A statement

[Lactodorum]

Hello, and goodbye. After a great deal of thought I have decided to resign from my position as a Volunteer Reviewer for the UK and as Moderator of the UK forum. This decision is final and irreversible. No one thing has made me decide this, rather a gradual change in how things needed to be done. As a volunteer I did the "job" in the way that I thought benefitted the UK caching community and Groundspeak. This worked for several years. However Geocaching has grown in those years and it has become apparent to me that my way of doing things may not now be seen to be appropriate. I therefore felt it best for me that I stop now and make way for someone who will be more comfortable doing things the way they need to be done now.

 

 

Over the years I have been involved, I have found Groundspeak very supportive of me and I have enjoyed what I did. I thank everyone at Groundspeak for five very interesting and worthwhile years. We may not agree on everything but I hope we can continue to respect each other.

 

 

Finally I would like to thank all of you for the kind wishes that have been expressed both publicly and privately. Whatever your views now, I would urge you to consider what you are typing before hitting the "submit" button!!

 

 

Although Lactodorum is now bowing out, be assured that The Hornet will now be taking his place by contributing to the forum discussions and maybe will have more time to hunt Tupperware in the woods.

 

 

Thank you and goodbye. Peter - Lactodorum

[+sssss]

Having been a mod for a forum in the past, i can understand how you feel.

 

hope the replacement is as good.

 

welcome back to freedom

[Moss Trooper]

I more than most understand your feelings.. Been there, done that, made the film, read the book an got several tee shirts.

 

Take care my friend and be assured.. you will never be forgoten, for one reason or another.. now enjoy your retirement.

 

Moss T

[+sssss]

ps - is there a leaving do?

[+L8HNB]

Sorry to loose you from "our" area, Peter.

 

Many thanks for all you've done.

 

H&L

[+scottpa100]

As others will say - many thanks for all your help. And now you can enjoy the caching!

 

Scott

[+Mad H@ter]

I'm sure that your decision has not been taken lightly and to be honest I can't say that I am at all surprised. We have been at this game for quite some time but are still newbies compared to you and have seen many changes, some good but unfortunately many not so. I think that we all need to take a step back occasionaly and remember "never take it to seriously, after all, it's just a hunt for a lunchbox!" (quote Dan aka Rocky Balboa) incidentally back on the scene, nothing to do with the resignation I'm sure! So anyway on to my reason to post, we would just like to pass on our greatest thanks and appreciation for all you have done for us and the UK caching community, you are sure going to be a hard act to follow . Now get out there and find some lunchboxes.

[+The Hornet]

ps - is there a leaving do?

What a good idea

[+The Blorenges]

So sorry to see you go.

 

Thank you for all that you've done over the years.

 

MrsB

[+Birdman-of-liskatraz]

A sad sad day - thanks for all you did.. you'll be missed.

[+ClareLouise]

Awww, that's sad! But thanks for all your hard hard work!

 

Glad you won't be disappearing altogether! And yey for more caching time!

[+studlyone]

You will be a very hard act to follow. Thank you for all the hard work that you have done over the years both publicly on the forum and in private. I hope that the change of pace will allow you to focus on the enjoyable aspects of caching - hunting for tupperware. Thanks again.

Ian

[+mousekakat]

Having been a mod for a forum in the past, i can understand how you feel.

 

welcome back to freedom

 

I more than most understand your feelings.. Been there, done that, made the film, read the book an got several tee shirts.

...now enjoy your retirement.

 

I gotcha beat, Moss...Iäve been there, done that, read the book, made the film, gotten the t-shirts AND wore the danged things out!

 

Here is the post that I posted in the other thread... it applies as well here, too...

 

Sad to see this happening. I may be an American in Sweden (whatta combo, right?), but I read the UK forums on occasions.

 

I'm not sure what is going on up there at Groundspeak, but there is definitely something in the air, and it's very hinky...

 

To the mods who have made the decision to step away, I wish you all well, I have been a mod before on another site, and I know how gut wrenching it can be - a mix of relief, anger, sadness and a few other things, but take the good with the bad and just enjoy the newfound time and the fact that you now have one less aggravation in your lives!

 

As we say in Sweden, Lycka till... or, for you Brits who love to butcher the language ... Good luck!

 

Naomi

[Edgemaster]

I try to stay out of politics, it gets too sticky. But I've been following this issue from afar and am sorry to see it come to this.

 

Thanks for all the effort you've put into geocaching - it's much appreciated.

[+PopUpPirate]

Sorry it's come to this. Not surprised one bit, it really appears to have become a completely thankless task. If you were allowed leeway in the past to use your discretion then it's a reason to do it, but to be told what to do and "that's that" as appears to be the case, well... what's the point I guess.

 

UK caching cannot, from here, change for the better.

 

Hope to see you caching and eventing soon anyways, and if you want a rant there's always the http://www.nwcaching.co.uk forums... non-commercial btw

[+The Cache Hoppers]

Very sad to hear that you've decided to call it a day Peter. Thank you for everything you have done for geocaching, and for the help and advice you've given over the years since we've been caching. It's impossible to imagine how it's going to be without you and Dave reviewing our caches and looking after the forums. Good luck for the future. I hope you enjoy all the free time you will now have - you won't know what to do with yourself!! All the best, love and hugs, Liane

[Les D]

Sorry To hear you are resigning. I recently joined and saw sense in you comments. keep on geocaching it is meant to be fun.

Edited April 23, 2008 by Les D

[+Haggis Hunter]

I haven't always agreed with some of the mods/reviewers actions, but I can say that you are going to be sorely missed. I hope that whoever takes over can be as professional and as understanding as you have always been.

 

Farewell Lactodorum welcome back to normality The Hornet

[+walkergeoff and wife]

This has come 'out of the blue' for me, and I feel a sense of loss. This great sport of ours appears to be losing its innocence, which is a real shame.

 

I just hope that those who replace you will be as good and as hardworking as you have been.

[+The Hornet]

It is very gratifying to get the volume of support we have, however could I suggest (on behalf of my friend Lactodorum ) that you only post on one of the two related threads. Be assured that Dave and I read both of them.

 

Cheers.

[+JustAlan]

Very sad to see both you and Ecky go. I've only been caching a couple of years, but have been impressed both by the help given when placing caches, and by the common sense approach on the forums. As others have said, you'll both be sadly missed. But on the bright side, I may actually get to meet you when out caching. I expect to see your alter-ego's cache stats start to rocket as well.

 

Take time out, have fun and smell the daisys.

[+uk89camaro]

I must confess to not knowing the build up to this decision, but whatever you have to do Peter.

 

Many thanks for the help and guidance you have given me with cache placements recently, I wish you the best in the future.

 

Paul

[+Cushie Butterfield]

We are only newbies but want to say thank you for all of the work you have done and the time you have given.

[+mollyjak]

Sorry to see both of you resigning

But look forward to reading your posts under your 'real' cacher names

Good luck to both of you

[+friedelfindus]

As I know a lot of German Reviewers and saw them coming and sometimes (very soon) going I know about this "job" and can only tell you thanks for the long and steady work.

 

Go on caching - cache on with a smile.

 

Friedel = 1/2 friedelfindus

(temp. guest cacher from Germany)

[+Bambography]

Be assured that Dave and I read both of them.

Cheers.

You don't ahve to any more! Old habits die hard...

 

I'm sorry that you've had to make this decision! Thank you for all your hard work, you'll be missed by the whole community! I hope you enjoy the new freedom!!

Chris.

[+Moote]

Peter

 

I know that I have not always seen eye to eye with you, but this news was not good to read. I hope that the use of the word final is not final, and that the fools who forced you into this, will see the errors in their ideas

 

Take care in whatever you do.

 

Milton

[+Rosie's Rangers]

A sad day , but we fully respect both Peter and Dave's decision. When it stops being fun, it's time for a change.

 

We hope that you both enjoy yourselves back in the 'real' world and a BIG thank you from Rosie and her Rangers for all your time spent helping make this game as good as it is for all of us in the UK.

 

We would also like to add our support to Deceangi in this difficult time, good luck to all 3 of you.

[+mongoose39uk]

Although I am very sad that you are no longer reviewing/moderating. I also understand exactly why you have come to this decision.

 

100% behind you on this one. Jan 05 we asked you to reconsider, however i do feel it would be pointless to do so this time.

 

All the Best

 

and happy caching

 

Tony

 

next time I see you and Dave you can call in the beers I owe you

[dodgydaved]

 

next time I see you and Dave you can call in the beers I owe you

 

 

is there that much ale in Harrogate?

[Izzy and the Lizard King]

In the words of Joni Mitchell

"Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone"

 

We will certainly miss you.

We would like to express our thanks and appreciation for all your hard work over the years.

All good wishes for the future.

 

Izzy & Paul

[+molfrew-mosstoad]

Sorry to see you go you will be missed,

 

On the plus side enjoy your freetime caching

[+*mouse*]

Thanks to all the UK reviewers for their help over the years - it is very much appreciated.

It is sad to loose you both Lacto and Ecky.

Ali

[+Dizzley]

Very sad to lose you two guys as reviewers.

 

Make sure you take time and smell the roses - you leave behind an enriched community... and all that jazz.

[+mongoose39uk]

 

next time I see you and Dave you can call in the beers I owe you

 

 

is there that much ale in Harrogate?

 

Dunno mate but we can give it a dadgum good try

[The Cartooners]

We have been reading the forums recently with interest but never expected 2 mods to go due to the enforced changes in forum protocols.

 

I have only published a new cache this afternoon which Deci reviewed within a few hours. A fast service indeed given the situation.

 

Many thanks to you both for an excellent service that you have given us.

 

That's all folks!!!

[+Paul G0TLG]

Hear hear to what they all said...put it behind you and enjoy the tupperware hunt. And thanks for everything you've done.

[+gasman2857]

Hear Hear

 

Likewise can I add my heartfelt thanks to ALL the UK Moderators for their help, support and unstinting efforts over the years.

 

Eckington and Lactodorum you are going to be sadly missed. I hope you have the opportunity to "enjoy" your retirement and maybe stay in contact with your many friends in the GC community who hold you in such high regard.

 

Andy

[+FollowMeChaps]

What more can I add? A truly black day for geocaching in the UK.

 

Dave (and Peter) you have both been more than marvellous - easily seen from the responses on these 2 threads. You both deserve some time off to go out caching yourselves, enjoy the time off. I'm only so sorry your departure has been under such circumstances.

 

I'm wondering how we, as a UK community, should respond to Groundspeak? I'm tempted to think I'll hit them where it hurts when my membership comes around.

 

The very best of luck to both of you.

 

Robin

[+gazooks]

Very sorry to see both of you go - and at the same time.

 

Its a sad day for geocaching.

 

Thanks for all your good work anf time over the years.

 

[+John Stead]

I am very sorry it has come to this and won't repeat what has already been said, except to say how much I have appreciated all the effort you have put into Geocaching in the UK.

Having been around longer than most I have seen the way it has developed and must have become a massive burden on you all - I hope your friend The Hornet can now enjoy some Geocaching again.

[+Matrix]

I for one am sad to hear this news

 

But I wish the Hornet all the best for his tupperware hunting.

 

Your replacement(s) will have their work cut out filling your boots.

 

Mike aka Matrix

Edited April 23, 2008 by Matrix

[KC_Jan]

Many thanks for all you've done and Best wishes from us.

 

Jan~ KernowCachers

[+Stuey]

I'm sure you will both enjoy having more time to go out and do "stuff". You will be a hard act to follow. Thanks for all you have done. Good luck Dece with the next few months, and good luck to any new reviewer.

[+Lost in Space]

............The Hornet will now be taking his place by contributing to the forum discussions and maybe will have more time to hunt Tupperware in the woods.

 

Oh no! You're not coming back to Herts are you??

 

Best wishes to you and Dave.

[+kennamatic]

It's been a little like Dr Who.

 

First there was The Hornet and Dodgydaved and they morphed into Lacto and Ecki and now they've morphed back.

 

Enjoy your time back in civvies.

 

I've never run a forum but I have been on a social committee and I suspect this was probably a hundred times worse.

 

Thanks for all your work. I reckon you'll both be on 30 finds a day with all the spare time!

[+Mr'D]

Iv'e just had a thread closed down... my first!

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=191813

 

Jon

[+Mr'D]

Thanks for all your work. I reckon you'll both be on 30 finds a day with all the spare time!

And with all that 'inside' knowledge!

 

[+Simply Paul]

Peter, and David, this is terrible news. You're not going to have to read every half-bottomed forum thread, mediate in disputes with landowners/the Met Police/etc., deal with the demands of a baying, slavering pack of wild cache hiders or follow directives you don't have faith in the logic of. What am I saying? It's wonderful news!.. for you.

 

For the rest of us it sucks, because it's hard to imagine replacements being a fraction as efficient, helpful or enthusiastic in the roles you've left vacant today. You have my very sincere and heartfelt thanks for all your efforts over the years. Not just for me and my weirdly demanding (in a listing sense) events, but for the UK caching community as a whole. Your official personas will be missed more than you can appreciate at the moment.

 

Reading between the lines, it's clear why you've done this and I hope no one from the UK helped you towards this decision with an ill-timed post, or unhelpful email. I support you in your joint moves anyway, and look forward to seeing you both on the trail of tupperware soon. Although you go now, into the wilderness (with nettles, no doubt), you will not be forgotten. Your footprints of dedication and reasonableness will remain in the mud long after some other fool/s have tried to fill your boots. Best luck to you both, and the best of British luck to whoever takes on your 'duties' too!

 

Paul Smith, disappointed premium member

[+Mr Hedgehog]

Just logged on and read this.

What a very sad day for caching in the UK, not to lose one reviewer/mod, but two. No doubt you both not made this decision lightly.

Still, more time to go outside caching now.

Many thanks both Peter and Dave for your speedy reviewing over the years, and for very wise and considered comments both on the forums and privately

 

Richard.