crescent

A friend has just pointed these out to me - fabulous-sounding outdoors day camps on the summer for 8-14 year olds, in Downe. They are a not-for-profit organisation and had a poor summer last year, so decided they could not continue in 2014. But they have had so much support and interest, they are hoping to run something in 2014 summer hols after all. Just thought I'd highlight it on this forum - I know this is a bit of a trek from SE22, but it is a change from the usual sorts of day camps and might be of interest - looks great fun, I want one for a slightly older age group. :o) http://www.daycamps.org.uk/sites/default/files/Brochure%202013.pdf

I am half way through the most amazing world book day outfit ever, have just ripped apart a waistcoat and sewed it into a tail (and I barely sew on buttons). And my 8 year old has announced she wants to be Hermione. Alongside most girls in her class. Bah. With great difficulty, I remind myself it is about her, not me... But now have 2 days to get this stuff together. Does anyone have a Gryffindor scarf languishing in their dressing up box they'd be willing to part with? Thanks!

Hi- when I search on the internet I don't seem to get anywhere... It closed, relocated to Brixton... But then relocated back? Does anyone know any contact details - I would be so grateful!

If you are renting, then I think you have a bit more flexibility. Dulwich Village is lovely... But with lovely comes a hefty price tag -- while Ofsted reports aren't everything, look at Ivydale school (nunhead, very close to dulwich), Eliot Bank school (edge of forest hill/ Sydenham, 5 minutes in car from dulwich, Fairlawn (forest hill). All of these are close to Horniman museum, parks, good transport links. You'll get a bigger property than in dulwich village - and there is a degree of movement in schools - 2 children joined my Year 5 DC and 2 children joined my year 3 DC class this year alone-- similar patterns every year they have been at their school. Good luck!

brilliant, thanks everyone. I was contemplating this for DC1's birthday - he's turning 10. I cannot contemplate taking his lovely but unboundaried 'crew' either on the train or in my car for so long (3 children on, I have turned into the Grinch), but have tracked down the less salubrious but geographically closer Bromley ski centre. Very exciting about the Stratford one, look forward to that.

I have to confess to not being a skier. I tried once in Aviemore, a couple of times in Japan, and once on a dry ski slope in Rawtenstall. Yes, it's been a glamorous life. Finances and three children mean a week in Switzerland is off the cards, but someone recommended 'snozone' near Milton Keynes. I wondered if anyone had been, or if there was anywhere similar closer? https://snozoneuk.com/the-slope Thanks for any tips!

shameless bumping. Anyone?

I bought a 2nd had bugaboo, and after 18 months of hard service, it really needs a makeover. I've heard there are a couple of companies that will pick up your buggy, give it a clean, replace the chewed buggy bar (!), etc... has anyone here used one of these? Can they recommend them? (I've tried searching on here but can't come up with anything.) Thank you!

Not sure where you are in FH - but there is a messy play at Eliot Bank Childrens Centre (not far from the pool and library) and a new Latino Bambino group at the new and lovely and shiny Wells Park Youth Centre. A couple of friends have gone and have raved about it - for an active 2 year old, this might be just right. Don't let slightly scary surroundings put you off - it's lovely inside, I go to a few things there with my 3. And both activities are free - even better!

Mens- can't help you with this, but have a couple of Suske and Wiske books, love them to go to a home that would understand them! (wasted on my three...). If you are ever going to Dulwich Woods, I am near the Woodhouse Pub, let me know.

We lived on Auckland road for 5 years about 10 years ago, flat at the bottom of cypress hill. Lovely area, brisk 15 min walk to CP station, on bus route, good primary, Harris CP secondary close by... We moved to thicket road and then upper Sydenham, we love this corner of SE London!

Hi- I've posted before, but mainly got (understandably) tutors/ companies getting in touch. I hear, anecdotally, that no one likes to share good tutor details - I'd be so grateful if you could prove that wrong and pm me some details! I'm looking for someone who will work mainly on creative writing, maybe a touch of maths and NVR, but English is the priority... Thanks - and fingers crossed...

Ugh... So glad I found this. I am not a light sleeper at all, but airplanes kept me awake from 5-6.30 ish this morning ... At one point I worried they were skimming the top of the roof! Sooooo noisy, do they rotate flight paths? I had no idea one can complain, and will. But realistically, will it make any difference?

Do feel a bit 'if you have to ask, you can't affrid it'... But in a bit of idle school searching, am looking at Alleyn's 11+ admissions. They have two academin scholarships: 1. Saddlers? Academic Scholarships are normally awarded to the six highestachieving Year 7 pupils on entry, based on their performance in the 11+ entrance examination (written papers and scholarship interviews). Each award is worth up to ?3000 per year. They are partly funded by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers who, in addition to funding bursary places, wish to support academically able candidates who will contribute markedly to the academic life of the School. 2.Academic Scholarships are awarded according to academic merit, and are worth up to ?3000 per year. Is it just me, or do they sound the same? I have left it too late to be tiger mother for the first two I think. Might have a small chance at the exam, but in the interview would answer in monosyllables unless about Dr Who or Young James Bond.

Can recommend 'paddling pool' at Croydon Rec in Beckenham, near the Odeon cinema and Beckenham Hospital (Beckenham Beacon?). Right next to great playground, and little hut selling chips/ tea/ juice too - what's not to love?

Thanks for that!

I fear I may have left this too late (think I was supposed to have this sorted before year 4), but I am looking for a tutor for my son, who will be starting Y5 in September, and will be sitting an exam in just over a year's time. I'm really looking for personal recommendations, if anyone would be so kind! Many thanks.

I live in Sydenham Hill area- a kind of lost area ont he edge of Sydenham, Forest Hill, East Dulwich. I agree with the other poster: while Sydenham High street isn't a destination in the same was as Lordship Lane, you do get more bang for your buck on terms of housing, and you can easily walk/ grab a bus/ drive to all the great things on your doorstep: Crystal Palace Park, Horniman Museum, beckenham and the Odeon cinema and Minor Injuries Unit is not far! Re schools- really, choice is an illusion, but most of local primaries are OK- but these things chcan change quickly. A couple years ago, Haseltine (sorry Haseltine) was the school everyone seemed t want to avoid... But now It is in federation with Fairlawn (uber outstanding school in se23), and word on the street seems much better (for what it is worth). If you are Catholic, I have friends who have been very happy with St Philip of Neri. Check out the local sydenham forum too for more feedback.

I have a 9 year old, 7 year old and 8 month old... And it is wonderful! I could not have done the 4,2 and baby...and did not mean to have such a big gap, but finances, jobs and a miscarriage got in the way. But -- so far-- the gap is lovely. The big ones are at school, so time to enjoy a baby, but with the structure of a school day. And the older 2 dote on her (so far!), and it's been the best 8 months... Good luck with whatever you decide.

We did this Jan 2012 for my (then) 8 year old, and he and his friends LOVED. It was at the climbing wall at crystal palace sports centre - which is always a joy to deal with. Avoid CP sports centre, google CP climbing g wall and contact them directly. There was no 'food' option, so as we are relatively local, we climbed them took them home to feed and do cake. Have fun!

Thanks everyone, esp appreciate the offers of coming over to see how it looks 'in real life' :o)

I was 2 days 'late' with DC3 in July, and was being pressed into an induction. So I walked back from Kings to the Horniman, went and had my first acupuncture ever from the lovely Dan, made my long suffering husband take me for a curry, drank 1/2 litre of pineapple juice...so exhausted myself I had to have a nap, and woke up with contractions every 3 minutes! So who knows which bit worked...but I wish I'd done them a week earlier! Dan and his colleagues were all lovely and supportive, and how one wishes all medical professionals would be. I'd heartily recommend it.

DC3 is 7 months old, and my older children are 7 and 9, and we've been looking forward to when DC3 is 9 months old (recommended min age for bike seats) when we can cycle on the school run again. I'd seen a rear-mounted bike seat at Decathlon and assumed we'd go with that... but then doing some research, I've seen front-mounted ones, and I 've had misty recollections of growing up in '80s Netherlands, and mums would have little kids on the bike - toddler/ baby in the front, older child on the back. The 2 front runners are the bobike mini and the weeride. Does anyone have any experience of these, or even any front-fitting bike seats for babies? I'd love to hear some pros and cons...

I have discovered this charity recently, as I have a lot of baby related stuff to give away after third - and final! - child :) http://www.leeoasis.org.uk/ They are very local and will pick up.

Sadly, it's true. The school have texted parents to say the incident has been dealt with, and children reminded how to react. As the school said: we all need to be vigilant.