Anna D

I have several bags of used children's clothes, books and toys and would like to drop them off at a good charity shop or donate them to a charitable cause. Any ideas?

Does anyone have any top tips on where I can find a great au pair and also on how best to share our home with them and make it a really positive experience for all? I'd really appreciate learning from your experiences - good or bad. Thanks.

I'm looking for some casual ad hoc home help with my two kids aged 2 and 6. Ideal candidate would be someone who lives locally to ED and is free during the afternoons on Mondays and Thursdays. You do not have to be a qualified nanny. A responsible six-former or student could do the job as I will always be present. What I need is an extra pair of eyes. Please PM if you are interested.

It looks to me like I got them on two bad days then. As I said, I have had good reception experiences there too and I think it's wonderful that many of you feel strongly enough to come on here and write about your great experiences with staff members. That's what these forums are for. Great GP staff probably don't get nearly enough respect and recognition so I'm really glad that happened. I have no doubt it must be a hugely stressful job and it is a priceless thing they do for the health and wellbeing of the whole community. I think the GPs there are great too - for the record. Just for the record, also, I am polite and quietly spoken and would never be rude to anybody behind a reception desk. I left the surgery in tears the first time having felt really unpleasantly treated. It's only because I was so sick and weak that I worried about whether this was a dangerous thing (considering how many vulnerable people come to that desk or phoneline.) I am not a mindless keyboard warrior. If I were I would have named names and I also wouldn't have given them the benefit of the doubt after the first time. I only mentioned it because it was twice in one week that I experienced unnecessary rudeness. Also I was asking to see if it was a general thing or whether I had just been unlucky. If what happened to me had happened to many others then I would feel moved to do more about it. I conclude from this, however, that I was unlucky. I was also very sick and very sensitive so I am going to do another benefit of the doubt and leave it there.

Just to be clear - I'm not talking about ALL of the reception staff. I've had nice people in the past there too. I don't want to name names and be too specific which is why I'm being broad and general.

i have been taken aback twice this week by the attitude of some of the reception staff at The Gardens Surgery. Eye-rolling, aggression, telling me off like a schoolchild for simply standing at the desk waiting to ask a question. It can't be right that sick people are being treated in this way. It's dangerous - if you're sick and too scared to ask a question for fear of being chastised.. Have I just been unlucky and got them on two bad days or have others had similar experiences?

These guys are great. I can personally recommend Elkie! http://www.fitnessformummies.co.uk

Am looking for local christmassy things to do with the kids next week. Any recommendations?

Just worth adding, for the avoidance of doubt, that there are no 'actions' and no matching T shirts. It's NOT AT ALL like Pop Choir.

My eleven-month-old tries to eat the keyboard stand every week. Nobody seems to mind.. It's a really lovely, relaxed choir. Great songs. Much more fun than your average playgroup. If you like singing and need an excuse to get your babies/kid out of the house, I strongly recommend giving hummy mummies a go.

Hello, I am a writer doing some research into grandparents who care full time for their grandchildren. (I want to know what it's like to have to run around after children when you should be enjoying your retirement!) I am also interested in grandparents who might not have committed full time but who dedicate much of their lives helping to bring up their children's children. I am also very interested to hear stories of kinship care. The research is part of the development process for a drama script. I would be so delighted if I could find a few people to speak to who wouldn?t mind telling me a bit about their lives. I can?t offer payment but can bring cake and coffee? Also, if anyone might know of any kinship care support groups running locally then that would be very helpful. I am a mother of two as well as a writer and happy to PM CV and credentials should anybody wish to know more. Many thanks for your help, Anna

We are in the market for an entertainer for our daughter's birthday party which will take place in a church hall. I've just been quoted a staggering ?250 from a magician we enjoyed at a friend's party recently. Are they all that expensive?! Also - this person was quoting for 2 hours, saying he didn't take 1 hour bookings. Is this also standard? Any tips/recommendations appreciated...

I'd like to second this! School-age kids are welcome too. My daughter enjoys sitting doing colouring in and listening to the singing. I think it's really good for her (as well as me)

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone knows of any informal or formal grandparent & baby (or toddler) playgroups in the area? I have heard that some Sure Start Centres sometimes run Stay and Play sessions for grandparent carers and little ones.. If anyone has any info, I'd love to know more.

Yes! 3pm. Location tbc. Pm me if you are free A x

Hello! We are meeting today at 3 pm at duck egg cafe (or actress if duck egg closed)

Next meet is duck egg weds 230 x

230pm tomorrow at duck egg cafe northcross street. Bumps, babies, toddlers all welcome.

Hello, We tend to meet up on a weds afternoon somewhere local ED. I'll post on weds when we've decided location. Be great to see you if you can come along. All v welcome.

Hi Esme, Am due on 6th Feb so may or may not be around.. But totally up for coffee if I am around. x

Hi Kate, Yes! Thank you for reminding me. Was meaning to post. The next meet up is for the pub quiz on 4th Feb at Great Exhibition. We generally meet at 7:30 and quiz starts at 8. Look forward to meeting any new faces. A

Just a reminder that next meet up is tomorrow evening 7:30 at The Great Exhibition for their pub quiz. All welcome. Just look for the table of ladies with bumps looking baffled. A x

Next meet up is set for 7:30pm on Tuesday 7th Jan at The Great Exhibition for ANOTHER PUB QUIZ. All are supremely welcome - especially if you couldn't make last time (we need more brains to win grand prize of ?50!) Looking forward to meeting. A x

The more the merrier. Plenty of space x

Esme! You didn't miss the quiz. It's next Tues (17th) and it would be brilliant if you could come - seeing as you started the thread and all. 7:30pm Great Exhib. They are looking into stocking non alcoholic beer especially for us. A xx