claresy

How mean-minded to call the creative project of a group of enterprising youngsters, using their time productively 'foul'? Surely taking the initiative to set this u,p so young people can be outside and exercising is a positive and productive thing to be admired? 'Underage drinking and drugs' are more likely to happen when young people have nowhere to go and nothing to do (plus they can take place anywhere!) . How is a derelict pub better?

I was wondering if they were ever going to fix the boardwalk over the pond in Dulwich Park.

I've had a questionnaire through the door about introducing this where I live (no!!!). It doesn't appear to say anywhere how/where you're supposed to return it! Could this be because they don't actually want to take opinions into account? Does anyone know how I submit the questionnaire?

The phones have been down but think they're OK now. I don't know why they don't alert people on the website/app when this happens.

Apparently the missing slots were reinstated when the pool reopened. All the local pools require you to book, but for some reason you can usually get them same day in Peckham or Camberwell while in Dulwich you have to plan agesin advance. . As you now get charged to not show up I don't imagine many people book and don't turn up, although they may book and cancel (which can only be done a minimum of 4 hours ahead) as that's often the only way to get a swim! I found it very frustrating that the pool closed with no updates on the app or website except for one before Xmas saying it would open on the 2nd or 3rd - which it didn't. It was impossible to get through to find out what was happening so I had to walk down and ask. They told me the phones were down but didn't bother putting that update on the website or app. I'm pleased it's reopened though!

Earl - I live on lordship lane and can assure you there is more congestion and more pollution and buses take much longer, regardless of bus lanes - so it’s not making it better for public transport users or drivers. I - and many others - expressed our views in the appropriate forum of the consultation and they were disregarded so see no point in lobbying anyway.

Anyone know what's happening with the pool? It was meant to reopen today and I have a swim booked. I've had no notification that it's cancelled and there are no updates on the app but the website says the pool's closed. The phone line is dead when I try to call.

Of course they're just to generate revenue! There's no logic to them at all - if the restrictions are school hours then why do they apply during holidays? And if they're to decrease pollution or discourage car usage that's not working either. All they do is concentrate it in other areas - such as the constant queues outside Dulwich Village Infants and the Hamlet, not to mention the increased traffic, pollution and much slower buses on roads like Lordship Lane. The signs are obscure and confusing and the consultation was clearly just a box ticking exercise as they disregarded the results completely. I accept that the occasional fine is part of owning a car but you'd normally expect that in an unfamiliar area or circumstance - the number of local people who are getting caught out by this shows that it isn't clear (unless they're rich enough to not care, which I'm not!).

I guess all I can do is wait and see! I've definitely been that way between 4.30 and 6 without an issue before. I'm pretty sure at least one signs says 3-4.30 not 3-6 to add to the confusion. I generally try to avoid going that way unless it's definitely a safe time but lost track because of the holidays. I struggle to see any benefit except for the council collecting all the fines and possibly the people who live in newly quiet roads. All the other roads (including mine) suffer from additional traffic and additional pollution.

Thanks for the replies. I'm still confused! I was driving from Townley Road through the village and down Gallery Road to West Dulwich and back the same way. I guess I'll just have to see. I think they make it deliberately confusing (like most parking and driving restrictions) to gather maximum income from people who misunderstand. And as the restrictions are school hours it makes no sense to still apply them in the holidays!

I really hope you're right! Thank you 🙂

I know there have been posts on this before but I'm still not clear and there doesn't appear to be any definitive information online. I've just driven through the Village between 4 and 4.30 and am hoping I won't get fined as it's the school holidays. There seemed to be many other cars going through. If fines do apply despite the holidays will they definitely be applied or is it a matter of luck?

I got one from Sogim Pharmacy but I had to call my surgery first - I didn't have to see a doctor.

There's one in Camberwell library.

I thought the manager there was a woman.

I'm curious what 'otherwise' might be 🙂 !

I don't understand why you need to be 'financially able to contribute'? I was a single mum without much money but rustling up a witch or cat costume was easy and pumpkins and sweets are cheap (or you can make biscuits). One of the joys of Halloween is that, unlike Christmas, it doesn't need to be expensive. I agree that the marketing around it is not ideal -maybe there's pressure to buy stuff now.

Trick or treaters (age immaterial, but costume important!) don't forget Lordship Lane - a number of houses opposite The Lordship Pub are ready to welcome you. Personally I've never had anyone not dressed up and all the children have been polite and charming. I have no problem with older children - when you're too young to go to pubs or parties and too grown up to go with parents you need to have some fun too and my kids loved it at this age. It's only one night of the year and really exciting when you're young.

Wondering why you've described a collector of charitable donations as a 'food bank beggar' before establishing whether he is legitimate or not?

I'm not happy that my perfectly good family dentist is now 'dental beauty' and instead of a service that felt personal I have to listen to long recorded messages and fill in questionnaires promoting expensive aesthetic extras. I was put out to read a question that I thought said 'Would you like even more teeth?'. On closer inspection it said 'Would you like more even teeth?'! 🙂

As mentioned above there are no children in the lane swims and they are separate sessions. Lane swims are usually early, lunchtime and evenings in the week. It shows clearly if it's a lane swim or a public swim when you book. Sometimes there are teenagers, but only ones doing proper lane swims!

You definitely can't 'stroll in'. You have to book and often well in advance - if you turn up you would only be able to get in if there's a space and you pay. And as someone else said you can come at any point during the session. There are no families/young kids in the lane swim sessions and if you want a quiet swim you need to book for a lane session! It's much easier to get a last-minute swim at Peckham but obviously not as convenient if you're in ED - and I like the glass ceiling at the ED pool, plus the showers are better.

Also Superdrug.