Exposure’s ‘Fed Up’ Film!

Posted on 12th Nov 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Muswell Hill’s Exposure Organisation is holding a screening of their short film ‘Fed Up’ as part of Parliament Week.

The film explores the pros and cons of the Stop and Search procedure, using humour to bring to light many of the common concerns raised by those affected.

Exposure’s film aims to bridge the gap between young people and the police by showing how both sides feel about stop and search, and by giving advice on how to avoid conflict.

The film will be shown on 21^st November from 1.15pm at the West Green Learning Centre, N15. Seats are limited, so anyone interested should contact Flo Codjoe on 020 8883 0260, or flo@exposure.org.uk

If you want more info on Lib Dem policy on stop and search – just contact me.

Lib Dems submit 2000 residents’ view on a 20mph speed limit to Haringey Council

Posted on 1st Nov 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats yesterday submitted responses to Haringey Council’s consultation on a borough wide 20mph speed limit.

During the consultation, the local Liberal Democrats and the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green surveyed over 2000 residents, to ascertain residents’ views on the proposals.

Based on the results of the survey, the local MP and Liberal Democrats backed a borough wide 20mph zone – but only on residential roads and, where appropriate, town centres. They also recommended that the scheme should be enforced by signs, rather than speed humps.

The Liberal Democrat MP and local Lib Dem group have campaigned for residents to have their say on the introduction of a borough wide 20mph limit since 2010.

The launch of the consultation represents a u-turn by the Labour-run Council, who previously refused to consult on a 20mph limit – rejecting the proposal outright in October 2012.

Cllr Jim Jenks, Haringey Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson, said:

“We have been campaigning for a borough wide 20mph zone since 2010. Our survey clearly shows the majority of local people back that policy.

“Having previously rejected the idea, I hope the Labour-run council will finally listen to us and to residents and implement a borough wide 20mph zone on residential roads.”

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“The Haringey Lib Dems and I campaigned for so long to get a consultation – and it’s great that residents have now had the chance to have their say.

“Over 2000 people responded to our survey, and we have passed these on to the Council and stated our support for the majority view.

“Thank you to everyone who took part. I will be keeping residents informed, particularly when the Council makes the final decision on a 20mph speed limit in our borough.”

Lynne Featherstone MP backs local Credit Union

Posted on 7th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

The Haringey Liberal Democrats and Lynne Featherstone MP have urged local residents to support and join the London Capital Credit Union – in response to news that Muswell Hill Broadway will soon feature a payday loan shop.

Joined by Helen Baron (Chair of the Credit Union board) and Don Kehoe (Secretary of the Credit Union board) the local Lib Dems and the MP handed out flyers about the Credit Union on Muswell Hill Broadway.

The Credit Union can supply quick loans to members without high rates, whilst also providing an ethical investment option for people who are looking to save money.

They are seen as a safe alternative to payday loan companies – which charge exorbitant rates on loans.

The Coalition Government has recently invested £38m to support and expand credit unions and the Financial Conduct Authority has just announced proposals to clamp down on pay day lenders.

Local Lib Dem councillor, Martin Newton, comments:

“Despite our and residents’ protests, a payday loan company will soon be opening up shop in Muswell Hill. I urge anyone who is facing a hard time paying their bills or who needs a loan, to use the Credit Union and avoid the massive interest rates charged by payday lenders.

“For those who are looking for an ethical investment the Credit Union is ideal, by saving with them you could help a local family to pay their bills or get their washing machine fixed without having to resort to going to a payday lender.”

Credit Union Manager, Martin Groombridge, comments:

“We will continue to campaign against the payday loan companies because they are driving people into unmanageable debt. It’s time that people sought more ethical providers for their savings accounts or their borrowing. We hope that these campaign events will make more and more people aware that the Credit Union offers a real practical ethical alternative in the financial services sector.”

Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone, comments:

“Credit Unions are ethical money lenders and a safe alternative to payday loan companies. It is fantastic to have a Credit Union operating in Haringey, and I am happy to help promote them – particularly on a street where a new payday loan shop will soon appear.”

Meeting the Somali Bravanese community

Posted on 19th Jun 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

The fire at the Somali Bravanese Centre on Coppetts Road two weeks ago has been shocking for the whole community. It has now been confirmed as an act of arson by the Police and it is hard to comprehend what goes through the mind of someone prepared to risk the lives of others in an act like this.

Last Friday I met with members of the Somali Bravanese community following the fire so that I could express my sadness but, more so, to offer my help. It was an opportunity for me to listen to their concerns and find out what can be done.

Lynne Featherstone MP meets with members of the Somali Bravenese community

Two weeks on, the leaders of the centre are determined – determined to move forwards, to rebuild, to reunite the community and come back stronger than before. The group spoke to me of the history of the Bravanese people and it is clear that they have a long tradition of carrying on, even in the face of adversity and I feel that this situation – though challenging – will prove no different.

The leader of the centre explained to me that their most pressing concern at the moment is finding a temporary location and equipping an office so that they can get back to work. A number of Somali Bravanese children and teenagers used the centre and it is vital that they have somewhere to go while the current building is out of action.

We also discussed what needs to be done in terms of getting the centre rebuilt as quickly as possible and I have written to Barnet Council in order to highlight some of the concerns raised. I will continue to offer my help in whatever way I can.

In the meantime, support from local residents has been overwhelming – I have received numerous emails asking me what can be done to help and I know those from the centre have received many more. It just shows how united the community is – if anything, now more than ever.

Lynne Featherstone MP speaks at public meeting after fire at Islamic Centre

Posted on 14th Jun 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP spoke at a public meeting last night alongside local Lib Dem Councillor, David Winskill. The meeting at the Muswell Hill Baptist Church was organised by Unite Against Fascism in the aftermath of the fire at the Coppetts Road Somali Bravanese Centre last week.

The meeting, which attracted around 250 local people, brought together religious leaders, local politicians and members of the local community in order for them to express their concerns after the fire.

The fire was condemned across the board with Lynne Featherstone MP telling the meeting that Haringey has a great tradition of working together in times of adversity. The community also widely expressed its commitment to rebuild the centre.

It is not yet clear whether the fire was started in a hate attack but Police have confirmed it as an act of arson.

Councillor for Crouch End, David Winskill, commented:

“I want to congratulate and thank Unite Against Fascism for calling this very important meeting. With 200 community languages, Haringey can lay claim to being one of the most culturally diverse places on the planet.

“This is Haringey. This is what Haringey does- it is home for people who come from all over the world. It does it well. This is who we are.”

After the meeting Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“The fire has been a terrible incident for the whole community but I am so pleased by the way that local people have rallied in recent days. It is in Haringey’s DNA to work together, particularly during difficult times.

“We are a united community and this will not divide us – it will only bring us closer together.”

Lynne Featherstone MP visits Muswell Hill Soup Kitchen

Posted on 11th Jun 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne at Soup Kitchen

Lynne Featherstone MP visited the Muswell Hill Soup Kitchen School for Volunteers last Friday and spent time talking to those currently training at the school.

Run by local resident, Martin Stone, the soup kitchen was opened in 1994. Based at the Muswell Hill Baptist Church, volunteers run the centre five nights a week with the kitchen serving around 8,000 meals a year.

The training programme at the school enables volunteers to learn about working with people who have multiple needs. The school also trains guests of the Soup Kitchen who have started to volunteer themselves in the areas of housing, housing law and supporting people.

After the event, Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was a pleasure to see the work that is being done at the soup kitchen and to meet the volunteers training at the school. I would like to thank Martin for inviting me down to see the great job they are doing.

“It is a wonderful local initiative both in terms of the soup kitchen itself and the teaching that the school offers. I wish the volunteers every success with their studies.”

Lynne Featherstone MP takes part in Oxfam Land Grabs Stunt

Posted on 10th Jun 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week took part in an Oxfam campaign stunt to highlight the issue of land grabs, organised by local Oxfam volunteer Katrina Gajevska.

The event was to raise public awareness about land grabs, and to give constituents and Oxfam supporters a chance to voice concerns about the practice to the local MP – who is also a minister in the Department of International Development.

During the event an auctioneer pretended to sell off local Haringey land marks, including Lynne Featherstone’s constituency office.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green spoke to local residents and campaigners and answered questions about the issue.

Earlier this year the Prime Minister announced that land grabs are one of the issues that will be discussed at the G8 Summit this month. It is hoped that making the ownership and usage of land transparent will be achieved by advancing trade, ensuring tax compliance and promoting greater transparency.

After the event, Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was a pleasure to take part in this fantastic local event. The auction was a fun way of attracting attention to a serious issue and I was very glad to be able to speak to local people about their concerns over land grabs. I’d like to thank Katrina for her hard work in organising the event.

“I very much hope that the Prime Minister’s commitment to focus on this issue at the G8 Summit will push forward the UK’s ambition to secure more transparency on land ownership.”

Lynne Featherstone MP expresses her sadness over the fire at the Coppetts Road Community Centre

Posted on 5th Jun 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has spoken of her sadness at the news that the Coppetts Road Community Centre was destroyed by fire this morning.

According to reports, the base for the Al-Rahma Islamic Centre and the Bravanese Centre was badly damaged in the early hours of this morning, resulting in the partial collapse of the building.

The cause of the fire is not yet clear but is currently under investigation by the Police.

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am so sad to hear that the Al-Rahma Islamic Centre and the Bravanese Centre was destroyed by fire this morning. Reports the fire was started in a hate attack are extremely disturbing. If true, this constitutes an attack on the entire community.

“The Centre has been a valuable source of advice, education and support, among other things, for the Somali Bravanese community in the local area. I would like to praise the Fire Brigade for their brave work in controlling the fire.

“Although the building was not in my constituency, I know that it is used by a number of Hornsey and Wood Green residents and, on their behalf, I would like to express my sorrow.”

Lynne Featherstone MP launches constituency wide Annual Survey

Posted on 20th May 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has launched her 2013 Annual Survey. Liberal Democrat volunteers are currently delivering the surveys to people across the constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green.

The survey asks residents for their views on local and national issues, and whether they have any problems they would like the local MP’s assistance with.

In addition, the survey offers residents the chance to sign the Liberal Democrat petition to protect our local health services.

Last year, the survey drew several thousand responses. Hundreds of issues raised by residents were followed up on by the MP and her casework team.

Residents can also fill in this year’s survey online (see below)

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“The annual survey is a great way for residents to have their voices heard on matters ranging from national Lib Dem policy to our local Lib Dem campaigns.

“We all know that the Labour-run Council are not very good at keeping our roads and pavements safe, or keeping our area tidy. That’s why we ask residents whether they have any issues with litter, damaged pavements or potholes on their road.

“All completed surveys are looked at and we will attempt to resolve any issues raised. I hope as many residents as possible take the opportunity to fill it in!”

NB Surveys are broken down by wards. check which ward you live in here: http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/ and click on the relevant link here:

Wood Green (Noel Park & Woodside) Residents: http://bit.ly/WoodGreenAnnualSurvey

Hornsey Residents: http://bit.ly/HOannualsurvey

Stroud Green Residents: http://bit.ly/SGAnnualsurvey

Highgate Residents: http://bit.ly/HGannualsurvey

Fortis Green Residents: http://bit.ly/FGwardannualsurvey

Muswell Hill Residents: http://bit.ly/MHannualsurvey

Crouch End Residents: http://bit.ly/CEannualsurvey

Bounds Green Residents: http://bit.ly/BGannualsurvey

Alexandra Residents: http://bit.ly/LFannualsurvey

A great community street party – caught on camera!

Posted on 15th May 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

The Sunday before last I had the great pleasure of going to Hillfield Park’s May Day street party! It was an action and fun packed day – featuring a tug of war, hulahoopathon and maypole dancing!

I was there to present the prizes for the best pet competition. The runners up included dogs and a hamster (who sat on the rosette to pose for the photo!) I had to present the winning rosette to the pet owner – as the winning cat, Boris, had disappeared!

It was great to see the community come together and I can’t give enough praise the residents who organise the event. This year, there is another added bonus – video footage!