Editor Andrew Parkes has a number of thoughts every week, here are just five of them.

1. I’m sure everyone will agree house spiders are bigger and more plentiful this year than they’ve ever been. Personally I don’t mind them, but some people are petrified. I don’t know whether it’s true, but I was told this week all you need to do to keep them away is place conkers around your doorstep and windowsills. Old wives’ tale or does it really work?

2. Do you get plagued by offers for “free gifts”? When I tried explaining to one salesman that by definition a gift has to be free, therefore, making the word free, in this instance, redundant he just didn’t get the point and simply asked again if I would like to receive a free gift? Ah well, at least I tried.

3. I was lucky enough to visit the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend at the weekend, said to be the largest gurdwara complex outside India. It was fantastic and everyone was so welcoming. The community loves nothing more than to invite visitors in and its hospitality is second to none. It is even happy for you to come in and pray to your God. I couldn’t help thinking Sikism seems much more inclusive and welcoming than many other religions, particularly Christianity.

4. And while I’m on the subject of religion, Archbishop Welby is entirely misguided when it comes to the assisted dying bill. Allowing doctors to help terminally ill patients die does not mean they would be actively supporting suicide. We can take a humane decision when it comes to our dogs, that we cannot take the same decision for ourselves, that’s the real tragedy. Church leaders need to wake up and listen to real people who really care.

5. I used to be against people without children using parent only parking spaces. But with councils introducing ever-tighter parking spaces, almost guaranteeing your car door will be damaged, I find it harder and harder to criticise people without kids using these spaces. In fact, I’m beginning to think this is the best way to protect your car.

Send in your 5THOUGHTS by email to aparkes@ london.newsquest.co.uk Send on Twitter to @parkestheeditor Send through Facebook to facebook.com/ newsshopper