We live in a society that uses words in vast quantities. We see them everywhere, in hard copy, on the internet, by email and text. It was T S Eliot who wrote of "the slimy mud of words, the sleet and hail of verbal imprecision". But I trust that essayist Eliot would not be too disapproving of this blog. At the least, I have striven for precision, accuracy and, crucially, balance.
It's hard to believe that today is the 10th anniversary of the Rhuthun/Ruthin Blog. The date of the first ever post was 10th February 2005. That's 10 years of adding to the number of words to read. For exactly how many, please read on.
The Rhuthun/Ruthin Blog started as a way of trying to measure the effect that Tesco might have on the town. This we tried to do as scientifically as possible. In its early days, it drew comment that the blog was anti-Tesco. Hard to believe that Tesco itself has been with us for 8½ years.
But the blog matured and broadened its appeal well beyond Tesco. It tackled the important and the little things.
During all that time, I managed to keep my anonymity and I thank those who know me for not divulging anything, even now, even when the blog is confined to subscription status only. For, since 4.30 p.m. on 24th November 2012, the blog went out of general circulation. Why was that? Well, regular readers at the time will know.
During the period to November 2012, the Rhuthun/Ruthin blog became part of Rhuthun life:
The blog was far more than one person. To November 2012, mine was a contribution of 265,377 words. That's 155 more than Joyce's Ulysses. Sorry, I haven't counted the total to date. But the blog fell under the ownership of its community. Most were simply readers but there were nonetheless 4,516 comments in those public seven-ish years. Twice was the blog recognised by the Welsh Blog Awards in the Best Community Blog category, once runner up (2010) and then winner (2011). Now, though, the blog is published less frequently and is readable by subscription only.
During all that time, I managed to keep my anonymity and I thank those who know me for not divulging anything, even now, even when the blog is confined to subscription status only. For, since 4.30 p.m. on 24th November 2012, the blog went out of general circulation. Why was that? Well, regular readers at the time will know.
During the period to November 2012, the Rhuthun/Ruthin blog became part of Rhuthun life:
- It featured in everyday conversations on the street. I even found myself having to keep a straight face when people asked whether I had seen such-and-such a post. And when my next door neighbours referred to the blog.
- The local media visited often (that much I could tell from my basic stats package). They took an interest in the blog, sometimes commented thereon or quoted therefrom.
- There was no finer tribute than by the much-respected late Hafina Clwyd, author, journalist, white robe order of the Gorsedd of Bards, editor of both Y Bedol and Y Faner, town councillor & mayor who highly praised the blog and I'm pleased to say she did so as a matter of record, in writing.
- Following our use of the term Masterplan to describe the 2011 Dyfodol Rhuthun Future project, we were delighted to see that ordinary townsfolk began using "Masterplan" to refer to the exercise.
- Likewise, we were the first to coin the phrase "Yellow Brick Road" in connection with the roadmarkings situate in town on July 29th, 2012. It cought on quickly. NOt tnat I was either pro or antie.
"The twee, middle class 'silver surfers' who inhabit and contribute to the ruthinbloggers site... truly sickening... get out and get a life and get some real friends you nosey gossipping halfwits"Ouch. And it continues. "The residents who are so wrapped up in their own bitterness, that they fail to see any good sides to the town." And, of course, there were some controversial moments of the Blog's own, when I managed to plunge my foot in it and the loyal readership had to remind me that it was their blog too. Overall, for its seven years, nine months, and 14 days of its public visibility, the Rhuthun/Ruthin Blog was as much a part of the fabric of the town as the library, the pub, the café, the street corner or even dare I say the town council. They were great and exciting times for me and I enjoyed the feedback immensely. Those days have now passed.
The blog was far more than one person. To November 2012, mine was a contribution of 265,377 words. That's 155 more than Joyce's Ulysses. Sorry, I haven't counted the total to date. But the blog fell under the ownership of its community. Most were simply readers but there were nonetheless 4,516 comments in those public seven-ish years. Twice was the blog recognised by the Welsh Blog Awards in the Best Community Blog category, once runner up (2010) and then winner (2011). Now, though, the blog is published less frequently and is readable by subscription only.
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