.......I am posting this announcement where, hopefully, it will be seen by my many friends.

Facebook:

Several years ago I was persuaded to register at 'Facebook', but seldom logged in or posted there as, to me, it all seemed so pointless and time-wasting.

About eighteen months ago I deactivated my 'Facebook' account after I found that not everyone who contacted me was who they claimed to be. Recently, I began to be bombarded almost daily with E-mails from the site implying that my old pals there had been trying to send me messages and that new 'friends' were trying to contact me. I caved-in and took a look and, yes, there was a long list of people (one or two rather distant relatives and some X-Markers but mostly total strangers) who wanted to be my 'friend', or for me to be theirs. Frankly, although I am less mobile than I have been and do not have many reasons to leave the Bicknell Grange estate, there are still insufficient hours in the day for me to become involved with 'Facebook' once more - and there is still that element of mistrust I have in it.

I am extremely flattered that some of you should wish me to be your 'friend' but I am asking you to understand my reasons for once again deactivating my 'Facebook' account and thereby failing to respond to your requests. I do not intend to offend anyone - believe me, it is not personal. I consider every X-Marker to be my friend, courtesy of the forum - many of whom I have had the pleasure of meeting in person across Europe and North America, some have even visited me at here at The Grange.

Take care,
Ham.