CVP hearing questions

[rhino666]

I was the claimant in a Cloud Video Platform small claims track hearing; what a great idea.
Hopefully someone on here has more experience than me of procedure and can answer a few questions.
The Deputy Judge opened with a dissuasive comment at the idea of a potential appeal. I've been to a few court hearings before and not encountered this; would it be considered normal to comment on the idea of an appeal at the start of a hearing?
The defendant was then allowed to include a significant witness in person. The defendant's N180 only specified that one person, the defendant, would attend and I was given no notice of the extra attendee. I pointed this out by displaying the relevant N180 page but my permission was neither sought nor given. This was a key witness in the case but their involvement at the hearing, should, in my opinion, have ended with the signed statement supplied with the defendant's hearing documents; can anyone clarify please?

[atticus]

Sorry, but no. You had the opportunity to cross examine this witness.

[rhino666]

Judgement went against me much against the feeling of the 2+ hour hearing and evidence proffered in my claim which hinged on issues that are my area of technical expertise. After what I consider to be, if not the worst, the most surprising travesty of justice I have encountered, I have to appeal.
As this was a small claims track hearing, carried out on 21st November I think I have to get an N164 permission/appeal form to the court by 12th December; given the Royal Mail's performance at the moment I will email a copy too. I thought I may be able to pay the fee via MCOL but it now appears that an old fashioned cheque enclosed with the N164 is the only way to pay?

[atticus]

I thought I may be able to pay the fee via MCOL but it now appears that an old fashioned cheque enclosed with the N164 is the only way to pay?

Then send a cheque.