Allotments 4 All

Many good members have stopped posting or left this forum for various reasons. I now consider myself to be one of those, a difference being that I consider it courteous to bid my farewells.

For me, the most outstanding element of this forum was the genuine warmth and friendship shared across all the boards etc. For me, this is no longer the case, in fact it has reached the point where I actually feel unwelcome, and as a result, will not be posting any more. In fact, far from just lurking, I will visiting very rarely, perhaps no longer.

In line with this, I am also clearing out my messenger, and address book, to get rid of unwanted clutter associated with this site. Therefore, if anyone DOES want to keep in touch with me, please contact me through my email (available on my profile), or through messenger. I may not see private messages.

May you all have bountiful harvests

Derekthefox

Derek, I am really sorry to see you going, I have loved seeing your contributions to the board, the banter with Lottie etc brightens my day. 

I have seen one person who has in my opinion been quite ascerbic in their comments about chit chat on the boards but I love it and don't let that frighten you away, but maybe I have missed something here and don't want to pry.  Please stay and brighten our days, you are a very active member of the forum and it will not be such a happy place if you go.

If we can't persuade you to stay I wish you good luck in all you do and am glad that I met you.

I am writing this in a hurry so hope it makes sense!

Derek ! Don't let them beat you !! 

I myself have bitterly suffered verbal abuse through PMs mainly as the perpertrators did not have the guts to make their comments public. 

And I too vowed I would never return to A4A but the bonus and friendship I get out of it far outweighs the nasty comments made by some of the few.

You have to think of the others who need your valuable help and your positive comments.  I for one will miss you very much so I would beg you to stay.    If your mind is made up however, I wish you all the very best in your life and on the allotment !

;) ;D :D

  :'( Please don't leave Derek, you've been a member here for a long time and have every right to stay. What's happened to this forum? A year ago when I joined everyone was so friendly, it was a lovely community with not one ounce of nastiness. I suggest if anyone is receiving unwanted pm's they should report that member to Dan immediately.

Aww Derek, please stay. I know I haven't posted much this year, but I still pop in regularly ( even if I don't post).

Derek - it's very sad you feel that way. Don't go. We'll miss you.

Tell Dan who the bully's are and make them leave. DOn't let them win.

Please do tell me if you receive offensive PM's - I can remove the PM privilege from people if need be.

Dan

Thank you Dan, but this is purely a personal issue, the site is great, keep up the good work.

Aqui, as above, there are no bullies . . .

Marianne          I'm really surprised you were PM's with abuse.  That's awful.  I know you were upset but I thought you meant from posts on here.  I hope whoever did it is no longer here  :(

Hi Wardy,

Yes I received both abusive PMs and cynical comments. 

I did not want to tell Dan as I thought he could not do anything about it.  It is too late now and I try and avoid commenting on any threads from that particular person. 

So far, she has left me in peace.   Let's hope it lasts as I love this site and enjoy contributing and reading.  ;) :)

Good  :)

Derek,

I've hardly had time to get to know you but I was hoping to.  It's a shame that you'll be leaving, we Junior members need the benefit of your expertise.

Will miss you and your avatar  :)

M.

QuoteDerek ! Don't let them beat you !!

Too bad that one bad apple amongst a barrel of good one's, can do so much damage.
Come on Derek, stay for the "Good one's mate" we would miss ya.

DEREK  you aint going anywhere you are staying here where you belong ,

Derekl. Like a lot more members I am sad to read your post. In my old age I still believe people can have opinions and may not agree with all that is posted BUT  that someone can post (either by PM's or other means) remarks that can make another member feel they have to leave the forum just amazes me. How about treating with contempt  because  that  they deserve? bEST WISHES lORNA.

PS sorry about poor typing etc.. I must have clicked post button before I had read through my message doh!!

Derek,  :'(. I'm another that was hoping to get to know you better. Please don't go  :(

So very sorry you are leaving Derek. You have been a great contributor and it will be sad not to have your input. I am shocked to hear that anyone receives abusive pm's and I would urge anyone to report these to Dan so action can be taken.  Please don't let a very minor few drive you away.  :( busy_lizzie   

:'( :'( :'(
Derek I spoke to you on my one visit to the chatroom, and have enjoyed your comments in the short time I have been here.
I must be so innocent cos it never occurred to me that anyone would send abusive PMs.
Please reconsider and ask Dan to remove PM privileges from that person.
If you still want to go you will be sadly missed by me, and lots of others.

Derek
I was saddened to see that you are leaving this site due to the unwanted messages from a user. Is there any way of blocking certain users from using your inbox if they are being abusive?

It is obvious from the replies on this posting today that there are MANY MANY more people here who will miss you and hold you in high regard than the minority that have driven you away.

This site has seen me through a tough time and I look forward to reading the friendly banter and support while I plan a lottie.

I wish you all the very best
M

Hi Derek...your posts have always struck me as cheerful, kind and sensible...not need to depart.

Just to keep the record straight, so peeps don't start misreading things.

I am not receiving abusive pm's.


Derekthefox  :)

Righto  :)

do you really have sangria on your cornflakes?
and if so is it all made from things you grow on your lottie?
;D ;D ;D ;D

Thank you Madmum, that was an extremely well timed joke!

I don't eat cornflakes, but I do enjoy sangria, alas not allotment grown . . .

Doh! just spotted it . . . you are keeping me posting !

Derekthefox  :)

you just can't help yourself
See, you'd miss us all too much to leave us

whatever you decide, keep on enjoying the sangria!

In the words of a song
"oh-oh won't you sta-a-ayyyyyy  just a little bit longer, please please sta-a-ay  say you will, saaayy you willllllllll!   
Good singing voice huh! ;D

I think we should write a poetic appeal to Dek and I will start it off. 

Derek with the geetah avatar,
Your cornflakes and your san gree ar   .....

I had just about changed my mind about giving up on this site, but now I think I will join Derek and depart for pastures new. Would prefer Derek to stay, would really like to hear how he and his son get on in their Marathon venture, but if people want to leave so be it. Sad day in more ways than one.

Irrespective of my own personal decisions Eric, I have always seen you as part of the furniture (in the nicest, kindest way !), and I would prefer to see you stay as someone to hold the fort!

I would presume that all the inspiring comments passed to me, also apply to you Eric, so may I beg you not to be too hasty . . .

Derekthefox  :D

Not you too Eric  :-\

:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

I think there is something not quite right when a member decides to leave due to another member's comments.  At the end of the day we each have differing opinions which should be respected.  We may not always agree with each other (I agree with everyone on gardening matters, such is my gardening knowledge lol) but opinions should be respected until the day they become personally offensive or perhaps just too irritating to bear?

It's certainly not a nice feeling to be "singled" out by another member on any such forum (this has happened to me before) and as much as people tell you to rise above it, ignore it etc., it still has the "I'd rather not be here" effect.  The easiest choice is to leave and never deal with any of said peeps (there's that word again) again.  

Surely, rather than leave such a lovely site, Eric & Derek (catchy) a better idea would be to address the problems?  If it's a one on one thing surely a small PM to Dan explaining the situation might bring a resolution as he may become a mediator (or not, I just don't know) and iron out the wrinkles?  Just a thought.  If it's a problem with the forum/members themselves, maybe sharing the problem/expressing the opinion with the rest of us might help to put it right?

Is it not worth a try before packing up and leaving?

Sam.

PS  Derek, you know you don't really want to leave because if you did, you would have just gone and not tested the waters first  ;) :)

And Eric, I'd be very sad to see you leave!!

You have said a lot there Sam.

On the issue of leaving, this morning I was totally committed to doing it. The method was to put my house in order, and enable those people who wanted to keep in touch to have the opportunity. I expected two or three people max.

I was obviously wrong, both in my method, and my estimate!

I have never stopped trying to deal with problem areas, but sometimes one feels that the battle has been lost, and disaster management becomes the issue. Again I may have got this wrong, I don't know.

I suppose at the very least, I have inspired an interesting discussion, and the response has been staggering.

Derekthefox  :)

Quote from: Derekthefox on September 08, 2005, 15:39:41
You have said a lot there Sam.

I have never stopped trying to deal with problem areas, but sometimes one feels that the battle has been lost, and disaster management becomes the issue. Again I may have got this wrong, I don't know.

It's a shame that forums don't come with the "ignore" facility that we luckily get with email and Instant Messaging. 

Anyway, if this thread has helped you in your decision to stay or to go, at least it's been worthwhile?

Let's hope Eric isn't off to pastures new aswell :(

Yes, Sam, this thread has definitely enabled me to make my mind up. I will post on that subject later.

Thank you for your stimulating input.

Derekthefox  :)

Hope that means you're staying now. I'm not trying to get an answer out of you yet, I'll wait for your new thread  ;D

I nearly miss the posts for 1 day and this happens!!

I am such a newbie and have enjoyed so much of your feedback and advice to me Derek.

You can't go Derek, nor you Eric.  You are both major contributors on this site and it would be sad to see you go.

We have had quite a few newbies lately.  It just shows how wonderful this site is.  We all want to be a part of it!!!

We (I) don't want to be without you. :'(

Anna

Just got in from work and looks what's kicked off !
Don't you dare go you two or I'll throw my toys out of my cot.  Seriously, with your wealth of knowledge and helpful manner of explaining things (without laughing at a thicko that got 'stuck' in the chat room eh Derek?), what use have I ?  You are both assets to the site and we can't afford to lose you guys.
Bags xx

Without Derek you could still be in there Baggy  ;D    I wondered what that knocking was  ;D ;D

Are you laffin' at me ?  :'(

Thats enough of this-I'm leaving too.

      Goodbye all








            Back in halfhour...Te he
                         

Oh sorry if I upset you bags.  You know I don't mean it.  Friends?  :)

course  ;D

Phew  :) 

Right, do yous all think it's safe for me to go and get me tea, do a bit of housework,go and weed me wallflowers for a few hours, without any major upheavals on here?  Sure?  Well, OK but stay here til I get back  ;D

Wardy

You forgot polish my trophy on that to do list!
;) ;) ;)

Nobody go doing anything rash til I get back*.  It's first day back at cubs tonight and I need to be cool, calm and collected.
*in fact dont go doing rash things at all !

Wardy. Unless I misunderstood you I thought you were having a restful day? So whats with the housework and weeding of the wallflowers? Now come on play the game ;D As I have only done ironing and hoovering today(UGH) I am off to water the plants. Lorna.
PS Didn't have time to do anything else have been on here too much ::)

Derek
Can you feel the genuine warmth and friendship, cos from where I'm sitting (not too comfily I may add!) there's a lot there going in your direction.
:) :) :)

DO NOT GO

Can you be specific Derek - I know two wrongs do not make a right but perhaps we could organise a mass flaming session.  I value your presence on this board - I regard ourselves as like minded individuals (I hope I am not insulting you) by which I mean that we both love gardening - seeking advice and passing on that advice when needed but also taking a light hearted views and being able to have a laugh.  I think most people on this board are like that - names that immediately spring to mind are Lottie (who will miss you terribly) wardy, dibber etc.  You should not leave - as I said to Marianne when it happened to her, it should be perpetrators that are hounded off the board.

It is about time I did a response, this must be the fastest thread in the history of the site.

OK, we all have dark times, this morning was possibly the darkest time ever for me, I truly felt that I had no friends here, perhaps a couple of acquaintances who would prefer to keep in touch, but that was all. All I expected from my post was a couple of replies.

Therefore to say I am overwhelmed by the response is an understatement, I am totally gobsmacked ! This morning I felt so unwelcome, but the warmth being shown is truly awesome. To leave now, I would have to be clinically insane.

So thank you, each and every one, those who posted here, and those who used the personal message facility or email, I hope I can return your concern at some future time.

I love you all

Derekthefox :D

ps The drinks are on me  ;)

Gosh one day in work and the world goes bonkers.   ;)   Derek, I am sorry that you have decide(well almost) to leave A4A.  I had to make the sad decision to let my much loved allotment go due to work/family/time commitments and it upset me a great deal, however it was upsetting me more not to do something I loved, well.  Although I did get a lot of experience, I do feel that I am not that well up on veggies and allotment life to comment on a lot of postings.  Also the huge influx of Newbies to this great site makes it difficult to keep up with everyone.  Not all of us oldies have gone... we just lurk in the corners a bit more.  As to the chat room.  well things haven't been the same on there for some time, have they??  I shall be sorry if you do go but wish you all the best if you do..  best of luck with the marathon and good wishes for your wonderful guitar playing.  :-*  Mimi



Ha ha similtaneous posting...........   Make mine a big one please.......what ever it is!!!!!!

Hello RC  Hope you had a good day at the sharp end of edyukayshon  :)  
Some of us had trophies to polish  ;D  All hell breaking loose while you were daydreaming about your sweetcorn glut (we wish) while supposed to be teaching your latest input of ungrateful sproglets

I hope DTF listens to you  :)

Lorna   I got absolutely soaking wet through weeding those wallflowers (volunteer of the year award is what I should have got a trophy for  ;)) My trainers (well, not mine come to think of it, oo ek) got that much mud on them I couldn't lift my feet.  Came home to hot shower.  Still got tea to make which I think will consist of glass or three of wine and some crusty bread  :)

Scroll down Wardy

Quote from: redclanger on September 08, 2005, 19:00:21
DO NOT GO

Can you be specific Derek - I know two wrongs do not make a right but perhaps we could organise a mass flaming session.  I value your presence on this board - I regard ourselves as like minded individuals (I hope I am not insulting you) by which I mean that we both love gardening - seeking advice and passing on that advice when needed but also taking a light hearted views and being able to have a laugh.  I think most people on this board are like that - names that immediately spring to mind are Lottie (who will miss you terribly) wardy, dibber etc.  You should not leave - as I said to Marianne when it happened to her, it should be perpetrators that are hounded off the board.

Just read through the rest of the thread so read above again substituting Eric for Derek.  You can also read it thorugh again substituting your own name - unless you are the people who offended Derek, Eric or Marianne - in which case you can just bog off.

Wardy. HAVE YOU HAD RAIN???? I have just had to do the watering as everything in the tubs and baskets are dry..Even the plants in the unbrella of the hedge had to be watered.. I want to know how I have so much deadheading to do after only leaving it for one day!! Enjoy your wine. Oh I love crusty bread with brussels pate spread thick, how fattening is it? Lorna.
Sorry going off original  contents of this thread.

Who cares Lorna, just be happy!

mmm crusty bread, pate and wine . . .

Derekthefox  :D  :P

Sorry Derek Have to disagree... Crusty bread, pate and  BRANDY & LEMONADE ;D Lorna.
PS Very seldom I am unhappy but after two or three brandies theres no holding me :o

Cheers markb23, you're a real gem you know! ! !

Derekthefox  :D

if you want to send sh-- pm ill take them .

Can I ask if posting on message boards can be a bit like driving a car. Because people are in their own little space they sometimes behave rather differently than they otherwise might?

I've only just got back on line,  to find this sad state of affairs.

I haven't seen any of the 'nasties', but it takes me back to one reason I left the Beeb.  I really thought that we were beyond that over here.

Do hope the disease doesn't spread.

QuoteBecause people are in their own little space they sometimes behave rather differently than they otherwise might?

Yup pedestrians never try to kill me like drivers do :o

Glad you've decided to stay Derek, hope Eric does the same.

I echo Twospot's posting, I am so glad Derek you are staying and hope Eric that you do too. 

Eric, we haven't seen photos of your wonderful garden for ages and you must have had some new projects over the summer.  How is your alpine house coming on now, you must have been planting it up and we haven't seen it.  And what did you have in your border where you had the tulips?  You can't leave us, we are too interested in your lovely garden!

Please stay!

Dear me i go to the coast and have a really nice day and come back to absolute mayhem, please what is happening to our beloved A4A.


Who ever it is that is upsetting peeps on here please stop   NOW.

Quote from: rosebud on September 08, 2005, 22:42:55
Dear me i go to the coast and have a really nice day and come back to absolute mayhem, please what is happening to our beloved A4A.

Well that's what you get for going to the Coast without the rest of us.  What did you expect?  :P

PS - A message to everyone on here to show just how cruel Rosebud can be, sometime this afternoon I received a text from her along the lines of "Oh, it's such a hard life, sitting here watching the sea go in and out"  >:( Wouldn't have been so bad, but I was queuing up in Tescos at the time!!!!

Derek - so glad you've decided to stay!

I think it's time for a grouphug :-*

hahahahahaha YP!  ;D  Don't you just love mums!!  I am up to my elbows in washing and ironing and mum has just called to tell me she is off our with her 'ladies' to have lunch and pimms in the sun!  Pah!  ;D

Glad you are staying Derek, and I hope Eric stays too.

I am scratching my brain trying to think of things to show my gratitude to you all. The only item that comes to mind at the moment, is to remind you that I have some mp3 recordings of my guitar music (classical, spanish, and latin stuff), an hour in total. If anyone wants them, then drop me a pm with your email addy, so I can send them off. You will need to make sure your email intray is empty because these files will fill it. The alternative is to engage me in msn messenger, I can transfer the files directly. My msn addy is in my profile.

I will try and think of other ways to say thank you as well.

Derekthefox :D

Just continuing to post here is thanks enough for me  :)

As a new member to this site I find it hard to understand what the hell is going on. Surely as in the real world we can't expect everything to run perfectly. Some famous person once said "you can please some people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time".
I guess what I am trying to say is, if you enjoy most of this forum then stick around and sod anyone else. I'm sure most of us would be glad to have you stay aboard and continue with your added comments.  STICK WITH US.
                                        Montanum.

Quote from: Derekthefox on September 09, 2005, 14:19:03
I am scratching my brain trying to think of things to show my gratitude to you all. The only item that comes to mind at the moment, is to remind you that I have some mp3 recordings of my guitar music (classical, spanish, and latin stuff), an hour in total. If anyone wants them

Can I sell them on eBay?  ;D

Don't you think I have already considered that! Unfortunately something called copyright rears its head!  :(

Derekthefox  :D

Derek,  THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM IF YOU STAY!!!!    I was extremely shocked (despite the fact that I've only known you a short time) to hear you say that you'd have to be mad to leave with all the support here.

I mean,  I thought you and lottie were both mad people?!  Now your staying that must mean you can't be!   That means I must be the mad one....eeeeeeeek .   Just won't do.  Please tell me you're at least a little crazy and nuts just to put my mind at rest or I'll go sane!  ;D ;D ;D

Iain

Derek,

Thanks for staying.  :D ;) :D :D :D

Derek don't give me shocks like that! I've only just read all this and went from feeling sad and depressed..afterall I've only just met you and hoped to meet you some more! To feeling a whole lot brighter now that you are staying.

I'll feel even sunnier if Eric decides to stay too. I hope so,I really do.

Big hugs everyone! H xx

So pleased you are going to continue to keep us amused and informed with your eagerly awaited comments and advice, Derek.
Thank you for staying

Don't worry about me Icy, as for your sanity, well I am sure you and Lottie will make a nice pair, frees me up for other things ok?  ;) I prefer the world as I am seeing it now  :)

Derekthefox  :D

Just for tonight, as it is Friday, I have donned a new Avatar, just for the ladies ok?  :-*

Hope you appreciate it me

Derekthefox  : ;D

Coo - get you.  My avatar is the real me too.  Honest  ;D

You're looking kinda good too Baggy  ;)

Derekthefox  :D

Way hey Derek !  :D  I'm appreciating it ! ;D

I am glad to be of service Heldi he he he !

Derekthefox  :D

I'm getting a bit hot here...dunno if it's because of the vodka I'm drinking or your pic heehee!

You can't ever go now you know.  Next pic has to be in your undies and then please someone invent a screen that you can scratch your pants and they disappear  lol ! (have I gone too far??!!)

Quoteplease someone invent a screen that you can scratch your pants and they disappear

Heldi...for goodness sake take a cold shower-and put the top back on that bottle of Vodka? :-[

hahaha! Oh you spoilsport Glyn. I was having fun  hee hee!

Derek, I'll never look at you in the same light again. I'm appreciating it too  ;D

ahem....er...Baggy...you know there are some very good creams on the market to help with your facial hair that you are showing in your avatar.....  :o

;D ;D ;D ;D ;) ;) ;) ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D

Nice Pic DtF, you tease!

He's changed his avatar again, I can't keep up! ;D

Thank you Emma, Ladybird, Heldi and anyone else I missed, ha ha, my way of saying thanks ok? Apart from which, this fun and laughter is keeping me sane !

Jessevieve, don't worry about keeping up, just which is your favourite . . . he he he ?

Derekthefox  ;D

Please let us have some support on the thread for Eric, we may be able to change his mind about leaving,it is under message for Palatris. ;D ;D ;D.

Rosebud. Quite agree. Have posted there trying to persuade him to stay.Fingers crossed. Lorna

Ok Jessevieve, it says Ashby Folk Festival ...

Rosebud, I have already posted to Eric, plus a personal message, plus talking in the chatroom ...

Hope this works

Derekthefox :D

Just nipped over to the Beeb site and saw this...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-perl/h2/h2.cgi?thread=%3C1126044346-25799.14%40forum1.thdo.bbc.co.uk%3E&find=%3C1126044346-25799.14%40forum1.thdo.bbc.co.uk%3E&board=gardening.design&sort=Te
Perhaps it is seasonal?

QuotePerhaps it is seasonal?

Velly intervesting... ???

Interesting Roy, but there is too much fun stuff going on here. The people on it are brilliant, and talk about camaraderie ... Ah well, time for my straightjacket, manacles and sedatives ...

Derekthefox  :D

Hi Derek, just come across your post, give yourself a hug from me. I'm not surprised some people have been awful, just surprised its been on here, it leaves a very sour taste in the mouth, I've had it happen, but not on here. Give yourself time and please don't think its normal, they are the oddballs.Bless you mate, but don't leave because of them, they should leave not you. :-*

Thank you Val, I do like hugs ! As you may have gathered if you have read the whole thread, a lot has gone on over the last couple of days. I hope my ordeal is now over, and the unpleasantness can be ignored. I just want to enjoy this site now, in the company of all those friends I failed to recognise that I had.

Thank you again

Derekthefox  :D

 

Quote from: Derekthefox on September 11, 2005, 12:21:03
I just want to enjoy this site now, in the company of all those friends I failed to recognise that I had.

Thank you again

Derekthefox :D

Well said Derek.   Life really is to short.....

Well, that was a roller coaster ride!  Got back from a long weekend and started reading the posts on Derek's news  :(   It was a bit like a novel - the shocking turn of events for a well-loved character; the tension about what would happen next - and fortunately, a happy ending!   Sooooo glad you've decided to stick with us Derek - I've not said (and should have) that your posts always help to brighten up time spent on A4A - and are sometimes even helpful too  ;D   

I think there is a compliment hidden in there somewhere Ellkebe, so thank you very much !  ;D Never been likened to a novel before, perhaps a comedy . . .

Don't forget Eric too of course, he has been through a rough patch too ...

Thanks again,

Derekthefox  :D

Glad you did the right thing, Derek.  ;D

Definately intended as a compliment Derek  :) 

I found the post about Eric just after I'd read through your news, so I also posted hoping he would reconsider. I really hope we're all one big happy family again (to keep up the novel analogy, as Wilde said, 'the good end happily and the bad unhappily; that is what fiction means.'  ;D )

I've been away and now that I'm back I'm so glad you are staying. I love your posts. Please don't ever go.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 :D :D :D