Or has this forum really lost its sparkle since it went "moderated"

Come back SilverSurfer, all is forgiven.

The new Forum has now been running for approximately 2 months and I feel this is a sufficient time period to consider whether the new format has been successful or not.

In my opinion the new Forum has been a total failure. 

Previously we had a vibrant Forum with many varied contributions. The layout was clear and easy to read and the coloured headings made it simple to see the most recent postings. 

The new Forum on many occasions is difficult to access, is too busy and not user friendly. It is difficult to read, with text often falling outside the margins and it is not easy to see new postings without having to scroll through previous entries.

The new Forum is dominated by 3 “advanced members” i.e Fedup, Jake and R Stephenson-Smythe. These gentlemen seem to take pleasure in hijacking a significant number of topics to engage in their own obscure personal ramblings. 

It would also appear that at least one of the gentlemen is also posting under another pseudonym. However, this may not be the case and perhaps Fedup, Jake and R Stephenson - Smythe could confirm or deny whether they have been posting under another name. 

The main failure of the new Forum is the lack of people willing to contribute to the topics. The data supplied suggests there are many people viewing the site but the majority are reluctant to contribute. There may be many reasons for this reluctance but I feel the main reason is that people are unwilling to divulge their E-mail address. In my experience an E-mail address in the wrong hands is a very dangerous position to be in.

The old Forum had it's downside and, of course, it should not be possible for contributors to place defamatory or slanderous comments on a Town Council website. However the action taken in withdrawing the old site, in my opinion, was too much and follows an increasing pattern in this country, where the minority spoil the pleasure of the majority. 

My suggestion would be to bring back the old Forum in it's previous format but with regular monitoring to ensure any unsavory postings were removed immediately. Perhaps a censorship committee could be set up comprising the Town Clerk, Town Councilors and the Administration team to ensure the regular monitoring of the site. From the postings I do not feel this would be too onerous task for the people involved. 

On a positive note the new Forum has introduced us to Gnatalee and Frankie. These two contributors have provided us with some excellent and enjoyable topics. It is a pity that people are unwilling to reply to their postings. 

These views are, of course, my own and I would welcome the comments of others if you are able, or willing to comment, as I feel that unless action is taken we may well rename the site “The Whaley Boredom.”

Hi Wily

I have read your post with interest and feel the need to add a few points of my own.

I wasn't a contributor to the previous board and was a little confused as to what might have gone on before. Needless to say that my view is, therefore, not coloured by what "used be".

Because I don't live in Whaley (although my family originated there, from 1850's - 1940's and my visits have been many) I was heartened on joining this forum by the help I received regarding the family photos I posted. 

Wily, you say that you have been monitoring the new board for 2 months and and now feel able to comment on how well it is going. Do you not think that had you contributed to the board it would have been a more positive action? When Chris (a newcomer to Whaley) was asking about pubs and kitchen fitters did you not feel able, when "monitoring the board", to offer friendly advice?

I don't really think it is fair to criticise when you haven't contributed yourself.

Come on the good people of Whaley Bridge - this is your community. Make use of this excellent facility!  If you aren't interested in a particular post - don't answer - just start one of your own. Not everyone is interested in the same posts. A little more variety of contributions may draw in more people - there are obviously plenty of people browsing who don't contribute - I think it is "put your money where your mouth is" time.

Regarding the title of "Advanced Member" - you only get this rank if you have contributed "x" number of times to the board - come on in, the water's fine, you too could be an Advanced member - get posting !!

I'm not having a go, as such, I just think that Whaley is lucky to have people willing to contribute to the board - I just wish more would do so. Look forward to hearing from you all.

Gnats

Edited by user 29 May 2009 20:20:58(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

R. S-S

I don't know what to say! When I read your post I couldn't believe the news !! Until last November I had not known of WHJ's existence. I had seen his name listed online for the memorial in Whaley park but my Dad said he wasn't related (he didn't know about him, having been born a number of years after his death). It was only when I obtained the records via Ancestry that I realised that WHJ on the 1901 census was my Dad's Uncle.

I can't thank you enough for your kindness in thinking about my family and taking photos of the cemetery and grave in France. My g.Uncle was posted to France during the 1st World War at the age of 18 at the beginning of April 1918 and died on the 27 April 1918. I can't imagine what the family must have gone through, and two years later they were still getting forms to sign to sort out all the formalities.

It would suit me if I could e-mail Stephanie at the Council so that she could pass on my e-mail address to you and you could then e-mail the photos. Could you let me know how to contact her please?

I shouldn't worry about offending anyone with your posting - if it does, then shame on them. You have done my family a great service with your kindness and I very much appreciate your thought and consideration. 

I look forward to hearing more !

Gnats

Edited by user 29 May 2009 22:12:24(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

OK, so lets think why this forum is in the doldrums.  I personally think that the layout  and format is better-in that any reply to a previous post is now at the top of the tree and not languishing unread, many pages lower.

Whaley is a unique place and has many free spirits, characters and individuals that dont like regulation-even if only perceived. It is also unfortunatley a place of much apathy- it is now approaching summer and we have evil, smelly public toilets-hardly anywhere to for our visitors to dine on a Sunday--where's the hanging baskets, where's the colour  OK a well dressing, where there was allegedly once a well. A carnival that has become a parade of wannabe starlets.  A popular "smoking shelter" that was removed ( sorry drifting off course)

During the recent bank holidays, there were no events listed on this forum

We have a significant influx of new people who do not particpate in the community apart from the odd pint in the quaint old sheps and internet shopping at the "corner shop"

I could go on, but my point is really that the forum is simply a reflection of how it really is at the moment and it needs some leadership, investment and the will of the people to change this.

Do our elected representatives have any plans? Do we want them to take the lead ? Just what do we want?

Firstly:more residents need to be made aware that there is actually a forum

Secondly: All residents must support local business and buy sea bass from the veg shop,chinley lamb form Mr Wild and wine and belgian beer from our independants -to this end an awareness campain (leaflet drop?) could be instigated-funded by the chamber of commerce-sorry, I forgot they will be mostly estate agents! 

Surely, a start would be to do something with the Jodrell the building that dominates the town and greets visitors by train and coach-but if they cant even sort out the crescent in Buxton-is there any hope

Third:-(no one expects.....etc)  cant think of a third at this hour -but I may

Cheers

Edited by user 30 May 2009 07:31:46(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Well, what a day !

I am so grateful to you R.S-S because although I had been hoping to get out to northern France it certainly won't be this year ! My family is very fortunate to have someone kind enough to go to so much trouble. I will contact Jake this week and sort out how to get the photos.

You may or may not know R.S-S that William Cellandine Jodrell was the father of Lottie Jodrell, who married Percy Jones (brother of WHJ and uncle of my Dad, and possibly the guy in the white apron in the background of the photo which I posted of the barbers !) Percy and Lottie lost a son in the 2nd World War.

Its amazing isn't it, a couple of months ago I posted a question on this site asking what the local newspaper was to get a couple of photos printed and now, here I am, with more information than I could possibly have dreamt of and a community of friends who have helped !

Thank you all who have been chatting to me over the past couple of months - long may it last !

Gnats

Edited by user 30 May 2009 20:04:25(UTC)  | Reason: To make it pretty !

I like the new format, but what drives me mad is the out of date info for schools/organisations/sports centre on the website.  So many of the contact names and numbers are wrong.  There are also lots of other clubs and activites that aren't mentioned.   I don't know who, if anyone is responsible for the updates, but if there were a bit of a concerted effort to get the info up to date, then more people would use the website ( and hopefully this forum).