The_Monkeyboy

Another recommendation for Billy Hunter. Billy recently replaced our very old back boiler system with a modern combi, replacing/rerouting lots of pipework and removing tanks etc. Excellent work, on time and on budget and good communication throughout as noted by others. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend. MB

SENewbie, Gooders79 and canela - thank you very much for your messages and suggestions, much appreciated! Thanks again, MB

Hi all, We've decided we'd like to take the kids abroad for the first time and brave the journey for a bit of spring / early summer sun. However, we're finding it more difficult than we expected to find somewhere ideal for the kids (3.5 and 1.5) whilst offering something for adults as well. Combining activities for the kids, safety around pools for toddlers etc with a relatively painfree journey is somehow more difficult than I expected. Eurocamp might be an option, although I have to say I personally find that uninspiring and wonder if the kids are still a bit young for that anyway. Hiring a villa feels like sometimes it is a compromise on safety around the pool where you wouldn't be able to turn your back for a second (although some are safer than others of course) What are others doing with similar aged kids? Does anyone have any suggestions for good holidays in Europe, or further afield even, with a young family? Perhaps we should just stay in the UK, but we'd really like to go this year before we have to start worrying about school holidays! Many thanks, MB

I am very saddened to read about these changes that are more extensive than I had previously understood. Whilst some turnover amongst units is perhaps beneficial (for example, see the brewers recently occupying the Norwood Road and Rosendale Rd arches) I firmly believe the extensive changes that are shortly coming have the potential to make the area unrecognisable, and not in a good way. As a long term resident of the area, it seems to me that the behaviour of Dulwich Estates reflects a short term focus on financial gain at the expense of long term impact in the community. This should come as no surprise given their activity in recent years, where we have seen several entirely self centred developments from this faceless organisation. One of the most outrageous being the residential development in Dulwich village on the former Audi car showroom site, but also see the mismanagement of the public houses (Half Moon, Greyhound and Harvester) in recent times. The beneficiaries from this mismanagement/abuse of the community by Dulwich Estate represent a number of local public schools, a clear minority. Meanwhile, the fabric of the area is changed for which we all suffer. When I walked home last night I passed the Herne Hill sign under the railway bridge which had been daubed in pink paint, presumably by some moron with nothing better to do. I was pretty disgusted by such a pointless act of vandalism, yet on reflection, it's a no less constructive contribution to the area than that we have seen from Dulwich Estate's recently. MB

I'd echo the recommendations for Fernando who I found through the forum. He spent a couple of days on our back garden this week and is doing some further work next week on the front. Great results, fair price and nice to deal with too. MB

Sorry administrator, wrong section. Please delete and I will post correctly! Apologies! MB

I have a couple of smaller panes of glass (within bigger windows) that need repairing and I wondered if anyone can recommend someone for quite a small glazing job. This probably best suited to someone smaller scale/odd job man rather than one of our more established local companies. Would be please to hear any recommendations. Many thanks, MB

Thanks both

I gather these are on the increase globally in the uk for some reason. I've had a problem recently and I'm really struggling to get rid of them despite extensive steaming of all areas. Much improved but sadly it appears not totally gone. Has anyone used a professional company or over the counter pesticides with any success? Many thanks, MB