Jellybeanz

She was an incredible MP. She personally helped me out with a personal matter many years ago and I had the honour of meeting her at a local community group meeting a few years later and thanking her. She was warm, genuine and approachable. She will be a huge loss.

I hate to post negative reviews or messages generally but I feel compelled to, given my experience today at The Crown & Greyhound pub in Dulwich Village. My husband and I, our two children (aged 4 and 8) and their auntie went into the restaurant part of the pub today at around midday today. The place was almost deserted except for people drinking outside and a couple of people in the front bar area. There were no diners that I could see. My husband (British but of Nigerian origin) asked the restaurant manager if there was a table for 5 but was informed they were fully booked. I queried this as I could see the list of bookings (2 at midday, 2 more at 12.30 and 1pm and so on). As this pub seats a large number of people I was surprised by this, as you'd need around 40+ diners to fill the rear restaurant. The restaurant manager told us there would be a table at 2.30pm if we wanted to come back later. I persuaded my husband that we should try next door at the lovely Italian Rocca restaurant and - despite the fact they looked full to bursting - we were offered a nice table and immediately seated. I commented to my husband that I didn't believe the Crown had been full and he thought I was wrong. To prove me wrong he rang the pub whilst we sat down. He gave the typically English name of John and was told there was a table for 5 whenever we wanted it - 10/20 minutes time. My husband then returned to the pub next door and asked to speak to the general manager. In front of this overall manager, my husband then asked why he had been able to book a table over the phone but was refused a table when we had been in minutes earlier. The restaurant manager tried to lie and say they'd had a cancellation but unfortunately my husband had already asked this question when we had all been there a short time before so this was him blatantly trying to cover himself in front of his manager. When I went back to find my husband, I found he and the restaurant manager having a heated conversation (needless to say my husband was appalled and annoyed at this treatment) and in fact at one point the restaurant manager had the audacity to threaten to call the police. The overall general manager asked us to calm down and tell our side, which we did in brief. He then offered to ring us tomorrow and I will update this post when I have had that conversation. The general manager said "I can see something has gone on here and I will look into it" and was very nice. This experience disgusted me and I simply can believe such overt racism was exercised in an area that is extremely multicultural (albeit Dulwich village is different from East Dulwich I find both very mixed and lovely on their different merits). I read an article about a mother with a crying baby being asked to leave the Brick House cafe a while back and felt that was pretty out of order but this reached a whole new level and if this is illustrative of how customers are treated it explains why Rocca and the other eateries are always busy and the Crown & Greyhound is empty by comparison. What a shame, is all I can say. Shameful behaviour and has left a bad taste in all of our mouths at such treatment.

Such an important issue - I hope the petition gets huge publicity along with David Lammy's amazing speech yesterday in the House of Commons.

Interesting - I have also wondered about this...

I'd agree most people are emotional wrecks whilst going through fertility treatment - understandable I'd say as still such a taboo - quite bizarre really when you think about how many people suffer! EastdulwichNewbie Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi > > I am really sorry to hear about your failed cycle. > That is really tough. > > We went with Zita West. We decided to go private > as we knew the NHS would take a while longer and > it seemed like a 'one size fits all' approach, > based on our friends' experience (this may not be > the case, it was just our perception at the time). > With Zita West we really liked the fact they were > so positive and seemed to tailor their treatment > and take a holistic approach. We did look at > lifestyle factors before we even got into > discussions about whether IVF was right. In our > case, these didn't help and we needed ICSI. > > After the first failed cycle (ended in missed > miscarriage), they did a thorough review and we > made some changes before the next successful > frozen cycle. We felt really supported throughout > the whole process and that we were throwing > everything at it (as a result of some tests I > needed blood thinners, thyroxine and progesterone > injections too). I also had the controversial > intralipid infusion and acupuncture. I have no > idea whether the extras helped or not but we felt > positive doing them and that was important to us. > > > We liked the fact we were under the care of a male > fertility specialist (Dr Rofena - a lovely Dr - > highly recommended), and that they used the > facilities/specialists at Care London and the > location was handy for our places of work too. > Perhaps the most important factor was the speed of > being able to go through a cycle - it was so much > quicker than it would have been through the NHS, > but privately the NHS may be comparable. A couple > of counselling sessions were included and I found > this really useful, especially after the missed > miscarriage and when I was an emotional wreck > during our most recent frozen cycle. This may be a > standard feature of fertility treatment though. > > We didn't do a comparison but I imagine that ZW > are at the more expensive end of things. > > ZW use the facilities at Care London who also run > full cycles but with less emphasis on the extras > (as far as I'm aware). I'm pretty sure they offer > fertility packages which may be worth looking > into. > > As another poster suggested, forums are a good > place to start. I'd also recommend attending open > evenings so you can ask questions and get a feel > for their approach and prices. > > Best of luck for whichever route you go for.

We had fertility treatment at Kings years ago, luckily it worked and I can't advise on the actual place (would recommend Kings generally but not all the staff were that great - a few fed up nurses / admin staff didn't make for an entirely stress free process). I would, however, highly recommend you try acupuncture before and during IVF treatment. Few people know but it can boost your success rate hugely and I cannot stress that enough, tho the medics often pooh pooh anything "alternative" even when this is effectively Chinese medicine dating back thousands of years. I had acupuncture before and found it very relaxing. I also had treatment after the implantation. I had been for a scan and the nurse let me down gently that she did not think it had been successful (embryos were too small and various sizes). I was disappointed obviously but nonetheless went for acupuncture the following day and then back for another scan on Monday. The nurse was visibly astonished - the embryos had all grown in size considerably and were more evenly sized, meaning the medics had 3 to choose from. I cried with joy, which for me is rare. There is a huge amount of research and stats showing acupuncture is effective - whether it be because of its stress relieving effects or the stimulation of the relevant areas. I used Tracey Goulding who is absolutely wonderful. She is the utmost professional, calm, very patient and caring. Just amazing really. http://traceygoulding.com/ Happy to chat more if you would like to PM me. I know it can be incredibly stressful going through the process, with all the injections and clinical side of things.

I've heard all good things. We were offered a place years ago but I decided against as you have to provide meals, my only other negative was the place needs a bit of a refurb. I got a good impression all in all and I live nearby and see lots of happy kids being dropped and picked up, all good signs!

https://capturedontherye.com/ Captured on the Rye also good for anyone else stuck for ideas - Lou does screen printing parties, great for all ages

Sounds great! Mine can't do this but bumping as I am sure others will be interested...

http://traceygoulding.com Tracey is wonderful. She helped me through fertility treatment (acupuncture is proven to boost chances of IVF working and it did in our case). I have also found it good for relaxation and back problems. I cannot recommend her enough.

I second Nunhead Green, Albrighton centre on Dog Kennel Hill or ED community centre also good spaces.

Usual annual pre Christmas queue past end of the road. Elderly woman needs a chair if anyone lives on or near silvester road! Thanks

I thought they had some free activities going on that you could just show up for? I know the exhibition and some bookable activities are sold out tho...

I know people with children at Goose Green and Heber and both pleased. Go with your instincts!

Food as long as tinned or in packaging is fine thanks... Just had a bag of sweets nicked from my doorstep so if anyone would like to donate I'd be very grateful. I've got some tablecloths, toys and books so far from my own stuff but already bought some things for local homeless so am reaching my limit in terms of what I can afford to buy. Choc coins, choc fingers type party food would be great. Or sweets to give out on the day. THANKS also to those who've dropped off donations directly!

lousmith Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi Capitals. Happy to discuss options for a > creative party for your son and friends at > Captured on the Rye. The older children can really > get to grips with the design aspects of the > sessions and is a great solution for what can be a > tricky age to cater for. Thanks Cactus for the > recommendation. I'd also say a screen printing party (maybe with pizza!?) would be great for 12 yr old - Lou is a talented artist and great with kids too!

Usual array of stalls, from gifts - jewellery, kids toys etc. to food stalls and mulled wine! Warwick Gardens is just past Camberwell College of Art, close to Camberwell Green and Peckham

Thanks for your messages so far - larger toys or bags of clothes may be dropped direct if that is okay. The hostel is on the corner of Etherow Street and Barry Road next to Christ Church. Food in packaging also gratefully received. Happy to collect if local (I don't drive unfortunately).

Barry House hostel on Barry Road next to Christ Church (corner of Etherow street) are always in need of children's stuff inc toys, games and clothing. Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm collecting for two causes: 1) homeless - need warm hats, scarves, gloves (anything used is fine). Also chocolate, biscuits, anything smallish as a treat as friend of mine is distributing with her son on Christmas Eve. 2) Barry House hostel - collecting anything suitable for family party. So small toys in good condition, sweets, chocolate, decent decorations etc. Please PM me to arrange collection/drop off. Thanks so much!

Tonight from 6.30pm Fabulous fun fundraiser for Brooke Gregory who needs specialist immunotherapy in Texas, USA urgently! Please consider buying tickets and attending if you can and if not please Just spread the word! Thanks a million :)

A family-friendly harpsichord recital with narration/storytelling takes place on Saturday 18 November at St Barnabas Parish Hall in Dulwich Village. Entry is free for children. Adult tickets available for ?5 and all proceeds go to a fantastic local charity South London Cares. https://billetto.co.uk/e/harpsichord-recital-south-london-cares-fundraiser-tickets-234716

Nimble Arts is brilliant and often has last minute places - always space on the Friday also www.nimblearts.co.uk There is one at Alleyn's too which is very good and Dulwich Hamlets have a sport one with optional trips to cinema, bowling etc.

Horniman museum has various events this weekend for Halloween - there is also an Okido make and do event on Sunday aged 3-8 yrs. Copper Beech Cafe at JAGS, Red Post Hill in Dulwich [www.eventbrite.co.uk]