Staff thief at Battersea school jailed. Bullying at school – help. Where has Starbucks gone?

Dear NappyValleyNetter,

“And the Peruvian Maca root is extremely helpful for those approaching the menopause.”

Last Thursday I promised Mr NVN that we’d go out for dinner, but I may been a little economical with the truth.

I actually wanted to go to a raw food workshop so when I said “dinner” I actually meant goji berries and when I said “we” I actually meant thirty other women and I.

In my defence, I didn’t realise he’d be the ONLY bloke there and I thought he might benefit from learning a little more about healthy eating.

Bereft of male company (and increasingly aware that the discussions had a “women’s health” theme) he became extremely interested in package labelling.

When the demonstrator exclaimed the benefits of bee pollen as an aphrodisiac I thought he would burn a hole in the ingredients list. Ironic, as I can’t get him to even so much as glance at a jar of coffee when we’re in Waitrose.

Ninety minutes later we were heading down Balham High Road carrying bee pollen (for my daughter’s hay fever I MUST stress) when he turned into The Kebab Company and shouted over his shoulder, “I’m going to get some raw onions and Spirulina on my kebab.”

That last comment may have been sarcasm.

Here is what you’ve been talking about this week on NappyValleyNet…

M. has a child experiencing bullying at a certain local school. Any similar experiences and what should she do, she asks? (read more)

And sticking with schools: a former business manager of a Battersea school has been jailed for theft from the school (read more).

A post about the Independent Schools Show has morphed into a discussion about why privately educated school children do less well at university (read more)

Starbucks has left Northcote Road. Any idea what’s coming? (read more)

And L. asks if anyone knows what’s going on with Everyone Bikes on Northcote Road? (read more)

TfL are planning on cancelling the number 19 bus from Battersea to Holborn – there’s a petition to sign if you want it back (read more).

And planned rail works are going to disrupt the service between Clapham Junction and Victoria over the Christmas period…spreading the festive cheer. Not (read more).

Last week it was Santa’s Grottos, this week plans are well underway for the Northcote Road Christmas Lights Switch On and Pop-Up Market. Jingle the bells and deck the halls! (read more)

And Sammy Duder has got Christmas covered with all sorts of personalised pottery creations. Family heirlooms in the making (read more).

E would love to know about all the school Christmas fairs in the area to sell her olive oil and other foodie delights (read more).

N. asks for your top tips on best bikes, especially one that works well with a child seat on the back (read more).

If you love fresh pasta, you might really love to have some delivered to your door by the appropriately named Pasta Evangelists, tried and tested by one of our team (read more).

There’s been some chat about the next People’s March in opposition to Brexit. Oooh are they against it? They’ve never said. (read more).

And one local business has taken to billboards in the area to express its opinion on the subject (read more).

G. has posted about the chance to meet your Battersea MP, Marsha de Cordova at The Alma soon (read more).

Gurgle magazine would love to talk to any mums who had an intervention-free pregnancy and birth (read more).

S. asks if you can recommend a career coach for working parents? (read more)

Sticking with work, J. would love to find some admin work to fit around the school day (read more).

B. asks where you get your Volkswagen serviced and MOT’d? (read more)

S. tells us about her autumnal gin masterclass. Don’t mind if I do. (read more).

Mum Dance is coming to Battersea and Balham. Leg warmers at the ready – just tell the children to look away now (read more).

Winterville is back in November and if you want to go raving like the good ol’ days, then there’s a fun family way to show the children how it’s done! (read more)

Before then, half term looms large but not as large as the faux-ski slope going in up Battersea Park in readiness for The Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Festival. Snap up our discounted ticket offer and your whole crew will be happy (read more).

Bookings are open for SW Sports Half Term Camps on Clapham Common to keep the children entertained and exercised (read more).

There’s a session at The Exhibit tonight on Dealing with Divorce, how to come out of it into a positive future (read more).

There’s a circuits class on Clapham Common on Wednesday in aid of Breast Cancer Care – go Plank it for Pink! (read more)

Vacani School of Dance is offering a free trial on Saturdays for budding ballerinas from two and a half upwards (read more).

And one for you: Open Air Fit & Yoga Forever have joined forces again for a Fitness & Yoga Retreat in Cyprus next spring (read more).

We have more House & Garden posts than Strictly has worried spouses!

J. is looking for a carpenter to restore exterior doors (read more).

Y. would like advice on getting a mortgage (read more).

B. asks who you’d recommend for their external window painting (read more).

T. has posted to remind us ‘tis a good time of year to send him up your chimney. Well, not quite, but you get the idea (read more).

NN.would love to recommend an electrician! (read more)

L. is on the look-out for a good decorator (read more).

J. is looking for a trustworthy builder who won’t break the bank (read more).

M. asks if there is anywhere you can borrow tools from locally? (read more).

We have more Schools posts than Eugenie has wedding favours!

Janie Richardson of Yellowbird Education has written a very timely piece on the new admissions system which has been adopted by many of the London girls’ schools (read more).

The Independent Schools Show has posted their timetable of talks and seminars – I’m speaking too! (read more).

Dukes Education has just acquired Minerva Education and added some new schools to its family (read more).

Swaffield Primary is holding an open day in early November (read more).

Fircroft Primary’s open day is tomorrow (read more).

E. would love to know more about Willington School – any experiences? (read more)

S. would love to know which secondary schools run bus routes (read more).

N. asks if you know about mid-term entry and cancellation policies – will she get her money back? (read more)

We have more travel posts than Wales has storm warnings!

Lots of great ideas of where to go in Europe for a girls’ weekend. Get planning! (read more)

E. would love to know where’s best for a Christmas market with the children beyond these shores? (read more)

You can still make the most of a lovely 25% off at Blue Monkey in Cornwall, a self-catering cottage perfect for babies and pets (read more).

And don’t miss our competition to win a two-night break with your baby or toddler at Luxury Family Hotels – you even get to choose which one you’d like to go to! Win/win (read more).

Situations Vacant

Flexible/part-time Lice Assassin (yes, really!) (read more).

Part-time Marketing & Admissions Co-ordinator, Northwood Schools (read more).

Help needed at The Spirit of Christmas Fair (read more).

Part-time accounts role in Putney (read more).

Full time Office Manager in Balham (read more).

For sale

Girls’ rollerblades, adjustable size (read more).

Junior bike (read more).

Brass mirror originally bought from Maison Curate (read more).

A never-used sewing machine (read more). Upright piano (read more).

Wanted

Baby carrier (read more).

Love

Annabel and NappyValleyNet Team