Today marks the start of our 20th year of the Rhuthun/Ruthin Blog. In 2011 the Wales Blog Awards said of us, 'As a regularly maintained blog since 2005, its consistency is particularly impressive'. They probably didn't expect we'd still be around in 2024. Of all the 10 in the class of 2011 blog award category winners, only ours survives. And the Wales Blog Awards themselves lasted only from 2010 to 2014.
So, first, may we thank the personnel who stitch this little site together. Those who suggest and those who write. Plus the blog photographers who have supplied images over the years.
Slow start. Our first post in February 2005 was the only post in February 2005
And, in our 20th year, it's time for some changes:
- We're still the Rhuthun/Ruthin Blog at rhuthun.blogspot.com but we've decided to give the site a new name: Bro Rhuthun seems to sum things up so much more nicely.
- Out goes the drear and doleful blue background we've used since 2005. Since then, we've only made one minor amendment to it. In a way, it's sad to see it go. But the new page is carefully crafted to be brighter and more appealing. All the same material is there, of course, and a little more.
- We've completely ditched our long-running strapline. This used to read 'Rural life... with added Tesco. Every little helps?' and the updated version 'Rural life... with added Tesco & now Wetherspoon's. Every little helps?' (We were never comfortable with the placing of a question mark after Tesco's 'every little helps'. It isn't an interrogative question, is it.)
Inside the tidy Rhuthun Tesco delivery bay
In our 20th year, may we thank readers for their continued support. During that time, we've seen some strange blog controversies including this. In 2010, this controversy attracted the attention of Ysgol Brynhyfryn sixth formers (who will now be in their early 30s!). Over the years, there has been some silliness from a minority who have commented unwisely.
Other landmarks include:
- We switched comments off in 2012. Between the first post and then we saw over 4,500 comments.
- To date, we've published over 2,100 articles. We have 62 drafts that don't see the light of day. Perhaps at some point...
- The highest number of page views in a single day was on August 31st, 2024. We have no idea why.
- Our most popular post to date has been Clogau Closes (7/1/24). Other popular posts include those on yellow lines (2012).
Finally, there have been times when this site went down and sometimes for long periods. During these, we are sorry that we didn't respond individually to & thank all of those who asked after our wellbeing or who tried to press us into continuing. That was rude and we belatedly ask if those affected might accept our apologies.
Non Liquet a'u tîm Bro Rhuthun
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