West Norwood news, chitter chatter and gossip

[Thimble Queen]

I'm really pleased we're getting a bike shop - that would be on my list of things I'd like to have locally. I hope it's not madly expensive though - we'd mainly use it for parts where we'd normally go down to Halfords.

Me too. I hope it will be the kind where they can do small fixing things too.

 

[ohmyliver]

Is the one over the hill in Streatham Hill rubbish?

 

[gaijingirl]

Is the one over the hill in Streatham Hill rubbish?

Do you mean Balfes? We've only used it a couple of times. I think it's ok - we don't go in that direction very often tbh - we're defy more inclined to go down to Brixton or up to W. Norwood for stuff.

 

[T & P]

There used to be one in Herne Hill, on Norwood Rd- might still be there- but for some reason it has always failed to register in my mind.

 

[gaijingirl]

There used to be one in Herne Hill, on Norwood Rd- might still be there- but for some reason it has always failed to register in my mind.

Yes that's still there Herne Hill Bicycles. I've bought my last 3 bikes from him (so going back many years now). He's ok too. I have some reservations about him but not based on his service obviously since I've used him so much.

 

[alfajobrob]

Yes that's still there Herne Hill Bicycles. I've bought my last 3 bikes from him (so going back many years now). He's ok too. I have some reservations about him but not based on his service obviously since I've used him so much.

He's a bit of a miserable fecker, but I liked his mechanic.

Bon Velo down in Herne Hill I liked, but good to have one more locally. I might even get back on my bike.

 

[gaijingirl]

He's a bit of a miserable fecker, but I liked his mechanic.

Bon Velo down in Herne Hill I liked, but good to have one more locally. I might even get back on my bike.

I like his mechanic too - lovely man.

Bon Velo is a nice shop. I bought the kids' bikes there because they have lightweight one and they both "commute" by bike every day. I also like it because they donated loads of kids' bikes to the Velodrome to encourage childrens' cycling and they have been helpful when I've gone in. It is a pricey shop though - but sometimes it is worth spending a bit on a bike.

 

[Smick]

The mechanic at Herne Hill bicycles fixed the tyre on our buggy. I'd vouch for him too.

I once went in there to see about the cycle to work scheme. At that time, I was getting a weekly ticket from Tulse Hill to Elephant at less than a tenner a week. I think the owner had sized me up as paying a £30 travelcard and added on every tabard, light, lock and panier known to man. The bike embedded up more expensive than the train and I told him so. He was quite surprised .

 

[alfajobrob]

The mechanic at Herne Hill bicycles fixed the tyre on our buggy. I'd vouch for him too.

I once went in there to see about the cycle to work scheme. At that time, I was getting a weekly ticket from Tulse Hill to Elephant at less than a tenner a week. I think the owner had sized me up as paying a £30 travelcard and added on every tabard, light, lock and panier known to man. The bike embedded up more expensive than the train and I told him so. He was quite surprised .

What's his name, he must have one...is it Si?

The boss reminds me of this fella.

 

[Smick]

What's his name, he must have one...is it Si?

The boss reminds me of this fella.

View attachment 85882

I'm not sure what his name is. He maybe told me, although it must have been four years ago.

 

[boohoo]

Free walk tomorrow - looking at the Great North Wood:

Great North Wood guided walk, Grangewood Park, Apr 17

Ms Ordinary colacubes

 

[editor]

Loved this old signage in West Norwood.

 

[Smick]

Knowles were flyering outside the Tulse Hill station this evening. A beer festival from 21-24 April. I guess that means it starts this evening.

 

[leanderman]

Knowles were flyering outside the Tulse Hill station this evening. A beer festival from 21-24 April. I guess that means it starts this evening.

They had a decent selection of beers midway through a S London crawl today, scored as:

Tulse Hill Hotel 3; Railway 5; W Hart 1; Knowles 3; North Wood 3; Beer Rebellion 5; Paxton 3; Grape & Grain 2; Westow 4

 

[Miss-Shelf]

They had a decent selection of beers midway through a S London crawl today, scored as:

Tulse Hill Hotel 3; Railway 5; W Hart 1; Knowles 3; North Wood 3; Beer Rebellion 5; Paxton 3; Grape & Grain 2; Westow 4

Impressive pub crawl: but the real question is "which buses were the best?"

 

[Smick]

White Hart is more of a pints of Guinness and Fosters rather than a beer selection place. I think it's quite good at what it does.

 

[discobastard]

They had a decent selection of beers midway through a S London crawl today, scored as:

Tulse Hill Hotel 3; Railway 5; W Hart 1; Knowles 3; North Wood 3; Beer Rebellion 5; Paxton 3; Grape & Grain 2; Westow 4

Railway 5?! What was it about their beer selection that got them top marks?

 

[leanderman]

Decent beer in the Railway. None in the White Hart. But mainly the high score for the great space.

 

[leanderman]

Impressive pub crawl: but the real question is "which buses were the best?"

Walked it. Though (I think) we took the 3 back from C Palace.

 

[editor]

I've posted a feature on the record shop here:

In photos: A look around the Book and Record Bar in West Norwood, south London

 

[editor]

Decent beer in the Railway. None in the White Hart. But mainly the high score for the great space.

I like the Railway but it's bloody pricey.

 

[Nanker Phelge]

I've posted a feature on the record shop here:

In photos: A look around the Book and Record Bar in West Norwood, south London

Most overpriced record shop ever. Steer well clear cos the pricing is pure fantasy.

Sadly the one in streatham seems to have followed its lead.

Stupid money for records that can be got for next to nothing elsewhere.

It has a nice vibe but best ignored by intelligent buyers.

Don't get suckered by the nice gut act of the owner. He aint that nice. He will rob you with kindness.

 

[ringo]

Nice shop, decent alternative/cult book selection, but not a lot for the serious vinyl collector and, as mentioned, high prices for both records and books.

 

[Maharani]

The Emmaus furniture shop on the corner has lots of vinyl. I'm not sure how good it is but there's a fair whack in there.

 

[boohoo]

There was a great load of 80s singles in my nearest charity - look like someone who ran a disco back then had put his collection out.

 

[ringo]

The Emmaus furniture shop on the corner has lots of vinyl. I'm not sure how good it is but there's a fair whack in there.

Never seen anything decent in their vinyl box, but I did get a massive dining table and chairs from them for a very good price.

 

[clandestino]

Went into the Baron Polish and Brazilian deli on the high street today. What a fantastic place that is. Smells like you're on holiday, shelves bursting with exotic treats. I love the fact that it's quietly grown from the little shop next to Sainsburys to the bigger store its in now without losing any of its personal charm.

 

[clandestino]

not a lot for the serious vinyl collector

All depends what you're looking for. If you're a soul or a psych collector, then it definitely has tons of stuff for the very serious collector. The selection for psych goes deep, and I've not seen anywhere else carry a range of similar stock. The problem is, the soul and psych albums are priced at serious collectors prices - fine if you know your stuff and know the market, less so if you're a casual buyer.

As I say, I can rarely afford to buy anything there and tend to shop at Rat more often, but I'm very glad it's there and that Michael's making it a success. And the soul nights there are ace. Good luck to him!

 

[editor]

As I say, I can rarely afford to buy anything there and tend to shop at Rat more often, but I'm very glad it's there and that Michael's making it a success. And the soul nights there are ace. Good luck to him!

Indeed. The article on Buzz has generated a fair bit of interest too, so hopefully that will help the shop keep on keeping on

 

[colacubes]

Went into the Baron Polish and Brazilian deli on the high street today. What a fantastic place that is. Smells like you're on holiday, shelves bursting with exotic treats. I love the fact that it's quietly grown from the little shop next to Sainsburys to the bigger store its in now without losing any of its personal charm.

It's an ace shop that. Their selection of pickles is immense