Comeback Book Group

A bit of research leads me to conclude that this was a convolvulus hawk moth Agrius convolvuli) rather than a deaths head hawk moth. Impressive beast. It would be interesting to see whether there have been any further sightings in the area.

I came across this massive moth in my back garden this morning. I *believe* it's a deaths head hawk moth. Must have been around 2.5 inches from head to tail and the wingspan was around 3+ inches when I disturbed it and it took flight. Astonishing sight.

CTN?

Yep. Often seen blackcaps in my back garden. Dunstans Road towards Dawson's Heights.

Clearing up behind my garden shed this morning, I lifted up a bin bag in which I've been storing a dismantled mini greenhouse. Underneath was a small smooth newt - around 5-6cm in length. It didn't appear to be discomfited by having been disturbed but I quickly replaced the bin bag and left it in peace. The clearing-up can wait until another day!

Over the course of the past few days I've noticed a high-pitched "electrical" (for want of a better description) hum when I've been in my garden. I live on Dunstans Road, close to the Dawsons Heights area. It's hard to pinpoint the direction of the source - lots of building surfaces which deflect and reflect noise - but it would appear to be somewhere in the Donkey Alley/Hillcourt Road/Overhill Road area. It's not massively loud but neither do I need to strain to hear it... Anyone else noticed it? Any idea as to the source?

Thanks to all who have taken the time to respond to this request for help. Much appreciated! We're now just about to finalise the detailed arrangements for our first run of meetings, thanks to a very generous helping hand from one of our local institutions. All will be revealed once we've crossed the final "t"s. In the meantime, more information about Comeback Book Group can be found at http://www.comebackbookgroup.wordpress.com Thanks again.

Thanks, Redjam. Really keen to avoid pubs (own experience of mental illness very much linked to/exacerbated by alcohol so tend to avoid where possible). Also really keen not to host in individual group members' homes; one of the aims of the meetings is to give members an opportunity to socialise outside of the domestic setting. But thanks again for the thoughts. Much appreciated.

Hi Jennys. Thanks for the suggestion. We've been sounding out a number of local indie cafes to see if they'd be prepared to open late to accommodate a monthly meeting of the Group but so far with nil success. I quite understand, to be honest; there's no way that the chance to sell a few extra coffees would offset the cost to the business of staying open for a few extra hours. However if any cafe owners are reading this and would be willing to help us out please let us know. Hi Alice. The Green Nunhead's ?6 per hour rate seems quite attractive at first sight, but unfortunately there's a ?40 additional charge for caretaking if the booking runs after 6pm. Thanks for flagging it, though. Hi Pugwash. Thanks for the detailed info. We'll get on to this straightaway. And thanks to all who have made helpful suggestions so far. Much appreciated.

Tnanks, Pete and Siouxsie... I'll try to track down the right people to contact about the former laundry. Dulwich Library Hall is no go, I'm afraid. ?25 per hour,

Not free unfortunately (?60 per hour in the evenings). But thanks for the heads-up.

Hi there Comeback Book Group is a new local initiative aimed at those experiencing, or recovering, from mental illness and seeking to promote better mental health through reading and talking about books. Once the group is up and running properly, we'd intend to have monthly meetings - either a midweek from say 6:30pm to 8:00pm or Saturday mornings from say 10:30pm to 12:00 noon. We'd appreciate suggestions for welcoming, quiet, easily-accessible venues in SE22 or SE21 who'd be prepared to host our monthly meetings free of charge (at least until we're a little more established). At this stage it's difficult to predict the turn-out; we expect numbers of between 6 and 12 each month. Any thoughts? We're in touch with local bookshops with a view to partnering and possibly hosting meetings, so we've covered those bases. However, we'd be very grateful for any other suggestions which we'll follow up in coming weeks. Very many thanks. Comeback Book Group