AylwardS

I hope the girls are not too traumatised. If you know of anyone who might go to the park and be approached by this man a couple of things I was one told at a self defence class years ago which have stuck with me might be worth them thinking about - if they can. Shout out ?Help officer? - the article says police patrols have been increased so there could well be one around. If nothing else the distraction could give them time to get away / to somewhere with more people. Ask someone for help but identify them - lady in the blue coat. People find it harder to ignore if you are clearly speaking to them and they are unlikely to know the name of the person they can see in the park. Hopefully no-one will need to use these tips before he is caught but with schools reopening there are likely to be more girls going through the park. Maybe these tips will mean a compromise between girls and their parents. It would be a shame if girl had to avoid the park just as the restrictions are eased and they might be going more frequently.

I?d been wearing a mask whenever I was outdoors as I wouldn?t want to unwittingly pass on Covid. Wearing the mask isn?t something to just do but on balance I thought it was worth it. When the Covid alert level reduced from 5 to 4 I was going to stop wearing it outside as a general rule but there is a block of flats at the end of our estate that workers at the hospital live in and I?ve seen a number of them still wearing masks so I?ve carried on. If you are concerned about a shop point it out to the Manager and then decide, based on their response, if you are going to carry on shopping there. Even businesses that have been able to stay open have seen a drop in trade. Stay safe everyone

If anyone is driving up Dog Kennell Hill it is closed after the junction with Sainsburys if you are going up the hill. Coming from Camberwell it?s access as normal. Looks like they are retarmacing the road on that side. TfL site says 40, 176, 185,484 towards Camberwell are diverted due to resurfacing works. Missing stops from Elsie Road to Denmark Hill Station.

@bodsier sorry to hear you were one of many who found lockdown hard. I get what you say about exercising outside. I have bad joints so walking is my exercise. I do some walk to YouTube videos but make a point of walking outside once a day as we are allowed as in the first lockdown I found that although I could do the steps walking indoors wasn?t the same. Even so I could feel the walk I did from near East Dulwich station to Ruskin Park the other week that I thought nothing of a year ago when I was walking to Denmark Hill station each week as I?ve been walking the back streets around Lordship Lane not up the hill. You felt compelled to write, I feel I have to reply as I think what you wrote did put people?s lives at risk although you say ?I would never put mine or other people's lives at risk.? You say ?I totally understand and comply to the covid rules...? but then go on to describe a situation when you weren?t. It?s been a difficult time for lots of people for various reasons and hopefully one positive that will come out of this is that mental health is discussed more openly. The rules don?t affect everyone the same and we might not agree with them all but they are clearer than they?ve been at times. From what you say you understand there were more of you than are currently allowed and you have your reasons but a few things for you to think about. 1 in 3 people who have the virus have no symptoms, so you or anyone in that group could be spreading it without knowing it. How would you feel if someone you know ended up with Covid and you had passed it on? What about the policemen who told you to disperse? Any additional contact for them increases the risk they could catch Covid or pass it on. What about their families? You are not the only one gathering. Some are simply ignoring the rules, some, like you, have reasons. Whatever gatherings are known to let the virus spread. The virus doesn?t think these people have a good reason to gather I won?t infect them. So we all have to do our bit. There is still some way to go but the numbers are going down. It sounds like this wasn?t the first time you?ve met this group. How many of you met? How many other people have you each come into contact with in the time you?ve been meeting? I totally agree with what you say about summer holidays. Just because you can do something doesn?t mean you should. People are still dying and needing hospital treatment in numbers that are coming down but still too high. Opening up too soon led to another lockdown. After a year waiting until 29 March to meet isn?t too long. My husband won?t be able to see his family for his birthday (25 March) and last year we changed plans for his birthday 4 times as things changed and this year waited for the roadmap and now can make plans that are pretty much what they would have been. That?s where the country is at. I get your reasons but your actions don?t just affect you. Maybe if people had stuck to the rules we could be further along on the way out of lockdown now and people would be able to meet up as you describe legally, children would be back in school and numbers dying or in hospital with Covid would be lower.

I think this is the sign you mean. It?s No Through Route. Advance warning of the restriction on Townley Road turning into East Dulwich Grove. Access to the park is unchanged

The vaccination program offers a way out but its not an immediate option for removal of restrictions. It?s great that so many people have received the first dose of the vaccine but there is still some way to go. Please be patient for a while yet and carry on observing social distancing / wearing a mask and washing your hands. Two doses of the vaccination are needed and even then those vaccinated don?t have total immunity. They could still catch Covid but shouldn?t get as severely ill as they would without it. Yes we all want to see friends and relatives again but relax too soon and there could be another lockdown. The usual illnesses and reasons for admission to hospital aren?t going away. Though admission because of falls will hopefully be down as less people are out in the ice and snow. Please think of those who need medical attention for something they couldn?t have avoided and the staff who will treat them. A bed in use for Covid is one that can?t be used for another patient. Maybe the Covid patient could have avoided catching Covid by observing social distancing leaving the bed / staff free for the person hit by a car on a zebra crossing. Social distancing while queueing might seem like its not that important but the effects don?t stop there.

I put this in the general ED area but losing weight can reduce risk of some of the medical conditions that can cause Covid symptoms to be worse so I thought I'd put it here too so as many people as possible who might find it useful are aware. Southwark is running a pilot with Slimming World with a FREE 12 week referral for those eligible who want to lose weight. If you know someone who wants to lose weight referral is via the Southwark Healthy Lifestyle Hub on 0333 005 0159. The offer?s not open to current members. I can say from personal experience that the West Norwood group is a friendly group with a great Consultant and support from other members. Its not a diet, Slimming World introduce you to a healthy lifestyle and there are members in the group who fit it into their family life / while travelling for work / working shifts. 12 week?s free would cover the run up to Easter if that?s likely to be a challenging time. There was definitely sharing last Easter on ways to cope with the challenges the time of year throws up. If you know someone who might be interested do pass the details on. Ok weight losses might not be what they were pre-Covid but people are losing weight and there have been those that have reached their target weight during lockdown.

malumbu Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Love to know what binoculars people use, these > ones seem decent mid range at about ?140 > https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/binoculars/rspb-avoce > t-8-x-32-binoculars-2020.html If you can afford it look at the RSPB BG range. We had a pair of these for years before we traded up. If you look at ones around ?100 go for a bigger size to let in more light. The difference between 8x32 at that price and 8x42 is noticeable. The RSPB range is good for the price and your purchase supports a charity. When allowed to open again the RSPB reserve Rainham Marshes sells optics and you can try out various binoculars to see which you prefer. Within a price range it is a personal choice - how they feel and the view you get is different for different people. If you can wait until things reopen to try out a few I?d say do that. As well as the RSPB Rainham Marshes the In Focus shop at WWT London Wetland Centre will let you try out various pairs. Try them out on a grey day not a sunny one - you?ll get a better idea of how they capture light.

Thanks for passing this on. Sure there are more people who?ll want to help. I?ve added it to a What?s App group I?m on. There are a number of students on there who?ve not gone back to university yet so maybe have the knowledge and time to help refurbish computers that come in. If nothing else the message is getting to another 100 people who might pass it on.

I think the consensus is clear Yes your mother should be vaccinated. The vaccine doesn?t give 100% protection so she will still need to take other precautions and it doesn?t stop her from catching Covid but It does reduce the symptoms. The vaccine has been tested and over 2 million doses given in England, more in all countries. If it was unsafe we?d know by now. You say she?s been ok so far - she might not have caught Covid but has she been able to see you / friends? Think about it like this Possibility of your mum catching Covid now 100% and all the restrictions on her day to day life. She has the first dose of the vaccine and carries on as now. She has the second dose of the vaccine and restrictions should have eased and you / friends can see her again - socially distanced, with masks or whatever the restrictions are then but you can start to get together for birthdays / special occasions being careful if not exactly what she did pre-Covid. If she catches Covid hopefully her symptoms won?t be as bad. Good for her and the NHS. Does your mum remember people getting mumps before the vaccine was developed for that - it was only in the 1970?s. Or does she have a flu jab each year? The Covid vaccine hasn?t been around as long but its been developed to the same standards. The benefits make the answer yes for me. I just hope people don?t relax hand washing and social distancing too soon. The virus hasn?t gone away because there?s a vaccine. Stay safe everyone.

The council website is unhelpful but there is an email address that may be worth contacting. Though the lockdown restricts the market to essential retail so it maybe better. This is what the council site says. Limited market service Southwark markets are currently operating a very limited?service of?goods?at a small number of areas around the borough. If you have an enquiry regarding a specific market, email us at [email protected]. If you're visiting a Southwark market, be aware that current public health guidelines advise that public toilets remain closed for public safety until further notice.

Brightfield1975 there is a link to the park bylaws which define the areas from this page on the Council website if you didn?t see the previous message. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaces/parks-information/dogs-in-parks

Make your concerns known to staff but also to the shoppers who appear not to be complying. Peer pressure has its benefits. Bear in mind this is difficult for staff - if they challenge people the reaction can be aggressive. A full day on your feet is something most of us don?t need to do. The added aggro is something I?d not want. Can you raise it as another customer? ?It?s not great but its what we all need to do? ? Be polite. The person might have an exemption you can?t see. Generally those with an exemption will be ok but if its the 50th time you?ve been asked you could have a short temper - wouldn?t you? We all need to do our bit, when we feel comfortable.

Under the current lockdown driving to Kent would not be allowed and there have been reports of drivers been challenged by police as their vehicle was registered outside the area. Guidance on exercise says ?you should not travel outside your local area.? Regarding travel guidance says ?If you need to travel you should stay local ? meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live ? and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall.? Specifically for exercise under travel it says ?outdoor exercise. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your area to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)?. Short distance is open to interpretation but Kent, mentioned in the OP during the last lockdown would seem to me to be against the spirit if not the law. The police need to interpret what counts as a short distance and we all know people see things differently and this will be no different. If you can walk do - have you seen the street art around here? If you can?t Sunray Gardens, Peckham Rye Park, Dulwich Park, Belair Park, the Horniman Gardens, Brockwell Park are all within 15 minutes drive (though I saw East Dulwich Grove is down to one lane on contraflow when I walked down today and you can?t drive through the village back to East Dulwich in morning and afternoon peak with the restrictions so walking is by far preferable if you can leaving the roads clearer for those who can?t or have to drive for work.

Rollflick have you asked Sainsburys to update staff / expressed your concerns to them? I had concerns shortly after staff first had to wear masks and a message on the Sainsburys Facebook page obviously had a reminder sent to staff as next time I went in it was much better. You wouldn?t think it would be but its easy to forget about a mask even when you would normally wear one or have one ready to wear. Well I have headed off shopping and had to turn round as I?d forgotten my mask or taken it down to eat / drink and not put it back up immediately.

London Wildlife Trust don?t charge for entry to their reserves and a number of posts on here have recognised the value of the woods in recent times. The cost of replacing the padlock and any damage caused is going to fall on the trust. If you can consider joining - membership is one source of income for them and they?ve no doubt seen a reduction in income. The monthly cost is far less than paying to park in Dulwich Park and there is a local example of the work membership provides https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/support-us/join-us Thank you to all staff and volunteers.

The council has been given powers in the last few years so they can enforce where the police had to before. I recall a refresh of what?s expected - keep dogs under control, clean up after them, keep them on leads which most responsible dog owners do - when they got the powers. You can download the park bylaws on https://www.southwark.gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaces/parks-information/dogs-in-parks. These are dated 1996 so nothing new but maybe the signs are newer. According to schedule 3 dogs in Dulwich Park are to be on leads in the central area and sports pitches. As this is where there are people / balls dogs might chase that makes sense and is something most dog owners would do anyway. The central area and sports pitches are a small area of the park so putting a dog on a lead, preferably short when passing other people so the dog doesn?t tangle the lead around their legs and knock them over, doesn?t seem a big ask. It?s what we did signs or no signs. As has been said the park is for all and with a little give and take people, dogs and children can enjoy the park. A few tips / a bit of context to consider Dog owners remember others don?t know your dog is friendly / playing. Put the dog on a lead in areas with signs or when someone is nervous. If you have time show them the best way to approach your dog or tell them he doesn?t like strangers / men /noise if that?s the case. Quietly, hand out for the dog to sniff and come to you usually works. Non dog owners be quiet and keep movement to a minimum around dogs. Listen to the owner they know their dog and its likes or how it might react. Leave the dog alone / don?t get between it and a toy / food / when its doing its business. Would you be comfortable if someone rushed up to you and did something unannounced if the answer is no the dog probably isn?t but has limited ways to show it. A dog approaching you that you are not comfortable about? Quietly ask the owner to call it back, stay quiet and still or move slowly. Don?t run. Have children with you? Teach them they don?t need to be afraid just act in a certain way. Just like learning to share we all need to be taught / learn. Like us dogs have different personalities watch and if the dog?s uncomfortable back off. There are bad dog owners as there are bad drivers but they are a minority. The dog, like a child only knows what its been taught. This may seem to have more advice for non dog owners but these are things I?ve seen or experienced that people do that a dog might react aggressively to because its frightened or didn?t understand that could have been avoided.

I?ve just been checking the government guidance on what businesses should close in tier 4. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/closing-certain-businesses-and-venues-in-england Looks to me as if cold calling shouldn?t be happening. Under ?Businesses required to close? it says ?Door-to-door sales should not be taking place ....? Maybe not something to raise if he?s aggressive but might be worth mentioning to the police. I?d guess anything related to coronavirus is prioritised and no harm in getting a positive outcome. If not it might get their attention as it could help them achieve two targets in one. As it sounds like he?s been doing this for some time they probably know of him. Could stop him going to somebody?s door the aggressive behaviour frightens.

Totally agree

It looks bad, particularly in London but 50 out of 343 authorities delaying opening as planned seems to me ?the overwhelming majority?. The children in the class mean all those households are mingling and if 1 in 3 carriers are asymptomatic that could mean the virus is transmitted to others who might get more serious symptoms. More vulnerable people will have been vaccinated when pupils return and hopefully the NHS capacity will recover slightly. No one wants schools or businesses to close but if they don?t delay the return more people will die and the NHS will be overwhelmed. Or do nothing, the virus takes over and full lockdown is the only option. Children need to run around wrap up and take them to Sydenham Hill Wood https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/nature-reserves/sydenham-hill-wood-and-coxs-walk

The OP makes a reasonable request and thare plenty of responsible dog owners that do but those that don?t can cause fear and extra restrictions. From a dog owner point of view please remember you know your dog is friendly / will come when you call it but the person / child its running at doesn?t. Also your dog could be playing but knock over the person / child and hurt them. We had dogs the whole time I was growing up but I?ve had a few dogs run towards me I was a bit concerned about now I can?t move as fast as I could. Unfortunately there are people who think nothing of hurting dogs and you have no way of knowing if someone your dog is running at will hurt it. Children also need to learn how to approach dogs - we certainly had to ask a few children not to pull our dog?s tail or tell them it was better to approach quietly or let the dog come to you so as not to frighten him. I?ve not had a dog since coming to London due to lack of space / not being able to walk one enough. If you do please bear in mind other people don?t know your dog like you do. If there are signs saying dogs on leads please put your dog on a lead. It might not always be necessary for your dog but there have been / are concerns there might be incidents if dogs are not on leads in that area. The next thing might be to ban dogs from the areas they are now to be on leads. We all need to share limited space and sometimes that means apparently unnecessary rules.

I know there have been numerous posts on here about the local restrictions / road closures and a meeting has been arranged to discuss the recent East Dulwich Closures but could I urge people as well as commenting on here to respond ?officially? to the experimental orders - these can be put in without consultation and people can comment for 6 months. Those comments should be taken into account when the council reviews and takes a decision on whether a permanent order should be made. Call me a cynic but does Commonplace have any legal standing? This forum certainly doesn?t. I was caught by the bus gate in Dulwich Village this morning and have emailed the Highways department and copied in my local Councillor. I?m sure others have their own experiences - good and bad. ?TMO2021-EXP16_LSP Dulwich 2 FAO Southwark Highways department for considering whether the provisions of the experimental order/s should be continued in force indefinitely, by means of a permanent order. FAO Sarah King as my local ward councillor as this affects residents of the ward. I generally support the introduction of LSPs and road closures as I believe more people could walk journeys they do by car. We?ve had our car for four years and it has done less than 20,000 miles as we only use it to travel out of London. When driving in London I expect the journey to take longer than the Sat Nav says and to encounter traffic. That?s just how it is given the number of cars on the road. Habits need to change and leaving it to people isn?t going to work in our lifetime so unfortunately those who support the council?s aims will suffer some inconvenience if they are drivers. I can accept this and adapt my journeys to just travel on main roads but the experimental order for Dulwich goes too far with the inclusion of the restriction on Dulwich Village northbound. I drove from Belair Park to East Dulwich at 9.30 this morning. I thought this would be ok as the LSP restrictions only applied to side roads, not the main road through the village. This was my mistake. I saw the sign but thought I had missed part of it indicating it applied to a road coming up - I was concentrating on the traffic / looking out for pedestrians. I understand the restrictions apply today, although whether they are needed outside school term time I would question, but do not think Dulwich Village should be included. The other restrictions will prompt a reduction in car use and only the reduced number of vehicles will be using Dulwich Village so this appears to me an unnecessary restriction. Also as an East Dulwich resident I only use two routes from Dulwich Village to East Dulwich. The route through the village or travelling up the South Circular and then down Lordship Lane. I consider both of these main roads which should remain available to cars. I don?t choose to drive down residential roads, indeed in areas I know I often ignore the instruction from the Sat Nav and stick to the main roads. Is there another alternative on main roads I am unaware of? I realise the council needs to balance road use and the needs of residents but these restrictions don?t only affect residents of Dulwich Village but also other Southwark residents. It is good to see that emergency vehicles, and therefore ambulance access to the hospital is exempt from the restrictions. There is going to be increased traffic on other routes due to displaced traffic. Please can you consider removing Dulwich Village from the provision of the order should it be made permanent.?

I was caught by the phase 2 restrictions in Dulwich Village today but all the LSP orders are experimental so the same six months to comment should apply. I tried to find a Phase 2 thread to post this on but gave up after checking 15 pages of search results. If any of the restrictions are working or not working for you check out the order on https://www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/traffic-orders-licensing-strategies-and-regulation/traffic-management-orders?chapter=5 and there should be details of how to comment. Comments should then be taken into account before the council makes a permanent order. I've also copied my local Councillor on the email as the Dulwich restrictions affect East Dulwich residents.

I think I might have been caught this morning by the same local restrictions. I thought the restrictions only applied to the side roads and was driving back from Belair Park to East Dulwich through the village. As I was on the main road I thought that was ok and I?d missed bit of the sign indicating the restriction applied to an upcoming road. If it comes through I?ll have to pay but when I checked these are experimental orders expiring in 2022 unless the council make a full order (which will mean they need to do consultation) and the provisions of he permanent order may be different to the experimental order. It maybe optimistic but there could be some changes. If you don?t tell them officially what?s not working they won?t know and have no reason to consider a change. Statements (constructive) with how the restrictions are affecting you personally may be taken into consideration - the council can show they?ve listened to users. If you agree or not here are details from the notice on how to make comments. ?The council will in due course be considering whether the provisions of the experimental order /s should be continued in force indefinitely, by means of a permanent order made under section 6 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Anyone wishing to object to the making of the permanent orders or make any other representation regarding the scheme would have 6 months to do so, from the date the experimental order comes into force (or, if the order is varied by a subsequent order or modified pursuant to section 10(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, from the date that variation order or modification comes into force), and may send a statement to [email protected] or to: Traffic Order consultations, Highways, Southwark Council, Environment and Leisure, P.O. Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX; or use the form labelled 'Parking - Road traffic and highway schemes - responding to statutory consultation notices' at www.southwark.gov.uk/statutoryconsultationnotices quoting the reference ?TMO2021-EXP16_LSP Dulwich 2?. Please note that if you wish to object to the scheme you must state the grounds on which your objection is made. ? I?m going to respond and copy to my local councillor.

The short notice changes and the new tier 4 have changed the plans of lots of people and I?ve seen various offers and requests for donations of food people don?t need. The need is still there. Are your plans in shreds / tatters leaving you with excess food? Are you going shopping for your Christmas meal and could put an extra pack of cereal or jar of coffee in your trolley? If so there are various ways to get any food you can offer to local families who need it. Donations can be taken into the Albrighton Community Centre at 37 Albrighton Road between 10 and 4. The Albrighton Centre is planning to provide Christmas boxes to people on Wednesday and Christmas Eve so people have food and really need mayonnaise, coffee, tea. Can you help? Other local donation points I?ve seen / heard of are * Salvation Army food donation boxes after the tills in Sainsburys Dog Kennel Hill * Copleston Mutual Aid Group * Kingswood TRA If you know of others please add to the thread. If you can help with a donation do. One apparently small donation might be a positive end to a year nothing like most of us have lived through. Wishing everyone a merry Christmas.