3 years since the original post! Is there a reason? Otherwise rather odd....!

Hi GrumpyGranny When I retired I joined a fitness club, there are a few in the area some with special rates for seniors. Also CEL Lewisham (Community Education Lewisham) runs adult classes so you might find something suitable on their website, google CEL Lewisham and go into Find a Course. I know they run classes in art, stained glass, jewellery making, printmaking (etching), ceramics, cookery, dressmaking to name but a few. I also became a Friend of the Horniman where you can take part and help out in lots of activities. I met a lot of people this way and made some very good friends. I believe there are walking clubs in the area, if you look at the Ramblers website, www.ramblers.org.uk you will see that there are walks in and around the south east London area. I'm sure there are gardening clubs too, if that is something that might interest you, and I believe the Horniman welcome volunteers to help the gardeners out there. I'm sure there are book clubs (I think Dulwich Library can help you here) and there were a number of knitters who got together in the area. Take a look in SE22 or SE23 magazine for local activities too. I hope this is of help and you'll soon find your life is so full there won't be enough days in the week!

I'm awaiting a report from a friend who popped in tonight for a t/a. I hope its good as it will be a welcome alternative this side of east Dulwich. I wish them luck.

No-one's yet mentioned the French Caf? on Forest Hill Road - a delightful place to eat. Not sure if the owner is French though!

West Dulwich is classy, home to Dulwich College, the Dulwich Picture Gallery and Dulwich Park. Dulwich Village is just that, a village with several specialist shops and a pub. It always looks well maintained and is what you'd term picturesque. It's posh! East Dulwich on the other hand is the new pretender. It's got many shops, pubs and restaurants and is very lively, lots going on in the area. In recent years it's become quite pricey to live in the area, some may term it trendy. To compare West Dulwich with ED is like comparing old money with new money. If you want good transport links to the City then ED would be best but even better is Forest Hill or Honor Oak which has the East London Line Overground train service. Personally I think Forest Hill is a much nicer place, that is the part of Forest Hill near to the Horniman Museum and Gardens and the right side of the railway track! All the buses from Forest Hill go down to Lordship Lane in ED, so best of both worlds. Lots of parks and green spaces all around. Suggest you pay a visit to both areas.

Yes, I did mean the house next to the Fred Francis day centre. Thanks LondonMix for explaining about the artists being aware of the demolition. That would make sense as they knew that no-one was going to profit from their work. They probably just had a jolly good time and lots of fun. I believe it was open to the public for a short while but I didn't get to see it. Art is subjective and I can understand why some people wouldn't enjoy street art but not sure that Lowlander is right in saying it's not worth anything, even if he does consider it an eyesore. These artists were commissioned by the Dulwich Picture Gallery so they must have some standing in the artistic community. I think I will miss seeing it there as it was a bit quirky and always made me smile!

I see the house in Lordship Lane with the artwork all over it has been boarded up. This is where the artists resided who painted the murals on the walls of buildings around East Dulwich. They also spent time painting the walls inside and outside the house. I think the house is to be demolished but it occurs to me that the house with its murals may be worth a bit! Hope a big mistake isn't being made here.

Well tillytots the regulars at the Clockhouse probably do own the place as they've spent enough over the years! You must be so up your own backside that you can't see or hear properly or maybe you feel the world should adapt to you 'cos you obviously think you're very special!! I should imagine you're very boring and colourless so you wouldn't fit in with the regulars anyway as they'd be far too witty for you! I see someone picked up on the 'fowl' language, so lots of cluck cluck jokes coming up!! Maybe you'd also like a pecking order at the bar!

I may be mistaken, but sure there was a notice on the Roche premises saying they were relocating, or maybe it was the caf?! Didn't use either so probably didn't pay too much attention. I was on my way to the butcher.

Only used EDD a couple of times and thought maybe it was me they were reluctant to serve because I wasn't posh enough! It's left me with a complex! :)

Heard they'd done a runner. Something to do with the rental cost - but that might just be rumour!