fatcats

Hi again, yes I was happy actually, although my teeth have some fluorosis staining and the bleaching can't help with that. Nor can it whiten veneers, just in case you have some. Definitely a good idea to run it past your dentist first. I didn't get any problems with sensitivity. The technician who made the trays for me told me to use Sensodyne toothpaste before and after using the bleaching trays and not to use the trays overnight but instead for a few hours a day (I think he might have said to leave a day inbetween bleaching sessions as well but I can't quite remember). I followed all the the advice he gave me and didn't get any problems. I think you have to give up tea and coffee if you want to maintain the whiteness though. I'm a tea junkie so found that part of it impossible.

Yes I have tried laser whitening, and it didn't work at all, not even one tiny little bit. Since that disappointment I have done a lot more research and the conclusion I drew (which may or may not be correct) is that the only way to really whiten your teeth is through the trays that you get made at the dentist and then add bleach to. If you are open to the trays approach, there is a place in Honor Oak (on the main road bit) that does (relatively) low cost cosmetic dentistry including bleaching. They charged me ?199 for the trays and 4-6 (can't quite remember) syringes of bleach, which is half the price I was quoted just about everywhere else. They also make the trays for many other practices around south east London (as well as other cosmetic dentistry products including veneers I believe) as they started out as a dental technician, so I don't believe that the quality is substandard. I was happy with the service there, haven't had this particular type of bleaching done anywhere else though, so can't compare it directly with any other dental practice.

Yes, please go to a rescue, there are so many benefits in addition to helping a charity. We got our cats from Battersea when they were kittens and they are lovely, affectionate creatures. I've heard some people say that they think cats from rescues will have "an attitude" but this really is ridiculous. Benefits of adopting from a rescue include: free or reduced low-cost neutering, free or reduced cost initial vaccinations, free microchipping, possibly a few weeks free food, possibly free insurance for a month or so (Battersea offer this, not sure about other rescues). Also advice and support. Also, not all rescues have long-winded adoption procedures, Battersea certainly doesn't. Not sure about the others but would still recommend going to a rescue, even if they do, as at least you know that their kittens/cats will have been health-checked, defleaed and wormed etc.

Thanks all, for your input. I'm not too convinced by the scheme either, the only thing I thought might make it worthwhile is the Government cashback for various things. One of the things that puts me off most is that the debt is tied to your home, and that if you sell the new owner takes on the debt. Can imagine that putting a lot of potential buyers off.

thanks for this link, Lowlander

Hi All Was hoping to get some independent feedback on the Green Deal scheme and if it is actually worthwhile. We have moved into a doer upper that is freezing cold and needs floorboard insulation, double glazed windows, new rads, probably a new boiler at some stage - these are just the things we know about. I'm sure if we had an assessment that they may find other things as well. Was wondering if anyone had actually signed up the green deal and what their experience had been so far. I appreciate it's only recently launched.

For a minute I forgot that this is the EDF and that there always has to be someone to turn every thread into a debate.

Hi benners This sounds awful, I'd be horrified if something like this happened to my cat. The only advice I can offer is to call all of the rescues, not just Celia Hammond and/or Battersea. You could try Blue Cross, Cats Protection League, RSPCA Southeast,(they post on here so maybe you could PM them or reply to one of their threads). You could try popping into Celia Hammond on a Saturday or something to speak to someone as I know they can't always answer the phone. Maybe one of these charities could offer some advice to help you trap the cat and neuter it for you. Also, could you try calling the council? They may be able to give some advice. Good luck, I hope you get somewhere with this.

I guess a lot of people your age may still be at uni which may makes things more difficult. Maybe via meetup it may be easier to meet a younger crowd. I think the best thing would be just to try things out and if they work, they work, and if they don't, they don't. I don't think you'll ever regret giving things a try. Good luck anyway, whatever you decide. I know it can be isolating in London sometimes so I hope you find a way to meet people that works for you. Have a lovely xmas and New Year.

Hi again I know a few people who have gone to these social things on their own and they are not strange or anything! What do you have to lose? If you try one out and find that everyone is actually weird or that everyone thinks you're weird (which they wont) then don't go back; it's that simple really, I doubt you'll bump into the people again and if you do say something came up at work. Remember there are a lot of people who move to London after uni or from other countries who find themselves in a similar boat to you. Just to clarify, it's not a meeting new people section, it's the What on in East Dulwich section and within that there is a Meet new people in East Dulwich group that meets up.

It is really difficult in London, I think. Luckily, you are living in a really good place to meet people- just check out the What's On in East Dulwich section there are all kinds of sports activities, book clubs, language nights etc & there is the "Meet New People in East Dulwich" meet-ups. I think the fact that there are all these activities demonstrates that you live in a good community where people are open to the idea of meeting other like-minded people. I really wish I had moved somewhere like East Dulwich when I first came to London. You could also check out www.meetup.com, there are loads of similar events and things on there.

Cheers Alan Medic, yes I was looking at your post in that link. You are right about Esher train station, if I was going to do it that way I think I would get a folding bike as I live a 20-25 minute walk from Peckham or East Dulwich stations as well. But my preference would still be to go via moped, have heard mixed reports about how difficult/dangerous the journey would be.

Ok thanks, not what I wanted to hear as I only just bought it! (Bought it before I was offered the new job). Sods law eh. I have just dug out this thread which suggests a couple of alternative routes, don't know if any of the suggestions seem any safer? http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,892106

Hi El Pipe Thanks for the suggestion. No, I thought if I was going to do something like that I may as well cycle to Vauxhall as there is a direct train from there. Still hoping there may be an ok route for driving/moped. Thanks again

Starting a new job in Esher next month and will hopefully eventually be commuting via moped. Does anyone else commute out this way and if so please could you give any advice on the best route? I have heard the South Circular is a nightmare at that time of day even if you are heading out of London. Google maps says East Dulwich - Tulse Hill - Clapham - Tooting - Wimbledon then eventually get on the A3. Wondering if anyone has any better ideas? Thanks in advance

It has appeared in Bournemouth local news as well: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9761672.Missing_pensioner_could_be_in_Bournemouth_and_Poole_area/ And looks like ITV covered it at the weekend, but only in brief: http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2012-06-09/police-appeal-for-help-to-help-trace-missing-pensioner-from-peckham/

Hi there A girl at my work had a charity cake sale this week and raised more than ?200. Some of my other colleagues helped by baking cakes for her to sell. Nice simple idea that works pretty well in a big company. ETA: apologies I just saw that you are looking for long term ideas. Is it just for patients at Kings or cancer patients nationwide? If it just for local patients you could approach local companies to see if one of them might sponsor the initiative?

How about a petition calling for the BBC to give this issue some media coverage (chosen the BBC as it is publicly funded)?

Thanks James, and this is not meant to be sarky but isn't that what these Empty Homes departments are supposed to do? My point is just really that it is a waste of taxpayers money that these teams even exist, if all they do is settle for empty assurances and turn a blind eye.

Wasn't really aimed at James, but apologies if it came across that way, I think it's great that councillors directly address people's concerns on here.

Well as long as they have "repeatedly assured" them. I mean that's all it takes the rest of us proles when we have to deal with the council, right? Is there anywhere where one can find out what this Empty Homes team actually achieves? In terms of numbers of empty properties actually brought back into use?

No Winglessbird, they go out into the back garden but if they run along the back fence which adjoins several other gardens they eventually would come to a road that joins with Underhill.

thanks Minkey, it wasn't mine, I got home from work to find him waiting for his dinner as usual. Feel awful for the cat's owner and the cat, of course. Thanks for flagging it up OP and sorry you had to witness it.

Whereabouts on Underhill road was this? I don't know where the new houses are. I have an 8 month old black kitten and am stuck at work worrying about him.