In this section we feature views and opinions of visitors to this site. We do reserve the right to amend or refuse to publish any comments which have been submitted in "Ale Mail".
Hello
my fellow Real Ale fans, It states on your website that Darlington has a
population of just 86,000 !. Could I please inform you that 99,000 people
live in Darlington. Contact the Town Hall if you do not believe me. Please
could you rectify this, my friend.
Further to the above posting, Mr Wardell wrote a letter to the Northern Echo newspaper which was published on Friday 4th January. Click here to read this letter.
As some of you may be aware, there has been a feature in today's Letters
Section of the Northern Echo entitled "Short Measures" by
Christopher Wardell criticising the fact this website has, incorrectly,
stated that Darlington has a population of 86.000. This fact appears on
the Darlington Pub Guide page of the website for those who may not know.
Christopher Wardell contacted me last week via the website to say
the population was 99,000 and "to get in touch with the Council if
I did not believe him". Having
reading his letter today the figure quoted is now 100,000 so another
1,000 people have moved to Darlington since last week or is Mr Wardell
now not sure of the figures ?. I updated this figure on the website last
weekend so people who now visit the site will be now be somewhat misled
by his comments. I had hoped by amending these figures via him
contacting me this would be the end of the matter.
Unfortunately, it seems, and rather disappointingly from my point of
view that this matter has reached the local newspaper, plus the fact
that his comment about "the odd thing is all of the other
information on CAMRA's website is spot on" has not gone down
too well with me.
As webmaster, my efforts in creating this site over the past year
or so along with other branch members' help and contributions has
not been an easy task, but I'm sure that everyone in branch is pleased
with what I've done, the fact we have had over 1600 hits in 5 months proves this, so what
is so odd about it ?. At the same time I also welcome any updates from people which
are amended duly on the site as in the case of the population of
Darlington.
In response to Mr Wardell's comments, I will be replying to his letter,
both in the Northern Echo and to him personally. Hopefully people will
respond to his comments and we can get some positive feedback in light
of this situation.
How petty, you’re doing a spot
on job.
Hasn’t
this Chris guy got anything better to do?. I cannot believe the pettiness
of such an observation. Don’t let it bother you, Ian – the website is
great !
Ah, and there I was thinking aspergers
was confined to us tickers & our train spotting chums. Better check
yer P's and Q's in case there's 1.00018345 missing. Who is this damned
pendant anyway ?. Keep up the good work with the site, Ian. Regards,
John Reed.
Ian - Mr W is wrong. His
comment refers to the population cited at the top of page 5 of the
Real Ale Guide. If he reads it again he will see that it is clearly
specified as being the population of Darlington town. The
borough of Darlington, which he appears to be referring to, includes Hurworth,
Heighington, MSG and other villages; it had population of 97,838 at
the time of the 2001 Census.
By changing the figure to '99,000'
you have now made the website inaccurate. Please change it back !.
Name: Ian
Jackson
Posted: 05/01/08 Time: 20.12
Thanks for the info Brendan. For
the guide to appear on the website, it had to be based on
information from the 2006 Real Ale Guide. Yes, the 86,000 figure
applies to just the population of Darlington itself as it only appears
in the town description of the 2006 guide and the 2007 updated guide.
The figure is back to 86,000 !.
Hi Ian, first things first. You are doing a splendid job with the
website and I think all the members of not only the Darlo Branch but
other areas too would endorse this. In my opinion the subject regarding
the population of Darlington is not the issue but this guy's sarcasm ie.
pop quiz and Seaton Carew !. I am sure this person could write to the
Northern Echo about more serious issues, and let's face it there are
plenty.
You are doing a great job Ian, don't be put off by petty comments.
Hi Ian, as a member of one your neighbouring CAMRA branches, may I
congratulate you on a 1st class Web Site. It leaves many standing and
most importantly has up to date, relevant and accurate info. Never mind
this Chris fella, he obviously needs to get out more !!!. Cheers and
keep the Flag Flying !.