I am struggling with this thread,
What is this supposed Party Line and who has set it. ?
If the majority view is the "party line" surely that is just the ethos of the forum.
If you hold a counter view to the majority, that is all it is, it may feel like you are being ganged up on but you just hold a minority view. That should not stop anyone posting a different perspective, just don't expect anyone to suddenly convert to a different stance, anymore that you would alter your stand point.
I find this need to announce the intention to leave the forum in a fanfare very strange, all it will achieve is to stir up ill will, if you find this place is not for you, just stop posting, you can always return later if you feel it has changed more to your liking.
It is a pity that John has stopped posting at the moment, I did enjoy most of his posts, but that is his choice and right.
It is probably better that members ask a few months later, what happened to…..they haven't posted recently, hope they are ok.
Shame we are spending so much time on this rather than celebrating a forum contingent who have given time and money to help a fellow forumite to get back on the Broads.