Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi Folks
While trawling the forum a few comments caught my attention. They were to the effect that some members are feeling a little worried that certain threads are becoming a little too 'political' and heavy. As a result they are being deterred from joining in. There are not many such comments, but enough to prompt me to 'come among you' from my great carrot patch in the sky (office in Horncastle actually) to remind one and all what the forum is intended to be about.
Quite simply it should be a place where like-minded folk can chat about their plots (and related topics) and as a bonus get answers to their gardening questions. Light-hearted banter is to be encouraged, if not compulsory. Even deep philosophical discussion is OK (mind if I don't join in on this one - life is too short...oops nearly started a new thread there!), but tearing strips from each other in public is definately not. I can deal with soil, worms and spiders, but not blood.
So lets discuss till the cows come home, but please let's keep it light-hearted, respectful and accessible.
If we do the KG forum will remain what it should be - a hub of conversation revolving around the best hobby anyone could have. If we don't...suffice it to say Lady Lettuce has a very large, sharpened carrot waiting in Horncastle for anyone lacking a sense of humour!

Have i missed something.

Hear hear Captain.

Just to say, I think that we ALL want to get along. I think that mutual respect is what it's all about. Indeed, it's not rocket science. So, lets have an end to it. As for the admins, I think they have a VERY thankless task, not one that I would relish. So, just to say, thanks mods

Thanks Captain Carrot and nice to hear from you

Thanks also to Freddy, it's actually quite a nice job being a moderator, most of the time

... and thank you to Captain Carrot and mods.

I don't disagree with anything that has been written above, but I do feel that part of the problem is that it only takes one controversial / slightly patronising comment for someone to 'bite'. I think the best idea is not to 'bite' and think before you click submit, and remember you can edit afterwards if you need.

Always read back the post to see if you would be offended if you read what it is you just wrote, hopefully things will turn out as Captain Carrot has said above. Incidentally CC I think you hit just the right spot with the tone of your posting

CoMpO

Thanks Compo, and thanks to all who have responded so far. I know we are all of the same mind really and it's only a very minor hiccup that I felt bound to respond to. It's so hard not to react strongly when the topic is something you care passionately about, but I think your advice is perfect Compo - consider before you click!

Out on the plot with Lady Lettuce today taking pictures for the January issue and it's fffffffreezing!!! But at least it's stopped raining...for today anyway!

Mmmm
just this week had a look at this forum again. I used to contribute regularly. (from 2001) The main reason I stopped was because of a few regular posters who were rather kneejerk in their reactions to certain topics and the way they denigated others (viewpoints)/ranted/started posts purposely to bang their drum. They were aggressive and dogmatic, and some still are as I see from recent similar discussions.

Moderation like this should have been going on years ago in my opinion.
Personally I think that certain members need moderating rather than thread subject itself - surely polite debate is possible.

Most members seem kindly souls - even the 'ranters' most of the time - if only they weren't so quick to leap in with negative comments/rants

I didn't have time for it then and probably shouldn't now.

Having said all this, compared to other forums I have looked at it's pretty tame!

Good Luck

PS Old Herbaceous is still as kind and charming as ever

yes, i'm lost for words.

Could we not now draw a line under this.

Here here Shallotman

Ok, what did I miss? It definitely wasn't me, I didn't do it. Wasnt here, nor was Grockie

Personally, I think people can express their opinions, but keep it nice, polite and dont make it personal. Surely we're all old enough and ugly enough to be able to agree to differ like big kids.

This topic has run its course and it IS time to draw a line under the matter and move on, so I am now locking this thread.

Please note that I will be VERY inclined to arbitarily delete any further posts making reference to the matter wherever they appear.