DavidPeckham

Except for every parent and child in an area well-known for schools and families that might want to join the South East London chapter of a nationwide conversation. But also, yes, there are more pigeons on the benches in Goose Green these days, and don't even get me started about Screwfix! Thanks for refocusing on the things that matter.

Since posting, there are now 20+ local groups around the country, a petition to govt and a website launching on Monday. Whatever your view on the debate might be, it's a good example of people mobilising: https://linktr.ee/smartphonefreechildhood

If this is the sort of thread you're interested in, then you may have seen the story this week of two parents whose WhatsApp group discussing the research and risks around kids and smartphones, which has become a national network in the last few days. "They'd discussed their reluctance to give their children smartphones. With this in mind, on Saturday, they set up a WhatsApp group called Parents United for a Smartphone-Free Childhood, half assuming the parents united within it would just be the two of them talking to each other. Neither was prepared for what happened." Their national group reached its cap, and then again after they managed to extend it, so they've begun regional groups for parents wanting support or a space to discuss the topic, and the South East group is here for anyone who's also interested to explore it. Free to join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JyrUaaXWR405LjJZeSRWKR If you haven't seen any of the articles, a non-paywalled feature is here, outlining how organically the conversation was shaped and how far it's gone “As soon as you give someone a smartphone you end their childhood,” "The two friends aren’t aiming to put pressure on the government or technology firms to change things. Their goal is either more modest, or more ambitious, depending on how you look at it: to mobilise parents to change the conversation, on the basis that there’s safety in numbers. “We want to help other people make the decision not to [give their child a smartphone],” says Greenwell. “The ideal outcome would be that we’ve shifted the social norm.” Their decision to set up a group that anyone could join was inspired by a similar initiative taken by parents in Spain last year."

Objection submitted, thanks, team behind the coal line, it's hard to see all the benefits of something like this until there, here, but from what I've seen with your plans, and similar in other cities and countries, I wish you all the best, I think it will be a positive asset for South London for a long time to come.

I picked it up on Saturday and enjoyed it cover to cover, congratulations on a massive achievement. There's room to be more provocative, creative, alternative and exploratory in the space outside the existing local free press and I hope you grow into that sort of direction. Congratulations, good luck and keep it up please.

Archdale Road has one every year and is happening again on June 12th this year for the Big Lunch

I will happily be the 4000th reference for the Spin Doctor, he, and Derek, are a breath of fresh air, a pleasure to deal with reasonable in every way, and a genuine expert at what he does, many thanks Steve!

The best bit of Frenchness I saw on Lordship Lane was the sign outside Bruno's Cave on Saturday morning after the France went' out the world cup, which just read "Bloody Germans' Vive France

Excellent work, and thanks to everyone involved in making it happen! I saw it in a press release from Picture House excitedly talking about everything from reclining seats to a green roof providing fresh produce for the menu and a plan to reveal some of the hall's original beamwork! Nice, many thanks for all the hard work of all the people who helped it along!

There was some talk ages ago of a Victoria train from East Dulwich, you don't know about that as well do you, or was it just rumour? Cheers

Great news, well done to all involved, from F Gerry to James Barber, and a whole lot in between, that's a great (re)addition to the area. Thanks for your work pushing it forward.

Those maps are great, well done to all of you who made them happen!

Excellent suggestion, thanks James, have emailed Mike Asa a resident and local business owner extolling the virtues of a Victoria connection in addition to London Bridge, please let me know if this thread leads anywhere, a petition or consultation emerges, or anything else I could do to help! Cheers

Hello Spring Babies Ladies, looks like there's a meet up this week, and I'd like to let my wife know, she's due April 22nd, but hasn't been in ED long, and we were out of London for the Feb meet up, so she would like to come and say hello and meet some of you this time. But before I pack her off, I'm just checking I've understood it right and you're on for 10:30 this Wednesday 13th in the cafe in Dulwich Park? Many thanks, Dave.

Hello All, I just spotted this as I've been looking for some pregnancy yoga for my wonderful, and increasingly pregnant wife, our first is due in late April, Vivi is new to East Dulwich, from Mexico, and I just told her about this thread and she'd LOVE to meet some local mums. Sadly we're away on the 9th, but if there's another get together sometime soon, weekdays work for her, then she'd really like to come along, she's not on the forum so if you don't mind me being an interested Dad i'll let her know? Many thanks, have a great time Dave

It's still a lot better than those stick chaps off Lordship lane!

1. East Dulwich Picture House 2. Authentic Tapas 3. Youth Club / Cafe 4. Proper Cocktails 5. The Magic Costume Shop (Mr Ben rememberers)

Hello, I was trying to find a number for the Oakwood Midwives, I've found one on Google, but it only seems to go to an answerphone and I'd really like to talk to them about looking after my wife? if any of you can help at all, it would be very much appreciated? Many thanks. Dave.