Have just been looking through What do we look like (well it is snowing hard now)
Seems like quite a few of members who used to post on a regular basis no longer post. Pity.
Hope they are all well
people come and go i guess that just the way it is. :-\
So many though ... makes you wonder?
"Is it something I said?"
"Is it something I didn't say?"
"Was I not listening?"
(seeing my shrink soon :-\ ??? ::) :-[ :P
maybe they'll be back in spring, I feel like hibernating , myself ;D
Know it's probably not practical, but how about a Newbie site where people can
ease there way in to somewhere that may be a bit awesome to a new member ?
You know you all rescued me from a ' funny five minutes ' - you do - you do !
floss xxx
:'( :-\ :-[ :) ;D
Good idea Flossy.....a place to post when you're not sure where to post or what to do or say, just for that first time.
A few forums have a "newbies start here" thread, where people introduce themselves. I started on this site in the middle of a "conversation" so no-one noticed I had joined, so didn't get any welcome at all :'( :'(. I think I was so caught up in the excitement ??? ??? (OKOK, it takes all sorts) of joining etc that I didn't think.
Might be worth thinking about. :-\ :-\
A belated welcome to the site Asbean tell us about yourself. ;D ;D ;D
Aww, sorry asbean, I think that's an exception- we're usually pretty good at welcoming people. You obviously fitted in like on old hand!
But I agree, a "Saying hello" forum would be a good idea.
Works alright as it is. What is the point of 10 million welcome to the site we are all mad here messages. Do what we have done and elbow your way in. Only one thing though make sure you have a note from your mum giving you permission.
When you come across a post like that Ace, can it not put ' newbies ' off,
or don't you wan't them ?
Quote from: FLOSSY on November 24, 2008, 16:50:12
When you come across a post like that Ace, can it not put ' newbies ' off,
or don't you wan't them ?
Why wouldn't I want them, makes no odds to me how many members we have. There are loads of members who have come on here without a newbie spot. There ain't no magic to it. Just jump in.
I still can't get my head around a Gunville Girl being slow coming forward ;D
maybe the reason they stop posting is they got board with newbie asking the same question over and over with out bothering to do the smallest bit research on there own. If newbies want help they need to include the basic info of their problem.
Help my (plant name)is dying please help me does not cut it.
No, Ace, 10 million welcomes isn't what is needed, maybe just half a dozen, the first people to see and respond to the post. I don't always have time to follow all posts, and often miss newbies and by the time I realise they are new they're old, if you see what I mean. Bit like me, really, an old 'asbeen. ;) ;) ;)
welcomes are not needed, they just clutter up the threads and are usually boring tripe.
If newbie wants to fit in, it is best they just start asking questions or answering questions posted by other users.
Just a bit of common courtesy. ;D ;D ;D
I quite liked being welcomed ;D
Phew!!! When I saw the title I thought somebody had lost their "bits"! Imagine my relief upon seeing that the "members" in question are in fact forum members!
Quote from: manicscousers on November 24, 2008, 17:42:56
I quite liked being welcomed ;D
Welcome Manics, have we met somewhere before? ;) ;D
A number of forums have a place for new people to announce their arrival but I think The Shed serves us pretty well here. Like Kev I think it's common courtesy to welcome new posters if you notice their arrival.
G x
I certainly didn't expect a welcome when I slunk in in trepidatuion.
If all new entrants had a page of it, it would dilute the thread in question considerably. I see welcomes as a Forum Fashion.
So long as every question is given a courteous & helpful hearing, even to say 'we don't know', surely that is welcome enough?
I did put a newbie section on the suggestion page but it seems to have disappeared or did I imagine doing it. :P If there was a newbie section with say ten basic most asked questions and answers it would stop basic repetitive questions, and if people please, they can go on and welcome all those who joined that week in one go and if you don't agree with it its quite easy you just give it a wide birth, well that's my three pennith for what it's worth. ;D ;D ;D
So now we've sorted the newbies out, what about the missing members? Have they actually gone away or are just not posting. I've seen quite a few unfamiliar names on line and when I've checked they've been around for a couple of years or so, but just haven't posted for ages. And some people may be visitng without logging on. We often seem to have a lot more guests than we did, say, a year ago. (But not tonight)!!!
Sometimes peoples circumstances make it difficult for them to find time to post on the forum. We are retired and sometimes have a job to find time to look in. Last year we had about 6 months where we had that many problems that we didn't really feel like coming on the site. Fortunately things improved and we had time to enjoy the site. I must say that although I have only actually seen 3 people from this site, there are many more that I think of as friends. I remember a post by Lorna asking where folks were and my name was amongst the missing members. I was really touched by the fact that we had been missed. Thankyou Lorna.
Sorry my fault for going off thread a bit, I forgot about the missing members, I know of as least two that don't bother any more because of the constent bickering and personal attacks. :( ;D ;D ;D
I miss you Shirl, if I don't hear from you at least twice a week. ;D ;D ;D
Well put Kev... The snide comments don't help anyone.
Ace -- aint bitin! ;D ;D ;D ;D
floss xxx
Missing members? So many friends gone! We DO miss them. Too many to enumerate. Just wish one knew why.
Oh, & PS - instead of a 'check list' for newcomers, why not a Heading suggesting WIKI or SEARCH. Not a bad start?
Quote from: Georgie on November 24, 2008, 17:54:50
Welcome Manics, have we met somewhere before? ;) ;D
A number of forums have a place for new people to announce their arrival but I think The Shed serves us pretty well here. Like Kev I think it's common courtesy to welcome new posters if you notice their arrival.
G x
thank you, georgie.. ;D
I agree with ck, sometimes I go into a thread as I'm interested in it and it's full of back biting and nasty comments :-\
Tim I agree with you, we do miss them.
One that is missing is my niece Prink13 (Kathi). She started a full time job in the spring and hasn't really had time to grow any vegetables this year. She has taken up a new hobby, archery, and that keeps her out of mischief. I miss her on here though.
Hi Pauline. I guessed Kathi's new job was keeping her busy. I did think of popping in but thought she would be at work. Archery? Crikey I am not going to visit until she has had plenty of practice ;D
She's had plenty of practice Lorna and I believe she is doing very well. Her and John always seem to be out at tournaments.
Missing member here!! Though too long missing for many (or any) of the present posters to remember. I joined early in 2004 and do still visit the site tho mostly as a lurker and do enjoy seeing old friends posting (Hi Tim! Hi Carol. Hi Rosebud! and HI, EJ)
I remember us getting all excited about membership reaching 1,000 and still smile when I think of some of the Quizzes we used to have in Chat - one set by Ina (Hi, Ina - I know you still lurk around sometimes too) was so hilarious I could hardly type for the laughter tears!
There were wee spats too and a couple of big ones which resulted in bannings which I trust has never needed to happen again but all in all it's a great site - long may it flourish, Dan.
Quote from: cornykev on November 24, 2008, 18:36:47
Sorry my fault for going off thread a bit, I forgot about the missing members, I know of as least two that don't bother any more because of the constent bickering and personal attacks. :( ;D ;D ;D
I can think of two members (or was it one? or perhaps even three?) [mustavagander/penwortham115]
Doesn't the amount of work outside have a bearing on the time available to spend on the forum? I would think that with winter, and the shorter daylight hours, some of the "quieter members" will be on here more often!
I'm a very quiet member - one who visits often, either logged in or not - but I don't want to get involved in certain threads because of the nasty comments. And I'm not confident that my knowledge (VERY basic that it is) is of any use to anyone else! I am very grateful though for all the good advice I've had when I have asked a question! :)
since this thread is here, does anyone hear from gunnerbee?
i have tried messaging :(
if anyone does talk i would love to have contact
lbb
My daughter Bunjy hasn't been on for quite a while cos she's got other fish to fry.lol. The fact is that she is not a natural gardener. Tony and I do it cos we love all aspects of gardening. ( I honestly don't think I could survive without it). She does enjoy growing the veg it's just that she has to push herself to get cracking at it.
Going back to Lindsay's post. When someone asks a question on here. The answers that they get help more people than themselves. Nobody can know all there is to know about gardening.
John Miller....
Miss his informative input :'(
I am not considered a newbie however I am not experienced on these forum thingies and can find it quite intimidating :-[. I enjoy reading a lot of the banter, wished I could join in more but feel as though I am intruding. I do agree with Lindsay sometimes I cringe :o at some of the comments and would hate to be on the receiving end - obviously a sensitive sole.
Quote from: Susiebelle on November 25, 2008, 09:42:27
I am not considered a newbie however I am not experienced on these forum thingies and can find it quite intimidating :-[. I enjoy reading a lot of the banter, wished I could join in more but feel as though I am intruding. I do agree with Lindsay sometimes I cringe :o at some of the comments and would hate to be on the receiving end - obviously a sensitive sole.
You should never feel you are intruding on a forum.They are open to everybody.
I would never feel intimidated by anyone.Nobody is more important than anyone else. :)
Whilst I agree with both of your comments, and do not consider myself a particularly sensitive soul, I stopped posting on another (smaller) gardening related forum because it there were a few people dominating it and it became very 'cliquey'. In the end I just stopped looking because there really wasn't much to learn from it, and I was fed up with a major argument erupting over the most innocent and straightforward question.
I know that goes on here too sometimes, but I do think the overall feel of the forum is good, and like the fact we can mostly post what we like without heavy handed moderation. There are always trolls on every forum, that is what the ignore button is for! ;D
Not a newbie, and not missing.
I lurk here very often, but only log in when I have something to contribute or a question to ask. I suppose a lot of the "missing members" do the same thing.
Also, I visit less frequently as a member because of the posts of certain members, two in particular. The snide remarks and the following arguments made this forum a place where I did not alway feel save enough to participate. My gardening knowledge is basic and I did not want to provoke a put down or an insulting remark. A virtual attack is still painful in real life.
Lately, things took a turn for the better (the ignore button works?) and I do hope that we can get back to being the friendly bunch again.
Welcoming newbies is polite and nice, even if they can find the answer by using 'search' or the wiki. Stupid questions don't exist. And as betula said: there is no such thing as intruding on an open forum.
Greetings from Garjan
I really feel bad about the number of folks who find this forum somewhat intimidating because of what they have read on here. I just hope that I myself have never contributed towards making them feel this way.I must apologise if I have.
I like a bit of banter and a laugh, but please, don't think anyone is intruding, learn a bit about growing veg and have a laugh thats what its all about, Shirl to think you could upset anyone don't make me laugh ;D but I do know what you mean, my humour may offend some so I apolagise if I do so. Some are rude on here and to tell you the truth I havent got involved but its hard well they are having a pop at your friends, so do as TeeGee does and don't bother replying, were our own worse enemys when we feed the fire. ;D ;D ;D
Kev, you make me cry you're so nasty all the time!
I log on every day, but there are some threads that either I haven't contributed to, or haven't replied to, as there is sometimes just the odd person who turns things nasty.
This is a gardening forum - and it's brilliant, informative, supportive & often very funny - and I'd hate it if newcomers were put off by the behaviour of just one or two morons. Most of us are quite nice (even those with a quirky sense of humour!).
i am still here just busy at the moment so cant always post :(
Couldn't agree more with all you folk who have said what a great site A4A is.
I have asked some pretty simple questions over the years but no one has ridiculed me (well maybe once :) I don't suppose I will ever be a really experienced gardener but just enjoy being on here. I also love the friendly banter, and the photographs. Long may it continue.
not so much a newbie but not an old hand either, find the site very informative and havent really had any "run ins" with anyone - everyone seems to be friendly and helpful and where possible i provide advise from what knowledge i have. i come by every day at least once and have a read at the threads and comment where i can
not really had much experiance with other sites, found this one and a couple of others, put only visit this one on a regular basis.
I guess its a slack time of year on the allotment..
Personally i've been snowed under at work recently, despite the "downturn" (is it a recession or not???) we've been really busy saving energy for try somthing new today.
After having me knuckles wrapped..............decided to be a reader only...... till ACE
put a photo up (remember ACE ;D ;D ;D ) hello the wiker wumman..and hello to the
old farts (sorry let that slip ) meant long standing members ;)..is it rainin dioon the borders Carol ....????? ;D ;D ;D ;D
Merry Christmas one and all.............. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
Couldn't agree more with what some others have said. This is a great forum - easily the best allotment and gardening forum I've come across - and it would be a terrible shame if a few rotten apples were allowed to wreck it for others. I've learned a huge amount and had some great laughs. :)
Wicker - how could one forget?
Hyacinth - he's constantly busy. Last time in touch he was under 4 feet of snow!!
Deb - do hope that doesn't include me? I know I talk a lot, but it's all a bit of fun?
I still say highlight WIKI & Search.
Quote from: tim on November 26, 2008, 08:23:23
Hyacinth - he's constantly busy. Last time in touch he was under 4 feet of snow!!
Please pass on my bestest regards to him next time you mail, please?
Thanks.
I must admit I dont post anymore. But still come back and read things :)
Hi to everyone!!
x
Hi Springbokgirlie I had wondered how you were getting on, hope all is well, and the same for all the others who no longer post.
I love A4all and it sees me through some difficult times, I always end up chuckling at something and like others just use the ignore button for those that are too sarcastic - life's too short....
I don't always log in as my family check up on me spending too long on here and not doing what I should be doing! :-[ :-[ I even changed my name at one point!
Long may you all continue posting your wonderful threads, and Lish, your chocolate one was the most wonderful so I had to log in a few times to see how you were all getting on! Should have a smiley with a long nose here!!
Thank you all, have a wonderful christmas and all the best for 2009......but I am sure I will post again before then, in fact I am off to see if Tim has posted a recipe for that lovely looking soup yesterday.... ;)
T.
Oh - Archery - that reminds me of Pixie in Bude. Gone.
And it's my great hobby.
I often wonder what Adam04...who will be Adam08 now, is up to. I wonder if he is any closer to his dream of being a pilot? Wonder if he still helps with his uncle's allotment?
Miss Glyn too. He was funny and he posted some lovely photographs of his home in Canada.
Well this thread has prompted me to go back through the list of members....Baggieboy and his sidekick Ellis :) I remember the first pics of his allotment, the discovery of that fabbo long chicken coop/shed at the end of the plot, Ellis's first day at school and his wanting to keep a cow on the lottie ;D....and now I've just seen that he was back here in August this year (d**n I missed it :() and wow! what a beautiful allotment and double-wows! what superb produce!!
Now off to look for Jethro, our Heath-Robinson inventor....
I wonder what happened to Roy (B'ham). He stopped posting all of a sudden it seemed. :o
Baggieboys thread was a good read and worth a read for any newbies, we do miss you Springbok, don't be a stranger. ;D ;D ;D
Hi all
I am ashamed to say that I am a missing member - but what with having family staying with me since early May through to end August then new job - I have just been swamped.
My poor lottie only gets to see me once a week at most - although I have managed to keep up with most jobs and my sweetpeas are about 15cm already. Can anyone beat that?? But I do manage to post relatively often onto my blog. SO pop in there is you want to know what I am up to.
I look forward to the seed swaps coming up and will promise to visit more often from now on. Will be doing some scouting around the boards tonight to see what's been happening whilst I have been away.
Jitterbug
Maggie, Roy, who created a bit of the bahamas in his garden with his palms and exotic plants 8) had a poorly wife, as I recall? Sometimes RL takes over the cyber one :-\ Lovely man, beautiful garden and yes, he's missed..hope that all is well with him & his :)
Lishka
I hope i am not betraying a trust.
Roys dear wife passed away a while ago, he dosen`t feel able to come back to A4A. I am sure if he ever feels like he would like to he will be in touch.
Rosebud.
Hi Wicker how are you ? lovely to hear from you again do keep in touch.
Love Maryxx.
Mary. Sad news about Roy's wife. Roy was one of the first members to send me a PM. He also had a King Charles Cavalier.
There are members I miss, members who I haven't noticed are missing and members who quite frankly I'm glad to see are no longer posting. So I'd prefer it if sentiments like 'we all miss so and so' were avoided because that is not true. And in my book if I was in possession of information about missing members I'd never post it on the forum unless I had their express permission or (in the case of those who have died or are seriously ill) the permission of their next of kin.
G x
Quote from: Georgie on November 26, 2008, 20:57:54
There are members I miss, members who I haven't noticed are missing and members who quite frankly I'm glad to see are no longer posting. So I'd prefer it if sentiments like 'we all miss so and so' were avoided because that is not true. And in my book if I was in possession of information about missing members I'd never post it on the forum unless I had their express permission or (in the case of those who have died or are seriously ill) the permission of their next of kin.
G x
I agree with what you say Georgie
Georgie, i understand what you are saying RE my post, Roys wife passed away 18mths ago At the time i would not have thought about passing that information on, having spoken to Roy on many ocasions since i know this to be alright to pass on , it was just no one had questioned where he was.
So i know he would not mind now.
Quote from: rosebud on November 26, 2008, 22:08:39
Georgie, i understand what you are saying RE my post, Roys wife passed away 18mths ago At the time i would not have thought about passing that information on, having spoken to Roy on many ocasions since i know this to be alright to pass on , it was just no one had questioned where he was.
So i know he would not mind now.
Well I used to enjoy his posts, Rosebud, and I'm sorry for his loss. It was just that when you said 'I hope I am not betraying a trust' that the alarm bells starting ringing here. Thanks for putting the record straight. :)
G x
I've been AWOL I do drop by every other day, never seem to have the spare time to get stuck into posting though. Hello all :)
For "Missing members" who feel they are not experienced enough to post:
Some of the replies people post may not necessarily suit everyone elses way of gardening; but are personal opinions of what they have found works for them. Not all of the suggestions could be found in a book. I have seen some fantastic innovations on posted pictures that I think WOW.... Never thought of that.... I really must do that or make myself one of those.
None of us are experienced in everything. From the oldest to the newest member - we all ask questions.
I agree with KTLawson, you get information and inspiration for the members of this site. There are always lots of different ways to do things, it is great to listen to others ways of doing and pick and choose what you will find useful or not in your own circumstances. I may be considered sad, but I love looking at photos of other peoples plots, especially 'before & after' shots....perhaps another thread/sub section suggestion?
And there are some good Watershed jokes too! ;D
Hi Wicker - long time no see. :)
Lish, I also speak to John Miller from time to time. He is well, still trying to teach me how to grow a decent water melon in Essex.
Very sad to read about Roy's wife. We have lost a few to that great allotment/garden in the sky it seems.
Quote from: EJ - Emma Jane on November 28, 2008, 22:03:35
We have lost a few to that great allotment/garden in the sky it seems.
We have indeed :'(...I still remember Colin Bellamy Woods with great fondness :)
After that superb pineapple, Emma, how/why is the water melon causing you probs? There's no stopping you! and, btw, while you're reading this, isn't it about time you gave us another picture of your pond, please? 8)
The mighty melon aludes me Lish. Every year, a complete failure, and John, bless him, is very patient and forthcoming with advice. Now I have coldframes - thanks Purple Sprouting, so 2009 will be the year of the melon in Essex!! ;D
Yup, I too aften think of Colin, and Merv who we lost very very early on.
And the pond, I will see if I have one, well I know I have somewhere, leave it with me. ;D
OK thanks, I'll look out for it appearing in the pondy section :D
Maybe we should start a "wellcome back missing members" thread.....??
NITTYNORA!!! Was just logging off when I saw you were looking in! 8) Those nits been keeping you busy, lass? ::) ;) ;D
don't know whether i qualify to post on this :-\ !
haven't posted for couple years now, although continued to look in,
personal circumstances difficult :-X
thought about posting again many times but shy after so long!!
anyway, still gardening time permitting, veg and flowers back garden,
so (timid) hello!
Hello Kerry! (wavy emoticon imagined, please)....we back yard gardners gotta stick together so hope you'll continue looking in and posting when you can 8)
Lishka x
Hello and wellcome Kerry,I'm shy :-[ too (what... :o)and the only way to beat it is keep on posting,and together we will beat this terrible affliction.
thankyou both!for the welcome.
Another shy :-[ one here. ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: cornykev on November 30, 2008, 13:54:47
Another shy :-[ one here. ;D ;D ;D
:o
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Hello from The Netherlands.
Mr. C. told me there was a pm from Wicker, Thank you Wicker, this prompted me do a posting after a long, long time.
I am one of the old beeb deserters that came over here in the early days. Do you remember Tim, I almost had to twist your arm to get you to come over too? Wicker mentioned the quizes on the chat, that was fun, some hilarious answers too.
Maybe I am thankless since I learned so much about veggie growing from posters on this board and then, after gathering so much knowlegde, I disappear instead of helping other people who are new to growing veggies. After a while it did seems that many subjects were repeated but they of course were new to the newer members. This is a good time to thank everybody for sharing their knowledge....... thank you so much.
What have I been up to? Not looking for excuses but Mr. C. and I do lead a busy life. Besides our jobs we now have two allotments and loving it. Our latest experiment is growing our own saffron and are quite successful if I may say so.
We are active for the foodbank too. It started last year when I decided to donate our excess veggies to the foodbank (an organisation that give weekly foodboxes to the needy, mosly people who, through bad luck, got into financial trouble such as devorcees with kids who are left with debts from their exes). The initiative grew and grew. First we collected veggies from other allotmenteers every week until we could no longer transport the loads on our bicycles. Now it runs as a well oiled machine with the foodbank picking up the crates with donations every week. This project is now a normal part of our allotment community of around 200 lots. It's called: "Can you put in an extra row for the foodbank?".
I don't mean to brag about my initiative but it may be something for others to think about doing.
Warmest greetings, joyful holidays and a fantastic, green 2009.
Ina
Lovely to hear from you Ina. Wishing you and Mr C a wonderful Christmas and a fruitful and packed allotment new year! ;D
INA!!!
SO thrilled to read your post, and please give my bestest regards to Mr. C? (Has he returned to normal size btw? I remember we pulled his leg shamelessly ::))
So you've a second allotment now! I remember all the pix you posted of your first and if you're going into production too on the saffron front, the lotties must look a dream! What a splendid initiative you've started for the Foodbank - "can you put in an extra row..." Very Well Done and 10 Gold Stars ********** These will go nicely with your Percy Platter awarded by The Happy Valley Allotment Society in 2002 to the person on the Beeb Boards who "has done more to foster friendships between Allotmenteers than any other...the person who, by sharing their lottie tales, encouraged others to share theirs, thereby turning a run-of-the-mill Question and Answer Page into the thriving cyber-community of lottie friends it is today"....and see what you started?
And so, like way back in 2002, I'll raise my glass of parsnip wine to you and your continued success.
love Lishka xxx
Ah, Emma and Lish, almost like the old days. Thank you both for the nice replies.
I should try and visit more often and get to know this new community. I will behave better this time around and not let myself be dared into joking around with the hedge hog ladie and get her all upset, remember that one?
All the best,
Ina
;D ;D ;D
What a lovely thread! Ina, you don't know me, but I am so impressed with the foodbank idea. What a great and simple idea! I may have words with people here and see if we can do something similar. Trouble is, in these times of financial hardship, I worry peole may not be so keen to share...we will see!
Lovely to see you back though, I remember great pics of your plots next to the water.
I'm impressed with the foodbank idea too. The nearest I have got to it is occasional donations to local charity stalls, but I am bearing it in mind to suggest to others in these difficult days.
VERY impressed about growing saffron. I bought some bulbs and they came up year after year but never flowered. They have now disappeared.
Any hints?
I mean, of course, saffron corms....
We've not met Ina, I'm the shy one :-[ but its great to see the work your doing over in orangeland. ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: cornykev on December 22, 2008, 20:36:57
We've not met Ina, I'm the shy one :-[ but its great to see the work your doing over in orangeland. ;D ;D ;D
Shy! mwah mwah mwah! ;D ;D ;D
Yes - Ina - well remembered!
So sorry I've not replied to your letter, but give me time!!
Ah, there you are Tim, glad to see you are still an active member. Take all the time you want, I can't imagine it's much since you are not a man to waste words.
(Sorry folks, I didn't mean to hijack this tread)
Hello Artichoke!
This is Mr.C here. Ina asked if I would respond to your query, as I was the one who did the crocus experiment.
I understand that the leading reason for these types of crocuses not flowering is that they are not planted deep enough. 15cms (6 inches) is the ideal depth. Also if you do not have good drainage they may also not do as well as you like...as well as rot eventually.
BTW...are you trying to grow them in the ground or in a container? This could also play a role.
Another factor is the pH of the soil and the richness.
I hope this helps. If not you can always ask more questions. No problem there.
Good luck,
Mr. C
Missing members? Reminds me of the joke...
"I'm not a complete idiot... some of the parts are missing!"
;D