paul*

An interesting site is flightradar24. You can see exactly what is passing over ED and how close. You can also do a timed replay of flights and speed it up. I looked at this recently when considering a move to SW London as the noise there is just insane. You could look up at the belly of a jet literally every 90 seconds or so. Today the flights are going into Heathrow in the reverse direction, as the poster above comments. Today has light winds from the east. 'Easterly operations' account for 30% of the year, Heathrow says (though it feels like less). City airport can be an influence, I haven't checked their routes but would agree with the knowledgeable comments above. However, the volume of flights from City is far lower compared to others. What you are probably experiencing is Heathrow, which may be surprising given it feels quite far from us. I often find the aircraft noise in Denmark Hill noticeable and annoying when in the garden. I was surprised to learn years ago it's the Heathrow landing path (rather than Gatwick) and at that point some of the various landing paths / spirals have converged, meaning many planes. Nobody would plan Heathrow like that now, you'd hope. If you want cheering up zoom out on the flightradar24 map and see how many planes are over Europe or the world at any point. It is incredible. There really is no hope for the planet...

My friend had this done about 18 months ago. One bed new build. Painting walls and ceiling. No 'woodwork' ie doors or skirting. The total cost was £1200 including materials. Took two people just short of three days, I think. I don't know the name of the contractor and can't find out, sorry. I don't know if DIY is an option at all for you (probably not since you're asking about a decorator), but rollering walls in good condition is not that difficult and you can get good results. Materials costs for the job above would've been about £150 at the most. Hope all that helps.

Try McHow and also Peter Bennison. Both are good but my recent experience was a bit better with McHow.

Try Homecert. I used them after two bad recommendations for electricians on this forum. Homecert sorted it.

great tip, thank you, hadn't heard of them til now

Hi I am interested in getting a self-storage unit in SE London and wonder if there are any recommendations, particularly on the most cost-effective options. Flexible on location but Camberwell / Peckham or slightly further out are good. Less keen on heading towards Bermondsey area, where there are some. Thanks

Hi, yes sorry if it's unclear. It's to extend the lease with the freeholder. This is not a rented flat. It would be to 125 years. Thanks.

Grateful for any recommendations on renewing a lease, other than Meaby & Co.

Although I haven't used them them as I didn't start the project, HomeCert were very good to deal with when getting quotes. Very professional and the price was good. I would contact them again and certainly use them over some of the really substandard sparkies recommended elsewhere on this forum.

Hi I am looking to renew the lease on a flat. If you have experience of this, do I definitely need a solicitor and could you recommend one? Thanks Paul

Hi I am looking to renew the lease on a flat. If you have experience of this, do I definitely need a solicitor and could you recommend one? Thanks Paul

Very interesting, thanks for posting. I'd find that library a bit distracting and don't remember the seating being that great. But then again, I haven't written a best-seller (yet!). In an interview elsewhere she says: "I spent the months in Dulwich Library. It was one of the hottest summers on record. I stuck to the plastic seats, and ate lunch in the garden shade, swatting at wasps. In the afternoons, school students filed in, flirted across the tables, pretended to work."

The Gym in Peckham, near the entrance to the cinema. Is cheap and has a good freeweights area, though sometimes it's busy of course. I think they've offers on as many people are cancelling their membership at the moment, which is understandable.

If it helps, I was quoted around ?120 to ?150 to reattach an existing standard TV aerial, that you will need for Freeview. So you'd need to add in the cost of the aerial. Not sure how much they are but maybe ?50? Can't recommend either of the outfits I got quotes from as I have yet to do this work. Not many companies do this work now. I was surprised at the cost, it's basically a ten minute job drilling a few holes on a roof. I paid ?70 for the aerial, bracket and full install a decade ago... If you're still interested then PM me and I can try and find their details.

Thanks for this, I will drop him a line.