AlanMBarr

Another satisfied customer. Aria saved the day for us. Ordered a washing machine from John Lewis, paid for installation only for it to arrive and them refuse to install in a bathroom - apparently in their terms and conditions - BEWARE if buying from JLP. Our neighbour gave us Aria's number - he came within an hour of contact and did a great job. Also followed up with a phone call to check everything was ok. We would strongly recommend him and his team.

Whilst it's great to see anyone wanting to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible I would encourage you to stick with your initial date for the second jab. I volunteer at a local vaccination centre and we are starting to see a significant number of people coming in trying to change their second vaccination date - most of them for non-essential reasons. This in turn is taking up a lot of resource time to explain why changes shouldn't be made etc etc. Of course you can cancel and rebook for an earlier slot if you find one. But remember every earlier slot you book is taking a slot away from someone trying to get their first jab. The key to beating the Delta variant (and all those variants still to come) is to get as many people as possible, especially now the younger adults, vaccinated with at least one dose. So unless there is an essential reason for bringing forward your date please do think about the knock on consequences of doing so.

Just found doctap.co.uk. A number of locations round London ?49. Bit cheaper than Boots.

Fred. It seems that some of the bigger Boots Chemists at the main London train stations (though none south of the river!) are doing lateral flow tests - but at ?60!!!! that's only ?5 less than their at home PCR test at ?65. Add in your cost of going into town and suddenly the same price. Here's hoping something local and cheaper appears on the horizon soon.

Excellent news. Thanks for the update Fred. Then I'm looking for the same thing as you! I can't find a non NHS lateral flow test provider anywhere. I'll keep searching.

Unless rules have changed in the past month it's PCR test you need to get to France or a very specific level of lateral flow test that meets certain criteria. My understanding is that type of lateral flow test is not readily available.

Another very happy customer for Carl Fuller-Brown. Picked up his recommendation here. Very pleased. He came out quickly to assess work needed on damaged fence. He gave me a sensible price quote and was honest about timeline. Good communication on timing of work etc. Very tidy work - all cleared away afterwords including old fencing. No "surprises" on the quote. Really pleased with the finished job. All round an honest guy who did the job he promised, for the price he promised, in the timeline he promised. I would highly recommend him. his number is 07841 124 010.

The tests being handed out are lateral flow tests. These aren't enough for travel etc. Don't get caught out. Please do ensure you book a PCR test if you're planning to travel. Unfortunately they are still super expensive.

Bass12 Have you thought of the Goose Green Centre - i.e. the church halls on Goose Green. They have two rooms - different sizes - and all the usual ancillary facilities. Went to a few yoga classes there years ago. Also ORU workspace on Lordship lane - never been in, but hear that they rent space on an ad hoc basis - might be a bit pricier, but better exposure??

Ianr Thank you for this post. I have shared it with many people and has hopefully given some of us a way to contribute. I personally have been feeling such a spare part recently.

KidKruger. It was years ago and I'm paraphrasing, but definitely along the lines of "there's no such thing" "Don't know what you're talking about". Definitely no discussion of "do you mean this or that". Blunt enough that my mum's head went down and she turned and walked out of the shop. It was very much a put down. I was mortified.

Stopped shopping at WR years ago after the second time of them being rude to me. First time one November I asked if I could order a goose for Xmas - was prompted told "no cause you're not a regular. next customer please." I sort of stomached that, till the next time. In shopping with my mum - a lady in her 70s who has bought and cooked her fair share of meat in her day - can't remember exactly what she asked for, but was promptly told that what she asked for didn't exist and she didn't know what she was talking about. How f'n dare they! So for me it's flock and herd every time. They treat customers with respect, meat tastes different than supermarket and also act like gentlemen when I take my mum in. Yes, this is a middle aged harrumph. But this seems like a good place to share these views.

Oddbins is now a ladies clothes shop - maybe just a pop up for Xmas

Hi Everyone - and Colin. New to the forum. I'm trying to track down Colin the handyman who used to work with Mark - maybe 10 years ago. He did great work for us in the garden and in the house, but have lost his contact details. Is this the same Colin? Hope so.