[Bell Historians] Response from Dr. Mike Baron to recent 'List' emails re Eastry 'Sanctus' Bell.

[Andrew Bull]

Surely this tirade from Dr Baron is the most extraordinary thing that has
appeared on this list, bursting as it is with self-importance. Exactly how
many copies of his book on Eastry Old School and its bell was he hoping to
sell? Members of this list have been kind enough to share with me - and
others - files which contain years of hard work. All this fuss over one
picture! It pains me to see someone like David Cawley being treated so
shoddily.

 

As to Dr Baron's comments on David Bryant, so far as I am aware David set up
this list, so has to right to administer it however he pleases. Anyone who
dislikes what happens on this list can simply leave it.

 

I hope we can quickly move on from this thoroughly distasteful episode.
Unfortunately, I suspect it may long linger in the memory, particularly when
others from outside the ringing/bell historian community ask for our help.

 

Andrew Bull

 

  _____  

From: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com [mailto:bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of michael baron
Sent: 27 July 2007 18:47
To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Bell Historians] Response from Dr. Mike Baron to recent 'List'
emails re Eastry 'Sanctus' Bell.

 

You have just put your finger on the crux of the matter - David did not ask
for my permission first. If he had done so,  I would have said no, not now,
as before publication date, you should regard it as confidential. After
publication, I would have been happy to share information with others.

 

If you can't distinguish between the useful, mutual exchange of helpful
material (such as sending people corrections on erroneous bell data &
providing missing historical information, etc., - which I thought was the
purpose of the Bell Historians Site) and the necessity of guarding sensitive
data for members commercial activities, and acknowledge that I have been
'wronged', albeit unintentionally, then you are not fit to 'moderate' this
site.

 

 If you take the trouble to read your emails properly, before getting
steamed up about them first, then you would acknowledge that; (a) I
acknowledged that David Cawley is a first-class Bell Historian, whom I liked
at first meeting: (b) he has apologized unreservedly to me for his actions,
which I have accepted; (d) had some of your members not ignored David's
wishes not to 'chew over' this private matter  and 'slag me off'  on your
site (presumably allowed by you to do so, in your capacity as moderator),
then I would not have found it necessary to respond publically, as
previously, I had had no intention of using your site for anything other
than participating in the type of exchanges I have seen on there.

 

Having seen you in operation against another member in very recent days, I
anticipate that you might retaliate by striking me off the membership of the
site. Let us see if you are man enough to keep me on it. If not, I shall not
lose any sleep over my expulsion. Perhaps if you feel so strongly about it,
as you are involved yourself, through your failure to 'moderate' properly,
why don't you poll your membership, having first ensured that they are fully
informed  (from both points of view) ?

 

I had hoped that this matter would have been settled quietly & privately,
but David, in only mentioning my "disapprobation" & failing to provide the
full facts, followed by your complicity (as moderator) in permitting a
couple of members 'to shoot their mouths off , compelled to air my side of
things.

 

In expectation of receiving some just & adult treatment from the Moderator.

 

Dr. Mike Baron

 

           
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