Stony Stratford Guests

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford Guests
From: Noreen
Date: 12 Feb 02 - 06:13 AM

Malcolm, I'm a bit puzzled by your posting: you say
Some of them may have behaved badly (I'm not saying they did)
and then go on to say
...and maybe even the ill-mannered ones can learn to behave in a civilized manner
.

Was there something about the mudcatters in Stoney Stratford last weekend that bothered you? I found everybody very friendly and welcoming, and wouldn't like to think of anyone resenting our presence.

(The GUEST issue here at Mudcat is a separate matter with a lot of unpleasant history.)

If you were a member here (very easy to do) I would have raised this with you in a personal message, and I don't particularly want to post my e-mail address on the open forum, but I would like to know what's bothering you.

Noreen

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford Guests
From: GUEST,brid widder
Date: 12 Feb 02 - 05:59 AM

We are all guests sometimes...I am not home yet but a guest at a friends house and on his computer! on the other hand I could be anybody saying I´m me..and under that cover wind up whoever I like...I had a great time in your town Malcolm thank you for making us so welcome...you would be welcome at my local session...you just need to introduce yourself.

Joining the Mudcat is easy and free...come on in, enjoy the session!

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford Guests
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Feb 02 - 05:07 AM

Nobody thinks "Members good GUESTS bad"

Well you could have fooled me, Kevin. Try looking in a mirror, eh? You have been about the loudest critic of GUESTS going.

Or do you recant your "I'll never post to a thread started by a GUEST" comments?

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford Guests
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 12 Feb 02 - 04:09 AM

That'll be Stony in the parallel universe then, Malc? Be our Guest.

Skipjack

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford Guests
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 08:33 PM

Nobody thinks "Members good GUESTS bad", Malcolm. There are some nasty characters who make use of the GUEST mechanism to play silly games (and some of them are probably members) and it looks like a change in the access arrangements to the Mudcat may be the only way to avoid some abuses. (And one of the tricks in the game is the claim that there is antagonism towards GUESTS as such, - and time after time people fall for it. But it just ain't true.)

Open House, such as we were able to have at York House this weekend is fine - unless and until people turn up who want to wreck the place. If that had happened and the arrangements had needed to be tightened up for our safety and conbtinued enjoyment, it wouldn't have meant that we weren't welcomed as visitors. It just so happens we seem to have got to that stage with the Cat.

Subject: Stony Stratford GUESTS
From: GUEST,Malcolm
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 08:02 PM

I am a resident of Stony Stratford. I play and sing at the various sessions and help to organise local music events. I'm also an occasional GUEST (in capital letters, apparently) at The Mudcat. I drop in, read the threads, offer advice if I have it and occasionally check out a lyric.I didn't actually realise that I was only a GUEST until recently. I didn't realise that it was a big deal. This weekend Stony Stratford played host to (I'm guessing) about 60 Mudcatters who took the chance to find out what a great town this is -- for living and playing music in -- and how welcoming we are to outsiders (or GUESTS.)We welcomed them into our pubs (even though it took longer to get served at the bar). We welcomed them into our sessions (even though the added numbers meant that we got to sing less often). We were glad to have them here. Some of them may have behaved badly (I'm not saying they did) but you have to tolerate an ill-bred minority -- they're everywhere. What we don't do is condemn them all or try to exclude them. We happily invite them back --- come and sample Stony Live and Folk On The Green in early June --- and maybe even the ill-mannered ones can learn to behave in a civilized manner. When I first read Max's open letter I was angry that he seemed to be condemning me and people like me in such an arrogant manner. Having read the responses I understand some of how he and the members feel. I know that most of you don't really think "Members good, GUESTS bad", but the whole farrago doesn't really do you any favours. I'm with Groucho on this one.