What to you think of the Bellenden road area?

[Scruffy Mummy]

I was being sarcastic I know - but the facts are that 99% of children going to the Villa are white. Also there are some other facts I'd like to correct. The Villa nursery only takes children from 2 years old not 0. There are 60 children (according to their website) in the nursery.

Those numbers doesn't include the school - I'm assuming there are about 40 kids in the 2 years of pre-prep - which is two full primary school classes of kids not going to local schools, whose parents aren't engaging with a wider social mix in the neighourhood they and their children are living in. And importantly, who aren't lending their skills and expertise to help make the local community school a better school for all.

The Villa states clearly that if your child goes to nursery, he/she will authmatically be offered a place at the pre-prep school - whereas if they don't, they have to sit entry exams/tests to ensure they are educationally up to it. A bit of an incentive to start them at nursery I would think!!

The Villa Pre-Preparatory School states clearly in it's title that it is a pre-prep school (i.e. preparing kids for prep school)!! Pre-prep schools are clearly within the private system of preparing young children for private prep school that they will enter at age 7. They state that it is in their goal for children to enter there new schools with confidence at 7. Most community schools I know of, children tend to enter at age 4.5 or 5 - unless of course the parents move or change schools. In the private system, the tradition seems to be send kids to pre-prep from 4 - 7, then prep school.

I just find it sad that anyone would choose to live in Peckham, one of the most culturally diverse areas of the country and then choose to send your kid somewhere with such a narrow demographic! I grew up in a rural, 99% white area of Canada and I was so ignorant of so much!!!! I love the fact that my 2.5 year old - who is going to a nursery (in the private sector because there is no other option at his age) - has friends already who are from African, Turkish, Chinese, and many other backgrounds. I love it that the nursery is having a event for Black History Month and all the parents will be bringing dishes from their area. (I'm bringing pumpkin pie - a favored North American dish) I can't wait for him to go to the local primary school frankly! And to join the board of governors. And help make the school a great school for all the kids in the area.

[Spangles30]

A very interesting posting scruffy, and good for you embracing the multi cultural element of the area.

Anyway, I didn't mention that acquaintances of mine who live in Adys Rd, Maxted Rd, and Nigel Rd have either been knived on their doorsteps or mugged by knifepoint on their roads. Obviously this can happen anywhere, but I do not know of anyone who has been knived early evening near me.

[Bellenden Belle]

A word of advice when reading any thread containing alarmist and frightening "facts" - always look first at the source. Do they have a history of making unsubstantiated claims to back up their opinions, have their previous postings been balanced and rational, or are they intended to provoke distress and unease. That was the most important lesson I learnt during my history lessons.

Probably worth bearing in mind in light of the comments re stabbings on doorsteps.

[Keef]

I like the Bellenden area, it's always been one of the nicer bits of Peckham, and these days it's really nice. Plus you have Ganapati which is the best Indian restaurant you'll find!

As for the guy getting shot in the shop on Avondale, that's awful, but George who used to run the Post Office on Pellatt Road (middle of East Dulwich) got shot a couple of years ago about a week before he was due to retire. It can happen anywhere!

[Alan Dale]

I think it's a great area.

Don't worry about anecdotal tales of knife crime. There are certain elements in ED who envy Bellenden its success.

Once a guy got hit in the face with an axe in Hampstead. Poor guy. Great place.

If you are unsure about Bellenden then go and check it out.

We take the kids to Petitou quite frequently, I watch football in the Wishing Well, we use and have used a few of the local shops (Casa fireplaces for example, the woodstain shop on Maxted Road, the curtain menders next door). It's an exciting and still improving area.

I have never once felt intimidated or unsafe around there.

[Jessie]

It's a great area - multicultural, easy access into town, aforementioned shops and cafes. Crime can and does happen anywhere. If I had a choice I'd move there as opposed to ED in fact.

[Scruffy Mummy]

I can say with hand on my heart that I've never had any problems in Peckham - I lived in the north Peckham area in an estate just off the old kent road for about 5 years before moving to Bellenden where I've lived for 3 years and my friend still lives in that flat in that estate in north Peckham with her little girl and hasn't had any problems either.

When I lived in leafy Balham before that, my flatmate was mugged on our doorstep however.

[Cuthbert Dibble]

I have to say I find it odd when some people who live in SE22 imply that the Bellenden Road area/any place with a SE15 postcode is in a far off, scarey area called "Peckham" which you would be well advised to stay clear of (as has happened in another thread in particular).

Were you to walk out of East Dulwich station and head towards Goose Green - few would deny that you were in fact very much in, as the name of the station implies, East Dulwich. If however, whilst passing the end of Oglander or Ondine Road you happened to plant one of your feet about 2 feet to the left (maybe to avoid an errant dog turd) that foot would be in Peckham - as the SE15 postcode boundary ends there. Gangs of feral youths would no doubt appear and attack that foot with massive knives and guns - cos that's what happens in Peckham isn't it?

The fact is the "Peckham residents" who live on these, and other roads (Marsden, Muschamp, Adys etc) live about a five minute walk away from the most interesting, lively end of Lordship Lane. Wheras many East Dulwich residents "proper" who live, say, further towards Forest Hill may have an SE22 postcode, but probably have to get a bus/drive/walk about a mile in order to sample the delights of the East Dulwich Deli, EDT and, er, Foxtons.

To conclude then...

- Although I know the term "East Dulwich borders" reeks of estate agents speak, it probably is an accurate description of this part of SE15 right up to and (controversial I know) including Bellenden Road.

- It's really nice.

[Spangles30]

Bellenden Belle, if you are going to direct comments towards me suggesting I am lying then please state it explicitly. Just because we happen to disagree on most things on here, does not mean that everyone feels the same way. This is a forum, and people should be allowed to contribute regardless of whether a certain 'clique' agree or disagree with comments.

If you would like the phone numbers of the said people who were mugged at knifepoint I will give you them (one is now in Australia and lets his flat out on Adys Rd). You have NO RIGHT to pour disdain on my points and my opinions. The original poster asks for people's opinions on said area - and if YOU don't like my opinion then tough.

Many people obviously like the 'Bellenden Regenerated area' and that's fine. Each to their own. Of course it's 'near' to East Dulwich, but London can change dramatically in just one or two roads. And I say this as one who was born and bred in the area.

[Alan Dale]

Keep your hair on Spangles.

Bellenden is great. You needn't get jealous as you are free to visit or even move there yourself!

[snorky]

Bellend is OK

best patties in SE London

a strange juxtaposition of trad vs. new arrivals - sometimes they butt up against each other = friction

its not a village tho' - thats just estate agent talk

[Spangles30]

It is 'great' IN YOUR OPINION Alan Dale. It is not 'great' in my opinion. I am hardly 'jealous' of a road which has a poodle parlour and close proximity to Peckham High Street. I thought you were into defending Camberwell anyway.

[Spangles30]

Well said snorky.

[Alan Dale]

Spangles30 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> It is 'great' IN YOUR OPINION Alan Dale. It is not

> 'great' in my opinion. I am hardly 'jealous' of a

> road which has a poodle parlour and close

> proximity to Peckham High Street. I thought you

> were into defending Camberwell anyway.

You seem jealous. You have irrationally strong opinions about this Spangles. What's really the matter?

[macroban]

> a road which has a poodle parlour

Incorrect tense?

[Jessie]

Say what you like about Peckham High Road, but i think it's v handy and also as I've been going to the same shops for years quite friendly.

[Bellenden Belle]

Spangles30 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Bellenden Belle, if you are going to direct

> comments towards me suggesting I am lying then

> please state it explicitly.

I did no such thing. I merely asked readers to make up their own minds, based on the calibre of your own words, in both previous and current posts. Equally they could search my name or any other poster's name and get a sense of where that person's thoughts and views might be coming from.

Hysterical outbursts offering telephone numbers of people who have been stabbed on their doorstep and have since moved to Australia do not strengthen the case that you are a reliable source.

You have stated your opinion on the area - leave it for others to decide if they wish to pay attention to it or not.

[SeanMacGabhann]

ah yes.. when your argument seems to be "you against rest of the " what better way to defend yourself than to start flinging around accusations of a "clique". The rest of the world is a hell of a clique Spangles..

Name names so we can say whether it's true or not

[JoeChuff]

Belleden's great, it reminds me of what ED was like when I first moved here 5 years ago. Properly nice pubs e.g. Gowlett, Wishing Well. Bar Story is a good bar for art students as well, there's a gallery in the back. Slightly younger demographic, it seems, not as many prams. If I were moving to SE London today rather than 5 years ago, I'd definitely be looking at Belleden.

[James]

It makes me think of bell ends. That's my problem with it.

[serif]

I live just up the road from Bellenden on Grove Hill. It's SE5 which is Camberwell and we're on the post code borders for Peckham and East Dulwich. Each of these areas has got its own issues and plenty of up sides too - where in London hasnt?

We moved here from Clapham South which was a fantastic place to live, and when we needed more space our first choice for a new area was Peckham, but when the house we wanted fell through we ended up in Camberwell. We've no regrets - we'd have been happy either way.

As I've said in previous postings, I really like the area we're in. Bellenden Road is a really friendly place to shop and I cant recommend it highly enough.

[mockney piers]

Wow BB, from burnt-fingered newbie to clique member, your journey to the dark side is complete ;-)

[Nero]

I liked the Bellenden area, but I do feel there is a bit of an enclave feel to it. It's nice, friendly, leafy, but not marvellous and breath-taking. Nero

[Spangles30]

"I dont like that area personally, and do not feel safe there."

Alan Dale, how is that an 'irrationally strong opinion"?????

I DO have strong opinions - but I am afraid that is not 'strong' by a long shot!!! How you can think it is, is beyond me!

[Alan Dale]

I suppose it's a question of style Spangles.

Excessive use of capitalised words and unnecessary multiple question marks and exclamation marks give the impression of someone on the verge of a complete nervous breakdown.

You may be calmly imparting your opinion but it reads as though you are absolutely frantic in your quest to disparage one of your neighbouring areas.

If you are as maniacal in your distaste for Bellenden as your posts would imply then that seems to be an overreaction.

If not then perhaps you should tone down your posts in order to correctly convey your message.

What do you think?