Forest Hill

To Infinity......and beyond! (Well SE23)

2011-05-23T17:14:00.004+01:00

I have been watching the cable laying on Brockley Rise with interest and it looks like it is now coming my way. The 3 white vans in this shot are all BT OpenReach bringing fibre optic cable to SE23. (There was in fact a 4th van just out of shot!).

Our internet service is pretty abysmal. Poor on most days and utterly useless on weekends or the school holidays. This is made especially difficult as I have to work from home one day a week and to be honest, its a struggle to stay connected.

I like to think that BT Infinity will help me out - though as my real issue is connectivity rather than speed, I'm not so sure. Recent checks on a speedtest show I have about a 3mbps upload and a pathetic 0.78ish upload - but that is when I can get on.. The speeds are actually better than I expected (nowhere near that nirvana 8 I keep on getting told about), though nowhere near the 100mbps I used to get when I lived in the US 7 years ago.

So we definitely will switch when it comes - July per the BT website, but I need to be realistic about what it will bring - and a slight word of caution came from one jgdoherty on the SE23 forum (who seems to know an awful lot on the subject).

I think I need everyone in SE23 to express interest, but no one sign up but me!

Still excited though - so much so, I felt obliged to photograph my new local hero:

Hop and a skip to Hopscotch for a burger

2011-05-17T21:24:00.000+01:00

Hopscotch on Honor Oak Park has really grown on me.

The first weekend they opened, I got as far as the door, then ran at the sight of buggies and screaming kids through the steamed up windows.

Since then, it seems to have settled into a more adult affair. Not that kids aren't welcome, but adults are welcome - so many places round here seem to have to chase the buggy crowd for midweek revenue - but lets face it, if I want a quiet cup of coffee with a read of the paper, I wouldn't go to a creche.

It has more recently opened up on Thu, Fri & Sat evenings. I have passed a few times when it has been crowded, but last Friday it was just me & hubby. We both had a drink and a burger, and they were superb. The burger with stilton and bacon hit the spot for me. (The lager hit the spot for hubby!). Despite the fact that the place was empty on this visit, the music and ambiance honestly meant I didn't notice.

I hope this becomes a winner for the area, cos it sure is for me.

Looks like they are on twitter @hopscotchbar - I'll be following.

Forest Hill Society

2011-05-15T21:04:00.002+01:00

It's funny, when I moved to SE23, I rather thought the Forest Hill Society (FHS) was a bunch of old fuddy duddies - which may actually be down to the logo and the odd things I picked up from the SE23 forum (which it turns out has nothing to do with FHS).

Last year, I decided to go along to their AGM to find out a bit more. Having spoken out (on what topic I can't even remember - ah yes, may have been internet communications and blogs...), Richard Hibbert, the Chair, suggested I get involved. I was adamant I was too busy, but he has a way of getting you involved, just a bit.

The aims of the society are set out in their constitution, which roughly translates to an interest in:

- promoting public interest and civic pride

- planning

- amenities

Whilst it may sound dry, depending on your area of interest, it is quite easy to get involved and actually do something. I have limited interest in planning or transport from FH (I use HOP or Catford Bridge), but I am keen on more amenities in the area and lets face it, I love bars, restaurants and shops!! For all of these, I think SE23 has plenty of room for improvement.

So far, I have helped organise the Burns Night at the All Inn One and the Royal Wedding Party by the Old Post Office. I've really enjoyed both. If anyone else is interested, I seriously suggest getting in touch. The FHS is a broad church and really is only limited by its resource pool - ie active members.

Ironically, the bit I think I still need to work on is there internet presence (lets see if I can sort my own first eh).

Stag and Bow Officially opened this weekend

2011-05-08T21:31:00.003+01:00

I've popped into Stag & Bow a couple of times since its doors opened quite some time back. They have a cookie but on trend make up of craft and haberdashery goods as well as some small housey antiques. Over the last few months, the shop has 'filled out' so to speak, and now looks and feels like a proper store.

I am keen to sample their craft workshops. They do all sorts from crochet to leather work. This seems like it is quite a trend too. I recently went to a Homemade London open evening, who do similar things at their store in town - though fairly well advertised in SE London as the business is run by Mrs 'Brockley Nick' (creator of Brockley Central). Hopefully the concept will also work in Forest Hill, though I imagine there is some risk involved to get enough footfall.

Immediately noticeable at Stag & Bow, is the lovely shop front. This is a great addition to this stretch and hopefully becomes one to set a trend on Dartmouth Road. I do hope that with the onset of the Pools and the opening of Sylvan Post, footfall will be forthcoming. I'll certainly make it to one of their workshops.

Be serious woman.....!

2011-05-08T21:15:00.002+01:00

OK, I really haven't been trying have I?

Commitment then for the next 2 months to get 2/week posts up.

I've written and posted that now.

No promises that they will be 2 per actual week - but lets say 16 posts in 8 weeks.

The challenge is set.

Burns Night 25th January at All Inn One

2011-01-16T15:33:00.004Z

I am very much looking forward to Burns Night on 25th January. It isn't every year that I find somewhere to go. As a Scot I have been to a few events over the year and I have had a supermarket haggis at home - but for a few years now there has been one on the doorstep - and this year I can make it!

For £14.95, you get 3 courses and a wee dram to toast the bard. From all accounts from those who have been before, this is a good do. Ostensibly run by the Forest Hill Society, it is for anyone who fancies being cheered up on a Tuesday night in January. That will definitely be me.

You need to book - 020 8699 3311 - it's at the All Inn One on Perry Vale right next to Forest Hill Station. Maybe see you there?

Caring Christmas Trees

2010-12-04T22:05:00.006Z

Last year, I came across caring christmas trees. This is a charity that links sales of Christmas trees to local charities. Most are based in Scotland, but one option is to buy a tree in SE London.

You can buy a tree, for the standard price, and profits in this instance go to the Jericho Road Project to help the homeless. (The project is attached to Kings Church on Catford Hill.)

Ordering online is simple. Last year, I ordered this from overseas - this year from the office. I collect mine from the Bromley Road Retail Park, but you can pay to get it delivered.

The best thing by far, was that this was the nicest tree I have ever had. Few needles fell and it stayed lovely and green throughout the season. I'm already excited about getting this years!

Forest Hill Pop Up - A great night, despite the weather!

2010-12-03T18:04:00.002Z

So last night was Pop Up night. Businesses around the town centre held one off 'pop up' events. Kids were making Christmas cards, Campervantastic were showing off one of their vehicles, a new walking club met at the Q bar, there was 10% off at Bunka and the Fitting Studio, Thai veg carving, curry specials and a quiz - to name but a few of the goings on.

The biggest success had to be the pop up bar at the Old Post Office. The Sylvan Post will open as a new bar in the new year, run by Antic, the people who run Jam Circus in Brockley. There is a piccie above - last night it was still a Post Office with a few chairs and tables, shabby chic standard lamps, a very cool 1950s (ish) bar and cheap beer.

I was determined to go, and managed a DLR/ bus journey. Due to the snow, trains were cancelled and there was concern that it wasn't going to be a success. I'm sure it would have been busier if the weather had been more clement, but it was a really good evening and great to see Forest Hill's community making the most of their town centre. I am sure there will be calls to have another in the Spring/Summer. I can't wait!

Forest Hill Pop Up Event - Thursday 2nd December: Who is Forest Hill?

2010-11-29T22:23:00.000Z

We are!! Forest Hill, that is.

A pop up event is being held on Thursday 2nd December and we are all invited. Kids from 3 (I'll ignore that bit), and adults from 6-9pm.

So what is it and why? Well the idea is for a community event where businesses and locals get together, learn a bit, network and hopefully encourage future endeavors. In an area with lots of closed shop fronts but a huge amount of talent and as far as I can tell, locals crying out for more, this sounds like a clever idea.

The difficult part is that, it will only really work if loads of us turn up. I fancy a manicure at Bunka, Thai vegetable carving at Thai Orchard and like most people - a drink in the pop up pub in the old post office.

I'll be there, whatever the weather.

Hills & Parkes Deli Stall at HOP station

2010-11-28T21:26:00.003Z

I have been following the threads on www.se23.com with interest re a new deli opening in HOP. Ms Hills & Ms Parkes impressed me with their market research (a monkey survey) and their genuine and professional interest of what locals were looking for on the site.

Unable to (yet) find a shop, they have set up a weekend stall by the station. My first visit was on a very damp (and miserable) Sunday afternoon a couple of weeks ago - and I was impressed. I picked up a really nice loaf and a cheeky brownie, as well as the leaflet shown above. The food was great and their level of professionalism again set them out from some of the others (read ED!).

This weekend, when the other half suggested we stop in East Dulwich to pick up some bread, it was great to tell him to drive on and we'd pick something up in HOP. The stall was packed and deservedly so. This time I got some chutney, coffee as well as the loaf. Cheeses, meats, pies as well as Christmassy treats were on offer.

It's great to see a nice, new business in the area. I think this one deserves our business. Hills & Parkes Artisan Foods is open Saturdays 9-5 and Sundays 10-4.

Go, shop!

Finding a chimney sweep

2010-03-23T16:22:00.003Z

A trawl of the internet found BG Wright, Master Sweep Services, based in Orpington and sweep to SE London & Kent. Turns out there is quite a lot of business, so it took us a little while to sort a good date. Ideal for us though, they work Saturdays.

The Saturday arrived and at the end of the allotted time slot, Martin and his partner arrived (Martin is a chatter - I have no idea how he makes it through all of his calls in a day - but good fun - I just wouldn't be surprised if he is running late). Very smartly dressed in freshly laundered black overalls, they set to work taking out a gas fire and getting us ready for a proper fire.

Martin cleaned the chimney, tested the flue with orange pellets and advised that we needed a different cap on the chimney. As luck would have it, Mick & Paul his friendly roofers were nearby and able to do the job. Quite handy, and to be fair, the sweep effectively suggested them for a quick job, but suggested you look around for a bigger job. So in a matter of just over an hour we were ready and set with good instructions. Set a small fire and check that the smoke goes up the chimney but also doesn't seep back into any of the other rooms - there should be separate flues, but over the years, they may have leaks.

Sunday saw us buy all the accoutrements and start our proper fire. Slightly more proper than we bargained for. Black smoke poured into the living room and went nowhere near the chimney, the down draft from the chimney pushing the smoke into the room.

So a disappointing start, but we not to be deterred, we will be going back to Martin for the next stage of advice. In the meantime I should buy shares in Fabreze...

Dewanian - Great Indian in SE23

2010-02-18T13:57:00.004Z

After a potter around Lordship Lane on Saturday, both the bf and I fancied a curry (ever the Valentine's romantic). Having tried one of the underwhelming curry houses on LL a while back, we decided we'd rather head somewhere closer to home to try somewhere new.

Two options nearer to home, both unvisited by us till now were Elachi and Dewanian on what I shall refer to as Topp Tiles Corner. Within easy walking distance, we walked past both and chose the Dewaniam based on the greater number of seated patrons at the time.

Quite an old fashioned curry house in terms of decor, with an astonishing arch fish tank to keep the kids amused, the really pleasant surprise was the food - and actually the menu.

We shared a chicken jalfrezi, a sag aloo and a wonderful venison curry. The menu includes game, trout as well as the venison. The cooking is assured and really flavoursome. The venison may not have been as pretty as something at Babur's but blimey it tasted good.

Having driven past so many times in the last 2 years, I'm really glad we tried it. We will try Elachi soon, but we will definitely return to Dewanian. (Though possibly not for the Elvis impersonator night next month...)

Who buys flats in Lewisham?

2009-04-27T15:31:00.004+01:00

Letter from overseas...

Having lived in 3 quite diverse parts of London, I have always felt that the market for properties in Lewisham, with the proximity to Central London and Canary Wharf, added to the quality of properties and green open spaces, should appeal to a wide audience.

Well, on opening the South China Morning Post last week, the advertising seems to certainly be targeting customers in Hong Kong.

For nearly two weeks, advertising for a sales event (held at the Mandarin Oriental, HK) for the Silkworks apartments in SE13 has featured within the paper (being promoted by the developer, St James and the estate agent, King Sturge).

With the weakened pound, the UK is proving attractive to a number of investors. There may be some expats looking to stay in the UK market, but a large number of Asian investors are being targeted. Also in the last week, I have watched a half hour documentary on this very subject on local HK tv, showing a number of Hong Kong residents who invest in London property.

Whether this advertising and tv interest leads to a knock on effect for Forest Hill may remain to be seen, but I think it is worth noting that the market for properties like Forest Hill Central is much wider than the traditional local SE23 market.

Forest Hill Pools Post No. 2

2009-02-10T18:05:00.004Z

I really didn't mean to post about this, but it is such a big thing for the local area, that I can't help myself. I thought I'd add numbers to my posts on this going forwards so that I can track how often I end up posting about the same thing over the next few years....

So the latest, is 3 options for the Forest Hill Pools from the council. It took me quite some time, and a number of read throughs to get this right in my head.

So option 3 is - build a pool in Sydenham - I mean really...

Option 1 & 2 in theory are get rid of the Victorian frontage (Option 1) or keep it (Option 2). But then to make it a little more complicated the same assumptions don't appear to work for both, so you don't end up with a like for like comparison. Apparently to be able to Finance the one where you get rid of the frontage, you need additional housing to offset costs but for the conservation option you don't need this (logic I can't quite grasp).

I previously have been in favour of getting rid of the frontage (which I see as something of a Gothic monstrosity), though I have to say the new pictures with the frontage look rather cute. Truthfully, I don't care if it is Option 1 or 2, just get on and start it already.

What I really do care about though is that a facility should be built on the current site. Not because I particularly like swimming, but because I think the Council have a duty to provide investment to Forest Hill Town Centre. The 'town centre' is currently drab and run down, with a few notable exceptions trying to buck the trend. For Lewisham Council to even think of building the facility elsewhere is shameful. Lets hope that common opinion and common sense prevail.

Sunday brunch at Tapastry

2009-02-08T22:09:00.003Z

This is the current favourite of the bf & I. Lazy Sunday, read the papers & a late breakfast at Tapastry in Honor Oak. Splendid.

Usually, they play cool music and you can lose the day in here. More recently, a tv seems to have appeared, and I have to imagine that the owner likes his footie. Having said that, it isn't too loud and surely it isn't on every day...

The food though is spot on - a healthy grill sources top quality ingredients and sets us up for the day. The service is friendly if a little scatter brained. But you do get the feeling that the owner really does like his little joint, and honestly - so do I. Possibly with more competition, I might shop around, but for now, this will do nicely.

Milkman delivers in the snow

2009-02-02T20:12:00.003Z

No buses, National Rail Enquiries website crashed, schools closed - a nation thrown into turmoil?

I was so impressed at this sight in my porch this morning. I really didn't expect it, but I so appreciated it.

I love the fact that we have a milkman at all. I love the fact that you can now order online up to 9pm the night before. I love the fact they deliver cat food (as does the cat). I love that they never screw up when I go on holiday. But the fact that they can deliver when all else has failed !!

There's a fighting spirit. Go, milkman!

Forest Hill has a Snow Day!

2009-02-02T18:28:00.003Z

It didn't take me too long this morning to realise it would be easier to work from home. Between the excel spreadsheets and the numerous phone calls, I managed to go out to the shops (with camera in tow)! Seeing Forest Hill in the snow was great - really uplifting.

The neighbourhood was full of kids (some well into their 30s) having snowball fights, snowmen being made and people taking photographs. This is one if the finest displays of community spirit I have seen in ages. This should happen every year!

Bongo Mike & Extremely Frank Jeremy

2009-02-01T22:20:00.003Z

My Zone 2 & 3 travelcard experiment is kind of going as expected. Great if I don't need to go into Zone 1 and a bit crappy otherwise. To be fair, it is OK until I need to come home from London Bridge and then have to buy a ticket - currently I am going for the New Cross option (from where my Zone 2 card is OK) but it really irks, when you pay over 2.40, having just paid only 1.60 on the way into Zone 1 on the tube.

Week before last though and some buskers really cheered me up. Bongo Mike and Extremely Frank Jeremy were on the train. Seasoned professionals I see from surveying the net, they broke into a ditty about being on 'The train to Caterham'. (Presumably this song works as well on journeys to Hayes or Brighton as well.) The whole carriage was smiling as they played and a few of us bought their 4 song cd (artwork above) which includes the classic 'If you can't have a shave in a toilet, where can you shave?'.

Mike did say that the songs were absolutely dreadful - and his honesty is to be applauded. Sadly they didn't make it as far as Forest Hill, making a u-turn at New Cross Gate to miss the police.

Catch them if you can!

Burns Night with the SE23 club

2009-02-01T21:19:00.003Z

My second dinner with the SE23 club was a Burns Night at the Honor Oak pub on the corner of St German's Road and Brockley Rise. Over 20 people attended and we filled over 2 tables at the pub, which seemed like a good effort for a cold January evening.

The Honor Oak put on a free starter (haggis) and then everyone ordered and paid their way as usual. The haggis was excellent. As a Scot abroad, I do have haggis fairly regularly, but always the supermarket ones, which are fine, but this one was a lovely, peppery little number. Special mention has to go to Rob Winton's dad who addressed the haggis. A nice touch and well received.

We sat next to two couples who lived very near us and had a good chat about the area and what we liked about where we lived. We really enjoyed the evening and personally I think this is an excellent way of getting locals to try out and patronise local restaurants where they may not have done otherwise. Even better, the bf has agreed that he may come again!

One Tree Hill

2009-01-14T21:31:00.000Z

I have to own up and say that until I moved to the area, I did think that One Tree Hill was a spectacularly bad American drama series in the Dawson Creek vein.

Turns out it has a stupendous view of London. I've only been there in the winter, so not sure how much that you can see in the summer when the trees are in leaf. If you walk up from HOP train station, just follow the path past the church. When you get to the top there is a small clearing and a bench.

The story goes that on 1st May 1602, Elizabeth I had a picnic at the summit whilst on route from London to (somewhere further south..). Having hiked up there, I frankly very much doubt it. My guess is she walked round the side - if you were travelling past, I doubt you'd walk to the top - as it is a hike - but that is what gives you the view.

Books set in SE23

2009-01-14T10:10:00.000Z

A friend sent me this link a while ago. The idea is that books set in an area get linked to it via a map - so you can put in your postcode and see if any books are set in your area. Clearly this is more fun if it is fiction.

For Se23, I found 'The Fowler Family Business' by Jonathan Meades. It is fun to read about an area that you know. For this read, a working knowledge of the Sydenham side of Forest Hill is useful!

Admittedly it isn't the best way to judge literature (as indeed illustrated by this example..) but good fun all the same.

Lottery Lounge

2009-01-13T20:37:00.000Z

I have long held a dream of my very own, laid back, coffee shop/lounge, which mentally I refer to as the 'Lottery Lounge'. The idea really stems from some coffee shops that I used to frequent when I lived in New York. The favourite being a place called the Tea Lounge in Brooklyn, near my old apartment. Big comfy chairs and sofas, rugs on the floor, free wi-fi, books to read and funky art on the walls - the kind of thing that Central Perk in Friends was based on (though much nicer, artier and generally funkier).

The lottery bit comes from the fact that it would never make any money, so I'd need to fund it myself rather than have it as a business which was a going concern.

My dream is currently even more alive than usual as the perfect venue is for sale - the old fire station on Perry Vale. Recently unsold at auction, surely the council would sell it off cheap to me?!

I would, rather boringly, turn the upstairs into apartments - but decent, big roomed loft spaces rather than the usual Barrat boxes. And downstairs would be my lounge. But it wouldn't just be about me. You'd be very welcome.

I'd serve fabulous coffees, hot chocolate with marshmallows in it, open sandwiches and cupcakes to stave off hunger and beer & wine would be available. Opening hours would be early to very late. But very few people would know I was the owner, as the lottery money would pay the staff bill. I'd be the girl curled up on the Chesterfield in the corner with a book on my lap and the cat at my feet.

Recycle your Christmas Tree!

2009-01-11T20:28:00.002Z

Thanks to Lewisham council for the picture above. Out of curiosity - how many people do you know who have such a vehicle?!

The council will kindly pick up Christmas trees and recycle from a number of parks on the borough. I'd love to know how you get them there. I created a blanket of green moving my tree from the living room to the front door. If you think it is going in my car, you are very much mistaken.

Explains why we found a dead Christmas tree abandoned behind the shed when we moved in in April.

Forest Hill Tavern

2009-01-11T17:54:00.003Z

Having made a conscious decision to try somewhere different, today we went to the FHT for lunch. Being the East Dulwich side of Forest Hill, it is no surprise that it has acquired a three letter acronym moniker. My expectations were of a gastro pub full of 20 & 30 year olds, though having looked online, I think it does have a reputation as a spoirts pub.

My first surprise was the size of the place. It is much larger than I expected and has a decent sized and what looked like a nice garden (hardly the weather for it unless you are a smoker).

At 20 past 12, we thought we were the only people there. Us and one seasoned local who I assume had been there at door opening time. But sure enough, as with most places, it slowly filled up and was probably just under half full when we left. I quite liked this as it wasn't packed at this stage, so we got the sofa seats nor was it heaving with badly behaved children, which sadly almost every establishment round here seems to cater for (another post some time).

The menu at first I found very disappointing as it was limited and to my mind, I expected food from the freezer. The roast beef we both had however was absolutely excellent. A really decent amount of good meat with all the trimmings for 8.95. Exactly what the doctor ordered.

Happily full we wandered out, just as the football came on (loudly). My heart sank.

This place has some good things going for it, but in trying to be everything to everybody, it struggles to meet every ones tastes. Having said that, I'd quite happily return, but early on before the tv goes on and the kids arrive.

The world is your Oyster...

2009-01-10T19:52:00.004Z

I drafted this post mid week and then it was a tirade at Boris for letting the side down and all going quiet on the Oyster front. But then low and behold, in Friday's Evening Standard, it turns out that we will be able to use Pay as You Go Oyster cards this year.

As Oyster cards were introduced in January 2004, it has taken quite some time for tfl to get the train companies to agree to use them in earnest. Although you can have your travelcard on Oyster, it is no use on PAYG. Currently I have a Zone 2&3 travelcard. I can get into town from work (Canary Wharf) using the tube and PAYG, but if I want to come home, it is the bus or queuing for a ticket at a station for the train.

To my mind, it is this - not being on the Oyster network, rather than not being on the tube network which holds back SE London. Sure, when I moved to London in the mid 90's I'd never have dreamt of living more than a 7 mins (not sure why 7) walk from the tube and I wouldn't have dreamt of living in one of the 'Outer Zones' which is what I thought of anything outside of Zone 2. But those days have gone. Young professionals live in Earlsfield and Tooting these days - the very thought of which would have made me faint in my 20s. And we should welcome them here also. But until PAYG comes in, I am struggling to get any of my older professional friends to even visit Forest Hill. Psychologically, having to get a train ticket at London Bridge is what you do when you go to the seaside, not pop over to a see a friend.

'New' William Hill for Stanstead Road

2008-12-07T16:48:00.005Z

So, it looks like the old furniture shop at 294 Stanstead Road is to become a William Hill as planning permission has gone in.

Hardly what the area needs, but at least the building should be maintained in a reasonable state of repair. It is hard to imagine that even the neon of WMH could be any more offensive than the hand painted advertising above.

Cheese!

2008-12-07T16:33:00.003Z

In the run up to Christmas, Mr Love (I kid you not) is selling cheese from a stall outside the Honor Oak Pub every Sunday. It is nice to see a little bit of Borough Market closer to home and I enjoyed some stilton and something with bits in the other week.

This week it looks like olives are also on offer and someone was selling Christmas trees too.

Good on the HO for letting their outside space be used.

Horniman Museum is for adults too!

2008-11-03T21:52:00.004Z

On Saturday after more than 6 months in the neighbourhood, I went to the Horniman Museum. To date I have been both under and overwhelmed by the voices of support from the community - especially from the highly vocal pram pushing brigade. As I have a slight allergy to under 18s, I was a rather intrepid visitor this Saturday- but it was raining heavily and the museum looked rather inviting.

The museum is beautifully presented and well laid out. It is what I consider the ideal size for a museum, with enough space to keep you interested, but not so much that you feel overwhelmed. The main focus is natural history and anthropology, which I have to say don't particularly interest me. But I had wanted to see the Aquarium - and it is a little cracker (despite my camera work above...). I plan to go back with the bf and show him what you can do with a fish tank (well maybe not). The guard suggested that 5pm at the weekend maybe a good time to go as the little'uns tend to have headed home for their tea by then. This only gives you 30 mins, but I would love to see it when a little quieter.

Of real interest to me though was a photo essay on 'India Recycled' showing how your Oxfam cast offs can make it into blankets in the markets of Delhi. I hadn't seen any promotion for this, but found it was really interesting, well laid out and as of no interest to children, was beautifully peaceful. Delightful.

23 club does Honor Oak Tandoori

2008-10-26T21:09:00.004Z

The 23 Club is an offshoot of the Forest Hill Society. On the 23rd of the month, you are invited to go along and dine en mass at a local eatery. I say invited, this month's night out was hidden well within their website and not terribly well publicised. So, this Thursday was the first time I managed to go. There were 6 of us.

This was a shame as the chosen venue the Honor Oak Tandoori, did us proud. On Thursday & Sunday nights, they do a special offer of starter, main, side dish and rice or nan for £6.95. Now that has to be good in anyone's language, but added to this, the food tasted great and as the restaurant is a skip from the train station, this has got to be a good thing on a Thursday night after work (or a Sunday night when you can't face going back to work!).

I hope to go again, hopefully with the bf this time (he didn't come..). Not so sure about the Forest Hill Society next night out. If it is another cold & wet night out and it isn't well publicised, I reckon I'll get a take away - possibly from the Honor Oak Tandoori.

'Forest Hill Central' mothballed!

2008-09-04T23:04:00.004+01:00

Susan Wise tonight confirmed her knowledge that Berkeley Homes have indeed 'mothballed' the Forest Hill Central site.

The cessation of work at present gives residents issues with the fact that the road is closed and there is concern that the promised work on the footpath & the railway underpass may now also not be completed. Susan is actively taking an interest in pushing this forward and believes that the company is duty bound to complete the community work within pre-agreed time lines - even if their build lays stagnant.

Susan agreed that she would update everyone at the Perry Vale Ward Assembly next month.

Go Susan!

What a real shame for Forest Hill. I can't help but feel saddened that FH was just getting its act together when the credit crunch came and bit. Long term, I truly believe that FH has a lot going for it, but in the short term, I think we may suffer just as much, if not more than other areas of the UK. For the time being, the promise (and reality) of the East London line looks like it is well out-weighed by the property crash, rising fuel & food costs and real concern about a UK recession.

Ironically, if you had the cash - it might not be a bad time to buy.

Forest Hill Pools

2008-08-03T22:25:00.003+01:00

The hot topic of Forest Hill needs an answer from me. After weeks of reading the debates on http://www.se23.com/, attending the briefing session by the station and putting aside the pamphlet of 3 choices that has been sitting on my in tray, I have made my decision.

The council having already made the sensible choice (half the forum have just fainted at this point) of doing away with the 2 Victorian brick blocks that make up Louise House and the old pools, the choice is down to basic economics - if you want more facilities, you gotta pay for it - and that means flats. In light of the fact that I think we deserve the very best facilities we can get, that means how many flats do I want?

And I have to say I have changed my mind. My initial thought was to go for the multi- residential option. In my mind, Forest Hill could do with more modern housing by the station to rejuvenate the town centre. There are quite a few developments going on, but I think we need a few to build enough of a presence to attract younger professional types - and with them the shops and diversity that the area so desperately wants.

So why did I change my mind? Well the payback didn't work for me. Additional housing would pay for a link between the pool and the library (why would you want that?); a larger community space - good, but there are several already in the area; and a larger retail space - well given the number of shuttered shops, I struggle to see us needing them. But also the additional housing dwarfed the pools and I would like to see a set of pools that we the residents could be really proud of and that would stand out as a real asset in our community - so it's Option 2 for me.

Lets hope the council don't procrastinate as much as the rest of us and get on and build us the damn things!

Knit one, pearl one.

2008-05-24T23:47:00.004+01:00

This makes me smile every time I pass.

The adult learning centre on Brockley Rise is showing some of the fruits of its students labours - learning, art and knitting all in one.

Tree hugging in Lewisham takes on new meaning?

Sapporo Ichiban

2008-05-24T12:32:00.003+01:00

There can be a no more unlikely spot for an evening meal than tucked away behind the council offices, amidst the shuttered nail salons and amusement arcades that make up Catford Broadway. But that is where you find our local Japanese restaurant.

As a huge fan of Japanese food, I was keen to find somewhere when I moved to Forest Hill.

Sapporo Ichiban is a solid local London Japanese restaurant. A step up from most local Japanese, the sushi we ate was fresh and satisfying with enough variety to keep us interested. It is also nice to see a local family run style place, as opposed to the omnipresent Hi Sushi, Yo Sushi etc of town.

On the Tuesday night we visited, the place was busy with groups of friends, I think attracted by the weekday buffet option. A good sign was that the clientele was Asian and looked happy with their food. We certainly were and we shall be back.

To Tip or to Fly Tip? Undoubtedly a question....

2008-05-03T19:57:00.000+01:00

Having just moved into a new home, one of the first Council amenities I need to use is the tip. As with all the other London boroughs, Lewisham now has a "recycling centre" - whatever!

A quick review of the council website and I found the address, though not the opening hours. So, last Saturday saw me off to the back of beyond in search of the tip. Given my sense of direction round these parts of London and the abysmal sign posting, this turned out to be more of a challenge than I expected. Nearby to Milwall's ground, it's also not the best place to be on a Saturday lunchtime as the traffic is horrendous.

Having eventually located the road, I end up in the TFL East London Line extension site. Wrong, surely. Turns out the lack of signs meant I had driven straight past. How could this be? Well the tip, sorry 'recycling centre' is shut on Saturday afternoons - quite sensible given the location, though pretty useless for most residents of the borough.

So Sunday saw a retry. Easy to get to and at 11am in the morning, a cheerful man told me there was a 30 minute queue - which as I had a date with a friend, meant - no can do.

So this week I made it. What a misery of a service. It is tiny - though I have to say every effort is made to recycle. But it just isn't big enough for the borough. No wonder the streets and all the bins are overflowing.

Score card: Must try harder

P.S. Wandsworth has a very good tip. And if you leave early, you might beat the traffic on the South Circular....

SE23 - Here we come!

2008-04-01T21:24:00.000+01:00

At the beginning of the year, I had a brain wave.

Let's move house.

Living in NW London, I thought that we couldn't afford a house anywhere in London. It was a couple of people at work that suggested Lewisham and with a bit of research, I decided to base the search along the East London Line extension - hence Brockley, Honour Oak, Forest Hill & Sydenham were in the frame.

We quickly became enamoured with Forest Hill - partly for the quiet, residential streets of Victorian houses and partly because of what our money could buy us. We had a look at East Dulwich to see what the allegedly upmarket cousin had to offer and though we liked the buzz along Lordship Lane, the actual housing stock left us unimpressed.

As it turned out, the first weekend of looking and we saw somewhere we liked in Forest Hill. The next weekend, we saw it again, put the offer in and we began our relationship with SE23.

What I used to think was just a kink in the South Circular is about to become home and I'm thrilled. All the excitement of exploring a new area, finding new amenities, working out how to get to work!

There is only really one thing I am apprehensive about and that is my blog. I currently blog about where I now live, West Hampstead. I have lived here for 7 years - I know it, I feel I can comment on it. In SE23, I'm a new girl.

The one thing I've learnt about blogging is to have a theme. Be it having sex on the brain, or walking the streets of your postcode. I think this blog will show my experiences and things I find as I explore SE23. Only time will tell how it goes.