Gransnet cafe

What, where, how?
Mine's a latte please.

It seems to have three established threads on it - one of them being Soop's Kitchen!

It seems that it's supposed to be a place to chat, but it's not been started in the same way that our other threads are.

Don't understand it!

Oh! It's a new forum. Still don't understand the point of it...

Where/what is it?

Have a look under forums, merlot.

I think it is a sponsored topic, It has a byline "In association with the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness along with partner organisations: Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, the British Red Cross, The Campaign to End Loneliness, the Eden Project, The Silver Line, Independent Age and Royal Voluntary Service."

I hope the threads started in it stay as peaceful as the kitchen has proved to be.

Who has put those threads in it, though? And are we supposed to add 'peaceful' threads to it?

GNHQ must have moved thosee threads in to get it started. As the Gransnet Community and users of those threads it would have been nice to have been told about it in advance - is there anything on the Home page about it?

However, there is nothing sinister about the sudden appearance. Perhaps it is like the Oldie topic that appeared out of the blue a few years ago and took everyone by surprise, on that occcasion I think the people editing the Oldie jumped the gun a little and posted a whole lot of threads the moment it was set up, and caused a wave of suspicion that the site had been hacked. At least this one has the byline to tell us where the topic has come from.

Thanks, Ana. I never bother to look at the forum list unless I'm starting a new thread.

No, I didn't think there was anything sinister about it, it just seems odd to put three threads on it then just abandon it!

I suppose it won't appear to be on the Active list until someone starts a new thread on it.

There is also a new thread connected with the Jo Cox Commission on loneliness - both have happened at about the same time. www.gransnet.com/forums/product_tests_and_surveys/1233851-Gransnet-The-Jo-Cox-Loneliness-Commission-survey-please-share-your-views-chance-to-win-100

Don't fully understand this, but I have a feeling that you have to be nice, so maybe I shouldn't be here!!!

I thought Soop's Kitchen was the Gransnet Café
It grew out of a need - not an invention designed to make us behave ourselves!

Like trisher I get the feeling this is another example of encouraging us to sit in the corner and not make waves.

I'm afraid virtual shortbread and hot chocolate is not for me.

Maybe it's setting up in competition, in the true spirit of the free market. (Sssh don't talk politics!!)

But that's the thing - it isn't a thread, it's a new forum and Soop's Kitchen has been put on it!

Bit of a cheek, imo.

Lots of forums have an area like a café( even my camera club has one) so that people can simply chat. So maybe the new area is just an attempt to organise a busy forum so people can find what they seek - nothing more sinister than that.

I will say in response to your comment that I'm sorry Merlotgran if you think The Kitchen is just a place for virtual shortbread and hot chocolate - because its so much more than that. I see real support , not all of it visible on the public face of the Kitchen. I see a thoughtfulness not always visible in threads else where, a kindness and compassion and yes, a few bunches of virtual flowers and more often than not a virtual glass of wine , simply sent as a visual representation of supporting a person , celebrating or just being on their side when words just wont cut it.

I get that it isn't for everyone - and I don't think moving it to a 'café; will make much difference- at least I sincerely hope not.

Don't worry NanaandGrampy, 'Soop's Kitchen' is still on the Active list as well - which is why this café idea seems a bit daft to me...has it really been thought through?

That's good Ana I would miss the tales of everyday life

I like the idea of the café - just not sure how/who will populate it - Ill look forward to seeing what happens.

I can see the sense in it now!

No, no, no!!
I am not seeing Soop's Kitchen on Active conversations unless I go,to Gransnet Café first
Maybe I need to go to Spec savers???
This seems unnecessarily complicated.

You're right - and Good Morning Tuesday seems to be only accessible via the Gransnet Café forum.

LucyGransnet this can't be what was meant to happen, surely?

Is there not a danger that it would change the nature of some threads? For example, soop's kitchen, which has a certain tenor that most of the Kitcheners may not wish to see unbalanced. New kitcheners by all means, but there are plenty of places for people to go for advice on gransnet. It works well as it is. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, IMHO.