AB

It is likely to be the JAGS sports club membership discount card that they negotiated...

Birdsong is my favourite book by a good distance. Glad other people agree.

Go to the Vale Street dump in West Dulwich - end of Rosendale Road (and pretend you're from lambeth). They have a special box for old paint.

The one at ED station as you walk through the building...

Actually, it has very good transport links - but only if you live close to the station, 13 minutes to London Bridge on an overland train and a 5 minute walk to the city ain't nowt to grumble about. Agreed that parts of ED are amongst the worst served in London though, and this is reflected in housing costs.

Louisa - what was your inflammatory comment?

Not sure I agree with lollyloz. There's no evidence of a sub-prime problem in the UK leading to any problems with Northern Rock - it's just Le Crunch has stopped them lending in line with their business model. A bit like if ED Deli couldn't get enough cheese to sell. Also, inflation is on the way down at the moment (2.8% announced today I think).

Jah Lush - I've been to most of the LL curry houses on many occasions - all pretty much the same except for Tandoori Nights (hardly traditional I'm sure but genuinely good food nonetheless), and the Coriander throw in some fresh herbs. Bob just seemed well informed so wondered if he had inside knowledge. Nowt much wrong with the good old fashioned, syruppy English curry on LL if you ask me - none of this pretentious muck.

Where would you suggest locally then, Bob? I'll be sure to get a takeaway this weekend.

Really addle my brain

Alliance & Leicester are structured in a similar way to Northern Rock. Banks borrow from financial markets as well as using savings to lend out. Northern Rock relies on borrowing from the markets as they have fewer savings held with them. This meant that when the credit crunch happened, they couldn't borrow enough so needed bailing out. Alliance & Leicester have a similar structure, I understand (although not quite as dependant on borrowing) so they would be likely to be next on the list.

I'm the same as Jimbo but Newcastle. Any ideas?

Why can't we all just get along? Group hug anyone?!

There was an interesting article in an old copy of SE22 magazine on bomb hits in which people died (Feb I think). Was talking about it last night as our place is on a bombsite and was on the list. I think it comes from a book on East Dulwich history which may still be available in the library on lordship lane.

Jags has just replaced all of their machines - they're really cool with little TV screens in front.

Well the information is certainly available - http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cto/iht.htm. Maybe they should teach personal finances in school? But it's on the front page of the Mail most weeks so surely people know that it exists and that it's a tax you pay when you die.

I never understand what's so unfair about IHT. Firstly, to address one of the points raised in the thread, the same information is available to everyone - it's not a secret tax that only some people are allowed to know about in advance. In addition, it's actually very difficult to plan well for inheritance tax - it comes down to giving money away seven years in advance of the day you die, if you know what day that is (except for a few exceptions which allow you to give stuff away for birthdays and weddings, etc). But more importantly, all tax goes into the same tax pot and you have to fill that pot from somewhere. It's far more ethical to tax someone who has just died (and therefore it doesn't matter to them) than to increase tax on income that people work for and depend on. Agreed that you need some arbitration when it means someone will lose their home, for example. I wouldn't claim to know how to administer that fairly.

Where's Dulwich Mum? I can almost here the angry steam coming out of her ears...! I say welcome to all the mothers. I've got one, and even I was a child once, you know. Willing to bet that strictteacher was too.

Surely tandoori nights is far better than "bog-standard" - just wish it was a bit bigger.

I agree. Although Dulwich DIY is great it does look a bit dated next to shiny White Stuff. You'd hope they had the tools to sort it out in any case...

"Can you not come up with any other privaetly owned businesses which remain in the hands of the owner? Morrisons perhaps? Body Shop (may have been sold now)... Owner interest is not the point, look at facebook!! A chain is a chain, however you want to dress it up in frilly knickers" What about the likes of Innocent (smoothies), Abel & Cole (organic foods), Tyrells (crisps). All some of the fastest growing British companies, all selling their stuff in East Dulwich. Success through strong products is good - let's support it (you never know, ED might just be the next White Stuff).

"What would you guys be saying if M&S or Bhs opened up a store locally and got someone from the marketing department to make the claim they are in effect a small local business providing compettion for the small 'indies" 1) Difference is that White Stuff is owned/run by its founders (according to the White Stuff bod), and is not a listed plc like M&S owned by a load of pension schemes. 2) Don't think they claimed to be a small local business. 3) What does it matter anyway? Surely choice is a good thing and all the people who don't like it will make their feelings known by leaving their hands in their pockets. Best of luck to White Stuff and any other successful entrepreneurs who want to invest on LL. Bring on the faded fabrics.

Only time I have a problem is on the train between Peckham Rye and East Dulwich - always cuts out on Orange. At least it's reliable and I expect it though - not like my old Vodafone which cut out randomly.

On the subject of signs, If you look over the road from the Bishop you'll notice that an old sign has been uncovered where the White Stuff works are going on - "Lordship Lane Jewellers" I think (although I'm remembering through a few beers). Lordship Lane Information Centre also seems to have been uncovered recently. Anyone remember these in their original state, and any other old signs reappearing?

Don't know much about them. Hamlets is fairly good value I think. I go to Jags at just over ?30 a month and suits me fine.