THE CLOSING & REOPENING OF THIS FORUM

[Firebird]

Hi All,

Unfortunately, the owners Cam and Nicki have decided that they no longer want to maintain this board, after over 15 years of doing so. I’m sure we’d all like to thank them for the amazing job they’ve done.

Kris (aka Camus) has kindly offered to take over the administration of the site, which I think is a great idea.

The forum will be moving from Poets Graves to the following website - https://www.proleartthreat.co.uk .

If you would still be interested in participating on the new site under new ownership could you please let us know below?

Let’s keep this wonderful institution going.

Many thanks,

Tristan

[Antcliff]

Let me echo those thanks.

Thank you Cam and Nikki for all you have done.
There was a period of my life when the site meant a huge amount to me
in terms of getting to know people and learning about poetry.

I repeat: very big thanks indeed.

Seth
p.s good luck, Kris/Tristan!
(I'll certainly be calling by at the new site).

[JJWilliamson]

That goes for me too. Many thanks indeed to both Cam and Nicola.
I will definitely participate at the new site, once the mayhem of my my life has
calmed down. Don't ask.

Best

JJ

[ray miller]

Many thanks to Nicki and Cam for putting up with us so long. I'll join the new site. Do they serve alcohol?

[NotQuiteSure]

.
Thank you Nicola, thank you Cam.
Best wishes for whatever you do next.

I'll make the move to proleartthreat, let me know the how and when.

Not


.

[capricorn]

My visits here have been intermittent (such is life atm) I have enjoyed posting here for the honest and helpful comments received. I would certainly like to follow you to the new website and I'm glad you are not shutting down completely, like so many other sites I have known.

Eira

[David]

[A lightly edited version of my comment in the Moderators' Motel]

Cam and Nicky ...

What can I say? This was where I first got to take my poetry BMX out on a proper track - with other people - for the first time. It made all the difference to me. You are good people, and you have done a good thing here. There are a lot of us out there, still scribbling away, because of the mutual support and encouragement that I remember best, and most fondly, about PG. And I still miss Barrie loads too.

Kris, good luck with this. Godspeed. I'll try to blow a bit of wind into the sails, although I get out of puff so quickly these days.

Go well, Cam and Nicky.

David

[Pauline]

Cam and Nicky. Huge, huge thank you from me. I know I've been a pain in the arse on several occasions and you have been massively supportive each and every time. I joined PG a total novice. Knew nothing about poetry. Thought a few rhyming words at the end of a sentence made a poem. I have learned so much from the wonderful critique given by the many colourful characters on this site.

I was thrilled to meet up with many of the PG crowd a few years ago, and from then on felt a closer connection once I put a face to the names.
They became my pals. (kinda)

I owe you both seriously strong hugs for giving me a place to grow as a poet/artist.
I wish you both well and I thank you again for all you have done.
I most certainly will join Kris in the new forum.

All the best,

Pauline.

[David]

That was a great weekend, Pauline. Lovely to meet you then. One day again, maybe, eh?

Cheers

David

[cameron]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I am conscious that I have neglected this place terribly over the years. Other projects and problems ensued, as they say. But, PG reminds me of those wonderful lines from Auden:
'For poetry makes nothing happen: it survives In the valley of its making where executives/ Would never want to tamper...'
PG has been here for various people at various times.
My own fascination with haiku began here. It also shows what a positive thing the internet can be.
When the forum moves, I will sign up and do some crits and post some of those haiku.
Thanks again.

Cam and Nicki

[TrevorConway]

Thanks for posting this, Tristan. Appreciate it. I'll certainly make the move to the other website to keep the connection going. I'm getting a lot out of PG.

Thanks very much, Cam and Nicki. I hope ye enjoyed yere work here and realise how much it did for everyone.

Take care of yereselves.

Trev

[Marc]

I’d like to join in the chorus of thanks. I first registered here in 2009 and found the camaraderie and quality of writing second to none. And I made a number of friends who I’m still in touch with via social media - indeed it was David who gave me the heads up via Facebook that the forum in its existing form was closing. As Cam implies above - it’s proof that good things can come from the internet.
And my inclusion in the PG Making Contact anthology felt like a real boost too! Now I feel guilty I’ve not been around here much in recent times...
So, many thanks Cam & Nicki - in a funny way you’re responsible for launching numerous fledgling poets - the world at large may not thank you but we do!
I wish you all the best with your future endeavours.

Marc

[Ros]

The Making Contact anthology was indeed a great highlight, and is still one of the quirkiest and interesting anthologies I own!

Rosemary

[Magpie Jane]

What a surprise, right here at the bum end of the year!
Buckets of thanks to you, Cam & Nicki, for everything you've done for us all.
And a cartload of thanks to Kris for carrying on.
What exactly does the name of our new poetic home imply? Proleartthreat - the word is paw-stiffley mindboggling.
Any road - I shall gladly join the new forum. I've been "off-line" far too long, I think (problems galore. troubles. younameit).
Looking forward to seeing y'all!

All the best,
Magpie Jane

[Perry]

I'll continue to participate, though I imagine the forum software and appearance will change.

So many poetry forums have gone under. I'm not sure why.

[Ros]

Magpie Jane! So great to see you around again!

Ros

[Magpie Jane]

Ros! I'm ever so glad to see you too!
Will we meet again in the new (prole)playground?

Jane

[Elphin]

Dipped my toe in the poetic waters here first. An invaluable experience.

Thanks Nic and Cam and good luck Kris with new forum

Elon

[Ros]

Jane, I hope so! Keep meaning to get back to writing, but at present drawing and other things are taking up the time...

Ros

[Richard]

Ah, I stumbled across this as I did the typical (worse this year) melancholy, things I should do more of, kind of review. This has always been a very good board, higher quality, nicer, properly critical friendly, in the best ways. Thank you Cam and Nic.

I’d like to try and join in on the new board if that’d be ok. I’m trying to get back on with poetry. Like many there are stories in there, waiting to be locked up.

Best wishes to all. Maybe see you on the other side

R

[Perry]

So far I'm not seeing any kind of forum at the address given in the first post.

I have some questions. First, what does "proleartthreat" mean? Second, what does a man with a bird's head symbolize?

Thanks.

[Firebird]

Hi Perry,

Happy New Year!

As soon as I hear anymore about the new site and how it’s progressing I let you know.

Cheers,

Tristan

[camus]

An update!

So firstly I'll address the most excellent questions from Perry, which I was going to address at some point anyway.

what does "proleartthreat" mean

"Prole Art Threat" is taken verbatim from the title of a song by a band called the Fall. If you are not familiar with the Fall, then they were an English post-punk group lead by the inimitable MES - Mark E. Smith, who sadly passed away in 2018. I could lament here, but I won't, he (and The Fall) deserve your own discovery.

what does a man with a bird's head symbolize?

Good question. It symbolises the working class. The very title of the site begins with "Prole" = Proletariat. What better animal (animals are cool, obviously) to represent the prole than a pigeon? Now I realise this is somewhat tenuous and perhaps if you're not that way inclined could be seen as politically/class motivated. It honestly wasn't, i just loved the idea of it. A working class Art Threat. We see so many of the creative industries dominated by the upper middle classes, why not raise the game? Let another voice be heard?

Ok maybe it is slightly class motivated? But don't let that put anyone off. If you're a conservative or republican, it's not your fault, poetry transcends all that nonsense!

More importantly though - I have now set-up, imported and put in place the new forum - behold - [url]www.proleartthreat.co.uk/forum/[/url] On that note The [url] [/url] tag doesn't seem to be working? https://proleartthreat.co.uk/forum/

At present i've disabled the actual functionality, just until i receive feedback, but I've tested it and all seems well.

So onwards and upwards, i'll keep ya'll informed.

Cheers
C

[Firebird]

Thanks Kris. The new site is looking great!

Cheers,

Tristan

[JamesM]

Hello all.
This site has been an incalculable benefit to me over the years. Long may it continue.