Well here we are – on my new website!
As you can see – I am in trial mode – and would welcome all comments.
As I said in my farewell to my old site last blog post – hopefully what you’ll notice is that the site brings together my blog and website content into one place, whilst you can also now easily find information related to the particular areas within the constituency.
For the more techie amongst my readers – it’s a one WordPress site, which brings many benefits in itself, but also has some bells and whistles – such as the Creative Commons license for the content – that I hope makes the site fit how the online world increasingly expects sites to behave.
And the “big idea” of the site is the lifestream. Lifestreaming – i.e. pulling all sorts of content from different online places together in one flow of information – is the current buzzy idea. So – as I’ve got lots of online content in different places – I thought I’d give it a go!
I want to give huge credit to the team that put this together:
- Simon Dickson, Puffbox (concept and development)
- Jonathan Harris, Harrisment (design)
- Mark Pack
Please tell us what you like and don’t like about the new site, preferably by leaving a comment below. And if you’re a Facebook user, do try signing into the site using your Facebook ID, to connect your comments back to your Facebook account.
Lynne Featherstone 
Love your new site, Lynne! Packed with information and so easy to navigate.
Looks very good.
Got any photos with a happier face? Life isn’t all that grim (I hope).
Lovely now!
And trying to post that I got the response “Your comment was a bit too short. Please go back and try again.” So I’m padding it out…
Looks good.
Especially pleased to see an image of AP used as a footer for each page: entirely appropriate as this is far the most important building in the parliamentary constituency and in the London Borough of Haringey (there was once a time when even the local council recognized its historical importance!)
Hopefully the future of our Charitable Trust will move up the agenda for all politicians.
http://carteruncut.blogspot.com/
Love it!
And the ‘lifestream’ idea is very good too. Though slightly cluttered possibly…
It is sweet & charming like yourself
Hi,
Good site, like the layout. My one addition would be a “where to get me” section: i.e. Here are my surgery locations and times. Now I am in parliament, etc. (assuming I am not going to have to subscribe to twitter to find this info??)
Thanks Amjad – good point. Will probably add it to ‘contact’ page. Will be rounding up all the good advice people have given me and their suggestions in a few weeks time – and making all the adjustments then. Thanks again.
Nice site. I would advise a more smiley photo. You look a bit too annoyed.
Rob
Hi Lynne,
I really like the new site. Some lifestreams online look really out of place, but yours works very well – I especially like being able to filter your Parliamentary activities from various social networks.
Thanks for that Jon – I was worried that the life stream might look or feel hostile to local people who are used to a different format – but so far so good. As tp Rob on the photos – yes well am still trying to find ones that will fit the elongated width – and when I find better photos will change the ones that peope don’t like.
Thanks for all the comments everyone!
Why isnt the main Lib Dem website as easy to deal with as this?
It looks professional without being complex. Not always eay to manage in these things. Seems to avoid clutter which is like a ‘no entry’ sign on many sites.
Brilliant website. One thing that would make a big difference is to see the date an article was added on the same line or just below the title. Your News, Blog and search result pages give the date published at the bottom of each article. But when you are skating around, and especially when drilling down through links etc, you need to see the chronological sequence of items without having to scroll down the page to see the date. Ideally, every hyperlink should have a date, so you can pick out the most recent articles relevant to your interest.
The links on the Issues page should also show a published date. And the items themselves, when selected, should repeat the date next to or just below the title. These items don’t give the reader any idea of when they first appeared (except what can be inferred from context.)
Re the recent snowfalls. I was caught up in the incident which happened one evening. The main thoroughfare through the centre of the borough (high road, wood green) was a joke. As I emerged from the underground there was a bus sitting at a strange angle outside the cinema. About half an hour later a gritter did come along this stretch and go round the block where the buses turn round.
Locally to me in Tottenham yes the major routes were clear though this might just be the volume of traffic. However in my road ( Trulock Road ) we have the secondary part of the Vale Special School and because it is not on a major road gritters do not come near it. Each weekday a motley collection of mini-coaches, minibuses etc drop of children who are severely handicapped. Each vehicle which uses this piece of road runs the risk of skidding on the ice. You mention grit bins. Haringey apparently has around 100 of them. I suspect what you found in your part of borough is mirrored all over ( empty bins ). They need to be kept full and a telephone number printed on them to enable residents etc to get them filled up.
The connect with Facebook pop up box gives the following line:
“By using LynneFeatherstone.org, you agree to the LynneFeatherstone.org Terms of Service.”
The link to the terms of service returns you to the home page. I could find no trace of the terms of service anywhere on your website.
Other than that little detail, the website is excellent, clear and concise – exactly what all LibDem websites should be aiming for.
Thanks for mentioning that Merlin; we’ll get it fixed.
Hi Merlin – thanks for drawing my attention to the missing Terms of Service – they should now be accessible. Best, Lynne
Hi Lynne
Love it, much better and you’re up the right track with the stream stuff except it is progressive download.
Let’s catch up sometime soon as I have a proposition which I’m building for Muswell Hill and surrounds. Would be interesting leading into the election.
Email me!
J
i love living in haringey…i am very unhappy about people like you and your supporters making it seem so dire. Th e council does wonderfully, meeting the diverse needs of the people. We could do without you, continually making everyone feel degraded…other areas in the country have the same problems and have the same problems..but they dont have mps, like you, who keep exploiting situations for their own personal ambitions! Lets celebrate the area and the present councils support. Carrie Young
Carrie
I don’t think having a bit of lively politics does any harm anywhere. Lynne deserves every credit for challenging the council: nothing can ever change with the politics of consensus. I think Lynne also realises that a lot of Haringey’s problems stem from oppressive treatment by central government, and Labour have been very poorly placed to do anything about that. This is an advantage she has over Barbara Roche, who was also an excellent, conscientious and very hard working MP for us. But Lynne has been a super constituency MP – I doubt whether there are many places in the country so lucky – certainly when I listen to my friends from other places talking.
CO20 – Anti terror Police beat and torture tennis coach @ Finsbury Park
Thursday, 08 April 2010
From: “eric maximin” <maxxtennis@yahoo.co.uk
I was sat as a passenger in a 2 seater red Merceedes Sports car at Finsbury park in the park.
The first sunny day of Spring having a chat.
The park, full of people enjoying the Easter school holidays and the local funfair.
We were parked opposite a childrens playground.
A police van approached and parked in front of the car.
police officers approached quickly and asked us to get out of the car.
I asked " What is this about?"
the officer did not respond.
I asked again.
"We want to ask you some questions?"
then,
"We want to search you for drugs –
We are going to conduct a search for drugs"
I replied " OK "
A mother and child was walking past at that moment.
I asked "Excuse me Madam – could you please stop and witness this"
One of the officers waved his hand towards her and said "move on"
A officer then began putting his hand into my right front jean pocket.
My left hand balancing my bag on the floor containing my tennis rackets.
an Officer then took hold of my wrist,then,two from behind by my elbows.
I recall being twirled around and flipped onto the floor.
Karate chops to the neck; knee to the neck and a boot on my face, pinned down on the floor my arms behind my back;a a knee on my ribs and knee on back of thigh.
I kept repeating "look;i am not resisting;i am not resisting" to people walking past in the park.
I was then handcuffed,then dragged forcefully into the police van.
whilst in the van, I then mentioned that i was a tennis coach at the park's tennis facility; had just finished playing tennis; had a coffee at the Cafe, and was chatting to my cousin in his car.
I asked for the handcuffs to be loosened.
An officer proceeded to check the cuffs, and another said "make them tighter john", which he proceeded to do.
I then mentioned that I had my passport,drivers licence and CRB enhanced disclosure in my bag.
At which the reply was "We will be informing Haringey council, and you will have a recorded offence", and anyway, you will not be playing tennis in those jeans for some time".
I asked whether i would be searched in the van.
An officer responded "let's go".
At that point the van started to move, and, i was told that i would be taken to a police station to be stripped searched.
During the ride i was told that i would be taken to Essex.
The journey was long, i kept silent, amidst the police banter, they continually joked about members of the public they came accross derogatory remarks,ahead, and to the side of the van.
At one point when stopped at a pedestrian traffic light – a Turkish looking man of about 60 asked I need the police.
The officer nearest the road shook his head and hands to signal No.
I recall asking on 2 other occasions to have the cuffs loosened and whether there was someone medically trained on board.
At which point there was a roar of laughter, and then, NO.
An officer behind me then stuck his finger bet my wrist and cuffs and said it's ok, as i flinched from the pain.
I kept quiet – though every pothole, bump or corner brought a sharp shearing pain from my wrists to my brain, which jerked my body.
On two occasions an officer asked "are you sleeping Eric?"
I did not respond, the officer directly behind pushed the cuffs upwards to hear me yelp at which point he laughed "yeah! he's awake".
Some time later the van slowed as it entered Colindale Police station.
I noticed that i had entered the car park – the van swerved round the corners braking irractically – my feet sliding all over trying to make purchase with the floor. My head pressed tightly against the seat in front of me, to brace myself. and, pain shearing into my wrists and entire body.
When the van came to a halt i was pulled from the van – two officer pushed my arms upwards again causing intense pain and made to walk on tip toe as i was led to a door.
I was led to the front desk of the station.
I immediately asked to have the cuffs loosened.
I was pushed onto a wooden bench.
I was then taken to the front desk officer to be processed.
During the process; I asked on a least 3 occasions to have the cuffs loosened and to see a doctor.
The front desk officer replied that there were no doctors present at the station.
I then asked to see a duty solicitor.
The officer replied that one would be called.
About 30 minutes later – I was kaken to a cell,the cuffs were removed, and,stripped searched with 4 officers present.
I was the told that i would have my DNA taken.
I asked the desk officer what i was being charged with, to which he replied, that there was no charge as yet.
I then said "I am refusing to have my DNA taken."
The officer replied that this was the law and that if i refused it would be taken by force.
I replied "ok!then, i have no choice".
My DNA was taken by one the officers from the van.
I was then led to a cell after my belt and shoe laces were removed.
I continually rang the bell in my cell perhaps, every hour, and asked to see a doctor, and, duty solicitor.
I was told on one ocasion that there was just the 1 doctor for Barnet, and that he would attend to me when he arrived at the station.
I was photograghed and fingerprinted and returned to a cell.
Later, i was seen by a doctor.
I aked him why i could not feel my fingers.
He commented that my injuries were common to his experience and standard operating procedure.
Later, I was interviewed in the presence of a duty solicitor and two police officers, and returned to a cell.
sometime Later, i was told i was free to go. There was no charge.
I asked for a copy of the custody report and left the station.
I walked along the high street looking to find my way home.
I was able to catch a night bus headed to Trafalgar Sq.
I got off at camden and walked to whittingdon Hospital.
I waited for 1 hour at the hospital.
Tired and hungry, i left with the intention to return later in the day.
This is a true and correct recollection of the events – I have not embellished these events for any special effect.
Yours Sincerely
Frederick Maximin
Frederick – this was clearly a traumatic and shocking experience. YOu don’t say what has happened since or what action you have taken. Have you taken out a complaint against the police? Have you spoken to the Independent Police Complaints Commission?
If you are one of my constituents – even though I am a candidate during the election – I am still permitted to do casework for local people and am doing so. If you would like me to help, then either email the above with the request to lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org or telephone 0208 340 5459 and if on answerphone – make sure you leave your details very clearly.
Absolutely with you on this one, this is outrageous! Any help in exposing this gladly offered.
J
Dear Lynne
Keep up the good work! We are stuck in Surrey with the abominable Mr. Grayling as our MP but what the hell! Pinch me because I may wake up soon!!
Regards,
H & J
dear Ms Featherstone, i have lost all faith in all local councillors/government,since barbara roache too away my scure tennancy from mt family and i back in october 1986.when i was up for mamagement transfer and they refer me to housing association for transfer. i was so dissapointed and when i realise what they had done i went to surgey to adderss the problem after moving out of my house for one day.she refuse to assist me and basically told me where to go,to my shock and horror after leaving my sick bed to help put her in parliment. she’s made our lives a living hell eveer since that day. i lost £56,000 on rigth to buy, i tried everything to get my three bedroom house back.i am paying so much rent to live in a property that will not be mine,when i could have nearly finish paying for my own house if she had help us.so how can we ever trist any one who’s all about their own ego trips, you all don’t care about local working class people who help u all live nice fancy houses and keep u all in BIG jobs while we suffer at your hands. not even the omsbman is of any help to us. our children dont get a good education, we pay national health for what, too much council tax,women on low wage pay too much tax,working class people want to live abetter live but cant because we’re strip of our wages every month in bills. We’re slave working for nothing.children dont pay on buses and make it hard for people who are pay to travel safely, children are allowed to get away with bad behavor,violence fronm youths everywhere, u all pretend to care,but u really dont.our children who are born here cant get housed when need to, foregners get better treatment and they haven’t done anything for this country.u all say things to get your seats but u dont really care about the people that relly matter the citizens of this country who’s forefathers sweated for this country, who grandparents and parents have died here and never lived off welfare benefits, HOW SAD. my family are in the third and fourth generation and i want to believe their will be a better Britian for them but i dont see it. yours ms wedderburn. CAN U GET US BACK OUR LIVES!
I am saddened by the Ms Wedderburn’s blog above and find this to be the exact issues that needs to be address at the ballots tomorrow. How do we change this? I cannot gather where Ms Wedderburn’s resides but I am going to assume that it is in Haringey and we now who has been running the borough over the past 4 decades.
I believe if one thing comes out of this election, it should be a review of Ms Wedderburn’s circumstance and I believe that this party with it’s manifesto charge of a ‘fairer Britain for all’, should be the party to do this irrespective of what happens tomorrow.
So my challenge to Lynne and Nick is, ‘how do we answer Ms Wedderburn’s’ charges, making sure that when she goes to the ballot box tomorrow, her choice would be done with a restored confidence.
My own optimism for change in this borough is totally aligned with the parties vision.
Kind regards
J
Dear Ms Wedderburn
Your post on this site is very moving. I can’t give you enough of an answer here – but agree with above. If I am re-elected (and I am sure whoever is elected would say same) come and talk. If it’s me – just telephone 0208 340 5459 next week and ask for a surgery appointment. Thank you for a public reminder of how important politics is – and that it is real peoples’ lives that are on the end of political decisions. Kindest regards. Lynne
Just been manning the polling station collecting numbers. It was so wonderful to hear people spontaneously say ‘ I voted for you guys this year!.. job well done!’ and other supportive statements.
There was a real buzz in the air and what was even nicer, the other parties did not even bother sending someone from their party to collect the numbers – perhaps they are so confident by the actions of their leader(s) that some our down at Peter Jones buying the curtains…….
Well done to all and let’s rock the boat today!
Good luck
Johann