My very first thread on gn was ages ago and...

Marydoll

Sorry to hear you’re feeling low Marydoll 💐

But how many first time posts are even about Politics? When you add together AIBU + Chat + Ask a Gran you are already up to 30,000 threads. Politics is way behind at only 7,000, and if you take away half of those which are News items, Politics comes in at far less than 10% of the board. Oh, and also TV, Art, Style and Beauty etc. I'm assuming most grans come to GN initially for chat, advice and support.

Grannynannywanny

I discovered Gransnet in April 2020 early in lockdown. Living alone and feeling isolated not being able to see my AC and grandchildren. Constantly worrying about my daughter who is a frontline NHS nurse fearing she’d contract the virus.

Then I discovered Miss Marydoll’s Maths Class and participated most days trying to solve the brain teasers posted by Marydoll. Most days I had tears of laughter running down my face at the norty antics in that class.
Miss Marydoll you were a godsend 🍏 💐

Thank you for that. On a day, when I am feeling very low, that has cheered me up!
It was bloomin' hard work keeping you all in order. Thank goodness for my Deputy Head, Charleygirl, whom even I was afraid of!

Well, I'm not. I'm not very right wing either!

Very left wing, hey? Aren’t you all ?

Riverwalk

Sorry I was referring to Greatnan.

My views are often diametrically opposite to many here. I am not a rule follower and am always looking for the "angle". Im heartily glad that I was born with the kind of mind which seeks answers outside the box. There are few people I respect and even fewer who have any influence over me.

nanna8

I don’t remember Greatnan ,she sounds very interesting. Very left wing, hey? Aren’t you all ? Not that I would describe myself as right wing, I don’t go for right wing parties but not as left as most here. I find it hard to get enthusiastic about anyone in politics these days,they all seem drearily similar. That’s here, probably different there.

I don’t know what those past posters were like, but know from MN and other forums that when somebody dies they’re suddenly treated like saints or something.🤔
I’m not very left wing, just left wing and a Labour voter, but like you find it hard to get enthusiastic these days.

Yes. I now know they're referred to as toxic and I'm much more resilient in my interactions with them, being prepared to cut contact if necessary.

I discovered Gransnet in April 2020 early in lockdown. Living alone and feeling isolated not being able to see my AC and grandchildren. Constantly worrying about my daughter who is a frontline NHS nurse fearing she’d contract the virus.

Then I discovered Miss Marydoll’s Maths Class and participated most days trying to solve the brain teasers posted by Marydoll. Most days I had tears of laughter running down my face at the norty antics in that class.
Miss Marydoll you were a godsend 🍏 💐

I don’t remember Greatnan ,she sounds very interesting. Very left wing, hey? Aren’t you all ? Not that I would describe myself as right wing, I don’t go for right wing parties but not as left as most here. I find it hard to get enthusiastic about anyone in politics these days,they all seem drearily similar. That’s here, probably different there.

Just lost my post when the phone rang.

I think that remembering when you joined is very clever.
My DD was/is/ looks at, Mumsnet and suggested that I might like Gransnet, so I joined, but for the life of me can't remember when that was, but I do know it was a few years.

My first posting was on the virtual Halloween party at Glastonbury. I took my dog and supplied the lamb for the barbecue. 2011 I think.

I can remember everyone that has been mentioned. Sad to lose some of them😢

My first experience of posting on gransnet was likewise being roundly ticked off by people who quite rudely expressed the thought that I was indeed being unreasonable.

I may say, I would have been more interested in their opinions if they had been politely expressed.

More worringly, in the six years I have basically enjoyed gransnet, I have seen scores of other first time posters being roughly and sometimes downright rudely treated.

Some, not surprisingly, never come back, others express how hurtful this kind of welcome has been, and more than once I have sent a poster a pm stating bascially what I am telling you all now.

What I really would like to understand, but probably no-one can explain is why does what amounts to hazing of new contributers happen, and why is it apparently acceptable?

There are examples of messages being deleted by the site moderators, but there are many hurtful. slighting messages that apparently either are not seen as such or escape their notice.

Never knew Greatnan but wish she was still around so I could read her thoughts about others (inc me)

I joined in 2011,I was then Nelliedeane,I didnt start many threads,but joined in on others,one thread I did start morphed into Lils bar,one of those virtual threads,Pete was a frequent visitor found propping up the bar.
Greatnan for some reason seemed to like me and was always very kind,she even offered me a holiday to stay with her,I had to decline unfortunately.

Greatnan was an interesting woman who contributed to interesting debates. She shared her beliefs willingly. Her life experiences informed her political and personal beliefs. Gransnet is poorer without her

All I can remember about my first sorties into GN is that Frank and his little dog and Bums n Tums were often a topic for discussion. So sad about Greatnan.

I agree Merlot. She could be very dismissive.

I like jingle a lot though she had a go at me - but only once.

Riverwalk

I remember her as feisty, left wing, outspoken, kind, intelligent and an all round good egg.

She wasn’t always kind when she had someone in her sights.

It paid to watch your back.

Sorry I was referring to Greatnan.

I remember her as feisty, left wing, outspoken, kind, intelligent and an all round good egg.

Maw is still posting.

My first post was on the Good Morning thread about nine years ago, after having to go on long term sick leave. I was bored stuck at home.
I remember the firt posters who interacted with me were Kitty, Maw and Nan Kate.

I have made friends with a fair number of posters and been to many meet ups. It saved my sanity, when I had to retire on ill health and then was forced to shield for two years.
Chewbacca made me laugh so much, I miss her and a few others who no longer post.

There were a few posters, who upset me badly, when I was very fragile and I seriously thought of leaving, I'm glad I didn't.