Interesting. I could say that there are cliques in my local boozer. I only go once, maybe twice a week. But there are those who seem to never leave. Each time I go in, I feel like I've walked in half way through a conversation and have to work out what the **** is going on! But I don't think it is a question of there being a clique, which implies exclusion. One of the regulars will see my confused face and say something like "Twat-features over here was just saying .." (we use lots of terms of endearment like this around here) and you're in. The problem is that this stage is missed out on a forum like this. I can find myself wondering what the hell is going on when I encounter some witty repartee between regular posters. I left Southampton in 1959, and the number of family members I have there is rapidly dwindling so I miss out on many of the local exchanges. However, I don't think this is because anyone on here is trying to exclude anyone else deliberately. Indeed, my experience is that, given the problems that always exist with a virtual community, it is a pretty nice place to visit. Sorry you feel otherwise, Clem.