R11

The lovely Margaret who does the term time sessions at Buchan Hall and in the Ivyhouse is running some of her sessions in Peckham Rye park this week and Dulwich Park next week. Details on her website: http://www.margaretsmusicltd.com/whats-on.html

It's Ivydale School Summer Fair this Saturday 25th June. Come and join us 12-3 for BBQ, Pimms bar, tea and cakes, bouncy castle, bubble machine, traditional fair games, hamper raffle, second hand toys and books, children's music performances, Nunhead Community Choir, air guitar competition, face painting and tattoos, fun craft activities and plenty more. Ivydale School Ivydale Road Nunhead SE15 3BU

Thank you. I will definitely give there a try.

After a clear out, I have a selection of duvet covers in various sizes, pillow cases and a sleeping bag all in good condition which I would like to give to a homeless organisation or one sending aid to refugee camps. I offered it to the Barry Road hostel today but they didn't want it. Can anyone suggest any organisations who would like it? Ideally based fairly locally so I can take it to them in the next couple of days. Many thanks.

Saied did a great job pruning our very overgrown apple tree last week. He is clearly very knowledgable and cares about his work and customers. He gave me lots of advice and offered to come back to check the tree in a few weeks with no extra charge. He's a pleasure to deal with, friendly and professional.

Sorry to hijack the thread and offer no solution but our cleaner has called in sick and we are also looking for a last minute replacement to do 3 hours at our house in Nunhead tomorrow (Tuesday 23rd) at any time of the day. Please let me know if you know of any available cleaners or good local agencies who can provide cleaners at such short notice. Many thanks.

Just reviving this thread yet again as we too are about to redo our kitchen and am wondering if any wise forumites can offer more advice. We are about to have a small extension done and will need a kitchen refit to work in the new space. I have plenty of random ideas but have been very uninspired by the high street kitchen options such as Ikea and Wickes, which is all we have a budget for, (and to be honest even the more expensive options we couldn't afford) so are looking at the options of reworking and reusing some of the existing kitchen we inherited, which we really like parts of and just adding some new appliances and fixtures, shelving and individual units to work around our new space and requirements. Has anyone done anything like this and strayed away from the idea of a complete fitted kitchen? If so, how did you go about it? I'm feeling a little stuck! And can anyone recommend a local carpenter who might be able to do something like this for us - ideally someone creative and not just a standard fitted kitchen fitter but not too pricy either - if that's not asking the impossible! Also, has anybody gone for bamboo flooring and can recommend which type and good suppliers? Any information or advice gratefully received. Thanks.

We moved locally last year with a 3 year old and 8 month old and used Smile Moves. They did the whole packing service too and were absolutely brilliant - such nice guys and did a great job. They were also our lowest quote.

We are looking to do what sounds like a very similar thing requiring similar services. We also have small children and would be grateful for any local recommendations - and if you would be willing to share any contacts people may have sent you by PM, Kes. Many thanks

Another recommendation for Matthew. He and his guys have just completed their second job for us and we are really happy with their work. They fully redecorated our 2 adjoining reception rooms including painting newly built-in cupboards and shelving to really high standard. They worked extremely hard and have finished it to a really good standard at a very fair price. They were also particularly patient and considerate with our two small children running around the rest of the house and fairly frequent interruptions! In addition, Matthew is really helpful and knowledgable and advised us throughout about materials and methods and any issues which arose during the work. He also liaised independently with the carpenter building our shelves and cupboards to coordinate all the work as smoothly as possible, which was great. We will definitely use Matthew and his team again.

This is a really lovely, friendly choir and a great thing to do with your little one(s) although it's aimed at the adults. We've been going since it began over 2 years ago and love it. Richard does great arrangements which are lovely to sing and, in my experience, the babies and children get a lot out of it too. We usually go to the Monday morning group and it's such a nice way to start the week.

Thanks everyone. Think I will look out for a job lot of v3/4 BG going second hand.

I'm thinking of investing in some more nappies for my 3 month old, who I haven't managed to get into cloth yet. Thought I'd consult the family roomers as I know there are a fair few cloth nappy users and experts among you. I used Motherease one size mostly for my older son and really liked them but didn't start until he was about 4 months and he was considerably bigger than his little sister is now. I have tried her in them but all poppered down into the smaller size plus a wrap seemed a) enormous and bulky on her (she's quite long and slight and still only in size 1 or 2 disposables) and b) quite a lot of faff when I'm now doing it with a 3 year old to entertain at the same time. A friend lent me an old Bumgenius all in one to try, which was much easier and a bit less bulky and when I consulted the Nappy Lady and gave my requirements, she suggested the new Bumgenius freetime. It looks great but I wondered if anyone has used them on a smallish, breastfed baby and what they think performance/ease of use-wise before I buy (especially as they are so new there aren't really any available to buy second hand) Or does anyone have any other all in one recommendations? I really want to stick to one size only as I'd like them to last all the way. Also, if anyone's looking to sell any good nappies, please let me know. Thanks

Another vote for the Lanes. I had my second with them in November, having had my first also with them 3 years previously. I was with Erika both times but had other midwives for both deliveries. I had one very long and more complicated hospital birth and then a much faster than expected but straight forward home birth and they were fabulous for both. The care during pregnancy and after the birth both times was outstanding and I felt very privileged to have such personal attention and support. I really don't feel either experience would have been so positive were it not for them. At my first appointment for my second pregnancy, Erika took the time to go through the staff turnover in the team since I'd had #1, which wasn't alarmingly high and totally understandable. There are at least 3 of the same midwives from over 3 years ago and all those on the team while I was in their care have always been excellent. Can't praise them highly enough.

The school in Clapham is called ELT (English Language Training) http://www.elt-online.co.uk/ As dulwichquine said, it's easy to get to on the 37 or by bike. It's small, friendly and very much geared to the au pair market so a good place to meet other au pairs in the south London area. It's also fully accredited and offers a high standard of teaching.

Thanks everyone - all really helpful.

We are currently looking at options for our son to go to pre-school in September, a month before his 3rd birthday. I have visited and put his name down at a few places but options for what we are looking for seem quite limited so I just wanted to make sure we weren't missing any other obvious choices, especially given we've probably left it a bit late so no guarantees anywhere. Although I realise we may not get exactly what we want, we of course want to get it right for him and having not used any childcare so far, this is our first dip into this world. Our main practical requirement is for somewhere that will give him the 15 hours free without top-up from the term after his 3rd birthday but will also allow him to do fewer hours than that and only 2 or 3 sessions a week at least for the first couple of terms. The places I have looked at are: BUDS, Amott Road, which I liked but will only do 5 days; Bessemer Grange, which is lovely but are unlikely to have a place for him before September 2013 (though I've been told there is a possibility) and will of course only do 5 days being attached to a school; East Dulwich Community Nursery and Dulwich Village Pre-school, which is our current preference as it offers the sessional care we'd like and I was generally impressed by them. However, they have a current problem with a backlog of children still awaiting primary school places so have been unable to give any clear indication of their current waiting list and how likely we would be to get a place this September so we don't really want to put all our eggs in that basket. So what I'm really asking is whether there are any other options locally which would suit our needs and preferences that I have missed. We live opposite Dulwich Hospital / behind Alleyns and walking distance would also be preferable but not essential. I would also welcome relevant and current opinions or experiences regarding any of the places I have mentioned. Thanks.

Hi, I volunteer for a mums, bumps & babies group at the Refugee Council in Brixton supporting refugees and asylum seekers and I have posted on the forum asking for donations several times previously. We aren't able to take a huge volume of stuff at the moment as we cannot store it but if they are things which we can give directly to our clients who are in need (clothes, nappies, milk and baby food are always needed)then we would be very grateful for them. If you PM me, I will very happily come and collect from you. Thanks, Sarah

It's me who posts for the Refugee Council group and I've PM'd you - the bottles would be great if they're not yet filled with pasta and peas or catching slugs! Thanks for thinking of it, Yak. Always worth contacting me if people have baby equipment to get rid of and would like it to go to a good cause. Sarah

In terms of language courses, ELT in Clapham specialises in part-time courses for au pairs. It's a small school but very friendly and is largely attended by young, European au pairs who all end up making friends and hanging out together. I worked there before I left to have my son and would also recommended it from an academic point of view. Hope that's helpful.

Hi ClareC, I've just tried to PM you to arrange collection from you but the message bounced back because your inbox is full. Is Friday morning 9/9.30 any good? Let me know. Many thanks Sarah

Hello ratty and charlottekb, I would be very happy to take these clothes for the Refugee Council where I volunteer at a mums, bumps and babies group. There are quite a few families with growing baby boys who are in need. We would give them directly to them and certainly make no money from them. I can come and collect them from you but possibly not until next week as I already have a car load of collections I have done this week. Please pm if you would like more information or to organise this. Thanks, Sarah

Officially, I also think yes. A friend of mine recently got baptised in order to become a godparent. However, some vicars will make exceptions or are just not thorough enough to check. I am not baptised but am a godparent twice over although I got slightly special treatment in one case as my dad is a vicar and, rightly or wrongly, that was deemed to be enough!

I have just recommended a beautician on another thread here. She is excellent.

For all beautician stuff I use a fabulous woman called Anna. She lives fairly locally and will come to your house - I'm not sure if she has people to her house too. I've had waxing, pedicures and manicures with her and she does everything to the highest standard. She is also extremely reasonable (?15 for a full pedicure with foot massage and all), flexible with timings, considerate of your needs with babies and children and is generally really lovely. It doesn't make it quite the same relaxing, pampering experience but it is possible to breastfeed and have a pedicure at the same time!! I have no personal connection to her or any gain to make but can't recommend her highly enough. She works independently so you can just call her directly on 07905 509125. Sarah