I'm interested to hear what Daz thinks. Clearly it's changed for the worse for him. I wonder if he see's a reason for it...?
Like I said in my orginal post I can write down now who will be at both the Lakes & Newent as the same members go. I also now that at each meet people who I have not met before turn up to have their cars worked on which is great, but not to see them again after until perhaps the following year when again they come for some free work seems to be an insult to me... maybe I am wrong what do you think??
Yes I agree, that is frustrating and a little rude to say the least.
I have withdrawn a little from offering help tbh.
So re oof it's a pc world we live in and we suffer a little because of it?
I've had thoughts of a non public section, say for members with over 1k or 5k posts or something along those lines. Can't see it working though, breeds distrust I guess? And a queue of people moaning they can't get in AND can't sell their car. I also often wonder that the real forum exists in the admin discussions we don't see, I imagine some serious pesh taking behind the scenes.
And I still struggle putting the words down to the level others do too. Mum was right, I should have gone to school. 
Er, yeah rambling now.
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Not sure havig a select area would work, I have heard people saying that it is clicky on here. I don't think it , just that a few know each other quiet well owing to the Meets.
I think the moral of all this is If we can get some more members to the Meets they will enjoy it and make friends irt is a huge Ice Breaker...
Daz has hit the nail on the head here ......
I reckon that us Sethsmates can now be classed as 'Newent regulars' - and we should be there again this year.
Cliques can exist in any situation - but do they bother me? Answer 'NO' - simply because if I/we didn't feel comfortable with any given 'goings on' then we'd walk away and not waste our time. Meets are a great way to put faces to names, meet like-minded people, and 'break down the barriers'. I'm sure that Daz would confirm that I'm presently working on several local OOFers to join us at Newent, and I too see these meets as one way forward.
Love 'em!
Personally, I've had some help from fellow members (and Admins too!), and it's been great to return the favours when possible and put something back in to the forum.
(Right, time for another bottle of Newky me thinks!)

- long may OOF continue everyone!