My anouncement re the MK1 site.

[mk1]

Hi All,

Well, I never thought this day would come, but having given it a lot of thought & much soul searching over the last few days, I have finally realised that I am no longer prepared to put in the time & effort to run the MK1 site & forum.

What started out as a totally joyous way of sharing my love for these little cars has turned into nothing but drudgery.

The constant battle I have, trying to remain impartial when I read some of the shit stirring rubbish that certain people post on the forum and the fall out I have to field for this, has simply become too much for me to bear.

Only this week I nearly lost a dear friend over comments that had been made on the forum by a third party & TBH that & some comments made on another thread this morning were the straw that broke the camels back.

I do not want this thread to turn into an "Oh we think the MK1 forum is so good", smoke blowing exercise, but feel that it is only fair that you, the majority of the members of the MK1 forum, many of which I consider to be friends understand why it has come to this point.

If someone else is prepared to take on the responsibility of running the site I wish them the very best of luck, but if no one steps forward, on October the 1st the MK1 Site & forum will blink out of existence.

Thanks for so many good years.

Yours sincerely,

Mark F

[foxy52]

Hi All,

Well, I never thought this day would come, but having given it a lot of thought & much soul searching over the last few days, I have finally realised that I am no longer prepared to put in the time & effort to run the MK1 site & forum.

What started out as a totally joyous way of sharing my love for these little cars has turned into nothing but drudgery.

The constant battle I have, trying to remain impartial when I read some of the shit stirring rubbish that certain people post on the forum and the fall out I have to field for this, has simply become too much for me to bear.

Only this week I nearly lost a dear friend over comments that had been made on the forum by a third party & TBH that & some comments made on another thread this morning were the straw that broke the camels back.

I do not want this thread to turn into an "Oh we think the MK1 forum is so good", smoke blowing exercise, but feel that it is only fair that you, the majority of the members of the MK1 forum, people, many of which I consider to be friends understand why it has come to this point.

If someone else is prepared to take on the responsibility of running the site I wish them the very best of luck, but if no one steps forward, on October the 1st the MK1 Site & forum will blink out of existence.

Thanks for so many good years.

Yours sincerely,

Mark F

..Well I,ll be the first to say your effort and this site are brilliant !!.. and a more even handed approach to the fact that everyone is entitled to their opinion !!... I would be the first to say I would miss everyones imput immensely..its a great source of info to all.. best rgds and hope u change yr mind? but anyone can see its a lot of upkeep and must consume a lot of yr time..... tks foxy52

[Nevsmini]

It's a very sad day for mini fans! Like foxy52 says I to hope you change your mind!

[cpr1]

It's sad to see this forum end this way , not Mark has to change his mind, but some of the members attitude, refrain from posting unwanted remarks.

[dutchacme]

It comes from the hearth, these two writings show clearly this comes directly from Marks hearth, his passion has been destroyed. This is the one most terrible thing that can happen. Reasoning has no place, convincing has no place ….. all the best.
Wim

[coopertim]

That is really terrible news Mark

I dont think that a smoke blowing thread would do any good as it sounds like you have had enough and for very good reason. It's a real shame when your hobby and passion becomes the Bain of your life! This site will be missed by genuine enthusiasts from all over the world especially by me as it is a great connection to some fantastic people, cars and history. The Mk1 site has been a breath of fresh air and it is a real shame that so many will lose it as a resource. My own car will continue to be restored slowly as I don't have regular cash to throw at it and I will enjoy it when it's done.

Thanks for putting the time and effort into the site Mark and all the very best for the future.

Tim.

[NotNormal]

I'm new to the Mk1 Mini circles so a lot of what's gone on is lost on me and way over my head. As in all walks of life its such a crying shame that a few have messed it up for the majority

Hopefully some sort of resolution can be found and the forum continues in one way shape or another but fully appreciate the time it needs to run. Time will tell I guess.... but in the meantime all can say is this forum has been a great help to me and can only thank Mark and all the others that have helped me via this great resource.

[zippypinhead]

Mark,
While I fully understand that the message board can become overwhelming, I must plead with you to try and keep the MK 1 website up 'n running. It's a wunnerful resource and is full of history not found elsewhere.
Best of luck in the future at any rate.
Robin

[chichestermini]

I can only sadly and simply echo the above statements, which ring all too true.

This forum has taught me a wealth of knowledge, perhaps everything I know? I have loved and lived every minute of it, meeting and conversing with enthusiasts worldwide and I haven't even been involved for nearly as long as some of you!

I understand that, for Mark, these issues have probably escalated to the stage now whereby, understandably, nothing will change his mind on this matter.

I would just like to take the chance to say, a great big thank you to Mark, for having built and provided a collective and completely unique platform, full of rich information and history... It is indeed a shame, that I will never have got to meet you finally.

I wish you the best of luck with your plans for the future,

Thom

[unipart]

Same as above.

Best of luck and thank you very much, Mark.

Michel Sulbout

[IAIN]

Very sad news. I cant say I am surprised, as you had withdrawn from posting on the site and obviously were not enjoying it, or minis anymore.

I had been lurking but not posting as much as I used to.

Mark, The site has been a great source of information and help over the years. If you are in the area any time the kettles on.

Thanks Iain.

[Lord Croker]

Mark, I am so sorry to hear this but I do totally understand how you feel. Like you, I have also been disillusioned with the way the Mini world has been going. I wish it did not have to happen, but in the event, I wish all the very best of luck to you & your family in the future. Thank you for all you have done in providing a vast amount of information to many thousands of enthusiast worldwide.

Kind regards, Rich.

[hanlminiman]

October 1st will be a very sad day if this forum closes down. I enjoy visiting this forum and do regret that the internet is such a quick means of communication when "send" happens before rereading a message. Using an old instruction, slightly amended I think members of all Forums should, "stop, reread and rehash" before sending out messages which should in all reality not be for all the world to read as they may contain very personal views; we are all entitled to our different opinions but sometimes we should keep them to ourselves. I hope that a true enthusiast like you were will take it on as to lose the information would be a shame and a great loss to the community but I understand your frustration. Thank you Mark for allowing me to learn so much from the posts, it has been a great experience. I wish you well for the future. I hope that the Mk1-Perfomance Conversions site will remain in existence.
Thanks. Cliff

[coop12g295]

A very sad day for the mini community,Mark when I met you at the 1st
Downton reunion your enthusiasm was incredible.Its a shame that as we
go through life its the minority that ruin a good thing.
I know I'm not alone in saying thank you for all the hard work and having
a massive amount of knowledge within these pages available to all of us.

Best wishes for the future Regards Ian

[nick@dunsdale]

Though not a big poster i have been following mk1 for many years since the yahoo groups or what ever it was cant quite remember lol.

Mark I am sorry to see you hang up your forum hat, this is great forum and to be totally honest one of the friendliest ones i have been on.

There are some forums out there diynot for instance, that is full of.... a~# holes

I hope the forum does not close as there are a good bunch of very knowledgeable guys on here

[Jamie]

This is a real shame, your site and this forum have been brilliant sources of information for me over the years, I personally think the mini world was much more fun before cars and parts values rose to the crazy levels they are now. Its encouraged the wrong type of people into a friendly community. This forum was always full of knowledgable but friendly people who were happy to help each other, its sad that these idiots have ruined it for everyone else, why cant people just treat each other with a bit of respect when talking on the internet.
Hope you change your mind, but if you dont many thanks Mark.

Jamie

[5portsrock]

Many thanks for your efforts ,i have certainly derived alot of pleasure and countless valuable information from this site. All the best for the future

[captain]

Hi Mark. I personally think this is brilliant site full of very knowledgeable members who,s intelligence and experience have made me a wiser man.I would also like to say you run it very meticulously and what ever your decision is all the very best indeed

[Pete]

Most of these posts typify your average Mk1 Forum user and the vast majority here treat each other with respect. We don't all have to agree, it's not compulsory to like each other even (though that's noramlly the case) but we can treat each other respectfully ,even when we do disagree (like grown ups are supposed to do !). Some people (or is it one person ?) just do not have the ability to do that and it's a shame that the knock on effect is that Mark's had enough of this happening time after time from the same source. Knowing some of the back story of all the shit stirring that goes on I personally do not blame him but it is regretful that you feel this way Mark.

I'm sure (hope) the website will end up in safe hands if Mark doesn't reconsider, as for the forum ? It'd be a shame to lose it as it's been a great communication tool, a source of news and info and more importantly a laugh for the most part. Let's hope it can be salvaged.

[pdaykin]

Regardless of the future of the forum and website, when you have time to reflect I hope you find some deserved self satisfaction for having created THE BEST resources for the rest of us.

They will be hard if not impossible to replace which is a positive reflection on you.

All the best.