Burr available in Islington

[Les Symonds]

OK....I bow to superior and majority comment. I had been concerned about the issue that John Smith mentioned (above) of people joining the forum, not because of an interest in woodturning, but for personal gain. Looking on the bright side, at least this thread got a lot more exposure because of my comments!
Les

[crazylegs]

Good to hear.

[Dave Atkinson]

Hi

I'd just like to clear up a little misunderstanding.  Anyone can join the AWGB, being a woodturner is not a pre-requisite.  Having said that I guess a person would have some passing interest in the craft, even if they didn't actively turn.  I'm sure we all know people who indulge in armchair hobbies, I have one or two myself.

As for joining the forum just to sell something useful or a post a single question, as long as people abide by the forum rules anyone can join.  If I look at the number of members many haven't posted at all. 

In this case I'm delighted that the tree will be used for something other than firewood.  I'm also jealous because it's too far for me to go! 

Best wishes to all and keep posting!

Dave (AWGB Chairman)

[Les Symonds]

Thank you for clarifyling that, Dave. If I have caused any awkwardness or ill-feeling, I apologise.
Les

[Dave Atkinson]

Thank you for clarifyling that, Dave. If I have caused any awkwardness or ill-feeling, I apologise.
Les

Kind or you to say that Les, I'm sure you didn't cause any problems at all, (and if you did you'll be forgiven now  )

Take care Dave

[John D Smith]

 Well done Ed I hope the wood turns out to be worth you efforts.

                           Regards John

                                       

[Paul Hannaby]

Firstly, the forum is open to anyone who wants to use it - woodturner or not - as long as the subjects are related.

Secondly, if anyone has an objection to either a post or a member, they should contact the moderators rather than launching a public inquiry!

Thirdly, You may have noticed a number of non-woodturning related topics being discussed in this section. As long as the subjects are sensible, we aren't going to stop that.

The reason I post ads for people is because they either don't want to sign up on the forum or they aren't computer literate and I think the items being sold may be of interest to a member.

If I was a newcomer, thinking of joining the forum and I read this, I think I would have gone elsewhere! So much for tolerance!!!

[Les Symonds]

Paul…..I must say that I am somewhat puzzled by your reply. I had apologised and my apology was accepted, so as far as I understood, the matter was closed, yet now it has been re-opened by you, a few days later, making a number of adverse comments about my words, and that is a shame.
Let me deal with some of the points that you have raised.
You say that the forum is open to anyone……it might have been more helpful if you had explained why this is now the case when clearly it was not a few years ago. I explained that when I joined, about 4 years ago, there was a question/answer exercise that all applicants had to complete to join the forum. As I further mentioned, the AWGB’s own home page states that “…the AWGB is a national body representing woodturners”. That seems unequivocal to me, but if it is wrong, perhaps it needs to be changed so that others are not misled by it.
I did not object to the post, I simply asked the question if the post was in the spirit of the forum, and I certainly did not launch a public enquiry. Those are strong words that you have used to buttress your opinion, Paul, but they are inaccurate words and I find them mildly offensive. In my belief that the AWGB was for woodturners, I explained that it concerned me that some people seem to join the forum for short term gain rather than for a genuine interest of woodturning. Let us be honest, we have all noticed new members make a single post involving the sale of something, only to then disappear off the forum.
You say that in times of a disagreement, we should contact the moderator, but what happened to free speech, Paul? Do you honestly mean to say that a member cannot raise an issue like this without being in breach of a rule – that seems rather draconian. I think that it is a sad state of affairs if we cannot debate such issues without fearing the sort of response that you have made to this thread. Disagreements are a part of what make us individuals, and society would be much the poorer without them. I used polite language when I raised my concerns about this post and I believe that if anything is out of order, it is the attitude that we, as responsible members of this forum, are not allowed to discuss issues like this.

Les

[crazylegs]

As a new member I read this thread with interest as it for me was a healthy exchange of views on a subject I personally thought was directly related to wood turning. It seemed that everyone had their views and that these were being respected by all.
 That was until the last post by the moderator.
I am perplexed as to why this was needed in a post that had run its course with all parties happy? I can only hope this was written earlier and was out of sync with the threads. I hope this was the case.
I as the new member am not put off in the slightest by the open exchange of views, I will undoubtedly disagree with some things but that is how life is. What will put me off is if there is a heavy handed approach by moderators. If there is no abuse, swearing, threats, scams or open advertising then for me,  the new boy, honest discussion is to be applauded and long may it continue. As for moderating surely the aim is to not let personal views come into it. To look at a thread from both sides. I did not see a public inquiry or lack of tolerance, quite the opposite, I saw a discussion where all involved generously accepted the comments made.

[Les Symonds]

Thank you, Crazylegs, it's encouraging to read your comments.
Les

[GBF]

Having met Paul Hannaby on many ocasions and had him at our Club as a demonstrator I have found him to be a very likable person.
His knowledge and ablity as a woodturner is unquestionable.
However I think Paul is a very poor Moderator he seems to want to stamp his authority on threads very often unnesaserily in my opinion.
I get fed up looking at threads to see that comments have been removed and I cannot imagine anything can have been said that was offensive enough to warrent it.
Paul please dont take my comment as a personnal attack on you it is not I just think you need to lighten up a bit sometimes and be less
authoritarian.
The Forum belongs to all of it Members it is not the Paul Hannaby Forum

Regards George

[John D Smith]

 
 Hi everyone,
                   It is a shame this thread has got to this stage I say to you Paul you over the last number of years you have worked tirelessly in the work you have done for the AWGB and I for one applaud this dedication I love to be active in this forum but lets keep it open to democratic speech I know we have in the past had a few not so nice comments but that is water under the bridge don't turn this Forum into something of a police state because I think this thread was fair discussion and the comments made were genuine also a lot of the comments came from Members who play a large part in keeping this Forum interesting and informative so let us enjoy the Forum for what it is.
                       Regards John

[bodrighywood]

We need to be aware that making comments online can be misread as there is no face to face contact but I have to say that removing comments etc is not acceptable unless they are personally offensive and discussions such as the one that this thread was originally about should be seen for what they are, open, courteous and IMHO not at all offensive. Differing opinions are a healthy part of society and should be seen as such and not criticised. If there is a need for verbal discipline from a moderatorthen it should be done by PM between the moderator and the person concerned.

Pegte

[Les Symonds]

Thank you everyone....I am heartened by the comments.
Les

[dubturner]

Much ado about nothing methinks.