The discussion confirmed my personal experiences were commonplace, yet you imply it is "just my opinion" and "hearsay"

I don't imply anything at all, Jim. It is a fact that it is just your opinion. Just as it is a fact that a number of other people saying it is also their opinion does not make it any more valid. In a recent poll 51% of people said it was a good idea to leave the EU. By your reckoning does that make it a fact that leaving is a good idea? Get a grip, man.

Of course you put it up because it represented your view

Yes. It represents my view that the decline has abated if not reversed. That is what it said. Nothing more, nothing less.

Howard has it spot on. Shame you feel that you no longer fit into the English folk scene. However, English folk will continue to thrive whether you are there to help it along or not. I, and many others, will continue to enjoy it. You will continue griping and it will carry on regardless.

What happened to "which is why I won't try again" btw? :-)