2018 Year In Review - Blogging!

'Roaming Brit' has been going from strength to strength and I was humbled by the amount of interest shown by you, the readers last year. During the month of November and December I asked the general public if they could send in their Christmas thoughts, highlighting their entries each day. The response was amazing, each of you who took part, detailing stories, thoughts and feelings about the festive season. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every one of them; it was a privilege to have your words documented on my blog, something I can look back to in the future at such an important time of year.

'Christmas Thoughts' was about including people, asking for opinions and recording comments that would otherwise be forgotten. It is important for a Blogger like me, to involve as many people as I can, to keep this site interesting, fresh and current. The interest generated from 'Christmas Thoughts' was phenomenal, with my inbox full to bursting everyday from eager patrons of this site, asking to hear more from those who took part.

Since I began blogging, four years ago I have been amazed by the reach my words have, spanning the globe. During 2018 thousands of people read 'Roaming Brit' each week, a satisfying epitaph for a blog that was born from adversity. Though difficult and challenging subjects are tackled by me all the time, this current blog documents happier times, a departure from what transpired in my life during 2015. In 2019 I have firmly moved away from the testing times I used to write about constantly and concentrate my efforts on a brighter future ahead. All the while I am still mindful of the perplexing, anti social behaviours that were responsible for me putting pen to paper in the first place.

During 2018 I received many messages about bullying and sociopathy, from readers needing help and direction, coping with difficult and arduous circumstances. I do my best to reply to each and every cry for help, or direct them to other organisations who can help them deal with their demons. Blogging isn't just about self serving indulgence, it is also about taking responsibility for our words and helping an audience who have been touched by what we articulate.

I was delighted to include many new guest bloggers last year, people who read 'Roaming Brit' and decided they too wanted to express themselves through the power of writing. Their dedication has been an inspiration for me and to all of you, once again messaging me daily, wanting to become involved. I would like to thank Claire Coe, Debra Rufini and Richard Guy for their continued commitment to their own blogs; they have all become integral to the success of 'Roaming Brit.'

Finally it was a untimely farewell to a dear friend and guest blogger Penelope Wren in 2018. Penelope and I were pupils at the same school in Fareham where we grew up. I was contacted by this wonderful lady about my writing, expressing an interest in blogging and asking for help in setting up a new site. She also continued to write for me, right up until her death in America. Not only will I remember her entries with fondness, but I will also look back on her kind heart, encouraging words of love and wonderful sense of humour. Penelope will always remain a part of this blog, I miss her everyday!

Thanks once again for all your support last year, personally and professionally. You have made 'Roaming Brit' the success it is today and I am looking forward to another fantastic year ahead. Please do keep sending in your thoughts and expressing your views, without you, this blog wouldn't exist and for that you should all feel proud!

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