I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mick is the most helpful and generous guy on the list by a long way. Whenever I've posted a question, it's usually Mick who replies and he's sent me some printed material as well. However, I'm not going to try to persuade him to keep responding to on-list queries. I now think he should do exactly as he intends and stop sharing his knowledge except off-list with those who appreciate his contributions.
I'm well aware that he doesn't get everything right but no one does. I know a VCC member who laughs at some of the statements of another esteemed list member and he's considered an authority. The truth is that when you're speaking about 50-year-old bikes, there inevitably has to be a lot of confusion and (best) guesswork.
If I were Mick, I'd send all those abusive emails I know he's been getting to Dale and let him boot those ignorant people off the list as he has done in the past in other circumstances.
I hope Mick and Paul are sitting down when they read this next bit. I moved house three weeks ago and in sorting out all my stuff I found the Brown Brothers CDs I made up for both of them and subsequently misplaced. I now have them sitting in jiffy bags and will post them tomorrow. Don't start hyperventilating now lads!
Bruce Robbins
Dundee
Scotland
> From: Paul Williams <castell5@sympatico.ca>
>
> Folks,
>
> Am I alone in feeling sad at the potential loss of Mick Butler's
> contributions to the list? As a fan of bicycle history, particularly
> British bike history, I was saddened by Mick's E-Mail. I am one of those
> who has benefitted greatly from Mick's knowledge over the past couple of
> years. He and I have often exchanged British bike chat as well as other
> pleasantries. Moreover, he has helped me immensely with unsolicited
> frame identification and, yes, has sent me photocopied material.