Acknowledgements
The SeeRed website would probably
never have been developed were it not for the behaviour of Mrs Lynn Osborne, previously
Head of Devon Library Services (a part of Devon County Council). Rather than answer
legitimate questions posed in the public interest she misused her powers to ban me from
all Devon libraries until such time as I promised never again to ask any questions! The
matter will now never be tested in Court - for the last few years I have simply been too
busy. In any case, a judicial review could cost £100,000.
I remain indebted to Devon County Council for throwing away a number of saleable
computers. I retrieved these from a waste skip many years ago (with the permission of
local staff) and sold them via the internet for a sum that paid for my own computer
hardware. Reuse of goods is a policy supported by all County
Councils.
Devon Library Services provided the books that enabled me to become 'internet capable' -
and also able to upgrade and repair computers. Many years ago I was probably one of the
best example in the UK of how 'libraries change lives'. My views were sought by the DCMS
Select Committee of Parliament during December 2004 when they were investigating the
People's Network as part of a wide-ranging investigation into public libraries in the UK.
My evidence has been cited in the final report, published 10 March 2005 (see Volume II of
the written evidence, ref. 226). Read the full version here.
Sidmouth Town Council and East Devon District Council have provided many examples of
incompetence. Their Britain in Bloom councillors even tried to
tell me which plants I could grow in my own garden - foolish behaviour that led to
widespread national publicity. In early 2005 the Chairman of Sidmouth Town Council 'blew a
fuse'. His behaviour was duly reported.
Devon County Councillors Stuart (lunatic) Hughes and Christine (esplanade) Channon deserve special mention. Both were
probably involved in the decision to ban me from all DCC library premises. Before the days
of the Internet their various misdeeds would quickly have been forgotten.
Devon Library Services continued to undergo restructuring during 2007/8/9 - partly as a
result of the impact of People's Network computers
on staff morale and responsibilities. The official line remained that everyone in the
library service supported the introduction of these computers - and it was a lie. Lynn
Osborne tendered her resignation as of August 2007 in a move that might have signified
that she jumped before she was pushed.
All of this is now obsolete material, but included just as a matter of historical record.