Joylo

Oh my Lord, I am absolutely horrified at how you, Lindylou, and your friends, Josiah and the others, have managed to escalate what started as a gentle request on my part into such a vitriolic attack on anyone who dares to have an opinion which differs from yours. I can see nothing in my posts which can possibly be construed as bullying you and that was certainly never my intention. On the other hand, your posts and those of your little band of friends are offensive and aggressive, who seem to think it is totally acceptable to post harsh and bullying comments yourselves (telling me to stay home since I am a miserable old child hater? - sadly, I can't as I have to get to work, even if sometimes I have to step into oncoming traffic to get past) but totally out of order if someone answers you. In one post you are saying how kindly, gentle and well-meaning you are and in the next you or one of your family members are name calling, insinuating or insulting someone. There a saying in Latin about someone who throws a stone and then hides their hand behind their back. My complaint was not against children having fun, it was meant as a polite request for consideration to some parents' failing to keep their children until adequate control. You might have noticed if you were not in such a hurry to launch into an attack. Please don't bother to respond, I'm bowing out of this thread, but for heavens sake, aren't we all entitled to express an opinion and have others respect it? What on earth is this forum for, if not?

Upper middle class rather than lower? Really? What on earth has that got to do with anything. Manners, or lack of, are the issue and have nothing to do with class.

Rendelharris, absolutely. My complaint is more towards parents' failure or disinclination to control their children in potentially dangerous situations.

Actually I have four children, two girls and two boys, all of whom have had a happy, fulfilled childhood. I have also been a teacher and love being around happy playful children. My point is, and your response illustrates exactly what I mean, is that if we equate controlling children's behaviour in public areas if they are being unruly with curtailing their happiness, then those children will grow into adults who also believe they can do what they like without a care for others, if that is what makes them happy. There is a time And a place for boisterous behaviour - parks and playgrounds, not a busy street with cars and pedestrians.

I love Dulwich Village and the primary schools, but am I the only person who has a problem with trying to negotiate my way along the pavement in a rush to the station in the morning? It seems parents and children are either walking along three abreast oblivious to anyone coming or going, or otherwise children are hurtling ahead on scooters. On two occasions I have had a near miss with a child almost scooting into me. I have four (albeit older) children myself, but could parents kindly be (and teach their little ones to be) a little more considerate of others?

I think there are also planes flying over Dulwich into London City. They are nearer their destination and therefore lower and more noisy. If you notice, they fly east rather than west, and they are too low to be circling waiting for clearance to LHR