86 replies to this topic

[stumpy]

A new day, a new dawn but compelled to put this together. The recent rift has not gone away for me. THE TRUTH, I have been very concerned about the forum and how it has been managed since before Christmas, JT knew of this (slagged me off to those that would listen) but things got busy for both of us, nothing got resolved. Not about money, theft, dishonesty, committees, etc but about the limited knowledge as to just what the fcuk is going on behind the scenes. Twas me that got some senior (i.e been with the board a long time, not necessarily number of posts), there where five of us and it was certainly NOT a John Thorne “bashing session” it was NOT a secret meeting and it ABSOLUTELY was not about harming this wonderful community. I, and me alone, asked some people to get together to talk about what was working and what was not. I wanted to be told that the “web site” was just fine and nothing needed doing. Well, the issues came up and ALL agreed that we have holes and things had fallen between cracks. (At over 70mph to find people wandering across an airfield was not an amusing subject, to then discover “an error or judgement, oversight, mistake, whatever” to me is simply abhorrent. I will not take that further, as it services no purpose) Hoping that any outcome could be taken to John, presented, discussed and a new model of working (John: with help from friends) may be put together for the benefit of all. I now understand that legal action is being discussed and that the “secret” meeting representatives are all in the firing line! WTF? John, leave Skiddo et al alone, there WILL be another club, it WILL be endorsed by GM, it WILL have the minimum capability to support such stuff as PL and you know, it might not have 1150 members, it might not fly, but it will be safe, transparent and with limited bureaucratic stuff. Donnington and Colin Blower prompted me to get the meeting together, those there will understand, that’s not meant to be cryptic, I don’t want to keep the obvious pain caused by PB’s thread open, but to hear that you are ranting behind the scenes and you will not even come to the table is just childish. NOBODY wanted that to happen, it was meant to protect YOU and everybody else out on a limb. You might be happy, or even capable of losing a few bob, but others are not AND that it the main reason WE the “secret” meeting got together. I want you all to be safe, be good (well ish!) and enjoy the little plastic car. Am off to find peace somewhere elsewhere, delete thread, userid, if required. I don’t want to fight, I hate to harm this forum and the people herein. Take care all, friends will remain friends……. Stumps

[waverunner]

Time for me to have my say too I think. I've been watching the recent events from the sidelines, just playing guest and wanting to be anonymous to see how it all panned out. Now I haven't been part of any "secret" meetings. I tend to keep my own counsel and would probably not have attended even if asked, but I have to say I've been somewhat unhappy with the way things have been progressing here. Nothing I could put my finger on - just call it gut feeling if you like - it may just be the way the forum has been evolving - but its certainly not as it once was and not to my mind how it should be. Maybe its just what I am. I'm used to things being done a certain way - my way - and the forum is not as I would want it if I were in John's shoes. Now I want to make this absolutely clear that I know of no wrong doings on the part of any person or persons involved with this site, and I personally want to thank John because without him this forum would not have got off the ground. But it is now of a size and complexity that in my view it is just too much for any one person to run. I will still be around from time to time but probably won't bother posting and I think as I've now aired my views I won't be attending any meets etc. Enjoy your VXs guys. At the end of the day that's really what its all about. Wavey

Edited by waverunner, 09 May 2004 - 06:25 AM.

[GerryM]

I am absolutely gobsnmacked!! Why is everybody jumping ship? Why the 'secret' meeting Why cannot it be sorted out by adults? Why have some senior members turned in to kids? TALK !!!

[vee ex]

Can I get in here quick before this thread becomes so long it not readable.. I am just one of your very very ordinary members. I wanted a VX - found this site - and joined as it seemed just what I needed for advice, tips, insights etc to ownership. I've now bought the car, and this site has been bloody great so far - things i've learned I would have had no idea about....and a great bunch of members who seem to be a damn site more sensible than some on other sites. I am not a "web expert". I don't know how it works, so if whoever runs this site is having problems - tell us all and let us know how we can help. Don't let it go down the pan . Please. Vee Ex (Pete)

[ianrm]

Well said Pete.

[rasputin]

more back stabbing in a public forum yawn think i ll throw myself on my sword later. oh but only if someones watching

Edited by rasputin, 09 May 2004 - 08:16 AM.

[Turbo Head]

it was certainly NOT a John Thorne “bashing session” it was NOT a secret meeting and it ABSOLUTELY was not about harming this wonderful community.

. I now understand that legal action is being discussed and that the “secret” meeting representatives are all in the firing line! WTF?

John, leave Skiddo et al alone,

Donnington and Colin Blower prompted me to get the meeting together, those there will understand, that’s not meant to be cryptic,

You, may not have intended to turn it into a 'John Thorne bashing session' but that's what clearly happened. I don't think this has been handled at all well, and yes you have damaged this community.

As for legal action being taken that's a pesonal matter but if you through wild accusations around in public, you have to face the consequences.

'Donnington and Colin Blower prompted me to get this meeting together'. Cryptic, I should say WTF does that mean. Please enlighten us.

[Dave]

If anyone else wants to go.................leave gracefully..........stop posting.........we have heard all the "stories".............I no longer wish to read about the in house (or other) claim/counter claims.

The man who set up this site has made his statement. Leave it as that.

If you dont like it, vote with your feet but dont harp on about it.

Whatever the intentions were it has done harm to individuals and maybee this site.

Please no more.


Dave

Edited by Dave, 09 May 2004 - 08:46 AM.

[Steve Crisp]

I'm with you Dave. For F**** sake SHUT UP. It's Thorney's site. He likes doing it. If he earns out of it then that's fine by me. All this sh*t has nothing to do with the car. Go and squabble somewhere else. Steve

[Blanchie]

I'm with you Dave.

For F**** sake SHUT UP.

It's Thorney's site. He likes doing it. If he earns out of it then that's fine by me. All this sh*t has nothing to do with the car.

Go and squabble somewhere else.


Steve

couldn't agree more.

[Ozzig]

I'm with you Dave.

For F**** sake SHUT UP.

It's Thorney's site. He likes doing it. If he earns out of it then that's fine by me. All this sh*t has nothing to do with the car.

Go and squabble somewhere else.


Steve

couldn't agree more.

Seconded

[cheeky_chops]

FFS, this isnt going to go away however much you stick you head in the sand and shout "Go away". Like Wavey, i have been keeping well away from it, however, some of the first and most senior members here (who have insight into the club) have a variety of grievances, allegations and problems with the current format. This isnt just a flash i the pan though - I had a conversation late last summer about a meeting and we discussed some of the issues rasied over the last few days. Nothing came of it and i was not invited to a formal discussion. People keep saying "i like it the way it is" - i LIKE it the way it is! But to 95% of members the "it" is the web site. That isnt the issue. The issue is the backoffice. Organisation. Clarity. Sustainability. Risk. Finances. Meets. And a whole lot more.... Will i be quitting or cease posting? No, what will that acheive? Will i be involved in a new club? I honestly havent a clue. There is no smoke without fire guys and the quicked you all realise that, the better. CC

Edited by cheeky_chops, 09 May 2004 - 10:02 AM.

[Andy]

I'm with you Dave.

For F**** sake SHUT UP.

It's Thorney's site. He likes doing it. If he earns out of it then that's fine by me. All this sh*t has nothing to do with the car.

Go and squabble somewhere else.


Steve

couldn't agree more.

Seconded

Ditto that

[Valentine]

I'm with Vee ex on this. I'm a new and ordinary member, found the site because I wanted a VX and now I've got one still find the site immensly useful and entertaining. If you have back room issues sort them out there not in public. All you are doing is confusing us normal members and its making those of you involved look childish.

[robin]

i cant see what a second vx site is going to gain as it more than likely end as a im in this site and that sites this bitching contest (this i really hope doesnt happen!) im sure people who are leaving can leave as doing and let the site that a lot of people are happy with to continue,i wish all that leave best of luck. now get on with it and if anyone has things they want to air pm the main person and stop the bitching.

[cheeky_chops]

i cant see what a second vx site is going to gain

absolutely

I wonder what Vauxhalls' take on this is??

[speedyK]

Not about money, theft, dishonesty, committees, etc but about the limited knowledge as to just what the fcuk is going on behind the scenes.

Well, the issues came up and ALL agreed that we have holes and things had fallen between cracks.

...there WILL be another club,... ... will be safe, transparent and with limited bureaucratic stuff.

...meant to protect YOU and everybody else out on a limb. You might be happy, or even capable of losing a few bob, but others are not AND that it the main reason WE the “secret” meeting got together. 

As a longstanding member, who knew nothing of the concerns that have been expressed in the last few days, I have to say I am very surprised by these developments.

From what I (and I suppoose the majority of us "on the outside") can surmise, this is about the organisation of this site. Thorney likes to call it a club, our club. That's a matter of interpretation. For me it is first and foremost a web forum with participants who occasionally get together at various events.

Thorney set up the site as a home for the VX community and has always seemed open to suggestions to improve it. He has enquired as to the wishes of members in this respect. I still maintain that it's up to him to do or not do what he sees fit though - with any consequencies for the site in terms of members joining or leaving. As far as organising events is concerned, IMHO it is up to those who involve themselves in the organisation to ensure that all has been covered. Implementing the solution with check lists sounds sensible.

HOWEVER, all the above is secondary. This whole debate would seem to be about "transparency" (note that the PL issue apparently only came out after this debate had started and AFAIK, any financial issues are also settled ...).

I'm sure the advocates of change are acting in what they feel to be the best interests of the forum, BUT I cannot help but allow myself the remark that for a group who wish for more "transparency", they are being frustratingly circumspect in stating their case. Vague innuendos such as "Donnington and Colin Blower" are hardly helping those of us on the outside to understand. Demanding more transparency whilst being singularly opaque yourself does not seem a very tenable stance to me!

If therre are issues that people are not happy about, can we PLEASE have them clearly stated, "on the table" in black and white, with no more talking "round the houses", (with any claims supported by documentary evidence, please) so that the regular forum members who are somewhat bewildered by all this can understand.

Transparency from BOTH sides, please.

I have grave doubts as to the sense of setting up another site for VXers – surely it would be better to openly discuss any issues on this one?! We're all adults – more or less – if all are prepared to talk freely, then the members can decide for themselves.

Thank you

[P11 COV]

I'm with you Dave.

For F**** sake SHUT UP.

It's Thorney's site. He likes doing it. If he earns out of it then that's fine by me. All this sh*t has nothing to do with the car.

Go and squabble somewhere else.


Steve

couldn't agree more.

Seconded

Ditto that

Ditto.
Please if your'e not happy - go set up your own site/club/meets etc - just don't try to stir up dissent before you go!!!

[Ricky2772]

if that is what the "dissenter's group" aims, a more co-ordinated, organic and jerarchic group, BY ALL MEANS, DO IT!!!

at the end, it will be "THE PEOPLE" that will decide where to hang around..... no big deal.

just stop messing around here with sneaky innuendos of "something is not right ", since what is wrong in YOUR eyes, might be PERFECTION in MY eyes....

so, get out and deliver your own baby, and once out of the womb, come here and proudly display "it" to this community.
I'm sure MOST of us will cheer it and salute its birth with true joy and partecipation.... afterall, the more about VX/speedster, the better.

Edited by Ricky2772, 09 May 2004 - 01:17 PM.

[GazC]

I'm with you Dave.

For F**** sake SHUT UP.

It's Thorney's site. He likes doing it. If he earns out of it then that's fine by me. All this sh*t has nothing to do with the car.

Go and squabble somewhere else.


Steve

couldn't agree more.

Seconded

Ditto that

Ditto.
Please if your'e not happy - go set up your own site/club/meets etc - just don't try to stir up dissent before you go!!!

I agree with Steve's quote.