Posted by Adam Quinan on October 26, 2005 at 14:39:34 from 72.136.51.111 user Adam.
In Reply to: Re: TARS Northern Region AGM posted by Peter H on October 26, 2005 at 13:46:26:
I can tell Peter why I, as an overseas TARS member who discovered TARS over the Internet, was annoyed at his remarks about Tarboard and why I didn't speak up when TARS was slurred last time.
Firstly Tarboard is the one real access I have to others who share my enthusiasm for AR and his works and while it does ramble a bit far on occasions, I am prepared to put up with that for the other opportunities. I would much prefer it if other TARS members were here to add their threads to the conversation and describe what they get from TARS and the good times they have had. I would think that apologising for Tarboard
a) condemned everyone here for the sins of one or two and
b) reduces the chances that someone will be interested in trying out Tarboard
As for not defending TARS on the last occasion, been there and done that in the past and this time others said much what I would have said first, so I saw no need to be repetitive.
I would love to have the opportunity to meet with other TARS members in person, but where I live that happens once a year or less frequently and I am usually the one organizing it and I haven't really had the time in the last couple of years to get something done.
When we had a meeting a few years ago one TARS member and his son came from Calgary, almost two thousand miles away to attend. (OK so he did have other reasons to come that far, but the TARS meeting was the reason why he brought his son). I, myself, have travelled to the UK to attend a TARS AGM, again I had other reasons for going, but I made the effort to time my visit and brought my daughter along too.
Why can't Peter instead of apologising for Tarboard, see it as a wonderful way to bring Ransome to the benighted heathen in far off lands and encourage all of his friends to come and chat with us. Many of us are not TARS critics but enthusiasts and fellow members. If a few people make nasty comments in the corner, then it would be far better that they were drowned out by happy TARS chatter than by telling everyone to stay away, there be monsters.