Tom

You can call the council and request extra blue boxes / bags. We run 2x bags for paper / plastic and 2x boxes for the wine bottles (we like a drink...!) We also do our own runs to peckham rye recycling centre as i prefer to do it myself at the weekend (rather than the slops in the box pouring down the front of my suit during the week) - so have called the council who have made a note of this on their list against our house. No more hassle + no more threats of fines. easy

Dear All - Please try Radio FIP (French state run) it has the most amazing selection of music. You can either listen over the internet or download a file which then plays it through iTunes. I love most types of music, and they are all played there, best of all, very little 'chat' and no adverts. http://cache.yacast.fr/V4/fip/microplayer/fip_micro_main_V2.html?id=fip

The new compilation from Colette in Paris (Vol.8). My sound of summer - and available on acquisition for those who are in the know.... Also, for anyone who loves a vibrant mix of music, pls look online for FIP radio in france. You can download a link which opens and streams through iTunes (win & Mac). Amazing.

Recent newsletter - which I thought may be of intrest considering the views widely aired on the forum... How many times will a council have to desecrate a historic shopping area before some bright spark in town planning realises that our streets are losing the personalities that made them legendary? The latest locality to fall victim of a council seeing more pound signs than sense is Camden. Having grown up flittering away pocket money on Camden Market?s vintage clothing treasures, my heart sank at news that London Underground is seeking compulsory purchase powers and planning permission to demolish parts of the Camden Stables Market. Also under threat is the infamous Electric Ballroom, the Trinity United Reformed Church and other nearby properties. The idea is that Camden needs an improved tube station more than the ramshackle retail landmarks that continue to attract Londoners as well as tourists from across the world. Camden council has also put its weight behind the strategy and is mid-way through a programme to create a ?more corporate environment? in central Camden, called the Boulevard Project. Camden has always thrived on being the antithesis of corporate. The grungy clutter of second-hand fashion stalls and slightly seedy boozers still lure this fashion hack to the Stables on regular Sundays. And that?s in spite of the teenage pushers and peddlers of tourist tat that outnumber the Goths, punks, greasers and ravers that have called Camden their spiritual home since the 1960s. What are your thoughts on the potential demise of Camden? Do you have any stories of other local areas dying because of rent rises or town planning overhauls? If so, you can post your comments via the blog at www.drapersblog.com. You can sign an online petition protesting against the situation in Camden at www.petitiononline.com/StablesM.

or is he just a lazy journalist??! must make coming up with local stories / issues / concerns very easy!!

I bought a bag from Roulier White for ?2 too - I think it is superb value for money - really, ?2 probably only just covers the shops overheads for the floor space. They do need to make a profit after all. ED bags are great idea. I hope they have some style though. I have noticed that the success of these initiatives are based on 2 important factors: 1. The bags say how green you are 2. They look good. We are all a bit vain and this is the best way to get a successfull message across and get the average desigm savvy ED resident to carry the bags.

If Books etc replaced Chener books i would be well chuffed - especially if they also took the shop next door and we got adecent bookshop. Sorry to chener, but their choice / size / enviroment needs some work. (I know you will all go mad now)...

Hi, Our well loved cat died a few months ago of kidney failure and I have recently started the search for a new one. We have a great house / garden for a cat and could offer a great home. However, I am concerned about taking a cat away from someone, particularly as it hasn't been reported lost. I would like to suggest I (or someone else of course) takes the cat on the understanding that if the owner suddendly reappears / lost poster go up, then the cat is returned. I would of course ask that you (PeckhamNative) keep an eye out for us. Maybe you could PM me and we could meet up? I am off for a long weekend but back on Wednesday.

Furry-muff (fair enuff) I look forward seeing what it turns out like. As I think we all agree, anything is better than it was. Maybe we can ask them for a pram park outside as it will almost certainly be over run with mclaren off road xp things. The only drugs needed then will be chocolate and the little ones will be bouncing off the walls!

Sorry - I can't understand what you mean by old fashioned pubs. Do you mean the empty sh!t holes populated by a couple of miserable old gits who are only there because their own houses (wives) are so miserable. Do the new 'posh' ED type demand gastro pubs. I don't think they do. I think what the average person would like is some where clean, welcoming, warm and well stocked that they can get a decent bit of food at if they so choose. If good old pubs means a closed enviroment with menacing enviroment then its no wonder they are closing down. To me a pub is a public house where anyone should feel welcome and comfortable - The decor is not essential - but it is nice to see the orriginal parts of the building. I like what the herne did - it works well when the kids aren't over running it! Without getting going on the class thing - this is not a middle class or 'posh' rant, this is about basic civil amenities. If the local drug dealers or hooligans like a pub that accepts fights and drug dealing in the toilets, then East Dulwich is a better place when it shuts down and forces those people to move on. I look forward to a pint of of something interesting, maybe some food and hopefully no fighting! Do we know any more about who is doing the refurb??

Great news that it is to be refurbished. It is a dump - and could offer both worlds - for new and old dulwich, its certainly big enough. My fear is that if it doesn't change hands, the Just so Pub co will try and gastrofy the Plough badly, whith naff panelling and more patterned carpets, more 'promotions' and the same unpleasant atmosphere. If anyone from the plough reads this - pls introduce real food - not reheated brakes catering packs (yes I know they do a gastro range - not good enough). Pls also try and tidy the place up and add some character to what was once a pleasant building. It would also be nice to have a flexible space for music, events, functions, safe outside space (for adults - not kids!) and finally - sort the useless bar staff out. Hope thats not too much to ask. I would be willing to pay ?3 a pint if all of the above changed. (Hoping bribery works!)

I know it is a little risky, but I usually stop still and feign throwing something at their windscreen. Usually slows them down fairly sharpish. Although, one really agressive American in a an X5 chased me round the houses once. I couldn't stop laughing which made him even more angry. His wife was bawling her eyes out and i hope she gave him hell once his red mist subsided..

there is stuff to discourage animals from beds and pots called 'gettoff' ''buggeroff' 'effoff' or something like that - from DIY shops. Smells like the fragrance they use in public toilets - which would scare anything off. Pegs on noses when in the garden though.

Sorry - Back to sema. I started this thread as it was pretty poor, but can't wait to see how the refurb goes, and I hope to be the first to congratulate them. I had a quiet chat with the owner when we went there and it appears his wife is the chef, so lets hope he got a divorce too. (Joking!!)

try travelling italy at breakneck speed on business with trenitalia catering. Worse than the old BR, and also, italy shuts at 10pm, so most places I eat are cafs. Love italian food, but locally, its not very diverse. Sure if you travel North to south you will see a huge variety, but stay in tuscany for too long and you run the risk of turning into paninni too.

I think there is something postive in the air, despite some persitant grumblers on the forum who I sometimes wish would cash in and move on. (tu) Agree with the plough end though. Hopefully the investments will move up there as some of the units need some TLC - and the pub is a dump.

ah - mac only here. thanks anyway.

can't get it to work. What/ Where? what are you supposed to type into these boxes??

The Herne - if you don't mind kids (lots of them - and not very well behaved).

Absolutely Madworld. Vegetarians should also be culled as a matter of course. The world will be a much more balanced place.

This is the perfect vehicle for the EDF - a later night shopping is a superb idea! Can we set up a list we can all add our names to that can be sent to all traders??

Well, yes, they were around before London became the metropolis it is now, but the population levels of foxes are so high that they are now pretty miserable animals living on rotting take-aways and apparently climbing through windows to eat children!! It is also true to say that they appear to hold little / no fear of humans and before long someone / something will get attacked by one. Whether that's deserved or not I leave to you to decide. Too many people & too many foxes. I am still going to support controlled destruction if it is ever offered by the council (it won't in case it offends the mighty vegetarians). Sorry is that offends nr neighbours, but I can't stand them (the foxes no the neighbours!) What's the law regarding shooting wild animals with an air-rifle in your own garden? :) (I can't wait to see the response this gets - Ha Ha!!)

Yeah - a mate of mine lives on St Aidans and has one too.

Hey - I believe the Herne has a limited late license for various events and live music. I think if anyone wnated to put something on - a one off, or once a month, they might be up for it? The problem is, the whole of ED is too residential, and any late night frivolity will be frowned upon my tthe resident majority (35, 2.4, SUV etc)

By the way - If you go to the Herne after 6pm, you will find it pleasantly child free and they are now doing food on Sunday evenings. In addition, I know that they are turning the outside barn into a bar / BBQ / grill area, so there are plenty of reasons to keep the dining room / bar area child free. Have a word in the (New) managers ear. I'm sure they will listen as kids don't pay the bills - nor do the mums nursing a 1/2 of lime & soda for 2 hrs. They need local 'dinkies' who have 3 hr lunches with 2 bottles of wine a head.