[pressgang] The Big Finish - time to say goodbye

[Maya Crabtree]

Hi all,

It seems it's true that you don't fully appreciate something until it's
gone. So despite being one of the least active members over the years, and
even disconnecting from the list for a few years, when my "grown up self"
decided the PG is part of my youth and it's time to move on, in recent
years I found myself reverting back to old tastes and PG especially,
re-joining the group, reading most of the mails. Knowing that the group was
there, that I am not alone in appreciating and reminiscing over a 30 year
old children's show that no one in my country has heard of - that in itself
just gave me a good feeling. I especially enjoyed QOTD and being able to
say "It's my birthday today". I haven't yet figured out what makes so many
people feel so strongly about this old show. As Spike once said. We got
this kind of, thing together. I'm not sure what kind of thing it is, it's
just a thing thing.

Since reading Matt's announcement, I have been meaning to reply every day,
but found myself putting it off, in hope that by the last minute, someone
will come up with some simple solution for keeping this space up, either
here or on another platform. I mean, what's life if you can't look yourself
in the eye and say, "Hey! I used to have a group of people to reminisce
about Press Gang with!"?

But I guess this is life, no guaranteed happy endings. It's been amazing to
have this group. Thank you Matt and Kevin and all for occasionally bringing
a smile to my face and enabling some healthy escapism, especially in light
of events in my region.  If anyone feels like trying to think about an
alternative platform to maintain this community somehow, LMK, and I would
be glad to help.

I am available on email - mayacrabtree at gmail.com, on facebook (Maya
Crabtree) and occasionally on instagram (maya.crabtree). Maybe I should
just mention that my extra-specially-close friends get a preferential loan
rate *and* badges. I do have vacancies in my peer group...

Best wishes to everyone. Final paste up - 10 hours...?

Maya



On Tue, Jul 8, 2025 at 4:35 PM Matt Saunders <matts at yoyo.org> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
> After quite a period of reflection, I've decided that it's time to close
> down this list. Unfortunately in this day and age it's almost impossible
> to reliably deliver community email to a large number of people given
> the way that the Internet and people's habits have changed. We're also
> down to a very small number of active subscribers so I think the time
> has come.
>
> So, after nearly 29 years of running this list it's time for the final
> paste-up, turn off the lights, and exit the building. I've so enjoyed
> reading and participating in the discussions over the years, and am glad
> to have built online friendships over that time. I'm also heartened that
> people have met via the list, married and now have incredible kids,
> which makes me feel like "pops", "the old man" (bonus points if you can
> name the episode from this quote).
>
> I'll shut down the list on 1st August 2025. Thank you to everyone past
> and present still who has been a part of it, particularly to Kevin who
> has been diligently giving us daily quotes for the majority of the life
> of the list.
>
> Our passion for Press Gang of course lives on, and I'd encourage you to
> join the Reddit group that Andy Luke has set up. There's not much there
> yet but maybe we can change that. Andy is also producing YouTube content
> about Press Gang which is well worth a watch. Please do tell us about
> any other communities you know about too.
>
> Links:
> https://www.reddit.com/r/PressGang/
> https://www.youtube.com/@AndrewLuke/videos
>
> So, that's it. No crocodiles, no electrical fires, no 6th season or a
> movie. Please feel free to wax lyrical, say goodbye, or say that you're
> late for your dance class. Best wishes to everyone for the future.
>
> You can find me on Instagram (cm6051), BlueSky (matts.net) and of course
> good old email at matts at yoyo.org if you want to stay in touch with me
> for whatever reason!
>
>
> Matt.
> --
>   Matt Saunders
>   07506 857125
>
>
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