plasticgreen

Abbey Glass in Sheffield does greenhouse glass (sometimes called 'Dutch' glass) and cuts to size. http://www.abbeyglass.co.uk/greenhouse-glass

Before all the roads on the outskirts of the city centre were made into residents' only parking, I used to leave the car off Bramall Lane and walk the rest of the way. Now I drive all the way. I'd love to restore 'park and walk' travel into town.

Thanks, Sheffbag, for the link to Moneysavingexpert energy club. Though I get the newsletters, I'd never noticed that. Without the one-time 'bill credit', I would be paying £50 more than my current B Gas. BUT I would also be adding a standing charge, and £35 per fuel switch fee. B Gas doesn't have this penalty (at the moment anyway). The introduction of standing charges is supposed to generally make fuel charges higher for low users. One day, I hope to find the energy to work out what all that means.

Thanks! Map (and fork) at the ready

I had a sales visit from Ultra Energy the other night. Cold-called, then a further 4 calls to confirm the same details as I'd already given - and they said it would be 'an hour, depending on how many questions you have' and that the caller 'would leave information with me' After 2 and a half hours, I was nearly keeling over with hunger, as I hadn't eaten all day, and my visitor was wanting 20% of the cost (7k - 11k) to take away that night. He didn't mention 'cooling-off' periods, by the way. On principle, I don't buy 'on the night' - and I'd said so to the original caller, and to the salesman - but when I stuck to my guns on this, he refused to leave his phone number, or to give me a contact number or email address, and he wouldn't leave the calculation he'd done either. It would take about 10 years (not including any savings based on a reduced bill - so probably rather less) to repay the costs of installation. When the tariff is reduced again in February, those calculations are much tougher - and I can't count on my house value rising by half the cost of installation if I sell in 5 years. I could risk using the money I have set aside (to repay my mortgage capital),but with the employment market in its current dodgy state, that feels too risky for me. I believe - from checking on the web - that he used the correct calculations, and that the price was fair, and that my roof would be suitable BUT how can you trust a firm that leaves no trace nor gives you a couple of days to think about it, or do some research?

Hi Shazza - there are seven Lunch Clubs in S5. There's one or more meeting each day, Monday to Friday. Some of them cook their own lunch (the volunteers do this), like the one on Adlington Road Parson Cross (Tuesdays) and some have lunch delivered from a local supplier, like Greaves Road in Ecclesfield (Mondays). I know the organiser at Greaves Road would like some help - and he is just one of the nicest men I've ever had the pleasure of meeting - but if you enjoy cooking, you might prefer a different club. If you want to DM me with your address and what days/times you are interested in, I can sort out better information for you.

Hi Shazza - I'll get back to you about that. Need to speak to Maria (or you could go ahead and email her on lunchclub@vas.org.uk)

A bit of info for anyone who hasn't caught up with the ever-changing world of lifelong learning teacher quals... PTLLS will be replaced by a Level 3, 12 credit Award next September, but PTLLS is currently the qualification for 'new teachers' and those who achieve it will be considered 'qualified' in the future - just as people who did the older qualifications like the C&G 7307 and the NVQs are still 'qualified'. Don't start a PTLLS course at level 4: you won't be able to APL against the new level 4 Certificate, and PTLLS Level 3 is perfectly adequate. However, I have been recommending that people consider waiting for the new Diploma Level 5, as it's significantly smaller than the current Diploma, and more focused on actual ability to 'do the job' instead of repeating much of the hoop-jumping from the lower-level quals. That one may be out in Septemer 2013, but there might be a bit of a wait for it.

Hi there - next PTLLS course at Voluntary Action Sheffield starts 15th November and runs one day per week, so you could complete by mid-December. I agree with others, though, you need to be really focused and organised to get done within the course dates - but it is possible. £400 http://www.vcconnectsystem.org.uk/va...?courseid=3051

Hi there - next PTLLS course at Voluntary Action Sheffield starts 15th November and runs one day per week, so you could complete by mid-December. I agree with others, though, you need to be really focused and organised to get done within the course dates - but it is possible. £400 http://www.vcconnectsystem.org.uk/vaswebsite/courses/coursedetails.aspx?courseid=3051

oh - and PS Strix, I'm posting this one in the Jobs section too - but I'll make sure it says 'volunteer' position. Cheers to the four people who contacted me since Thursday. You know who you are! (I'd happily celebrate you by name - but you might not like it!) Please do keep in touch, even if you later think it's not for you - I shan't mind, and it stops me worrying.

Greystone Lunch Club meets on a Wednesday at St William`s RC Church Hall, 847 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8TL. They have between 15 and 20 people coming each week but the organiser would like to stop doing the cooking by December and is looking for someone to step in on a regular basis. You would need to do the shopping and the cooking. The organiser will show you the ropes and help out. She is going to stay involved, so you won't be alone! Please message me or email lunchclub@vas.org.uk if you are interested.

I'm a Plusnet customer - I changed from BTInternet in January and the woman (probably quite young) who dealt with my call couldn't have been pleasanter or more happy to help. The managers might be control freaks (I don't know them) but the people who work there definitely aren't.

I always feel embarrassed about posting unpaid work in the Jobs section (though I did it once) because presumably people are looking for something to pay the bills. What do people think about this? Is it a good thing to do? We're hoping to get the Lunch Clubs together sometime soon to see whether this would be a way forward. Most clubs really need practical people who will do a variety of things (not only cook) - lay the tables, chat to people, escort people back and forth from home to club - so we'd need to negotiate some proper opportunities to make it a valuable experience for the students.