h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Dear Hugh Robertson, I am writing to bring to your attention the campaign in progress to 'save' BBC Get Writing.
This excellent site was set up by the BBC last year around the time of The Canterbury Tales competition. It has, to date, about 22,000 members of mixed ages and from many different countries. Not all those members are active but there is a core membership posting regularly. We are still not clear as to why the BBC want to shut us down. One of the reasons given is 'concentrating resources on the under 25 age group'
Us older members (I am 50) feel that this is something of an insulting 'tossing on to the scrapheap.' Also it is the over 25 age group, by and large, who are the license payers here!

The site is unique amongst internet writing groups in it's ease of use, content and community spirit. Many of the members are housebound for one reason or another or suffering from depression or disability and this site has been a marvellous way to enter into a community and make friends whilst learning, growing and flourishing in our writing enterprises.

We feel that the BBC is making a huge mistake in turning off this resource just as it is gaining awards and prestige for the wonderful work it's staff and editors are achieving.

This link will take you to our draft letter which is being sent to Mp's, newspapers, other media and famous writers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/getwriting/A3363031

On a personal level this place has been my own lifeline in my journey through depression. I have written over three hundred poems and short stories in just over a year, run challenges, mediated debates and even set up my own poetry website. When I have been down, other members have been an enormous support and I have made many friends at Get Writing, some of whom I have met in 'real life' and many who live in other countries that I would never had met if it wasn't for the trust in the BBC that encouraged them to join the site.

I do hope that you might have the time to come and visit the site and see for ourself the huge amount of work and dedication from hte members and read about the deep concern over the closure.

Thank you

Ali Froud.

Fight the good fight folks!!!

I will be with you all in spirit...I am trying to contact a author over here too...We must Fight for the right to Get Writing

Also contacted Stephen Fry through his agent.....this is the reply...
Dear Clare,



Stephen sends huge support from afar for your campaign however he cannot take anything else under his wing.

Many thanks,

Yours,

Lorraine



aand The Oldie magazine sends their good wishes too..

spidey

I've e-mailed my MP!

Brilliant letter Spiderbaby.

Great letter SB! Hope you don't mind, I cribbed parts of it to send to my MP too.

I was wondering about that too Kath - as it's so well written.

Feel free. I have just written to Sir John Bourn of the National Audit Office. see letter on ican campagn.
spidey

Spidey, how do you find the time to do all this, as well as run a great challenge etc.

Good on you spidey all those legs must come in handy or er leggy

I have posted a thread called abc radio re bbc cuts...it may give you a look at the macro moves going on and the geezer at the top giving the orders....Hope it helps for the trench war fair chaps and chapettes.......Serin