Working definition of "incomer" (to East Dulwich)

[macroban]

Asset asked for a definition:

Someone who first lived in East Dulwich after they completed their secondary education.

[Asset]

that's not fair.

[macroban]

It preserves the innocence of children who are not responsible for their parent(s)' decision.

[Dulwich_ Park_ Fairy]

As an "incomer" I do feel sorry for the trauma the "others" have suffered over the last ten years. Theirs used to be a simple happy life spent hunting and gathering on the plains of Dulwich park, and foraging for berries in the local woodlands. The inevitable arrival of the modern world happened too quickly for them and has left many unable to cope with the grim realities of the market economy, and the subsequent tyranny of commerce. Is it any wonder that they constantly reminisce about the lost arcadia that was 1980's East Dulwich. These people deserve our support not opprobrium.

[Asset]

You are right DPF. How noble of you. Perhaps we do-gooder, lefty, liberal, sandal wearing 'incomers' could set up some sort of counselling/soup kitchen network for them. Freely dispensing our greater knowledge and wisdom of the wider world in order that gradually they may be able to come to terms with the harsh realties of life.

[Brendan]

I object to your insinuation that there is no place for hunter gatherers in the modern urban biosphere.

[Dulwich_ Park_ Fairy]

Asset Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> You are right DPF. How noble of you. Perhaps we

> do-gooder, lefty, liberal, sandal wearing

> 'incomers' could set up some sort of

> counselling/soup kitchen network for them. Freely

> dispensing our greater knowledge and wisdom of the

> wider world in order that gradually they may be

> able to come to terms with the harsh realties of

> life.

I was thinking more along the lines of a Native American-style reservation.

[Asset]

ha ha - maybe that would be best. Be fairly small, probably only need space for about 10 people.

[macroban]

I think there are more than ten children born to incomers in the last 18 years?

[Asset]

they get special dispensation through having incomer parents. dual citizenship so to speak.

[macroban]

"the last ten years"? The first significant wave of incomers was in the early 1970s.

Children of incomers will normally fall within the working definition.

Seems that I should both "Get outta town" and be confined to a newly designated East Dulwich ghetto.

But...

I do like the idea of a Native-American style reservation and its tax exemptions. Here comes the East Dulwich Casino.

[Asset]

I dpn't want you to get outta town macro - I wish we could all live side by side in harmony. But there is so much hostility towards us from you originals that we incomers must surely rise up.

By the way - are you saying that ED'ers had a closed gene pool from the early 1900's until the 1970's. This may explain some things.

[Louisa]

Asset perhaps us old school ED'ers could live side by side in harmony with the new folk if they didn't allow market forces to push out much of the old ways, and help restore something for us which can work alongside your rip-off chippies and boutiques :) The lefty hippy brigade within the newcomers must surely not like the idea of market forces changing the face od ED, in favour of new comers or old timers. :)

[Dulwich_ Park_ Fairy]

Louisa

We've been very generous. You still have AJ Farmers for your household needs, Iceland for your frozen meals, and a couple of cafes for traditional English "fayre". You also have the Castle if you fancy looking at old carpet, stained curtains, and falling down wall paper whilst you sip your sweet martini. You know, like the old days when pubs were proper pubs.

[Ted Max]

If AJ Farmer falls to the Farrow & Ball tyranny then I for one will come out fighting on behalf of the old timers.

[TillieTrotter]

If the oldies were anything like you Louisa, Thank the Lord that its all changed!:))

[Louisa]

DPF, I believe us old school folk have been more than generous in allowing a hippy market along NCR on a saturday morning, blocking up the roads for us folk who want to travel to Bromley to visit some proper shops on a saturday morning. We still have the Castle pub this is true, but it looks as though the Plough is turning gastro, and surely if the mix is still 50/50 in ED, the shops should reflect this. :)

[bald marauder]

I wonder which places in ED embrace and are frequented by both originals and incomers?

For example, EDD = predominantly incomers (posh expensive nonsense for people with more money than sense), Iceland = predominantly original (value for money basics with no ?1.50 croissants, luxury organic ice-cream, or home-made quiche).

May I boldly suggest that the cheese block is welcomed and embraced by all, along with pretty traditonal on North Cross Road?

It would be interesting to plot the places where the two tribes happily rub along side-by-side...

[Jeremy]

"Hippy market"? "Bromley"?! This is vintage material Louisa! Keep it up!

[DaveR]

The father of a friend of mine grew up in ED in the 1930s, and has very fond memories. Having said that, most of his family were 'in service', and there was a complete division, financially and socially, between 'them in the big houses' and the rest, but that was the prevailing situation at the time, and people generally didn't question it.

We're all incomers, because talking about the 'old ways' is entirely arbitrary - it just means how things were whenever you felt most confortable in the area. I've only lived in ED for 4 years, but it's changed a lot in that time.

Market forces aren't perfect, but they're better than the alternatives - people get what they (collectively) want, rather than what they are given.

Having said all that, I wish there weren't so many rubbish shops selling gifty type crap - candles, naff jewellery, things with amusing designs on them that don't do anything. Who buys this stuff??

[Asset]

speaking as an incomer (8 years here) I've been in the EDD once a few years ago - never been back. Have never been into an Iceland I don't think. Cheese block a few times. BMC twice. Seacow maybe three times.

Actually you know what - I don't get out much!!

why do we assume that the incomers have all the money. I reckon a few old timers have got a bob or two under the mattress.

[Dulwich_ Park_ Fairy]

Louisa

On the "things we miss about Lordship Lane" thread, the only thing that was really mentioned was the 7/11, which seems to undermine your rose-tinted view of what the hood used to be like. I didn't hear anyone bemoaning the loss of the glass shop for example. Concerning the Plough, the only people who are going to miss its previous form are the owners of the Kebab House opposite to it. I know for one that the police are jumping for joy. Unless, you have a drug habit of course.

[Louisa]

The post office BM :)

[bald marauder]

I have also often wondered who buys all that c**p. I think I (just about) prefer the downbeat fascia of Chener books to any more shops selling pointless trinkets.

[*Bob*]

There are a few undertakers on Lordship Lane - something we will all need.

Some sooner than others. :));-)B)(!)