I believe that Anglersnet is in it's 20th year, if so, Happy Birthday!
https://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/forum/3-coarse-fishing/page/1775/
Last month was the 14th anniversary of my joining, and looking back at the lively debates we used to have, (mainly about fishing believe it or not), it's sad to see what we have now. AN helped me through a stage when, for various reasons, I couldn't indulge in the pastime I've loved all my life, indeed I was on the brink of selling my gear, and packing in altogether. There are many names that have come and gone in those years, and I sometimes wonder what happened to them. There was a wealth of information, from anglers vastly more capable than me, but my input was discussed, and accepted, and was even found to be helpful at times. There were of course some disagreements, (mainly in the sea angling forum if I remember correctly), and threads were locked on occasion, but it was all reasonably amicable.
I am as much to blame as most, for the lack of angling input, but now that I can get off more often, I find it difficult to post about the 'ordinary' results of my recent trips. I try to get off two or three time a month, but age has added different restrictions, to the ones I used to have, and my posts seem to turn into rants, or moans, (it must be an age thing).
I used to be able to come on here, and talk with fairly likeminded anglers, but now, this Brexit thing has, IMO, caused many members to leave, and the animosity that it spreads, is depressing. It's taken over the whole forum, as well as the national media, so there is no escape, no respite, from it, and I admit my own part in continuing it, when I like an idiot, get 'suckered' back in.
I wonder if this place will exist in a few years time? I do hope so, but with more angling input, and a more friendly atmosphere.
So a big thank you to Elton for starting AN, it can't have been easy over the last few years, and a Happy Birthday to AN, with hopes for a happier, and healthier future for it and it's members,
John.