marianik

Adding a recommendation for Aria and Dan, and also their tiler Ken. We had a disaster shower installation in our loft conversion that must have started leaking from day one. They came in and recognised the problem after opening up the ceiling underneath (the waste had been improperly fitted), and gave us a quote much below that of two other plumbers we had in to look at the problem. They did a great job removing the old tray (a stone one, so it was heavy work), re-doing the plumbing, fitting in a new tray, re-plastering the hole in the ceiling in the room below, and then replacing the tiles that had been removed in order to lift up the old tray. The end result is a shower that doesn't leak (!!) with all of the new parts (tiles and tray) seamlessly integrated into the original bathroom. They were very helpful and friendly throughout, especially as the job turned out to be more difficult than expected with our easily breakable tiles. I would definitely recommend them to others.

We used http://www.wigglywildshow.co.uk for my son's 5th birthday party last year and she was great! Lots of interesting creatures, many of which the kids could handle (in or outside of their cages), as well as a few games. I would definitely recommend it. We did the 1.5h party package.

A family friend is looking to arrange a language exchange for her 15 year old son this summer. She's asked me if I know any teenage boys here in the neighbourhood who would be interested in hosting her son for two weeks this July and coming to stay with them in exchange. She and her husband have three boys, and live in the countryside around Bordeaux. She works from home restoring furniture and her husband is in the wine trade. My own kids are small, so I don't have any suggestions for her, so I thought I'd try the forum. If this sounds interesting please get in touch and I'll get more details.

Councillor Darren Merrill who is the Cabinet Member for Environment and Recyling and a Labour councillor has offered to meet with us at 10.30 this coming Sunday 8th February to discuss the planned developments in the Camberwell Old Cemetery. He will meet us at the main gate to the cemetery, the one in Forest Hill Road, London SE22 We are hoping that we will be able to go into Area Z which is the fenced off area next to Underhill Road and Rye Dale so that we can be shown exactly what the Council plan to do in there and which trees they want to remove. Therefore I suggest you wear stout footwear. This meeting is open to anyone who wants to find out more about what is going on regarding this cemetery and its woodlands.

Hi nxjen, An organiser got back to me--the name was chosen to be able to apply to any other situations where Southwark's residents want to defend woodland in southwark. So, yes, it means woods in southwark.

I didn't draft the petition but am helping to circulate it. My understanding is that while the petition focuses on the immediate threat to the woods in the cemeteries, there is broader concern over the priority given to trees and green space in the borough by southwark council. I will post your question on the save southwark woods Facebook page for more information, to reach the organisers directly. Marie-Annick

There is a petition now online to save the woodland from planned developments in the Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. Please sign it here if you are concerned by the plans: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-southwark-woods/ The text of the petition is below: Save the beautiful wild woods of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries for people, for nature and for the future! Why is this important? Southwark Council is planning to destroy the woods of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries, including felling over 30 mature trees, to make way for more than 2,000 new burial plots. Woodlands are the lungs of London. We want the cemeteries turned into local Nature Reserves, as with Nunhead Cemetery. Both cemeteries are part of the London Green Chain Walk and Camberwell Old Cemetery is a Grade 1 Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation. These wonderful woodlands are home to protected species, a wild tangle of trees and undergrowth, a haven of habitats and they are valuable to nature, to people and to the future. These woodlands provide many valuable benefits locally, cleaning the air, absorbing and filtering storm water, keeping the neighbourhood cool in summer, and providing beautiful, natural places for our mental and physical well-being. Sign the petition and help Save Southwark Woods! Want to do more? Join the Facebook Page and tell your friends ? Save Southwark Woods! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Southwark-Woods/700671496717263 Follow the campaign on twitter @SouthwarkWoods http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk Come and protest these proposals at the public meeting with Southwark Council: 7.00pm - 8.30pm Wednesday 11th February 2015, at Honor Oak Baptist Church, 108 Forest Hill Road SE22 0SG, with an exhibition of the council?s plans and opportunity to comment from 2.00pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/1536699583280095/ Email the London Borough of Southwark to protest the potential loss of this woodland which is a Grade 1 Site of Borough Importance: [email protected] [email protected] Download Southwark?s own reports and surveys about their plans for the cemeteries: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/downloads/download/4010/cemeteries_plans How it will be delivered We will be delivering the petition at the Public Meeting with the Council on 11th February

Following from the meeting last week at the Rose, there is a petition now circulating to Save Southwark Woods, which already has 1000 signatures and counting. You can sign the petition here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-southwark-woods/ I've also posted the text of the petition under a new thread on the forum. Please like the facebook page Save Southwark Woods if you'd like to follow the campaign.

Hi Renata. Thank you for your interest in the meeting. I first announced the meeting on this thread on January 13, but it is too late now to move the date. News from the meeting and announcements of any future meetings will be posted on our Facebook page, where people are also welcome to post their own views and comments: https:/www.facebook.com/fcocemetery Edited to fix web link

Just a reminder that people are meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, from 7:30pm at The Rose, 108 Forest Hill Road, to talk through the proposed plans and their impact on the woods and wildlife there.

In addition to the official meeting that henryb posted about above, there will also be an informal meeting on Wednesday 21st January at the Rose pub 108 Forest HIll Road from 7.30 . This has been organised by and for concerned local residents who would like to meet before the formal meeting organised by the Council. Anyone who would like to join is welcome but please could you email Anne Stanesby at [email protected] to let her know you are coming. This is to help the pub so they know how many people to expect. ( The pub is just down the road from and on the same side as the main cemetery gates and there is a 63 bus stop opposite it on the other side of the road.

To anyone concerned about future planned developments in the Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. The Council will be holding a formal public meeting so that local residents who missed the previous meetings due to short notice will be able to view plans and proposals in respect of these two cemeteries and discuss same. This meeting will be held on Wednesday 11 February 2015 , 7-8.30 at Honor Oak Baptist Church, Forest Hill Road, London SE22 OSG . The plans will also be available for inspection at that location and date from 2 pm onwards for those who cannot make it later on. If you are concerned about the environment and the preservation of trees and wild life then please do try and attend or you can view the plans and the surveys which were made at www.southwark.gov.uk/cemeteriesplans and send your comments to Coucillor Darren Merrill at [email protected] There will also be an informal meeting on Wednesday 21st January at the Rose pub 108 Forest HIll Road from 7.30 . This has been organised by and for concerned local residents who would like to meet before the formal meeting organised by the Council Anyone who would like to join us is welcome but please could you email Anne Stanesby at [email protected] to let her know you are coming. This is to help the pub so they know how many people to expect. ( The pub is just down the road from and on the same side as the main cemetery gates and there is a 63 bus stop opposite it on the other side of the road.

For those following this thread, the council has just announced that it is holding three exhibitions to discus their plans for the cemetery, with comments from the public due January 9 2015. The exhibitions are VERY SOON!: Saturday 6th December 10 am-12pmHonor Oak Baptist Church, Forest Hill Road Monday 8th December 6-8 pm Brenchley Gardens Community Centre Wednesday 10th December 2-4pm Honor Oak Baptist Church At these "exhibitions " we will have a chance to view detailed plans and discuss our thoughts with "officers and facilitators" A leaflet accompanies the letter which can be seen at www.southwark.gov/uk/cemeteriesplans The leaftlet shows that the woodland area opposite the lower end of Underhill Road is rescheduled to be in use for burial in 2018. 1000 burial plots are to be created, work is due to start early 2016, existing paths refurbished,Additional path built, 53 mature trees retained, 18 removed, More trees and shrubs to be planted and 4 years of burial space created Please do attend an exhibition if you can.

Yes, the announcement was made at very short notice. My neighbour has been active in following developments at the cemetery and sent he following email around to others concerns by the proposed changes: "URGENT ACTION REQUIRED! A letter was delivered to my house today concerning the Plans for Camberwell Old and Camberwell New Cemeteries. The letter is dated 1st December and is signed by Councillor Darren Merrill;Cabinet Member for Environment and recycling: [email protected] It says that a series of public exhibitions are to be held concerning Southwark Council plans for the cemteries. They have given me and the other recipients of this letter virtually no proper notice of these " exhibitions" which are to take place very soon indeed i.e. Saturday 6th December 10 am-12pmHonor Oak Baptist Church, Forest Hill Road Monday 8th December 6-8 pm Brenchley Gardens Community Centre Wednesday 10th December 2-4pm Honor Oak Baptist Church At these "exhibitions " we will have a chance to view detailed plans and discuss our thoughts with "officers and facilitators" Then they want us to send our comments to them by 9th January 2015 at the latest. A leaflet accompanies the letter which can be seen at www.southwark.gov/uk/cemeteriesplans The leaftlet shows that the woodland area opposite the lower end of Underhill Road is rescheduled to be in use for burial in 2018. 1000 burial plots are to be created, work is due to start early 2016, existing paths refurbished,Additional path built, 53 mature trees retained, 18 removed, More trees and shrubs to be planted and 4 years of burial space created. As time is so short I am emailing this councillor ( with cc to all the other officials on my list ) today to ask. 1. Why have they given us such short notice of this event? 2. Why have they chosen this time of year particularly at which to hold this event ? 3. How much will the fees to the " independant researchers Westco " be? 4. Who else besides myself has received this letter? Please do email any of them yourselves as well and please do come to the exhibitions"

Posted also in the What's On section, but for anyone interested who missed it there: Daniel Greenwood of the London Wildlife Trust will be leading a walk to discover bats hunting at dusk in Camberwell Old Cemetery, on Friday 29 August from 8-9:30pm. Meet inside the Forest Hill Road Gate. Everyone welcome!

For anyone interested in the bird walk, the time has been changed, so that it will now take place on June 16 from 19 to 20:30 (not 21:30)

In response to the recent clearance in the wooded area of the cemetery along Underhill Road, and in the interest of getting involved in future decisions concerning the area, local residents are proposing re-forming the Friends of Camberwell Old Cemetery group. One idea is to have the area designated as a local nature reserve, as it is already listed as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. A number of us met with the cemetery manager and other council staff on April 7 2014 to discuss our concerns over the current works, and have been told that a public consultation over future development of the cemetery should begin this July. We have also drafted minutes of the meeting and had replies from the council which I have pasted below. If you are interested in joining the proposed Friends group, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or PM me here on the forum, and we will add you to the e-mail list. In line with preserving the biodiversity in the cemetery, we have been in touch with the London Wildlife Trust. Daniel Greenwood of the LWT will be leading a bird walk on Monday June 16 from 19-21h30 in the cemetery. The meeting point is inside the Forest Hill Road gates. For further information, contact [email protected] / 0207 252 9186 *** From: Deborah McKenzie Sent: Thursday, 10 April 2014, 13:40 Subject: Camberwell Old Cemetery Dear Residents, Thank you to those of you who were able to meet with us on Monday 7th April. We thought it would be useful to provide a summary of what was discussed in relation to Camberwell Old Cemetery. Emergency Wall Repairs ? Avril Kirby (Cemetery and Crematorium Manager) provided a background to the current work being undertaken to repair the Ryedale section of the boundary wall. The work was prompted by a resident reporting that the wall at the rear of his garden was in imminent danger of falling down. Once the emergency repairs began it became clear that the wall was in such poor condition that the re-building work would have to be extended along the full length of the wall to ensure its integrity and safety. This has required some vegetation clearance at the foot of the wall to enable access to construction vehicles and excavation to build foundations for a new retaining wall. Feasibility Study ? Deborah McKenzie (Service Development Officer) responded to enquiries about the wider plans for the section of Camberwell Old Cemetery that lies between the Ryedale and Underhill Road boundary. From within the cemetery this area has been fenced off from public access for several years and the council have been looking at how to bring the space back into public use. In doing so a feasibility study is underway to assess conditions at the site. This has included conducting the following site investigations: 1. Topographical Survey - Ground levels within the fenced section are very uneven, there are sharp dips in some spots and a steep mounded area at the centre. It is not considered safe for the public to use the space. As part of the feasibility study a survey was completed last year to measure land levels across the site to determine the volume of soil that would need to be re-configured to create more level ground across the site. 2. Soil Survey - The condition of the soil and its chemical make up was investigated in order to inform any strategy to move soil around. Some reduction of vegetation was required at this stage to allow access for digging machines to collect soil samples from different depths. 3. Tree Survey - It was immediately recognised that it was essential to understand the condition, species and value of the trees within the fenced area as part of the feasibility and to inform a conservation management plan. Two attempts were made to conduct a tree survey last year but the surveyor found the terrain at the time was such that it was unsafe to continue due to the extent of ground cover coupled with uncertain ground levels underfoot. Consequently, our gardening team needed to reduce undergrowth around the site to provide access for the surveyor to get close enough to trees to survey them accurately. 4. We are in the process of commissioning a phase 2 habitat survey to determine the ecological value provided in this section of the cemetery. This will inform the feasibility study. Conservation Management ? Biodiversity and habitat loss is always a consideration with any vegetation reduction and advice was sought from the borough's Ecology Officer, Tree Services manager and the Senior Planner responsible for Trees before undertaking clearance for these investigations. Restrictions were placed on the extent of reduction so that it was limited to cutting back ground cover, scrub and small saplings. Under advice from the ecology officer, vegetation was retained on site for wildlife habitats and work took place after the bird nesting season. He was satisfied that factors such as the; the time of the year; the significant regeneration expected and retention of dead wood on site would not result in a significant loss of habitat. ? Japanese Knotweed - we are currently carrying out a 5 year rolling programme for the eradication of Japanese Knotweed with regular inspections to identify any new areas of growth and treatment required. ? A conservation management plan is in place that shapes the management and future development of Camberwell Old Cemetery whilst ensuring that its best and most valuable features are protected and restored and its distinct character is enhanced. ? In response to the final paragraph of Anne's email seeking examples of any increase in bio-diversity achieved by the team's management of the cemetery. We consider that works delivered in 2012 at the Wood Vale end of the cemetery, produced a gain in biodiversity. The following gains were delivered as part of the redevelopment: ? ? 1890 m2 of native shrub planting along Wood Vale. ? 85 Trees planted including 45 native standards ? Bat boxes were placed in suitable trees and all the works were delivered outside nesting season and with input from the ecology officer. ? Wood from felled trees were retained for stag beetle habitat creation in other parts of the cemetery. ? Other measures have been introduced that benefit bio-diversity such as relaxing our mowing regime where the herb rich grasslands are found. Of course we would also welcome any suggestion from residents on how we can continue to improve in this respect. Consultation ? Once the feasibility report into bringing the site back into use becomes available, a full public consultation will begin. We expect that consultation on proposals will start in June and will be ongoing during the summer. Consultees will have access to the full range of investigation reports above. ? It was suggested that residents may wish to form a Friends of Camberwell Old Cemetery and the council can provide guidance with how to go about this. We shall ensure that you receive further information about the consultation as soon as dates are confirmed. In the meantime, if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact Avril Kirby on [email protected]. Kind Regards Deborah Deborah McKenzie Service Development Officer (Parks) Tel: 020 7525 0870 Mob: 07903 261 253 *** IN REPLY to our response asking for more information, Ms. McKenzie wrote the following Answers to our questions: From: Deborah McKenzie Sent: May 22 We are seeking to confirm dates for the consultation once the council cabinet resumes in mid June and now intend to begin consulting in July. Feasibility study. Can you let us know what sort of " public use " is envisaged by the Council in respect of the section of the Camberwell Old Cemetery which lies between Ryedale and Underhill Road. ANSWER: The proposal is to return the area to use for burial. 1. Topographical Survey. As this survey has been completed could we please be given a copy of it now? All survey reports will be compiled for inclusion in the consultation pack and released when we begin consulting in July 2. Soil survey Please could you confirm in writing that no trace of any asbestos now remains. ANSWER See above 3. Tree survey Presumably this has now taken place and we should also welcome seeing a copy of it. ANSWER See above Conservation Management Please may we see a copy of this plan which you state is in place. ANSWER The draft plan will be released for consultation in July. For instance does it make provision for an annual inspection of the bat boxes? See above Can you also specify what type of programme/method you are using to eradicate Japanese knotweed and ensure it does not spread to areas outside the cemetery. ANSWER Please see my previous email. Further info can be supplied during the consultation Wood Vale bio-diversity Can you tell us where the wood felled from the trees was put. For instance was it put in the woodland area currently under discussion? ANSWER Details to be discussed during consultation. Could you specify what "other measures " you are taking to benefit - bio-diversity? For example what sorts of grasses would you use in the future. ANSWER See above Regarding the mowing how much of the previously mowed areas will be allowed to develop into herb rich grasslands? ANSWER See above Other issues. 1.At our meeting Avril did say that there was a hot line we could ring if we saw any activity in the cemetery which could be a cause for concern. Could you let us know what this number is and during what times it would be answered by somone. ANSWER Cemetery Office: 020 7525 5600 (office hours 9 - 5); Call Centre: 020 7525 5000 (out of hours) 2.We would like to apply for local nature reserve status for the wilder part of the cemetery so please could you tell us which council officer would be the decision maker in this matter. ANSWER Please seek advice from Jon Best (LBS Ecology Officer) We would also request that you do not carry out any more destruction of habitat in this area. As stated in my last email I am happy to set up a Friends Group. Any help you can offer with this will be much appreciated. ANSWER Please see the attached info for setting up a Friends group. Kind Regards Deborah Deborah McKenzie Service Development Officer (Parks) Tel: 020 7525 0870 Mob: 07903 261 253

We are renovating a Victorian house in East Dulwich, and have used the forum to find most of the tradespeople working on the project. We?re getting towards the end of the job and I wanted to recommend our plasterer John McCann to anyone considering having similar work done. The house was structurally sound but looked terrible when we started, and John has done a fantastic job re-plastering the entire house. He organized workers to strip the walls back to the original plaster, and then himself: overboarded and skim plastered the ceilings where needed; fixed some pretty substantial cracks throughout the house; hacked-off and re-rendered or plaster-boarded the worst-affected walls; and did a beautiful job with the skim plastering. The walls have a great finish to them, looking really smooth and solid. Apart from doing great work, John is also cost-conscious, tidy, and extremely trustworthy. We left the keys with him throughout the work, and always felt that the house was being well-looked after (locking up when he left, taking in mail, accepting deliveries for us). To date, everything is on budget and running smoothly. He?s also a pleasure to have around, very friendly, and great at dealing with our toddler running around the site. His number is 07905 044912, and if you have any questions feel free to PM me.

Je n'ai vraiment pas de chance avec ces rencontres! Maxim etait malade hier soir et dormait trop bien pour que je ne le reveille cet apres-midi. A la prochaine fois j'espere-- Marie-Annick

Je suis libre jeudi prochain aussi, je vais essayer de (finalement) vous rencontrer! Marie-Annick

Allo Julie, Joane et autres-- J'aimerais bien me joindre a vous demain apres-midi si mon bebe ne dort pas--on revient de vacances et il souffre toujours du decalage horaire, donc difficile de connaitre son horaire d'avance. Vous vous rencontrez ou sur Lordship Lane, et quand? Merci! Marie-Annick (maman de Maxim, 10 mois)

Hi ladies, My baby has come down with a cough, so I won't be coming to the cafe today-- have fun, let me know if you meet up again. Marie-Annick

Allo, j'y viendrai aussi, see you Thursday- Marie-Annick

Thursday at the French Cafe works for me, mid-afternoon would be a good time for us because my baby usually sleeps in the mornings but whatever time suits most people is fine. I have an 8 month old. Marie-Annick

Hi, I'd also like to meet up next week, after Tuesday if possible. I live close to the French Cafe or The Garden Cafe if those are convenient places to meet, but am happy to go elsewhere too. Marie-Annick