Jenny I

Can someone tell me, if instead of renewing the garden subscription I buy the garden bags, is collection of those free?

The new Chinese on Lordship Lane, Chi, is really good and the staff are really warm and welcoming. Food is authentic and delicious. I highly recommend! We ate in but they also do takeaway.

Hi there, can you tell me how much they charge an hour? thanks x

Thanks to all the recommendations i also got Andy in for some work. We had an old airing cupboard where the shelves were coming away from the crumbling internal walls. Andy was prompt, made good the shelves and we ended up having to force some extra cash on him because we felt too guilty about how little he was going to charge us. Would definitely recommend him!

Hi, My daughter will start Year 11 in September and I'm looking for someone with experience to tutor her in Spanish, but I'd like a recommendation if possible. thanks! Jenny

I must give a shout out to JKA Damp Proofing & Plastering. Our Victorian house has suffered badly with damp and Jonathan had already sorted out an extensive problem downstairs and this time he has just fixed a damp problem in our bedroom caused by the original Victorian plaster failing. It meant removing and saving a whole wall of (expensive) floor-to-ceiling fitted wardrobes as well as replastering. Jonathan coordinated with carpenters, a plumber for removing and refixing the radiators and even had a trusted decorator to recommend. The plaster work is really superior and the wardrobes are back in and look as good as new. Jonathan is really knowledgeable, experienced and hardworking. You can contact him on 07713 187226. Beware damp proof companies that simply want to sell you a chemical damp proof course!

I've been using the one in the Co-op but the problem is the bin is tiny and doesn't get emptied often enough. On the TV advert you see someone turning up to put one bread wrapper in it, but there is so much of this stuff, even if you try to avoid it, you can collect loads. I slightly have the fear about whether they really do recycle it, but that's another story. So these initiatives are good but they need much bigger/better facilities.

I'm another satisfied customer of Andy's. He came at short notice to sort out a leaky toilet and got the job done quickly and efficiently and was reasonably priced. Such a nice chap too - a total gent. Would highly recommend!

I'm another fan of Andy of Andyman Services. We had one of those jobs that fall into the 'too small' category (door that was sticking) but Andy came round to see it the next day, got the job done quickly and efficiently, was very professional and great value for money. It's so good when you find a local tradesman you know you can rely on and, above all, trust. I highly recommend him.

Do you have a teenage boy or girl who would like to improve their French? I am looking to place a 17-year-old boy from La Rochelle in a local home for 2 weeks from the end of April. He has a work placement as a sous chef at a restaurant in Marble Arch but has never been to London before and is not especially streetwise, so his parents would like him to stay in a family setting, ideally with teens. That said, he will be working 2pm-8pm shifts, so he wouldn't be under your feet all the time! His family are friends of my sister, who lives in La Rochelle, so I can vouch for his good character. If anyone is interested let me know. La Rochelle is a very beautiful part of France, and who knows where this could lead... You can PM me here or text/call Jen on 07870 518266 Thanks

Hi, when we moved from Brixton to ED nine years ago we used Harradines (SE15) and they were great. Reasonable costs and the two removal men were really helpful, even helping to clear the house we were moving into (it had been rented out and the landlord didn't want the furniture) when the clearance company let us down on the day. They took apart and rebuilt beds and wardrobes - i think this is pretty standard though. good luck Jenny

Definitely. It's tricky because I work, but I think what the Government is doing to education is frightening and I support the teachers all the way.

Anyone else think Little Clippers on Northcross Road charges way too much? I took my 5-y-o daughter there and was charged ?15 when she was only in the chair about 5 minutes. It's not like they're doing a wash and blow-dry too. Nice enough cut but I did feel like I'd been mugged. Trouble is, lots of other hairdressers seem reluctant to do children's cuts. Anyone recommend a good, local, reasonably-priced place that's happy to take kids? Or is this how Little Clippers gets away with such high prices?

Got my letter and we have been offered a place at Goose Green, so am v relieved. Not on my chosen list but parents seem to love it and there is a real buzz about it. Frankly, after yesterday am just relieved to be given a school in ED.

I tried to phone Southwark admissions this morning only to be told they don't take calls. Excellent! Had to leave a message and someone should call back in 3 working days. Last time I was told that I didn't hear anything for 3 weeks, despite repeated calls. Why is this system so unfair?!

I live on Hansler Road and also was not offered a place at any of the 4 schools I listed.

Hi Alice, I suppose delaying could be an option if you are offered something totally unacceptable. Unfortunately my daughter is 5 on 2 Sept so there is no possibility of us postponing her start date. We didn't put Goose Green down so maybe we will get offered that which would be OK. Speaking to other friends, though, they were offered a place at a random school in the same email they were told they'd been unsuccessful at their chosen schools. They were applying to Lambeth & Southwark schools though so don't know if that's the difference. I love the way the results go out at 5pm though, just to make sure you can't get on the phone and rant!

Does anyone know how far the catchment for Heber seemed to go this year? Any advance on the 250m Claire mentioned?

Yes, I have been told no offer possible to any of my 4 schools (Heber, Goodrich, Dulwich infants, St John & St Clement's, in that order). Stunned. We live 5 mins walk from Heber. Are there really 60 4 year olds who live closer than us (Hansler Road). Email just told me to wait until I got a letter from Southwark before I do anything. Thanks for that! No doubt we will be offered a school that no one else wants to go to. Feel devastated and furious.