Musowriter

Thanks, James - this is really helpful - I have wasted a lot of time trying to work out how to take stuff to Manor Place on my way to work as it is so much less convenient than Rosendale Road - I have also asked Southwark to fetch stuff that I could have taken to the Lambeth recycling tip had I known it was allowed. But what can we do with rubbish that can't be recycled?

I did see a boy fitting that description hanging around the LL/Upland Rd junction on Tuesday morning, and felt quite wary of him, having been the victim of a violent mugging a few years ago, carried out by a group of youths hanging around that bus stop on a Saturday evening. I immediately felt guilty for being suspicious - but now I know my instinct was probably correct. Sorry I can't add any more details though, as I was avoiding looking too closely in case I attracted his attention. I do feel so sorry for your son, and angry on his behalf - a 12-year-old ought to be able to cycle around an area like this independently and safely in daylight hours.

Bravo to your dog! Glad the OP reported the attack on him - we do need more police patrols to prevent this sort of thing. Thanks for letting us know about the recent incidents - it's very helpful to those of us who have to use evening buses after working late.

I'm pleased that Sainsbury's has arrived, as there are many products that I will always prefer to buy from a supermarket, and a thriving business on that site rather than an empty or run-down business makes the area feel safer. However I agree with previous posters that Val's fruit and vegetables are far better than Sainsbury's, and I'm keen to support lovely Nisha and her family, so I will continue to buy fresh produce and a few other things from her. Having a proper butcher within easy walking distance again is fantastic - what I've bought from them so far is also much better than meat from Sainsbury's - though it will test our allegiance to Mr Libretto on Wood Vale, who provided us with real meat for so many years when there were no other butchers in the area.