Oban Times ad...

[Kathy Bowles]

Lots of room in that wee paddock! How many caravans do you think!

[jimcee]

Two points-
Having had a quick look at the Paddock (just a field with a hut in it) with debatable sea views and a rather pock marked access road, there seems little appeal to the site for "Travellers" .
Now the definition of a traveller is one who goes from one place to another, and many of us do this on holiday without need of a Paddock. Some travellers take their own accommodation with them on these jaunts and they are usually referred to as "caravanners or campers". But "travellers" in this context usually refers to itinerants of no fixed abode, who move with their accommodation from one site to another, for indeterminate lengths of time, along a contiuous route.
There seems little attraction for those of this persuasion to sidetrack with their cumbersome living quarters off arterial routes into this backwater, out of the mainstream of their itinerary.
Second - Given (doubtable) that this site might be a magnet for everyone of a traveller persuasion, what would be the advantage to the infrastructure of the island ? Here, I would like proponents of the suggestion that this would be a welcome to our diversity, to come forward with ideas or suggestions of how this would enhance the lives of those who already live here.

[PentlandPirate II]

Would a wooden signpost at Euston Station and Dover docks pointing to Seil Island with 'Benefits Office' written in Romanian be what you are thinking of?

[NickB]

Would a wooden signpost at Euston Station and Dover docks pointing to Seil Island with 'Benefits Office' written in Romanian be what you are thinking of?

Dodgy post Pirate, with distinct overtones of racism.

I'll leave it to Herby to decide whether to do anything about it or not, but it is certainly not a post I would be proud of.

[PentlandPirate II]

Oh come on this topic is all over the news.

[NickB]

Oh come on this topic is all over the news.

Yes, and the stories about the Romanian hordes coming here to live off our welfare state have been proven to be a total crock.

(I was going to ask if you believe everything you read in the red tops, then I realised it was a daft question)

[PentlandPirate II]

(I was going to ask if you believe everything you read in the red tops, then I realised it was a daft question)

The freedom of the press and the red tops have exposed, by means legal and illegal, many true stories of national importance and public interest........and most people have been pleased that the truth of those matters came out.

Yes, and the stories about the Romanian hordes coming here to live off our welfare state have been proven to be a total crock.

Not necessarily.

The inclusion of 'travellers welcome' is surely a good idea for diversity on the island.

You don't think there was a hint of sarcasm in this?

[NickB]

.
Fewer immigrants from Romania and Bulgaria are arriving than last year - despite the EU gates being opened, a Sunday People investigation shows.

Rumours of a flood of benefit tourists have been shown to be utter nonsense, just another bogeyman to scare children with.

The truth is, our glorious United Kingdom has very average welfare benefits by European standards, and a disturbingly unwelcoming attitude towards immigrants. Most come here to work then get the hell out and go home as soon as possible. Those that stay pay more taxes and draw less benefits than the natives.

UK Immigrants 'Pay More Taxes And Draw Less Benefits' Than Native Brits

[longshanks]

Englandshire

I am intrigued as to why a forumite who has chosen a quintessentially English user name would chose to use that expression which I have occasionally heard used as a term of derision.

......oh, before you ask my user name is the sarcastic/ironic nickname I acquired at prep school (in fact given to me by my Latin Master) on account of my short stature, which has stuck with me ever since.; nought to do with Edward the First.

[NickB]

. . . my user name is the sarcastic/ironic nickname I acquired at prep school (in fact given to me by my Latin Master) on account of my short stature, which has stuck with me ever since.; nought to do with Edward the First.

Aye, you've given us this explanation before. Except that last time you said it was because you were so tall.

I still find it strange that someone would choose to use a nickname that is associated with one of the most reviled figures in Scottish history.

Why are you having a go at Elaine? I suggest you look in the phone book. And perhaps look up her (local) ancestry while you are at it.

I am always happy to see people posting under their own names. In fact, I am seriously thinking of making it compulsory.

'Quintissentially English' my Erse.

[longshanks]

Why are you having a go at Elaine? I suggest you look in the phone book. And perhaps look up her (local) ancestry while you are at it.

I am always happy to see people posting under their own names. In fact, I am seriously thinking of making it compulsory.

'Quintissentially English' my Erse.

I wasn't having a go at "Elaine" as a person, far from it........I was commenting on (having a go at) the use of the word "Englandshire" which I've heard as a term of derision by an insular small minority of my fellow Scots against the English but never by someone whom, it is now clear thanks to your phonebook suggestion, has an English name indicating English ancestry.

S'all.

Erse is the gaelic word for the gaelic language and I fail to see the connection with the phrase 'Quintissentially English'.

I agreem with your plan to make the use of posters own names compulsory but do wonder how we will know if they've made up the name.

[longshanks]

Here's a plan.

Send an "all member PM" requesting that all reregister with their own name and to provide a landline number with a two week deadline.

Most will be local and can be checked against the phonebook.

First time they post thereafter a quick call from one of the team to that number to confirm they are genuine.

Then approval and on they go..

[NickB]

I agreem with your plan to make the use of posters own names compulsory but do wonder how we will know if they've made up the name.

We'll know.

If there is any doubt further proof of identity in the form of an address will be required before the person is allowed to post under that name. This is easily checked and avoids having to make what could turn out to be a nuisance phone call if someone is 'at it'.

I doubt if there is anyone daft enough to attempt identity theft in a small community like this, as the chances of them not being found out are slim.

Details of the system for the changeover are posted in the sticky at the top of the forum. A round robin email will also be sent out to the entire membership.

[longshanks]

If there is any doubt further proof of identity in the form of an address will be required before the person is allowed to post under that name.

Enough people know enough people round here to make this requirement a rare event, and I doubt if there is anyone daft enough to attempt identity theft in a small community like this.

Our posts crossed. The problem with address is those who have an interest in the island (eg prospective holiday makers or home buyers) but not an address familiar to the admin here eg one in Glasgow or London......so very hard to check other than a phone call...a phone call can match the one given to the address via 118 and thus the name.

[longshanks]

Just seen your sticky....EXCELLENT.

I'll be opting for option 2 as I think the Longshanks username (and political reputation) has past its sellby date in that I fear just its appearance on a post makes one or two of my political opposites here bristle automatically.

So Longshanks will RIP, drop off the pages and I'll start posting anew without anyone having preconcieved views as to my politics.

Once I've set up an extra email address it'll be Robert's your Mother's bro.

Well done NB.....we discussed this a few years ago and the proposal then was knocked back because it wasn't going to be compulsary, its good to see fruition.

[MonaLott]

After today's decision about anonymity being henceforth banned on this site, may it rest in peace. Another bad decision but good for Nick's future health.

[Herby Dice]

After today's decision about anonymity being henceforth banned on this site, may it rest in peace. Another bad decision but good for Nick's future health.

I'm in two minds. Possibly three. To some extent anonymity stimulates debate - people are less shy coming forward. On the other hand using real names forces people to take responsibility for what they post.

Whatever. It's Nick's forum, he pays for it, he puts in the hours to keep it running, he can run it any way he wants. Perhaps all those anonymice out there (myself included ) will have the courage of our convictions and keep posting from the hip. I hope so. I just need to get a new account sorted out, as Herby is going to continue hiding behind your screens watching everything you do...

Just one thing with my Herby hat on. I have a rule forbidding speculation on anonymous users' real identities. I expect this rule to continue once we are all out in the open. Some people may wish to register anew so their old posts remain anonymous. Fair enough, anonymity was the rule then, and I intend to respect that. If we get a rash of "new" signups, I don't want anyone speculating on here (in the privacy of your own heads you can speculate until your brains melt) on who of they "used to be" . If people want to come clean, that is their choice and theirs alone.

[NickB]

After today's decision about anonymity being henceforth banned on this site, may it rest in peace. Another bad decision but good for Nick's future health.

Several people have already signed up to the new format, Mona.

Time will tell if it is a bad decision or not. I can't see it resulting in fewer people posting than have been recently.

[MonaLott]

Herby, how can you possibly justify being the only one on here who isn't out there in the open? And please don't just blame Nick. Lead from the front, please. Moderate like a court judge, name out there. Otherwise it's a joke. OK it's Nick's bat and ba' but it's surely up to you to decide your own representation in an apparent age of transparency.
Nick, I suspect that the site will continue at low ebb for purposes of info exchange but with negligible debate, controversy and interest. Sad. You have argued so well in the past for anonymity but consistency in anything nowadays is regrettably hard to find!

[Herby Dice]

Herby, how can you possibly justify being the only one on here who isn't out there in the open?

Sorry, Mona, it was a condition of my continuing as moderator. I need to moderate fairly and impartially. If I do so under my own name, there is a danger that I will moderate my friends more lightly to avoid unpopular decisions impacting my private life. There is even more of a danger that it will appear so. By remaining anonymous I can wade in wherever necessary without fear or favour. A judge can recuse himself if he knows the defendant - I can hardly do that as I know most of the people here.

Be assured that Herby will only moderate, after this week you will see no posts from him that are not directly concerned with this function.