Caring Christmas Trees

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!

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?

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

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

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

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...)