Thought I would let you know that their summer sale starts tomorrow. Thursday.

Received belated flowers for my birthday at the weekend. Does anyone know what the big pink bloom is?

I never get any notifications on my local site. Three months ago I posted something about mask wearing on buses but I never get any notifications myself.

On Saturday I got the bus home from Romford. This was only the second time I have used public transport. People were all spaced out and two seats behind the driver on each isle were taped off. People wore masks and had the seat to themselves. After a few stops an Irish woman got on and sat next to me. I said I don't think you should sit next to me and told her there were seats at the back of the bus. Apologising, the woman stood up and held on to one of the support poles. Other people joined in telling me to stand my ground. After a couple of stops the woman got off. This explains why she didn't want to sit towards the back. A man wearing a mask with a young child then got on. He kept removing his mask to drink Red Bull. In fact, he kept the mask off, using it to wipe his mouth every time he had a swig of his drink. When I got off the bus I told the bus driver and she said there was little she could do. I was relating all this to a friend today and she said this is exactly what was happening when she came back from France on Eurostar. People kept removing masks to sip water. During the journey people sipped water like babies. Apparently to eat or drink you can remove your mask.

I've been thinking that over 80% of care homes in the UK are privately owned charging anything from £700 - £2000 per week. Yet the media would have you believe it's the government's fault they do not have adequate PPE. These private homes are quick to take residents assets and pay meagre wages whilst making huge profits. I just think they should take more responsibility for equipment.

Redbridge Council cannot collect recycling separately. All recycling is to be put in black sacks with other rubbish and tide-up. Only black sacks will be collected.

Have been into two supermarkets and four chemists looking for the above. Just tried Boots on line and all hand gels are out of stock. We are constantly being told to use the gels to help protect against Coronavirus but they are in short supply.

Went into the above bank yesterday to transfer an ISA to them. The rate was 1.40% for a year fixed. I didn't have to make an appointment but did need identification. The whole process was very smooth and I was very impressed with the service I got. Although its's a very modern bank they have a comfortable seating area and I was given a cup of tea whilst they did the transaction. I even got a free biro. As you get a comfortable seat in a private area I would say this bank caters for young and old.

Bon Marche in Ilford and Romford are closing down. Also the Basildon store is closing.

Just noticed that Tui travel agency in Upminster has closed.

What are your favourite Christmas adverts? So far, this year, for me it's the Argos one. I love the music by "Simple Minds" and the dad and daughter drumming. I haven't seen the John Lewis one yet but read it cost eight million pounds to make.

Is it just me? I hate all the loud bangs that we have to put up with this time of the year. It starts off with fireworks for Diwali and goes on and on, ending new year's eve. Am I in a minority dreading this time of the year? Why should we have to put up with it for weeks?

Just had a text from my local chemist saying they are now doing FREE NHS flu jabs. So I guess now is the time to get the vaccination before BREXIT !

I've just renewed the above inscurance product which covers breakdown or damage to the boiler and central heating system. Also covers annual service to the heating system and emergency call outs. British gas are now charging £33 a month. (last year £27.50) I could have got cheaper and paid £18 a month with Ovo who use local Corgi engineers. I have been pleased with the service from British Gas and decided not to change but I'm wondering if anyone can recommend an alternative inscurance.

Has anyone else been watching this weird police drama, set in Lincolnshire? I do hope there will be a series two. I've always liked Rob Lowe.

The NHS needs more money but we are now being told that health tourists should not be charged. I think that if you use the NHS you should pay up.

Who decides when a discussion is closed? I'm talking about the post commenting on good independent bakers closing down. Nothing has been said to upset so I'm a bit puzzled why after 23 comments it's not up for discussion.

Should an MP's private life be allowed to affect their career?

I know this is a boring subject but I spent a couple of hours here yesterday and would like to highly recommend it. They also have a nice tea room where you can sit outside and enjoy a slice of cake.

Saturday afternoon we had two hours free parking in the ground floor car park of the Brewery. We spent the required £10 in Sainsburys. After visiting a couple of other shops, and with fifteen minutes to spare, my husband exited the car park. He then re- entered the multi storey car park for the cinema. We purchased our tickets and also got our car park ticket validated for 4 hrs free car parking. When leaving,almost 3 hrs later, the car parking machine charged us £2.20 for car parking.
Wanting to get home and thinking my husband was at fault, somehow,we just paid up left. I was discussing the film with a friend and mentioned the car parking issue and exactly the same had happened to her last week, when she put her validated ticket in the machine. I'm wondering how many people are being charged incorrectly and whose at fault. The Brewery car park machines or the staff in the VUE

Went to see this Saturday at VUE. We enjoyed it. Not quite so good as Bohemian Rhapsody but very nostalgic and entertaining. Would recommend it !

This is a very good gin and at £14.09 for a litre or £9.99 for a bottle (70cl) Their tonic water is very good as well. We like Gordon's Gin but couldn't really tell the difference when we did a taste test. So quite happy to stick with Aldi. Anyone else got any supermarket own brands to recommend?

Found out yesterday that the Kenneth More is closing in July. This is the end of Ilford. Good job Queens Theatre is still up and running.

Noticed yesterday whilst in Sainsburys that there's 25% off all clothing.

At the weekend (Sunday) I cooked lamb shanks. I had purchased these on Friday 5th of April from the freezer section in Tesco. They make an easy quick meal, cooking them from frozen. On Tuesday I was sorting out our recycling and noticed the eat by date, on the box that the lamb shanks came in, was the end of March. Yesterday I went back to Tesco and complained. Customer services apologised and refunded the £6 I had paid for them and, in addition, gave me a good will gesture of £10 on a gift card. I think Tesco's response was very generous!

Redbridge Council are in talks with the City of London Corporation to relocate all the above markets to Fairlop Waters. The London Borough of Redbridge has identified land between Forest Road and Billet Road in Fairlop as being a potential site for the markets to relocate to. I don't think local residents will be too happy about this

Hi folks, as the weather is so spring like I thought some of you might be interested in the above. The gardens are open for snowdrops tomorrow and the following Sunday. I am going tomorrow with my step son and his partner. There is an Italian garden, walled garden and formal lawns. Also a tea room! This is also a chance to use Gardeners' World 2 for 1 entry card. Adults/seniors £4.50. So £4.50 for two is good value for a relaxing afternoon.

Went to see Mary Queen of Scots here yesterday. Apparently Mary Queen of Scots has disappeared from all VUE cinemas. I was impressed with the film and the cinema. All tickets were £4. I have never been there before because I had read that it had become a bit of a flea pit.
It was nice to see the old cinema again and it bought back memories of years ago when I used to go there with my mum. I wouldn't go and see the film for its historical value but it was interesting that it was the men who stopped Mary and Elizabeth being friends.

Sent my husband out to Tesco this morning to get vegetables. In particular, I wanted sprouts with a good sell by date, as I wouldn't be cooking them until Boxing Day. None of the bags of sprouts had any sell by date on. I would have thought this was illegal and would be interested to know if this is something being introduced to stop people picking out the freshest veg.

Homebase in Seven Kings, Ilford is having a closing down sale. Another one bites the dust!

Saw this film yesterday and would like to thoroughly recommend going to see it. I know it was panned by the critics but its very entertaining. It doesn't dwell too much on Freddie Mercury's
early death from aids. It takes you back to 80's and has the feel good factor. Saw "A Star is Born"
the week before and felt it went on for far too long and got tired of the constant use of the F word.

Just thought I would start a new post. Been racking my brains and these are the ones I can remember. Ilford has lost Maison Ritchie, Littlewoods ,Fairheads, Wests, and Allders (previously Owen Owen) Romford has lost Littlewoods, Co-op, and Gamage's. There was a big Co-op in Stratford and a Boardmans. Liverpool Street had the Hounsditch Warehouse. Gone from the West End are Marshall & Snelgrove and Bourne & Hollingsworth. I'm sure there are more.

Found out yesterday that the top floor of Debenhams will be closing very soon due to the very high business rates. Has anyone else heard about this?

I used to love the M&S meal deals but now they have gone up to £12 I'm not so sure. Yesterday, I purchased from Tesco their meal deal and chose chicken in prosecco sauce, potato dauphinoise, blackberry crumble and a bottle of chenin blanc. This was all very good value, especially the South African wine which was £7 a bottle to buy on its own. If others follow suit M&S will not be doing so well with their food sales.

This is my first post. The Beth Chatto Gardens, Colchester are well worth a visit. It has well over 2,000 different varieties of plants. I went last weekend, courtesy of Gardeners' World magazine. If you purchase the magazine in May free inside is a 2 for 1 entrance card and a booklet listing over 400 gardens around the UK and Ireland. Using the card, entrance was £8.45 for 2. The reusable card is valid for a year.

Hi I'm new to this and would love to meet new friends In my area, I have a 14 yr old son and 10 year old daughter but I don't know many people in my area to talk. Any advice would be really appreciated thanks 😊