Ms Blueberry

Hello Neighbours of East Dulwich, Today at about 4pm, off Melbourne Grove, two guys wearing rucksacks were popping into front gardens and opening wheelie bins, peering quickly inside, leaving some bins open before moving to the next house. Hope it's nothing or something minor; hope it's not something more sinister like an attempt to scope and indicate which houses are ripe for burglary. This seems to be relevant: http://www.securitynewsdesk.com/demand-for-locking-wheelie-bins-rises-as-identity-theft-runs-rampant/ Please report all suspicions to the Police. Sleep tight.

To all burglary victims, thanks for sharing and best of luck recovering. Not overly impressed with reports of the Police taking an hour to arrive. I'm now finally shocked into action and will improve my own house protection. These articles were useful, thanks to ex-burglars 'going straight'. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8915880/Burglar-produced-checklist-to-help-householders.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/advice/9627884/How-to-beat-the-burglars-this-winter.html

An article on fighting unfair parking tickets - I learned a couple of things: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets?utm_source=MSE_Newsletter&utm_medium=hiya&utm_term=12-Aug-15-v4&utm_campaign=reclaim&utm_content=35

I never sit at the station anymore for fear rats will scurry around my feet. It seems some foliage has been cleared, perhaps in the interest of removing cover for rats.

Our huge and heavy plant pot containing weeds (meant for a tree) was stolen from the front.To move this pot would have need two strong people and transport. So, this feels organised.

Shame on me for having a genuine interest in my neighbourhood? And a little bit of maths may indicate I've lived here for over 5 years. Hurrah, I'm now entitled to an opinion.

'ms blueberry' has lived here for years, but irrelevant.

Does anyone remember what the business was before it was closed? It would be a nice and positive tribute to know how the owner contributed to East Dulwich, what her business offered, how long was she here, etc.

It would be wrong to assume anyone is penniless in this situation. It may also be wrong to assume the owner is aware of the state of the shop. I am giving the owner the benefit of the doubt and will assume that if she saw the place now, she would be mortified. Greed of others is behind the decay, and decay spreads easily. We are all responsible for the community we live in. Good community fights the rot.

I've privately been made aware of the situation and it's not as innocent as a nice little old lady exercising her 'live and let live' rights. It's about another person trying to making as much money as possible at the expense of the community, your community. However, there's nothing to be done here. So enjoy 124 in its current state while it lasts.

Okay everyone - perhaps the word infecting is too harsh. It wasn't meant as a personal dig to the owner. What about the actual issue? And I take issue with assuming that because the owner is an elderly lady, she is somehow incompetent. This is sexist and ageist. Does she need help? If so, that's an important issue to be address as well.

It's a derelict site which negatively effects everything around it and it's not the right thing to let a property go to rack and ruin.

Dear Owner of the shop front infecting the space between William Rose Butchers and His Lordship Launderette on Lordship Lane - this is an eyesore. At least get rid of the trashed awning. Southwark Council! - is there anything to be done? Does anyone know the story behind this prime piece of retail space? A link:

Yesterday at about 9am while walking up the ramp to the London-bound East Dulwich train, a fat rat scurried (lumbered, really) across my path. Bold as brass. Eeeeks, I cried. I mention this as I thought rats, like mice, were nocturnal. Does my sighting indicate a worrying population explosion, or perhaps I was unlucky in seeing a rat insomniac?

How very un-ED of you to be racist and/or xenophobic. Why not move?

wow

i only open the door when i'm satisfied the caller is someone i want to engage with and feel safe. the door remains closed and locked with me politely asking 'who is it?'. if i'm not interested i say 'we're not taking callers at this time'. it sounds a bit snobby, but too bad. this is standard practice in the states for more sinister reasons. a useful practice to avoid annoying uninvited callers.

I thought the sax player was so good, I wondered if he was a famous musician having a laugh. It is loud and would be intrusive if you don't like it. But I love it.

Ah - that's why the Police don't come. A serious point, regardless of my 911/999 blunder.

Why did you not call 911 immediately? An intruder is bad news and may be carrying a knife or gun.

With Virgin which works but not great. Always running around the house trying to find the best signal. Sprinting upstairs good for fitness though.