92.24.188.243 | Message modified by user HM February 20, 2012, 10:07 am
As some of you may know, Gayle set up this as a safe place for Jeremy Northam fans to meet and chat back when some of us used to meet at an un-moderated page on the Entertainment Weekly site. We all got on really well, enjoyed each other's company, loved Jeremy, but got frustrated by all the trolls (people making unpleasant remarks). Gayle has run boards before and knew the ropes, and we all felt very lucky that she was prepared to take on the responsibility (financial as well as time and trouble). Members have come and gone, and over time many people have chatted, joked, contributed and made friends here. It's been fun, and despite the work, Gayle has been happy to keep it going, even when life has thrown up some severe challenges.
It's easy to get into habits, we all do it, and in the last year and more, JN Chat has got into a bit of a rut and the variety of input has dwindled down. And that's a big shame and not a mark of a true community. It's easily done, especially when people are busy and friendships are involved. Above all, this has always been a kind, warm place and we hope it always will be. Yes, there are rules, but Gayle is never heavy-handed with them, even when things are said and done in anger and rules are broken.
We are all responsible for the fun, chat and friendship at JN Chat, and we can all change it if we want to. No-one should feel their contribution should take second place, no-one should feel that others will be upset if they choose to post something: you can post whatever you like that you want to share. You can all start a thread, you can all kick off discussions, share news, post links. Chat is for all of us. We hope that those who only come to read will join in too. A community thrives on new members.
This is a great time for fans of Jeremy's work: we have a play currently running, and we have a tv drama coming up. Let's enjoy them and enjoy ourselves. Let's show Gayle how grateful we are for all the hard work she's put in (and I can assure you that most of you will only have glimpsed the tip of the iceberg) and make this the vibrant, fun, friendly place she always intended it to be. We can do it.
Thank you to all of you xxx