Gransnet forums

Chat

It's our GN zoomiversary!

(171 Posts)
Aveline Wed 23-Jun-21 10:06:59

Yes, today our small group of Grans have been meeting weekly on Zoom to chat, gossip, commiserate, support, play games, have parties, competitions and so much more. All organised by Katek with support from Elegran. Sadly, we could really only be a very small group of eight as managing larger numbers becomes unwieldy and turn taking an issue.
Highlights included our Christmas lunch, Burns lunch, Easter bonnet display and now we'll all be blowing out our candles on our cakes to celebrate a year of companionship when it was most needed. Thanks Katek!

Galaxy Thu 24-Jun-21 08:45:19

It would be useful if anyone who is a serial killer could just let us know it makes things so much easier socially.

mumofmadboys Thu 24-Jun-21 08:44:07

I feel really sad that people have been critical about a Zoom meet up. Was it really necessary to stick the knife in? Surely any happy news is good to share. We may mention special wedding anniversaries but we are not in any way getting at people whose marriages have sadly broken down. Or a lovely gift from a child but we are not making a dig at estranged parents. Surely we can share each others good occasions without feeling pangs of jealousy.

Elizabeth1 Thu 24-Jun-21 08:38:37

I say congratulations to these small groups who have managed to support each other these past few years I was so happy to find Gransnet when I retired. A great way to find likeminded friends. Who would’ve thought a zoom meeting would continue to keep us gelled in keeping harmony

Since my dreadful health experience they keep me motivated each week there’s always something to look forward to. Keep it going please it’s only a few auld friends keeping in touch in this modern society we now live in. Happy days ???

Marydoll Thu 24-Jun-21 08:32:37

Some of us do share emails, which make it much easier to communicate than using clunky PMs, which are not fit for purpose!
Anyone on GN I have shared my email address with, has my trust. I don't give it away lightly! Fanny I would give you mine, if requred! wink

Lucca Thu 24-Jun-21 08:31:40

“ Lucca, Kitty's comment was referring to the last sentence of Aveline's post at 7.41” I know I just wondered what she meant …

FannyCornforth Thu 24-Jun-21 08:30:56

nanna8 the chance of us all being 'a bunch of serial killers' is an extremely low one, I should imagine
It would certainly pep things up a bit if we were!

Aldom Thu 24-Jun-21 08:30:53

Dragonfly my NWR group meet on Zoom too. It's worked really well for us. We have even done a pantomime and a Murder mystery play. Aveline I'm so sorry your happy post has prompted such negative comments.

Lucca Thu 24-Jun-21 08:30:41

Aveline

Sigh. I just wanted to share what felt like a special occasion. I hadn't realised the effect it would have on those mean spirited enough to want to pour cold water on it.

Aveline I think you would have done better to mention that this was an east Scotland meet-up following on from previous real life meet ups!
However, bit of a storm in a teacup scenario so… moving on ?!

nanna8 Thu 24-Jun-21 08:27:26

I do. Could be a bunch of serial killers for all we know! Maybe I worked as a social worker too long. ?

FannyCornforth Thu 24-Jun-21 08:25:48

nanna8

You would need to know each other’s emails which may or may not be a good thing when you are talking about strangers !

That wouldn't be an issue for me.
I don't see regular posters as a potential threat

nanna8 Thu 24-Jun-21 08:22:44

You would need to know each other’s emails which may or may not be a good thing when you are talking about strangers !

Marydoll Thu 24-Jun-21 08:22:23

I am sorry to see this thread has become quite unpleasant and resulted in the Zoom members feeling they have to come on here to state their point of view.

I have been a regular visitor to the Edinburgh meet ups, since I joined in 2016, even staying overnight in Edinburgh with DH for a few of them. I think the Zoom group, of which I am not a member, could be seen as sub group of people who see each other as friends and are in contact regularly, they obviously cannot invite everyone of us to join their smaller group.

To respond to Kitty's comment about not all Edinburgh grans being included, the Zoom group (I can only hazard a guess as to who is a member,) have additional smaller meet ups, which are not easy for some of us to attend, this has obviously allowed them to become closer to each other, interact more often and develop friendships.

I'm sure they have been a great support to each other, which is to be commended. It's been a very difficult and lonely year for some of us.

In my opinion, it would be best to just let this thread fade away quietly, before it becomes even more acrimonious.

FannyCornforth Thu 24-Jun-21 08:22:04

Lucca, Kitty's comment was referring to the last sentence of Aveline's post at 7.41

I have to say that I agree with Kitty

nanna8 Thu 24-Jun-21 08:21:33

We had quite a few zoom meetings with Probus members during lockdown. At one stage we got 60 on but the bigger groups are a bit harder to manage and you have to mute everyone except the one talking otherwise it is a dog’s breakfast. I am a bit over Zoom now, I have to say but it is certainly better than not meeting at all.

fiorentina51 Thu 24-Jun-21 08:16:28

What a lovely idea. Happy anniversary and long may you continue to enjoy your meet ups in whatever form you choose.
??

Lucca Thu 24-Jun-21 08:16:01

kittylester

I help run Zoom courses for Carers - we have 12 participants quite often.

'The others' you mention Aveline maybe do understand the motivation behind you post.

??

kittylester Thu 24-Jun-21 08:09:49

I help run Zoom courses for Carers - we have 12 participants quite often.

'The others' you mention Aveline maybe do understand the motivation behind you post.

Lucca Thu 24-Jun-21 08:09:34

I’m confused by this sentence
“ The members who met up were ones who have met frequently for years. There were others who have been to our previous meetings, who we would have loved to invite too, but I don't think any of us (including them) would have enjoyed it. ”

Why would previous members or you not have enjoyed it ? Didn’t you get on ?!

Aveline Thu 24-Jun-21 07:41:05

Our Zoom group was talked about on GN when it was first started. It wasn't some sort of secret society. It was suggested that there could be lots of similar groups set up round the country. It would just need people to take the initiative to actually start one. I'm very grateful that Katek bit the bullet and set one up for us. It's just a pity that others didn't do the same. Maybe they did? They'll now be too afraid to post about it but I'd be interested to hear how they got on.
It seemed reasonable to mention our anniversary.
I'm glad that some Grans seem to understand the motivation behind my post and can only wonder about others.

dragonfly46 Thu 24-Jun-21 07:26:04

I agree with kitty. It would probably have been more sensitive to have said nothing and just celebrated amongst yourselves.
Btw our NWR has 16 members and we Zoom with no problem.

Curlywhirly Thu 24-Jun-21 07:23:29

Oh dear. How sad that people have taken offence at what I thought was a relatively innocent OP. I didn't find it smug or excluding- just a bit of harmless news; who knows, maybe it will encourage other GNs to set up their own zoom meetings and good luck to them if they do!

MawBe Thu 24-Jun-21 07:16:14

Re numbers, actually my TAS (was NADFAS) committee numbers 11. We meet via Zoom every 2 months and find that very manageable. It perhaps requires a little organisation, not to say “self-discipline” not all to talk at once or for one person to dominate the conversation (!) but so do most face to face gatherings.
Bottom line, this is a private Zoom group, I note it is “by invitation only” , so I suppose analogous to any group of women meeting for a chat, not a “secret” meet-up.

kittylester Thu 24-Jun-21 06:48:40

Sad for the Edinburgh meet up grans who are left out of your select Zoom group.

We are often told how well attended the Edinburgh meet ups are but only 8 of them are chosen for your special Zoom group.

greenmossgiel Thu 24-Jun-21 00:01:51

Just logged on and seen this thread. I’m really glad that I’ve been part of this Zoom meet-up over the past year. Before the pandemic we met up for lunches, etc in Edinburgh mainly, but also in Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews. These have taken place over a number of years - almost since Gransnet began.
The Zoom meetings have seen many of us through the trials and tribulations of the past year or so. From the hilarity and fun of Katek’s virtual pantomimes, the joys of babies being born and unfortunately, the sadnesses that bereavements have brought to some of us.
I count myself lucky that I’ve met these women.

Mollygo Wed 23-Jun-21 22:18:51

LauraNorder

That’s lovely, glad you all had a good time.
Nothing to stop others arranging similar zoom meetings.
I’d prefer to remain slim and elegant with perfectly coiffed hair than shatter all illusions on zoom but good luck Ellianne.

Agreed LauraNorder though I like the idea that a few know each other well enough to do zoom meetings.
I have a few ‘real’ friends from Mumsnet days but not really on GN.