[Mithalwen]

I really wasn't going to say any more but , while fully appreciating that people can have very different experiences of the same place, I would want to balance that a little since I found Davem encouraging in my albeit limited "Books" participation. He and HI and Fordim were particularly encouraging to me as a newcomer and the only really serious topic I have started there was inspired by, or more accurately ripped off from, a Davem post.

And on the in for a penny in for a pound theory I will add that if the mods and admins collectively do not have the unfailing loyalty that Bethberry feels they deserve, then it may be that for some of us they are remote figures. I have been here for two and a half years, nearly every day (sad sack that I am) and have participated in all parts of the forum apart from the New Silmarillion and many of them are no more than names . This may be a sign that I have kept my nose relatively clean, but it is asking a lot to expect people to trust people they don't know over those that they do.

Finally, I would state again that the the community statement was not an attempt to destroy the Downs. The choice as far as I was concerned,was to speak out and hope that a way through could be found or to simply leave. Some of you may have preferred that. Staying and pretending it never happened was not a long term option, I tried for a while and found I couldn't live with my conscience. We didn't do this frivolously, and believe me, having had been sneered at by people I had previously regarded as friends, I can see the attraction of turning a blind eye. Nevertheless I do not regret my choice