Minitoots

My 86 year old Mum has suffered from a hoarse voice/ dystonia for years - the family is fairly sure it's stress related. It's recently got a lot worse since she has been in a care home. She's also having to use a steroid inhaler ('clenil') for asthma which seems to exacerbate the problem. I noticed that side effects for it can be hoarse voice and anxiety (!!) Her GP is dismissive when both my Mum and I have tried to discuss the problem with him (she lives in a rural area without many facilities, and the GP is about to retire and seems less engaged with his patients these days but she refuses to change GPs). She has tried lozenges, lemon and honey and inhaling and I'm trying to encourage her to see an alternative therapist. If anyone has experience of this problem, it would be good to have some advice, thanks.

Here's a Crowdfunding scheme we have just heard about on the news for a Judicial Review of the Department for Transport?s handling of the Southern Rail franchise https://www.crowdjustice.co.uk/case/southernrail/

Hi Abbie, I've just put a recommendation on the forum for 'lifestyleblogger' Tracy and I think you'd get a lot out of one of her blogging group sessions. Here's my review - hope it's helpful http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,1718702,1718702#msg-1718702

thanks to everyone for the posts and private messages and your kind comments and for taking time to vote- much appreciated. The last day to vote is 29th August - http://bit.ly/2b96ohU

Thanks for the additional information, Ian. I hope everyone will have a happy few hours voting for all the other 583 entries too, and won't take it too seriously!

Following on from my previous post back in August, my painting was selected by the judges including Robin Muir of Vogue and Royal Academician David Remfry as one of 172 from thousands of entries for the exhibition at Mercers Hall Ironmonger Lane EC2V 8HE starting this thursday - flyer attached, and full opening hours and links to all paintings including the world art vote winner here:- http://www.nationalopenart.org/exhibitions.php here's the original post - thanks to all those people who sent such nice messages! My painting from a series first shown at the Dulwich Artists Open Studios has been selected for a ?World Art Vote? . The painting with the most votes gets will be exhibited at the National Open art show in the Autumn. If anyone would like to vote, the deadline 29th August. Here?s the link to the vote- it's very quick to vote! http://bit.ly/2b96ohU Thanks so much. http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad284/susanna_randall/884c0ebb-b5d4-4e08-a939-e65dd90bd7fc_zps2xqsaeuf.jpg and here I am on social media- https://www.instagram.com/p/BJA-Piphz-i/?taken-by=studio.se22 https://www.facebook.com/Studio.SE22

My painting ?Aurelia?s Dress? has been shortlisted for the National Open Art Show which takes place in London in the autumn. It has got through to the last 500 from about 4,500 so I?m really pleased about that anyway as they only pick about 100 for the actual show. They have also got a ?World Art Vote? (open til the end of August) where the shortlisted painting with the most votes gets shown even if not selected by the judges for the final show so I am trying to use social media to engage with as many people as possible. Although I have Instagram and Twitter accounts I don't use them much and don't want to do the wrong thing. If anyone has time to take a look at what I've tried to do so far on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with suggestions of how to get more exposure,and also what NOT to do, that would be great. I'm very happy to receive any constructive advice! First, here is the link to the 'world vote' which also shows the painting http://www.nationalopenart.org/gallery2.php?as=1&Aurelia-s-Dress-17624 and here I am on Twitter- and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BJA-Piphz-i/?taken-by=studio.se22 And my facebook page ? I?ve just paid ?15 for a ?sponsored ad? but not sure if it will help https://www.facebook.com/Studio.SE22 Looking forward to hearing from anyone who knows more than me!!

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In connection with my post below re: Southern, I've just found out about a Crowdfunding scheme for a Judicial Review of the Department for Transport?s handling of the Southern Rail franchise. Even though there seem to be a few more trains this week, do have a look:- https://www.crowdjustice.co.uk/case/southernrail/ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In addition to writing to MPs, TFL etc, we and all our friends and work colleagues who are affected by the train cancellations are writing directly to Southern to invoice them for breaking their contract. If enough people contact them directly, it might help? Here's our letter to Southern:- Southern:- I have contracted you to take me to London based on your previously advertised timetable and you are failing in your obligations. There are now no trains between 8.30am & 9.20am on the East Dulwich to London bridge route meaning I have no way to arrive at my work on time due to early morning commitments. A similar lack of service occurs in the evening meaning I have to leave work early to be home for evening commitments. This situation is typical for other employees at my business. I have calculated that the loss to my business since the cancellation of previously advertised services stands at 21.5 hours. I am writing to advise you that from Monday 18th July I will be charging Southern for the lost productivity at our standard hourly rates and will invoice you at each month end. Yours, etc....

er.... the subject was the weather!!! Maybe you can start another thread about cigars?????

Thanks, everyone who voted for Rotherhithe Bridge in the people's choice at the NLA awards - they won!

my other post re: holiday destinations started by asking about Cuba in July / august (but seems to have gone a bit off track) - has anyone been to Havana or elsewhere in the country at this time of year? It's the only time we can get 2 weeks away and are still keen to go before it changes too much but have been told it will be unbearably hot and liable to hurricanes. We've always had ok weather when we've been to smaller Caribbean islands at this time of year, but would like to hear from anyone who knows about Cuba, thanks! My original post was asking more about long haul places at this time of year in general http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?20,1697329,1698740#msg-1698740

thanks everyone. ...And any more feedback about Cuba re: the weather for mid July til early August?

We want to get a long way away from the madness of the UK for a couple of weeks with our 21 yr old son some time between 19th July - 20th August, - we'd thought about travelling around Cuba or Vietnam, but it looks as though it's not the best time to go either, weather-wise with hurricane/typhoon seasons looming. Ideally, we are looking for somewhere tropical and interesting towns/cities with a lot of character which is why Cuba would have fitted the bill perfectly. We can't go at another time so if anyone has any suggestions of places that would be great. We like to avoid the package holiday resorts and get a bit off the beaten track and to stick to a moderate budget, staying in self catering or local hotels....

er... sorry but it says this petition proposes that we hand the question over to those qualified, and paid by taxpayers, to answer it. You mean people like Cameron, Boris, Gove???? I'd prefer to hand the question over to my cat.

Here is a link to the march to parliament on Sat July 2nd which starts in Park Lane from 11am - https://www.facebook.com/events/244646665920554/ I can't find much out about this one in the news or on the met website so am not sure how organised/ big it will be but worth going to find out!!If anyone knows more about it please let me know. There seem to be and have been several different ones recently while I was away - we need one mass protest drawing people from all over the country, like the anti poll tax and anti war in Iraq ones.

Thanks for all the great feedback and votes.

Take a look at the proposed cycle and pedestrian bridge and if you support the idea please read on and vote to make it happen! Local Architectural practice reForm Architects have been shortlisted for their design for a pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Rotherhithe with Canary Wharf which is currently un-built but with a huge demand. Public support is critical in gaining momentum at this stage of their proposal and the ?Peoples? Choice Award? is the ideal time to show support for the design which will help to bring it one step closer to being built. If you support this design please vote by either emailing info@newlondonarchitecture.org and writing ?I vote for Rotherhithe Bridge ? Transport Infrastructure in the New London Awards? - OR - By tweeting your choice using ?#NLAwards16 RotherhitheBridge? - OR- In person at the New London Awards exhibition at the Building Centre, WC1 Predicted to carry 13,000 clean commuters every day - that?s equivalent to 15 full Jubilee Line trains or over 170 full double decker buses. Less congestion on road and rail and cleaner air. There are no bridges in East London. If built the Rotherhithe Bridge will bring immediate benefits to both sides of the river. To find out more about the project including an animation, see the Rotherhithe Bridge website - [www.rotherhithebridge.london ] If you support this design please VOTE now and SHARE to spread the word , thanks!

Thanks to everyone who voted for reForm Architects - they won it, beating over 300 other entries. here's the original post:- Local Architectural practice reForm Architects have been shortlisted for their design for a pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Rotherhithe with Canary Wharf which is currently un-built but with a huge demand. Public support is critical in gaining momentum at this stage of their proposal and the ?Peoples? Choice Award? is the ideal time to show support for the design which will help to bring it one step closer to being built. If you support this design please vote by either emailing info@newlondonarchitecture.org and writing ?I vote for Rotherhithe Bridge ? Transport Infrastructure in the New London Awards? - OR - By tweeting your choice using ?#NLAwards16 RotherhitheBridge? - OR- In person at the New London Awards exhibition at the Building Centre, WC1 Predicted to carry 13,000 clean commuters every day - that?s equivalent to 15 full Jubilee Line trains or over 170 full double decker buses. Less congestion on road and rail and cleaner air. There are no bridges in East London. If built the Rotherhithe Bridge will bring immediate benefits to both sides of the river. To find out more about the project including an animation, see the Rotherhithe Bridge website - If you support this design please VOTE now and SHARE to spread the word , thanks!

DulwichPianoFestival Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Local cake maker Em Friddle is a graphic designer > as well as cake maker so has an amazing skill for > making complex and artistic cakes. > https://www.facebook.com/friddlescakes/timeline After all the recommendations, I asked Em Friddle of Friddle's cakes to design and make our friend's cake and it looks fabulous- she is great to work with, too! I will post photos of it after the event.

We want to do a photobook using scanned snaps and digital photos we have taken of the family as a present for someone- has anyone done one, and which do you think are the most user friendly online companies? (I ddon't want to have to spend hours and hours getting it all into the right format... Also want good quality and a relatively reasonable price! So far friends have recommended Blurb and Bob's Books but I know there are lots around. thanks

Recommendations for green, leafy local walks wanted. We often do a loop through Dulwich/Sydenham woods, Dulwich woods and park and would like to find more that are similar to this, as near to East Dulwich as possible.

I?m showing my paintings of vintage dresses as part of a group of 6 as part of the Artists Open House this weekend only, and wondered if anyone doing the 2nd weekend 14-15 May would be interested in showing them in a small print storage rack, and taking commission on any sales? They are fairly small- 2 sizes :- 30cm x 40 cm and 40cm x 50 cm (I also have framed paintings but imagine anyone showing at an Open studio would already have their walls full of their own work... http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad284/susanna_randall/8%20dresses%20_zpsgfr5euu0.jpg More info on my work here:- https://www.facebook.com/Studio.SE22/ and here is the info for this weekend http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?6,1670646

We want to get a special cake for an artist friend's 50th birthday which as well as tasting good, should look great as well. We want something really original - any suggestions?

I am going to Marseille for a week over Easter as it will be a good base for getting around that area of Provence by train and bus. If anyone knows or has been to Marseille recently, I'd be interested to hear recommendations for the best areas of the city to stay in, etc. I plan to book an apartment rather than hotel. Also any other travel tips would be good, especially on art galleries, local villages accessible by public transport etc. Thanks.