Fulham didn't have to share his findings with anyone. However, he has given the evidence to the people who he decided would provide credible witness, and those I know of so far (JIB, Mtoto, Lee and Old Timer) seem to me to be very representative of the debate and reliable.

I don't think anyone is in a position to request the evidence. It is up to us whether we accept their judgement. Speaking for myself, I am happy to.

John D and other doubters,

Having now had time to go through the evidence, and part of my background is as a published investigative writer, I have no doubt that were the evidence to be produced in a court of law then the verdict as to the identity of VDW would be proven without a shadow of doubt.

That he was probably not as personally successful as he may have claimed - here the evidence, while convincing, is not 100% conclusive - should matter not, for the horse sense that was written between the lines was indeed very sound. Perhaps the one thing that he personally lacked was the one thing that he stressed the most - temperament.

In a way it is perhaps a pity that the evidence cannot be made more public, as I believe that Fulham is now having second thoughts as to whether to include it in any book he may write.

Yet, one has to weigh the whole affair up with a modicum of compassion. The man did not try to defraud anyone - unlike some tipsters who make extravagant claims to entice the unwary. He gave his views openly in letters and one little booklet, for which he made little financial gain.

As he is now an elderly man, though seemingly still of sound mind, one should also respect his decision that he does not wish to be brought back into the public eye. There are several possible reasons for that, but they are also not pertinent to the issue, any more than his real name.

What we should do is say a big thank you for his prompting us to look beyond the obvious - think outside the box if you wish - for without the letters of VDW, many of us, including you, Lee, Guest, Fulham, Mtoto and countless others would never have started on the journey to where you and they now are.

So give thanks, instead of brickbats, and while you may not personally appreciate Fulham's long and earnest endeavours in following what his wife calls his 'obsession', others do.

In closing, let me apologise for my lateness in posting this, but in my current position as the English language editor for the 4th largest audit practice and one of the leading business and financial consultancies in Indonesia, you can perhaps appreciate that year-end - the 20th is a Moslem holiday and offices are virtually closed until New Year - is rather a busy time.

Oldtimer

However, he has given the evidence to the people who he decided would provide credible witness, and those I know of so far (JIB, Mtoto, Lee and Old Timer) seem to me to be very representative of the debate and reliable.

I don't think anyone is in a position to request the evidence. It is up to us whether we accept their judgement. Speaking for myself, I am happy to.

Why dont you think anyone is in a position to ask about the evidence?.
Would you rather that we all rolled over so they could tickle our bellies?.

It does all rather smack of an elitist attitude Walter,but there again that's what drew a lot of "Oh I'm Mr Big at Fartridge & Partners", "I can't talk to lesser intellects who only have a GSCE in pottery" types to VDW anyway.

quote:

Why dont you think anyone is in a position to ask about the evidence?.
Would you rather that we all rolled over so they could tickle our bellies?.

If you don't like it, tough luck.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BlackCat,

Black Cat

Maybe you would like to re-consider your last post - or are you the one that is drunk?

Mr Blackcat we all have our frailties.
However i can say hand on heart that i have always kept the same username or near to the same either WP or plain Walter wherever ive gone.

Hi John d

Yes, I am out of order, you are quite right. I'll go in an tidy it up a bit. Pick up my own mess.

The thing is, last time I was posting regularly on Gummy was around this time last year. Dear Walter took it in his head to take offence at something or other, then followed me from thread to thread - (not just down here in the dungeon either) - and give me a hard time, to the point where I didn't post at all on Gummy, pretty much until now.

No point complaining to the moderator is there!!!

Hence my apparently over the top post.

No, I'm not drunk - I rarely drink.

My My My,
I'm sorry if I've stepped into some history here I do not know about. I have GCSEs in pottery, art and home economics. I bring my kids up in a good honest way and I keep my house clean and cook as well. I do not think this makes me a lesser person. I do not go grouse shooting or work for the 4th biggest company in my country. Again I do not think this makes me a lesser person.

Keep it in man, your only speaking your mind.

quote:

Originally posted by walter pigeon:
Keep it in man, your only speaking your mind.

Walter
Good post. You've really surprised me with that. I am chuffed.

***

Delilah
Please stop writing My My My

Each time you do, I get Tom Jones ringing in my ears!!

Im glad ive surprised you somewhat BC, however i was not brought up to be a follower.
Hence the questions regarding this issue?.

Why Why Why?

quote:

Originally posted by walter pigeon:
Im glad ive surprised you somewhat BC, however i was not brought up to be a follower.
Hence the questions regarding this issue?.

Fair enough. I guess it'll come out eventually. I suppose in the meantime, you could try checking out the electoral register for Market Harborough!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BlackCat,

quote:

Originally posted by Delilah:
Why Why Why?

Delilah,

My final paragraph was merely an explanation as to why I had been tardy in posting under this topic, although the information had been sitting in my mail box for a few days. If this upset you, then I am sorry, as it was not meant to be misconstrued that I consider anyone - especially someone I have not 'met' - as being lesser than me, far from it.

Oldtimer

Why should i need to check though BC?.
A chosen few have already been aquainted with the details.
Why cant one of them set us straight on here, perhaps you and others have a high opinion of certain members but speaking for myself i cannot see a reason to make any distinction?.

We are not part of the chosen few. JIB gave a good reason earlier why the full evidence wasn't being released earlier today:

"The reason that I don't reproduce VDW's real name and address as revealed by Fulham to me is the wish to not be responsable for throwing the real VDW to the lions.

As you know there are no shortage of odd characters who frequent VDW threads, and VDW has made it clear that he has no wish to comment on these matters. And, for whatever his sins, as he very much deserves my respect, I feel he could be exposed to needless bullying from people who could feel a grievance about his conduct".

Personally, I can fully understand and accept that argument. If you want more evidence, then it is up to Fulham whether it is supplied... or not!

BC,
Perhaps this should have been asked earlier but why was this investigation started in the first place?.

I believe the answer to that lies in Old Timers post above - he writes:

"...and while you may not personally appreciate Fulham's long and earnest endeavours in following what his wife calls his 'obsession', others do".