tropica

When I was at Kings college (Strand/Waterloo bridge) I caught the 176 door to door each way every day. Cheap and convenient to get back to home in ED so I can see the appeal for students.

I love Mr Barber's suggestion that we have different CPZ hours either side of Lordship Lane. Will someone play music as cars race from one side to the other?

computedshorty Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > In better days before the Palm Tree became > deceased. Doesn't look dead to me. A little cold perhaps, but so am I at this time of year. As soon as the temperature warms up it will put out new leaves. A few of the lower (dead) leaf stalks have fallen off but that's what is meant to happen. It's now had a few years to put down a decent root structure so it should start to accelerate in its upward growth.

I've just seen this thread again after having been away and I'm quite shocked by the direction it has taken. It is true that the members are mostly, but most certainly not all, middle class. Some of them are - shock horror - working class. Of course, it all depends upon how you define each class, and I'm not sure how you do that today. I don't ever remember meeting anyone of the Stepford Wife variety, although I know that the advertised evenings may suggest that. I don't tend to go to the most 'crafty' of sessions but even when I have, a lot of members take part with their tongue firmly in their cheek - it's more of a group activity to stimulate easy discussion with people you haven't met before. I'm sad to say that I missed the bunting......

DJKillaQueen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > LOL 2sheds....I think it costs more than a few > hundred to have the curb dropped but yes a white > line means no parking. Not the same as putting > cones onto the road though :) Bit of a side issue really as this thread should be about cones but, just in case anyone should take away the wrong idea about white lines in front of off-street parking; the white line is actually only advisory, it doesn't have any legal status. It is the drop kerb that makes it illegal to park in front of someone's driveway. It is illegal to park against a drop kerb wherever they exist - I wish more drivers would remember that when they park adjacent to drop kerbs at road junctions, thereby causing an obstruction for anyone using or pushing a wheelchair who wants to cross from one pavement to the next. Rant over. 2sheds is right; if you want to reserve the space in front of your house, spend approx ?1K to get a pavement crossing and drop kerb and no one can park there. I don't mind anyone putting out cones on occasion (we've all had a need at times) as long as they accept gracefully when they get moved.

I wouldn't worry too much about him remembering you - if it's a busy junction there will be far too many cars going past for him to notice one in particular, and this sort of bully will have too many people to remember - I'm sure you're not the only one he's been nasty to this week. I'm certain Southwark doesn't have the powers to issue a permit to park anywhere for any purpose - I would expect it to be limited to carrying out duties relating to necessary works (which doesn't include breakfast). If you can find an email address of the company, write to them giving as much detail as you can - make it clear that his actions could cause an accident. Companies that do works for local authorities are very careful of annoying the public as any complaints can be taken into account when assessing tenders for future contracts. Alternatively, contact the police, as any dangerous parking that may cause an accident will be followed up.

elderflower Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hello, > > I was wondering if anyone has any experience of > east dulwich women's institute? I have moved from > central london where the ethos was more young, fun > and inclusive. EDWI seems more traditional middle > class and mum based? Did you actually go to any of the ED WI meetings? It's predominately (but certainly not entirely) middle class because of the local demographic and a few events may appear aimed at traditional WI (I avoid those evenings), but a lot of the members are childless so I wouldn't say it was mum's based. And very few indeed would attend if the meetings weren't held in a place where alcohol was available. The sale of cakes etc that you may have seen at local fairs is only to raise money for events, not reflective of the ethos of the group. The majority of members are working, not at home with children, which is why the main WI meetings are only in the evening (there's often a problem getting anyone to attend invites from other WI groups that have meetings during the day). If you write a list of the type of events that you'd like to see then it would be easier to say if this is at odds with the current set up. Which WI were you a member of in Central London?

> 'Chief officers recognise that the fixed penalty > needs to be used with a considerable degree of > discretion and it cannot be issued to anyone under > the age of 16. (Letter to Mr H. Peel from John > Crozier of The Home Office, reference T5080/4, 23 > February 2004) Anyone under 16 cannot be issued with a FPN (common sense - most kids would just throw it away), but they can still be prosecuted in the normal way. (Apologies to bbug for carrying on the technicalities.)

Sorry bbug, you're right not to want the technicalities drawn out again but I would like James Barber to respond regarding his statement on the wheel size issue as his statement perpetuates a myth. Whatever the chances of being prosecuted, it remains illegal for anyone to cycle on the pavement, something that parents should be aware of, in case their child ever collides with a pedestrian.

James Barber Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- >" No, it isn't illegal to ride on the pavement for > the small wheel sizes involved and age of the > kids." Please would you clarify this. I understood (from the DFT website) that there was no exemption to section 72 - so it remains illegal - nevertheless, the police are allowed to use their discretion in not prosecuting adults responsible for very small children cycling on the pavement. (Children of 8 and 5 would be below the age of criminal responsibility). I have never seen any official reference to wheel sizes - I thought the size issue was an urban myth. Please advise accordingly. With regard to this particular thread it may be helpful if someone would confirm if the route used by these children is a designated shared cycle/pedestrian pathway which would indicate a safer (for all users) route.

I don't think there is too much need to panic - although what DawnSE22 says is good practice - we've got lots. I think they were just a bit late arriving this year.

Anyone who doesn't fill out this survey should rest assured that the money that is available for upgrading stations will definitely be spent ELSEWHERE. FILL OUT THE SURVEY - It's the only way that you will get better facilities at your local station. All rail works are planned YEARS ahead, partly because of the way that funding is achieved but also to allow for alternative transport/facilities to be provided. Once a programme of works has commenced, it is too late to change (unless you want to waste VAST amounts of public money on varying the works programme. If you don't fill out this survey, it will be YOUR FAULT if we don't get the upgrading to our local stations that we need.

It's very likely to be the 'Access for all' programme. Denmark hill is in the first tranche. have a look at the Network rail site for further details Network rail site

Chick Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > All PCSO?s do is hassle children, homeless people > and beggars. I have seen them telling a nine year > child to cycle on the road or face a twenty pound > fine. They didn?t know that children under 16 are > allowed to cycle on the pavement. When I > challenged them they said ?they often cycle up to > people and steal their mobile phones and we have > to nip it in the bud?. I pointed out that if they > suspected this child of being a phone thief they > should do something about it. They replied they > didn?t, so it was a stupid argument. Two of them > in Manchester last year watched someone drown > because of ?health and safety?. They are a waste > of space and money. As a matter of fact a child under 16 years cannot be issued with a fixed penalty notice, (any infringement of the law has to go through the full process), however, there is NO legal exemption for children under 16 from the law that prevents cycling on the pavement (Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835 as amended by Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1888). Police are not expected to prosecute very young children and can use their discretion for others so, unless a child was getting in the way of pedestrians, or acting in some provocotive manner, it is highly unlikely that they would be prosecuted. For confirmation see Dft and other government websites

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > "Mail really doesn't go > astray that often, though of course it's very > noticeable when it does" I'm afraid it does go astray quite often when there is a replacement postman. Perhaps not very far - I regularly receive post for the same number house in the next street when our postman is away*. But I don't live very far from a postbox, so it goes straight back into the system within 24 hours. The recipients probably don't even notice. A fortnight ago we found some of our neighbour's post shoved into our paper recycling bag. We could only presume that the (holiday replacement) postman couldn't be bothered to walk back a few yards when he realised that he hadn't delivered all their post. *I'm beginning to wonder if the temporary postmen get issued with Satnav as we also get frequent white van deliveries for the same number house in the next street - there must be an error in the satnav software - the first few deliveries to an unknown person went back to the warehouse until I realised what was happening.

benjaminty Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > but some of these are cars left for months on end > without being touched WITHOUT tax as well. > Council wont remove an untaxed car if anyone > complains unless it has also been vandalised or > has moss growing on it (I kid you not)... > If you want to get an untaxed vehicle moved, go to http://dvla.gov.uk/onlineservices/report_unlicensed.aspx?ext=dg Yes, a notice will go on the car and the garage will probably move it before it gets towed, but at least they'll start to get the message that they cannot act with impunity.

Is it obvious that the furniture broke because of an inherent fault, or could it appear to be caused by misuse? If the former then you should remind them of the Sale & Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002, and the Sale of Goods Act 1979. If it had broken and you had complained within 6 months then the onus would have been on the retailer to prove the goods were not faulty. Unfortunately, however, after 6 months the onus of proof is on the consumer, so if it's an expensive piece it may be worth getting an independant opinion. The retailer cannot fob you off by blaming the manufacturer - did they even inspect the furniture? But first, why not try a strongly worded letter with info from: http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/buying-selling/sale-supply/page8599.html

If you look on the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) website there are a number of consumer guides relating to subsidence - not enormously helpful (they're mostly trying to encourage you to hire a surveyor) except for this list of four indicators that you 'have' subsidence. New or expanding cracks in plasterwork New or expanding cracks in outside brickwork Doors or windows sticking for no particular reason Rippling wallpaper that isn't caused by damp Of course, some cracks are seasonal (open/close in winter/summer) and if they are hardly measurable i.e. less that a mm wide then not worth thinking about, and don't count as subsidence. All of South East London is on clay, so minor seasonal movement is normal The only way to tell that you have 'had' subsidence is evidence of repair - for the non building professional this will be a record of underpinning or similar structural repair work, although if there are very obvious cracks up the side of the house that have clearly been repointed, then that might be a little difficult to ignore. If you have just bought this house, didn't you have a survey done? That would say if there was any evidence of subsidence. If your house merely has funny angles but the windows and doors all open and close OK and there are no cracks in the external brickwork (usually diagonal cracks), and as long as you haven't just bought it from a developer who might have covered any evidence up, then it's reasonable to assume that the wonkiness was settlement at the time it was built which is not subsidence.

AllforNun Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Wavely road academy school has a Gym, as will the > new boys school opening soon ! that one should be > really good with lots of free weights. there is > also one up by Dulwich College by the little pond > on the south circular. sauna and pool you will be > v lucky, the only one is la fitness nr sydenham, > bit of a drive but very friendly and compact Dulwich College gym membership includes their pool, but it's only open to the public outside school hours. A lot cheaper than Jags, probably because of location.

miffy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Okay I am taking control, how about Friday evening > in The Black Cherry at 8pm, that way we can have > coffee whilst nursing our hangovers on Saturday > morning. Interesting that you should suggest the Black Cherry - that's where the last WI meeting was held. Looks like you may be ready for the WI after all....... But don't worry, average age is definitely less than forty. Most meetings held at the Magnolia - (no tea and dusty church halls for the EDWI)

Eileen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > ..... We have senior speakers from > key rail industry bodies. It should be an > informative and interesting meeting, This sounds interesting but please would you tell us the names of the speakers and which key rail industry bodies they represent.

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Was back only briefly last week, but I reckoned > the palm tree looked great. > > Great explanation Tropica, and spot on in terms of > the period feel. Those fabulous Victorians weren't > all just workhouses and top hats. They were > extremely woooo. > > I'm betting Tropica that you'd know how much the > project cost....? I'm guessing that the > installation probably cost less than 10k, but I've > also got a tenner that says the consultation cost > 50k? Well, the grant awarded in November 2006 was for a total of ?8,000.00 which was to include public consultation and supply and installation of the tree (or other object if the public voted for something else). I seem to remember that removal of the redundant broken lighting column and the associated concrete base was to be done by the highways department, and not costed to the project. I don't know what the project came in at (you could try emailing [email protected]), but rough costings at the time suggested that ?8K was a generous budget. Hope that helps

macroban Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The Southwark Council (magenta background) > leaflet/voting form for the public consultation > that ended on 22 June 2007 had mock-up photos of > the four proposals. Proposal 1. was a "Feature > Tree". The photo shows a broad-leafed deciduous > tree with regular trunk and branches. I don't know > enough about trees to identify the species. > > Anyone who voted for the "winning" Proposal 1. > didn't get what they voted for. > > I would estimate that the all in cost of buying a > semi-mature deciduous sapling, digging the hole, > transporting the sapling, planting it, and any > charge for project management would be of the > order of ?2000 or less. > > Does anyone want to make a FoI request for the > actual cost? Just in case anyone doesn't know, the original suggestion for a tree in the middle of the roundabout (July 2006 proposal for a Community Grant, Dulwich Community meeting) was for a palm tree, exactly like the one we've finally got. I and a number of others were really annoyed when the consultation document came out (I'm sure it wasn't a picture of a deciduous tree - it looked more like a house plant). In an earlier post (RE:Roundabout at Goose Green,24/05/2007 - sorry I don't know how to do the link) I suggested that anyone who wanted to vote, wrote Palm tree (or Monkey Puzzle) next to the word tree. I think quite a few people did. There were a lot of worries that a 'normal' tree would obscure the view for buses - I'm not sure that was justified- but it was discussed. The current brown tips will be because the ends of the leaves were cut for ease of transport - once the tree has settled in, new leaves won't have that problem. Yes, a deciduous tree would be cheaper in the short term, but not over time - palm trees need very little maintenance, whereas deciduous trees cause a headache to the street cleaners in the autumn, and regular pruning to keep the neat shape you'd need for a specimen tree in the middle of the roundabout. The justification for a palm tree was that a large percentage of the housing in this area is Victorian, and a visit to the Horniman museum will soon show how popular the introduction of this tree would have been at the time the housing was being constructed. Sorry that not everyone likes it, but it would be a very boring world if we were all the same. I'm just glad the Council didn't get the chance to choose a statue.....

MelbourneGr Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Not sure which project they're working on, nor the > contractor they work for. It was raining today so > they were sat inside. For once the rain did us a > favour. Perhaps the Morrisson's vans that are always parked on the other side of the road at the same time as they are sitting outside the cafe are related. If anyone gets any trouble from contractor's staff the easy option is to send an email of complaint to the contractor - you should find the address on the internet. Surprising as it might seem contractors do take notice of any complaints relating to harassment of the general public, particularly when a large percentage of their business comes from councils/public bodies/utilities. Also, it isn't illegal for workmen to wolf whistle, but doing so can be a valid reason for dismissal.

The grant is for ?8,000 in total, but that includes any other works needed e.g. lighting of the centrepiece etc, which won't come cheap - so expect to get something pretty cheap and nasty if you vote for the Art option. Alternatively, tick the yes box for a tree, write Palm tree or monkey puzzle in big letters next to it and they might get the message. For ?1,000 you'd get a really good specimen and then they can spend the other ?7K on cranes, traffic works, safety lighting (it'll have to be installed at night to avoid the traffic) etc etc