I work in the House of Lords committee office, currently for a temporary select committee on the charity sector. It’s a fascinating place to work, both for the people and for the location (we can do things like have drinks on the terrace which is pretty awesome). I’ve also been seconded to a Commons select committee which was an interesting contrast.
I will read the politics forum with interest but as my day job is non political I will have to keep my contributions strictly factual…
Sounds great! Thanks Chris. I’ll do my best to attend. 
(That splash page was put together in a bit of a hurry! Actual site will be a lot better I hope…)
Welcome @Joey_H - it’s great to have you onboard! Watch out for @Londondrz - he has plenty to say on the subject of our local train services, but none of which will be aimed at you I’m sure. 
I’m always here if you have any questions about the site.
@Joey_H Welcome and dont worry, my ire is directed just at Southern 
Hi all. I’m Scott, been living in Forest Hill for 16 years and also have family ties to the area (first place my parents lived together was in Devonshire Road). I’m a journo (please don’t boo), work in central London, covering the banking and retail sectors. I should mention I was one of the peeps who set up a rival forum to that other one run by you know who. We gave it our best shot but unfortunately it didn’t work out and was closed ten years ago (ugh, that just made me feel old). After that I drifted away from local forums as was not a fan of the one that has ruled the roost for so many years, and must admit I missed the other site that has been mentioned elsewhere on here. I returned from the wilderness after stumbling across SE23.life via anon64893700’s blog, really impressed with it and feel that the area finally has the forum it deserves. Good work guys! Will do my best to contribute on a regular basis.
Great to have you here @ScottT and thanks for the encouraging comments about this site. Another one of our members, @tinyem, is the wife of someone that created another competitor to the old forum but she explained this failed due to the word not getting out. I’ve been really lucky to have people like @Pauline, @anon64893700, @thirstforwine, @RachaelDunlop and @Michael help spread the word. This has been the reason for our success, IMO, aside from the nice open-source forum platform itself.
As a journo (no booing from me!) I have added you to our Wordsmiths group which gives you access to the “site editorial” category where we are able to work together on the official content of this site and its social channels. No expectations or obligations - but just an opportunity to get more involved if you’d like to.
Thanks Chris, happy to help out, will take a look at the group later today.
Hi Caz, welcome and looking forward to getting to know you and all the others more too.
Hiya All
Sorry I’ve not popped passed to to say hello yeti.
Welcome to this great forum from me
P
welcome and enjoy.
Wowza, a true introverts introduction if I ever read one @Mitchy117 lol
Amazing what happens when you push those boundaries.
Sounds like quite an adventure so far in your young life
Thanks for sharing, @Mitchy117, it’s great to get to know you better, especially as I’m practically your next door neighbour here in Ebsworth St. 
I’ll definitely say hi if I see you out and about.
Well my tale is not that interesting, but as for my paternal grandfather… If you’re at a loose end see The Adventures of a Sporting Angler, where I have recorded what I know of him. He could certainly reel them in—but they weren’t fish.
I’m Shaun and have been living here for three years… on the quiet stretch of Stanstead Road - down from the caring sharing Co-op. Originally from Barnsley (ey-up!), I ended up in Forest Hill after expat work assignments in Munich, Singapore and Paris… and love our part of London and this new forum.
I co-own a PR agency in Kings Cross, so am another one of us doing the daily schlep on Southern or the Overground. I mix it up each day, just to spice up my life a bit! Eternally trying to convince my business partner to up office sticks to SE23.
Thanks all, I’ve loved reading your personal intro’s 
On a side note - if anyone laughs at my pic - BEWARE! 
Hi @ShaunW and welcome to the forum. A cracking little community is forming here now. Sounds like you are local to me, I’m on Church Rise.
Interesting back story there, nice bit of travelling too.
Hope to hear more from you soon, and look forward to seeing you getting stuck into some topics.
Thanks Michael. Probably passed your house this evening en route to/from the polling station. Cheers, Shaun
Hello all
I suppose I should introduce myself now I’ve made a few posts…I’m originally from West London, and move here roughly 10 years ago mainly as house prices were much cheaper than West London (it seems that has changed now!). Since I’ve moved here, I’ve got married, had 2 kids, and work has gone well so I’m liking the SE23 tap water.
I can honestly say I really love living in Honor Oak. It’s a good mix of people, good primary schools, good restaurants, very green, easy to get into town and lots more I’ll add to relevant threads.
I’m definitely advancing quickly into middle age as I now spend far more time gardening than watching football. I’m trying to grow sweetcorn and giant sunflowers for the first time this year, as well as my normal staple of peas which the kids love eating raw. Have given up on strawberries as the squirrels steal them all.
When I have the bird feeder up, I get woodpeckers and nuthatches feeding from them daily which I find amazing.
I’m glad this forum has a separate politics area I can stay out of as I think I’ll enjoy it more that way (by that I mean by not seeing the conversations!)
Al