Mumsnet local sites - have you checked out yours yet? What do you think?

[JustineMumsnet]

Hi all,
It's been a wee while since we our launched our new, improved Mumsnet local sites. Some of you will have already found yours and are hopefully finding it useful, others have yet have that particular pleasure - if so please do have a butchers now.

Aside from listings, local Talk and information there many Local Ambassadors organising regular group meet-ups, so do have a look to see if there's an active group Meet-up near you and join up to get news of the latest get togethers.

Most of all we'd like to know what you think of it so far. Nb it's still a work in progress

[babsmam]

My local site is either durham or Middlesbrough as my home town is between the two. I don't find either particulary well used or containing much information. Part of it I guess is lack of anyone to spend the time filing them in. I'm not quite sure who is responsible for local updates.

I like the idea of mumsnet local as the premis is good just seems very under utilised.

[afussyphase]

I wish it were used more. I check periodically and there is never much of anything listed in my areas (Islington, Camden). And on the childcare boards people post about having had problems getting their listings up!

I like the idea of having all the things there. I'd check it more if I didn't have to click through to the various sub-topics and sub-locations only to see that there aren't any listings -- that gets boring really quickly. For example, for meet-ups, you get a whole list of neighbourhoods, each of which you have to click on, only to see the message that there are no meet-ups planned there. Why not simply list active meet-ups for the whole "Local" instead? Similarly, if you hover over 'Services', a list pops up, but you have to click through and wait for it to load to find out that there are no veg box schemes. Similarly for childcare - great that it is sub-divided, but with each set (babysitters, nannies, childminders etc) having only 1-10 entries with most having only 1 or 2, why not group them together so we can read them quickly? And allow colour-coding or some quick at-a-glance distinction between those looking for childcare and offering it?

Conclusion: just like babsmam, I like the idea, prefer never to have to look at NM again if I can help it (which I currently do for local childcare stuff), but it needs heavier use, and easier at-a-glance viewing might help with that.

[WipsGlitter]

I agree with afussy there's too much clicking only to find no information there!

[DevonCiderPunk]

Hooray! Devon & Exeter's local ed here. Please do come and look around, Devonians, I've hoovered and stuffed all the laundry into a cupboard ready for visitors.

[Tee2072]

If you're not finding enough information, do feel free to add some!

Us Local Editors are doing are best but we need all the help we can get!!!!

• Mumsnet Belfast

[GiraffeAHolic]

I can't view the local topic at all I click on 'topics' on the app, select 'local' and a list of places starts to appear but it just continually tries to load until it crashes the app (and sometimes freezes my phone )

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

A lot of people lurk, Suffolk. You never know who looks at the information. Please do post, us poor local editors can't do it all. Wonderwomen we are not

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

That's a shame. Sounds like your poor local editor needs a hand. People will look at them once they are up though.

[BlueStringPudding]

It would be useful if we could in some way tag threads on the main boards and have them appear in the Local view.

For example there are some discussions about Surrey schools, moving to Surrey etc on the main boards, that it would make sense to have them also appear in the Surrey Local Talk section.

Is that possible?

[SacreBlue]

Tee I have to update my website so that sounds like the perfect distraction do we submit ideas\info to you or do we post up directly?

Also should we mention having vested interests (e.g. If an event is run by a friend of ours or we are working as part of it? I imagine most would be fine to declare but it might ID local members so could that be done in a pm to you?

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

That's an excellent idea, Blue

It would be lovely for the local threads to show up on the main board for a while, maybe they could stick for 30 mins (just for those who are in that area). They used to do this and it was super helpful.

[EmmaMumsnet]

@GiraffeAHolic

I can't view the local topic at all I click on 'topics' on the app, select 'local' and a list of places starts to appear but it just continually tries to load until it crashes the app (and sometimes freezes my phone )

Hi Giraffe,
Can you tell me which device you're using to view the app and I'll report that to tech??

[Tee2072]

You can post directly. Any business/event can have a free listing.

We also have space for paid advertising and/or discount talk ads. Explore the site or you can email me on belfast @ mumsnetlocal .com, no spaces, obviously.

I'm more or less done for the weekend, so I may not respond until Monday, though.

[SacreBlue]

Thanks Tee I'll add some classes now :)

[SacreBlue]

Oops, sorry, I have just read the t&c I will have to have a think as I can't grant publishing rights of photos to mn. Will look again at listing some up without photos. Bit boring but at least the info will be there!

[Tee2072]

Can you find some stock footage, Blue? Something that's in the open domain that is appropriate rather than actual pictures?

Or just no pictures. It doesn't look great but, as you said, at least the info will be there!

[K8Middleton]

I have emailed my local editor and had zero response. Does that help you?!

It's also quite hard to navigate back to the regular talk boards from local talk.

[SacreBlue]

I'll have a look :)

[MakesCakesWhenStressed]

Not every single site has an editor yet mind, so it may just be that your area is in need