South East Londoners Wayne Perrey and Steph Bron are The DIY Doers. Their mission is to give you the confidence and knowledge to pick up the tools and have a go.
How long have you lived in the area?
Steph: 3 years
Wayne: 17 years
Do you know your neighbours?
Steph: Yes, on both sides and across the road. It’s nice to wave and say hello when we see each other.
Wayne: Yes, I organised a BIG LUNCH street party 4 years ago and it brought the whole street together.
Do you belong to any groups?
Steph: The DIY Doers Club of course! It’s our Facebook group for asking DIY questions and it offers plenty of help and support. You can interact with other DIY Doers and be inspired everyday.
Wayne: SE23 Mums and Mummy’s Gin Fund have both been great for introductions to local businesses and are supporters of The DIY Doers club as they can see the real benefit of our group.
Coffee or tea? Where?
Steph: Coffee! St.David coffee house is great, in Forest Hill and we make great coffee at home so I love having one in the garden on a sunny morning.
Wayne: Always St David coffee house. One of the owners Jordan was a finalist on the “Great Interior Design Challenge” and I had the pleasure of sharing the screen with him.
Cafe, pub or bar?
Steph: Pub. I love our local pubs. We’re even having our wedding reception in one!
Wayne: The Blythe Vale Tavern is at the end of my street and is so old school it really makes me feel relaxed when I’m in there.
The best kept secret…
Steph: Beer Rebellion on Sydenham Road. All locally brewed beer, ale and stout and scotch eggs from Billings the butchers.
Wayne: The Phoenix Cafe on Stanstead Road. It’s connected to the residential home and offers great home cooked food and has a huge garden for the kids to run around in at the back.
Where’s your favourite place to walk?
Steph: I love walking in Sydenham woods if I’m local but you can’t beat walking by the sea.
Wayne: I love the walk to Ladywell park because from Catford there are so many different types of parks and then a great cafe to reward you at the end.
When I want to relax…
Steph: I meditate.
Wayne: I horse ride in Mottingham. Cantering across 5 fields, there really is nothing better to clear the mind.
What is your favourite shop?
Steph: I love charity shops, Forest Hill and Sydenham have great ones.
Wayne: Wild horses, opposite Forest Hill swimming pool is the best antique and upcycle shop.
What was the last thing you bought there?
Steph: A little red cardigan to go with a wedding outfit.
Wayne: A beautiful side table that sits next to my Daddy chair. Perfect to hold my tea and biscuits.
Best bargain you’ve ever landed
Steph: I once got a Kurt Geiger pair of shoes and a French Connection dress for £2!
Wayne: I like to trade swap and I made a fab wooden work station for a friend, who in return painted me the most amazing picture of the “London Palladium” as my wife was performing there in “Cats.”
The book I’m reading at the moment
Steph: Fiction before bed is “Look who’s back.” Daytime reading is “Ego is the Enemy” and “Surely you’re joking Mr. Feynman.”
Wayne: I’m addicted to Biographies. They make me realise that the journey of life has so many twists and turns and everyone has ups and downs. I’ve just finished Michael J. Fox’s.
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