Forum Topics

Random pic 16 October 2020

The National Archives, Kew          https://flic.kr/p/2jhxx7X

Michael Ixer ● 14d0 Comments ● 14d

London on Tier 2 from Saturday

Published on NextdoorLocal Public ServiceMayor of LondonSadiq Khan • 12 mins agoImportant Coronavirus update. “It is clear that the virus is now spreading rapidly in every part of our city, and hospital and ICU admissions are steadily rising. Time and again it has been shown that it is better to act earlier than to act too late – which would cost more lives and damage more livelihoods. I am not willing to put Londoners’ lives at risk and we must do all we can to minimise economic damage.“That is why, following discussions between me, ministers and our city’s senior health advisers and council leaders, the Government will move London into tier 2 restrictions - alert level high – from the start of Saturday. This will mean Londoners will not be able to mix between different households indoors - which includes in their homes and inside pubs and restaurants. Londoners should also aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible.“There are no good options. I know these further restrictions will require Londoners to make yet more sacrifices, but the disastrous failure of the test, trace and isolate system leaves us with little choice. I am well aware that these restrictions will have a further significant impact on businesses in our city, which is why the Government must come forward with more financial support for affected businesses and local authorities immediately, as well as for vulnerable Londoners struggling to get by.“I still believe that, as SAGE recommended to ministers, the immediate priority should now also be a short national circuit breaker. This would allow us to get the reinfection rate down to a manageable level and give the Government more time finally to get a grip on the failing test and trace system.“But moving London to the next tier of restrictions from Saturday will, we hope, help slow the spread of the virus, take pressure off the NHS and help avert the possibility of a full lockdown lasting months – which would be the worst possible outcome for Londoners and our economy.”

Ivonne Holliday ● 15d0 Comments ● 15d

Meals on Toast

I've been trying to build up a repertoire of things on toast as a light meal - preferably healthy - and I've tried to move our main meal (not enormous just bigger) to lunchtime so that we can go out for a walk afterwards.There are practical as well as health reasons for this.  I'm generally presented with a large loaf of brown bread each week (when we shopped more often we could get a small loaf - bread according to WRAP (www.wrap.org.uk) is one of the foods that is wasted most in the UK) and there's a limit to the amount of space in the freezer for frozen bread).  I have also been trying to reduce our own weight and the amount of food we waste for a long time.I'd started on this long before Covid 19 but since I haven't been to the shops since this all started for me it has definitely been Ready Steady Cook for every meal!  I think a lot of my cookery offerings are repetitive but my other half is happy so I guess I shouldn't worry too much.Apparently cheese on toast is many people's first choice.  My version is cheddar and studded with sliced tomatoes before it goes under the grill.  However I have tried to reduce the amount of cheese we eat as it is very fattening and moreish.  So I moved to poached eggs on toast as the store-cupboard meal of choice after coming back/before going out to the cinema/meetings etc. We have other favourites as we've increased the range.We've now both lost weight and we've also walked a couple of hundred miles.What are your go-to meals on toast? 

Philippa Bond ● 94d32 Comments ● 15d

Random pic 15 October 2020

A fixed penalty charge for illicit barbeques and errant apostrophes?            https://flic.kr/p/2jn5PNg

Michael Ixer ● 15d0 Comments ● 15d

SportsDirect is coming to the Exchange in mid  November!

Good news for Putney and The Exchange.Sportsdirect are opening in the corner of Putney Exchange mid-November which will be very good for footfall and the Exchange.This news courtesy of our good friend Nick G! Thanks Nick

Victoria Diamond ● 17d9 Comments ● 15d

Duck Tours at Hammersmith

Some local news. Duck Tours make a bid for ferry service at Hammersmith:http://googlenewspost.com/2020/10/09/duck-boats-could-return-to-the-thames-as-a-ferry-service-while-hammersmith-bridge-is-shut/

Michael Ixer ● 20d14 Comments ● 15d

Not going well is it?

The track and trace system is malfunctioning as is being frequently reported by everyone not in the government.  Someone’s counting the days:-Days since WHO said "test, test, test": 210Days since PM promised world-beating track & trace: 144Days since he promised all test results in 24 hrs: 112Test results in 24 hrs: 25.7%Days when test & trace has done its job: 0Are they just counting the days till a vaccine comes along?  Despite much progress that’s still many months away from becoming generally available.

Jonathan Callaway ● 17d12 Comments ● 16d

Random pic 14 October 2020

The Dutch House, Canvey Island   https://flic.kr/p/Xxn9eC

Michael Ixer ● 16d0 Comments ● 16d

Bid to protect post-Brexit food standards rejected

MPs have rejected the latest attempt to require imported food to meet domestic legal standards from 1 January.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54506185Unbelievable and very sad news indeed!

Ivonne Holliday ● 17d18 Comments ● 16d

Progress in Brexit negotiations?

I think not!  EU leaders to debate contingencies for failure of UK talkshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-13/eu-leaders-to-discuss-contingency-plan-for-failure-of-u-k-talks?srnd=brexit&fbclid=IwAR0zjGVrlgz6H2ohhcAq-7ghDWyatOlMRsk2qDGKAAYYVu2cqhEQrHcTJts

Ivonne Holliday ● 17d8 Comments ● 16d

nick

I was deeply sad to read Nick's last post  What an indictment on what this forum has become.  Although I have no impact at all on posts, just my general opinions, I will be following Nick's example.

Barbara Shillabeer ● 23d17 Comments ● 17d

Random pic 13 October 2020

Piercing the Moon over the Baptistry, Pisa, 3rd October  2018       https://flic.kr/p/2jNJBVY

Michael Ixer ● 17d2 Comments ● 17d

Seems Like Herd Immunity Is Gaining Support?

Here we go again ...🙄Now 12,000 scientists and medics have signed anti-lockdown petitionhttps://mol.im/a/8818993

Sue Hammond ● 22d32 Comments ● 17d

Odd experience with Putney Plumbers

Two years ago Putney Plumbers installed a new Worcester Bosch gas boiler. Work done by a nice young man who had started with them as an apprentice on leaving school. He serviced it last year.A couple of months ago I had a reminder letter about the service and this week got round to booking the appointment.  Last night and first thing this morning the house was pleasantly warm. A different heating engineer came at 9am and was here just over half an hour. I asked him to bleed the radiators and he said this wasn't necessary. This evening the bottom of the radiators are stone cold, the top not exactly stone cold, but not even tepid or lukewarm. I am wrapped in my dressing gown.I have just phoned Putney Plumbers who say whatever the problem is it is not related to the service and I will be charged for the visit I have requested to correct the fault. I wonder if anyone who understands these things better than I has any thoughts. I only had the service because I thought this was sensible not because things weren't functioning.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 21d26 Comments ● 17d

Found - Apple Airpods

Apple AirPods Pro found on Putney Embankment this morning with an engraved name and very distinctive case. Hoping to to return it to its owner?

Charlie Colquhoun ● 18d1 Comments ● 18d

“That number is unavailable at the moment”

The above repeated recorded message is all I can get as, for over 6 minutes, I listen to the ringing tone while trying to report a dangerous structure to Wandsworth Council Building Control. I also wrote to Councillor Locker on 21 September and, apart from an acknowledgement, have heard nothing more. What can I do to report this and get some action?

Catherine Schade ● 18d1 Comments ● 18d

Random pic 12 October 2020

The Thames from Blackfriars             https://flic.kr/p/2jhMARS

Michael Ixer ● 18d0 Comments ● 18d

White Lion Pub

Noticed they have been repainting today, obviously never got it right the first time. Should have left it as it was with a coloured picture of the Bridge. Now heard they are going to paint White Ghosts and Goulies to get you in the mood for Haloween.

Barbara Stevens ● 18d2 Comments ● 18d

boiler engineers

HalloI can recommend Mayfair Heating as absolutely wonderful. Anthony installed our new boiler after our old Potterton Commodore became non-viable after 35 years and  has been looking after our new (not quite  so new now) boiler and heating for 15plus years and his charges are not excessive and he is knowledgeable, reliable, punctual and nice!!!

carole tanner ● 19d0 Comments ● 19d

Random pic 11 October 2020

Difficult if you want to check if it's going to your destination? I guess it's sort of in line with Grayling's advice to the railways ...  no wonder they went off the rails          https://flic.kr/p/2jfG1V3

Michael Ixer ● 19d0 Comments ● 19d

Traffic Calming & Reduction

As residents all over London have found street signs can change and routes may need to be reorganised.  Most of it happened so very quickly that many residents were taken by surprise and were unable to cope.  The rush all over the country to make changes in the middle of a pandemic also seemed to cause a shortage of particular roadsigns and also showed that the "Evil Kneivel" one is not understood - or is it that drivers particularly on their routine journeys and perhaps under stress just don't want to understand it?Here is an interesting read: https://inews.co.uk/news/green-cycling-revolution-causing-road-rage-703827Interesting to see that in other parts of London residents have chosen to replace and replant the tipped over and vandalised containers.

Philippa Bond ● 20d0 Comments ● 20d

So much unpleasantness

Forum no longer fit for purpose

Penelope Becker ● 21d17 Comments ● 20d

Random pic 10 October 2020

Sunset over the south downs           https://flic.kr/p/2jhC27A

Michael Ixer ● 20d0 Comments ● 20d

Use of mobile phones whilst driving

There's a very disturbing report from the RAC (see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-54448476) to the effect that the very dangerous (and of course illegal) use of mobile phones whilst driving is rising and is at its highest level since 2016.Furthermore, the RAC says that younger drivers are more than twice as likely to say they make or receive video calls while driving, and almost one in 10 drivers aged 17-24 say they play games on their phones while doingso. One 24-year-old interviewed admitted that he's happy to use his phone whilst driving, adding that "everyone does it," though he admits that he'd feel guilty if he was on a call and had an accident. A bit late then, though, isn't it? If he's killed someone, his guilt won't bring them back to life.It's time that using  mobile whilst driving was treated with as much disdain and concern as drink driving.

Richard Carter ● 21d10 Comments ● 20d

Webinars re Climate Change and Green Recovery

https://www.futurebuild.co.uk/futurebuildnow-action-webinar/

Philippa Bond ● 27d4 Comments ● 21d

American Dry Cleaners Closing

I heard American Dry Cleaners is closing on the High Street. Such a shame as always good service any good recommendations for other dry cleaners nearby?

Conor Sherrard ● 21d4 Comments ● 21d

Lost car keys

Citroen car keys lost on Danemere St today 9/10/20 around 1pm. If found please call 07768072043

Julian Giliberti ● 21d0 Comments ● 21d

Nick's departure

I, like others, have been following the responses to Nick's unfortunate withdrawal from the Forum. I see two main reasons for regret. 1. He stood out as a positive contributor whose knowledge and commitment will be sorely missed. 2. I get the impression that he became fed up with the consistently bad temper exhibited by just a few contributors. I find it sad, but revealing, that one or two of the people in the latter category are now shedding crocodile tears at his departure.

Alexander MacLeod ● 23d39 Comments ● 21d

Covid testing

Just walked along URR and saw a queue of well over 100 people queuing for the medical centre.  Having asked what for, apparently, the centre is offering Covid tests.Given Wandsworth has relatively few cases (52 across the whole Borough last week, I believe) are these people being sensible or simply wasting limited resources? 

Craig Fordham ● 34d37 Comments ● 21d

Carpenter

Does anyone know of a good local carpenter?  I am planning to subdivide a room and I have made arrangements with a company to do electrics and plumbing but I need a carpenter who can build a stud wall and doorways, make good the wooden floor after, and repair holes in a ceiling, also plaster it.  Grateful for any recommendations!

Heather Christie ● 44d2 Comments ● 21d

Random pic 9 October 2020

The Telegraph Pole Forest at Yarnsfied Training and Conference Centre. It started life as a Post Office then BT training centre and after passing to Accenture for a while it's now privately owned. Used for some physics and atronomy revision courses arranged by the OU Physics Society.  I guess one day when BT Openreach completes its plan to rollout FTTP to all subscribers and decommission the copper PSTN (2030?) there'll be no use for these …https://flic.kr/p/2jfSTo1

Michael Ixer ● 21d0 Comments ● 21d

Nick "I am just going outside and may be some time." Gulliford

I,too, was thinking of our Nick as I passed the blue plaque commemorating famous Putney resident and Antarctic explorer Capt. Lawrence Oates on a house on the Upper Richmond Road today. I was wondering whether that particular property attracted a premium  because of its association with the brave Captain.My first thought was to get on here and ask Nick - imagine my dismay when I sadly remembered he was no longer with us. Perhaps we should have a whole column dedicated to "sightings" of Nick around Putney rather like the one in The Times about the first Cuckoo every Spring.

Timothy Horgan ● 23d10 Comments ● 21d

Why do we need a Press Secretary at No. 10?

Ex-Journalist Allegra Stratton to lead No 10 TV briefingsAllegra Stratton - who has worked for both ITV and the BBC and is Chancellor Rishi Sunak's spokeswoman - will become the government's new press secretary.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54468229It is also true that she is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator, who works alongside the commissioning editor, Mary Wakefield who happens to be married to Dominic Cummings, the Chief Advisor to Boris Johnson.A question of who you know?  Really awful!

Ivonne Holliday ● 21d12 Comments ● 21d

Sue

Sue, be careful the post that was bottom of New Kings Road, Bunny put a message and hers was removed.

Barbara Stevens ● 22d6 Comments ● 21d

School streets expanded in Wandsworth

Goodness knows, Wandsworth are pitifully slow at implementing measures against traffic, as the recent debacle over LTNs illustrates, so it's good to see that they are, at last, moving ahead on school streets :https://new.putneysw15.com/#!home|page/shared:common:wandroad007

Richard Carter ● 26d11 Comments ● 21d

Boris Johnson criticises, er, Boris Johnson

Johnson, in his speech yesterday to the virtual Tory party conference, had a go at fools who were critical of wind power "I remember how some people used to sneer at wind power, twenty years ago, and say that it wouldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding. They forgot the history of this country..."The only problem with that otherwise fine statement is that the fool who claimed in an interview on LBC in 2013 that "Labour put in a load of wind farms that failed to pull the skin off a rice pudding." And that particular fool was ... Boris Johnson!

Richard Carter ● 23d5 Comments ● 22d

Random pic 8 October 2020

Waterfall in Skye           https://flic.kr/p/2je78so

Michael Ixer ● 22d3 Comments ● 22d

Europe's Cycling Revolution

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000n990This report has been on a couple of times this weekend while I was working.  It is happening all over. Have a look.

Philippa Bond ● 25d7 Comments ● 23d

Random pics 7 October 2020

Sienna - when a very wide angle lens would be helpful             https://flic.kr/p/2je8vr2                   https://flic.kr/p/2je8vr7

Michael Ixer ● 23d0 Comments ● 23d

Waitrose

I didn't need Waitrose but the queue went right out the door again today lunchtime. Also Sainsbury's last week.

Barbara Stevens ● 25d7 Comments ● 23d

Police on Putney Hill

What happened on Putney Hill about 3 hours ago today? Lots of police, many police cars, one police motorcycle. Happily no signs of an accident - one ambulance but it drove away calmly, no blue light or siren.

Judy Allen ● 23d0 Comments ● 23d

Bottom of new Kings Road

Sitting in traffic bottom of New Kings Rd, there is a H & F sign on a lamp post with a picture of a car. It said keep a safe distance etc. re Covid. So for a few moments I said to the other half are we meant to keep a car distance from the car in front in case the car gets Covid. Or are cars allowed to drive on the pavement. So now we all have to walk at 20mph on the pavement and don't overtake incase you get Covid.

Barbara Stevens ● 25d20 Comments ● 24d

Random pic 6 October 2020

Railelectrics             https://flic.kr/p/2jfJUrJ

Michael Ixer ● 24d0 Comments ● 24d

Very unpleasant incident on the Upper Richmond Road

On Nextdoor, Emily Reed has reported a shocking attack on her son yesterday. I can't provide a link (perhaps because I viewed it on the app?) but here's the text of her post:On Tuesday 22 September at 7pm our 11 year old son was chased and attacked on his way home from a Karate Class at The Putney Methodist Church on The Upper Richmond Road.It was his first experience of independence - as we usually escort him to and from all classes.Our son and his friend were approached by a gang of at least 4 older boys on bikes at the junction of Charlwood Road and Norroy Road. They chased our boys down Charlwood Road, Clarendon Drive, down Gamlen Road and onto Hotham Road.During the chase our son and his friend lost their shoes.  Our boys were on foot.When our son reached our house one boy held him and then his friend punched and threw our son to the ground. Our neighbour came out and the boys didn’t stop or run away.  When I came out one of the boys told me “Don’t f*ck with me”These are young boys (probably 12 to 14) in secondary school.  They aren’t intimated or scared by adults. Our son was told they have weapons and they aren’t scared to use them.  The Police were called who arrived 4 ½ hours later.Our son and his friend are, understandably, traumatised, scared and our son is sore, his head aches and his face is swollen. This is terrifying.Thankfully we do have CCTV at our house and caught two of the main culprits in the act on camera. The images aren’t perfect but hopefully are good enough to ID them.If you recognise any of these children please let us know.They need to be stopped and we don’t want this to happen to other children.It was obviously very distressing for all concerned, a horrible incident and my sympathies are with the family. But almost as distressing, is the fact that it was 4½ hours before the police deigned to turn up: compare that with the fact that earlier in the day, for XR's completely non-violent and non-obstructive demonstration (see http://www.putneysw15.com/default.asp?section=info&page=conxrdemo001.htm) they managed to send two police cars and three officers, one of whom was desperate to find something - anything - with which to charge the demonstrators and was disappointed that even a request to base couldn't produce anything. There's something very wrong with their priorities there.

Richard Carter ● 37d61 Comments ● 24d

Food Waste Collection

I see there is an article on the front page re food waste collection.What I think the Council has missed is that food waste collection is a brilliant way to encourage the reduction of food waste.  Separating your food waste into a separate container really shows you exactly what you waste. That gives you the incentive to find out whether and ways you can waste even less which also helps you to save money.Your black sack waste is reduced and becomes less attractive to magpies foxes and rats etc and you won't ever have a dripping black sack to carry through your house to put out in your bin for collection.  It won't smell as bad either.www.lovefoodhatewaste.com  is a brilliant website which helps to keep on reducing the amount of food waste you make - telling you exactly what food labelling means and helping you to manage the food you buy better with storage info and plenty of recipe ideas, great for using-it-up recipes.One of the best bits of advice I heard was to not buy anything unless you know three ways of cooking with it - and that generally means one very easy way as well as a more difficult recipe in case you don't get around to the more difficult one!     

Philippa Bond ● 27d6 Comments ● 24d

Donald & Melania Trump Test Covid Positive

They are presently self-isolating in the White House.  Wish them well.

Sue Hammond ● 28d65 Comments ● 24d

Air pollution in London

Well done Mayor Khan, the same report shows that had reductions carried on at the same pace as under Bojo it would have taken 193 years to legal compliance, as it is we are on track to do it by 2025.The data was recorded before the lockdown too.Air pollution in London has plunged since Sadiq Khan became mayor, with a 94% reduction in the number of people living in areas with illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide. The number of schools in such areas has fallen by 97%, from 455 in 2016 to 14 in 2019.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/03/dramatic-plunge-in-london-air-pollution-since-2016-report-finds

Matt Palmer ● 27d23 Comments ● 24d

Roofer

Can anyone recommend a reliable local roofer?

Linda Denby ● 25d1 Comments ● 25d

Random pic 5 October 2020

Hull, a fine arcade             https://flic.kr/p/Qddzva

Michael Ixer ● 25d0 Comments ● 25d

Brexit Internal Market Bill Approved

Brexit: MPs approve controversial UK Internal Market Billhttp://news.sky.com/story/brexit-mps-approve-controversial-uk-internal-market-bill-12085505Good, now we can get on with it!

Sue Hammond ● 30d46 Comments ● 26d

Random pic 4 October 2020

Shakespeare at Leicester Square.      https://flic.kr/p/2jhNKGz

Michael Ixer ● 26d0 Comments ● 26d

SNP MP Ferrier Breaks Self-Isolation Rules

Coronavirus: SNP MP Margaret Ferrier apologises for travelling on public transport after positive COVID-19 test.And this woman squawked for Cummings to resign. The hypocrisy is breathtaking!  Worse still, how many others might she have infected? http://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-snp-mp-apologises-for-travelling-on-public-transport-after-positive-covid-19-test-12087104

Sue Hammond ● 28d40 Comments ● 26d

PutneyMead Surgery 26th September:  Flu Injections

If you are a patient at the above surgery you might prefer to visit a local pharmacy for your anti flu injection.I had not received the usual flu jab information. I called the surgery 10 days ago to ask for details. I almost had my head bitten off when I asked about flu jabs I was told quite rudely it was 26th September at 8am. Usually staff at the surgery are always pleasant and most helpful.This morning I walked to the surgery. As I turned into Charlwood Road at 7.45 I saw a large crowd of people and realised they were all waiting to visit the surgery. It was cold and very windy. The queue straggled along Charlwood Road, up the Upper Richmond Road, through the surgery and out into the very cold car park. It moved extraordinarily slowly because there were only two doctors giving injections. I eventually left the car park after queuing and waiting more than an hour and twenty minutes. I did think PutneyMead might have made more satisfactory arrangements for their elderly patients. I was lucky as the gentleman ahead of me in the queue was quite chatty and entertaining.But do be warned - get your flu jab elsewhere!

Marie Byrom ● 34d28 Comments ● 27d

Random pic 3 October 2020

The Cliffton suspension bridge, Bristol        https://flic.kr/p/VZ9zA9

Michael Ixer ● 27d0 Comments ● 27d

Police life’s matter

After the shooting of Sergeant Matt Ratana. A few weeks off retirement. Doing he’s job , protecting the public.Do Police Life’s Matter. They do to me? What do others think? It’s just not fashionable is it for people to talk about it or stand up for the police.

Nick Gulliford ● 33d64 Comments ● 27d

Continued closure of Wandsworth Bridge

Ignoring his grandiose title (Cabinet Member for the Environment  for God's sake) H&F Cllr Harcourt must live on a different planet and certainly has never had to endure the current traffic chaos. He even has the cheek to blame all the problems on the Wandsworth side of the bridge and not on his crazy traffic reduction scheme. That may have lowered traffic levels in the better heeled streets of SW6 but I doubt he's ever had to try going north-south over Wandsworth Bridge anytime recently. WBR is gridlocked as is every other side road/rat run eg Peterborough Road. It can take almost an hour to get over the bridge. Yes it would be better if I walked but as I drive an animal ambulance, that's not really practical!Wandsworth Council have had the good sense to abandon their traffic reduction measures - I suggest that Cllr Harcourt gets back into the real world and does the same.

Hugh Walton ● 28d1 Comments ● 28d

Curtains

I wonder if anyone can recommend a local firm which makes curtains. A search on the Forum goes back several years. When  I came here in 1981 I made all my curtains, but I've become lazy in the intervening years!Thanks for any recommendations.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 49d29 Comments ● 28d

Random pic 3 October 2020

A Triumph Herald at the Glasgow Riverside transport museum. Great cars: you could step into the bonnet for easy access to the engine, and those fins on the rear were useful for lining up gaps and obstacles when reversing …   https://flic.kr/p/Tv8v2y

Michael Ixer ● 28d0 Comments ● 28d

Here comes the Brexit dividend at last!

The only problem is, we're not getting it, because it's being stuffed in the pockets of management consultants. The National Audit Office has reported that, whilst the expenditure on consultants was between £400m and £700m in the six years to 2016, it rose after the Brexit vote to  £1bn and by 2017-18 it exceeded £1.5bn a year.Oddly, I don't remember seeing that on the side of a bus...

Richard Carter ● 30d8 Comments ● 29d

Random pic 1 October 2020

Barbara at the Tate Britain               https://flic.kr/p/2jhLkSQ

Michael Ixer ● 29d0 Comments ● 29d

How ridiculous is this

Camoaigners are trying to ban the term 'lycra louts'and to get it treated as a hate crime offering the same protection as domestic violence victims and refugees.If it was the 1st of April I'd have continued on but it's not.Poor little loves , sticks and stones comes tk mind.

Andy Pike ● 30d13 Comments ● 29d

COVID-19 app

Has anybody downloaded the NHS COVID-19 app?

Ivonne Holliday ● 33d55 Comments ● 29d

Calowries

In the sad absence of Nick "Snowflake" Gulliford's staunch ability to defend Putney restaurants and retailers, it's up to the rest of us now. In that spirit, here's a shout out for Calowries in the Lower Richmond Road: we had double veggie burger and cheese and bacon burgers (between us, not each!) and they were very good: freshly made and delicious.What's more, we ate them sitting on the benches on the common (Shhh! Nobody tell John Cameron!) in the lovely warm end-of-September sunshine. Most enjoyable and strongly recommended.

Richard Carter ● 31d3 Comments ● 29d

I "misspoke" over NE COVID rules, says PM

Misspoke????  Does this not sound rather North American speak? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54342688

Ivonne Holliday ● 30d14 Comments ● 29d

Suspicious motorbike on Genoa Avenue; checking out parked vehicles

2 kids on a very nice triumph style motorbike on Genoa Avenue (with no license plates) stopped to check out my neighbours motorbike, only to (I assume) realise it had a chain on it and drove off.Can't report to police and nothing technically wrong but not sitting right... especially with all the current reports about thefts on motorbikes in the area.We moved to Putney to feel safer in LDN but that's quickly changing this year.

Steph couchman ● 30d4 Comments ● 29d

Random pic 30 September 2020

Cardiff Bay      https://flic.kr/p/8HJLfX

Michael Ixer ● 30d0 Comments ● 30d

Uber Win Appeal

Uber judged 'fit and proper' to operate in Londonhttp://news.sky.com/story/uber-judged-fit-and-proper-to-operate-in-london-12084227Another wrong move by Khan.

Sue Hammond ● 32d12 Comments ● 30d

Bills - PHS

Bills appears set to reopen this Thursday with new seating, tables etc - other venues in process of opening up too: more good news for Putney in these troubled times. All is not gloom. Enjoy.

Clifford Cowell ● 31d1 Comments ● 30d

Assistant wanted (around 3-4 hours a week/weekdays) - Putney Common

We are looking for an assistant around 3 or 4 hours a week for a lady on Putney Common with failing sight and severe allergies.Tasks will include:using a shielded computer to do household admin, order food and other items;local shopping;short dog walks for a fox terrier (elderly) and possible 6-weekly visits to the vet.Preference is for someone who can commit long term so if you're a student; temporarily unemployed etc this is probably not right for you.  Please do not wear any scent or strong washing powders/shower gels if coming for an interview.If interested, please contact:lydia.tapping@yahoo.com / 07947 215703Please note: I am advertising on behalf of the lady who needs the assistance.

Lydia Tapping ● 30d0 Comments ● 30d

The Telegraph PH

Good news! Work is going full steam ahead at the Telegraph Pub on Putney Heath. Providing the pub trade isn't entirely wiped out, perhaps it will be open by Christmas?

Denzil Darby ● 41d5 Comments ● 30d

Hindsight and all that - YouGov poll

In hindsight, according to a YouGov pollBrexit was right 39 (-2);Brexit was wrong 50 (+4).Poll was carried out on 23-24 Sept and shows changes since 8-9 Sept.It's a record lead for 'wrong' over right'.Bit late now!

Jonathan Callaway ● 31d4 Comments ● 31d

US food standards vs ours/EU’s

I came across this article written back in January. It is a stark reminder why moving to US standards and away from our current much higher ones will result in more frequent cases of food poisoning. https://www.insidescience.org/news/listeria-or-hysteria-why-brits-fear-american-chlorinated-chicken-importsNote this is a serious science publication not a politically biased news source.  NOT more Project Fear / Fake News paranoia.  A few paragraphs down in this report reveals the fact that 16% of Americans suffer from food poisoning, vs 1% in UK. This is science, not PR. Low income households will suffer the most as they will go for the cheapest option and any US imports will sell on price not quality hence the political interest in accepting them in the first place.  The terms of any FTA with the US, and the terms of the Agriculture Bill now going through Parliament should be a concern to all of us. Jamie Oliver is campaigning on this very issue: https://www.biteback2030.com/campaign/save-our-standards

Jonathan Callaway ● 31d2 Comments ● 31d

Random pic 29 September 2020

A robotic sales person? This one won't get stuck in the conference bar running up expenses or demand a large slice of the sale profit in commission:        https://flic.kr/p/2jg9pL9       or  perhaps if they do make it to the bar, this robotic bar tender person has a three in one with as dash of WD-40 ready …  https://flic.kr/p/2jg9rdh

Michael Ixer ● 31d0 Comments ● 31d

Long Covid programme  Tue 29 Sept 11-1130am  BBC Radio 4

Adam Rutherford of the Inside Science programme caught Covid 19 six months ago and is still recovering.Investigating the different symptoms and the ways people are recovering.https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2020/39/long-covid

Philippa Bond ● 31d0 Comments ● 31d

Jump/Uber bikes  blocking pavements

Yesterday I noticed a van decanting Jump bikes on PHS leaving them in the middle of the pavement. These can be hired and left anywhere and must be increasingly dangerous/inconvenient for people with poor eyesight, children, prams, mobility scooters etc. How is this allowed by the government/council as many companies seem to be doing this now. It negates the huge expense widening the pavements on PHS.Of course I did my public duty and moved one bike to safety and out of sight down the lane by McDonalds.

Timothy Horgan ● 34d7 Comments ● 31d

Resident Visitor Permits

Can anyone tell me where I can purchase the Resident Visitor Permits?  I went to Putney Library, where I usually get them and was told they aren’t selling them at the moment.  The librarian gave me a form to fill in.  If I take it to The Town Hall, can I buy them there?  Or are they closed for this too?

Martine Guy ● 32d2 Comments ● 32d

Random pic 28 September 2020

The train to Izmir from Istanbul, with the rail replacement bus for the last leg of the journey to make travellers who use SWT feel at home ... https://flic.kr/p/2jux4cQ          https://flic.kr/p/2juxaXD

Michael Ixer ● 32d1 Comments ● 32d

Found Loanne Lewis Reynier zip oyster card

Found the above zip 16+ Oyster card on the Spencer benches on Putney Common. Can send to TFL but if anyone knows them I’m happy to send directly to avoid lengthy covid lost property times with TFL. Thanks.

MRS Eve Bradshaw ● 32d0 Comments ● 32d

A tame visitor

We were moving a compost bin this afternoon and this robin came to inspect the work, I think with an eye on some worms uncovered in the process ...https://www.flickr.com/gp/m-j-i/81fch7

Michael Ixer ● 32d6 Comments ● 32d