Kmflett's Blog

According to my (not particularly accurate) Wiki entry I’m a ‘prolific letter writer to the British press’.

That bit at least is true. I write less these days but I haven’t stopped, despite occasional suggestions that I have.

I started in the mid-1980s writing to the Guardian (which I still do, there was a Fletter on socialism and beards published this week)with the express aim of trying to provide some historical perspectives to a media that seemed even then to be obsessed with out of context for the moment reports.

The letters don’t and never have covered just that though. Beer, beards, cricket, cheese and of course socialist politics all feature.

Now however I’ve decided after nearly 40 years or so to call it a day.

While I still see the value of the edited (in effect moderated) letters page compared to social media and below the line commentary, the sad reality is that the audience for letters to the editor has diminished over the years. So too have the publications that one can write to, as many either go on-line only or close altogether.

What’s Brewing, the monthly paper of the Campaign for Real Ale, published its last print edition a while ago. I used to write letters regularly, but no more. Beer discussion has moved almost entirely on-line some time since.

I comment on Twitter and Facebook and run a blog. All excite considerable comment on occasion. I’m afraid published Fletters mostly pass by more or less un-noticed by comparison. Those that ask me, for example, if I’ve stopped writing to the Guardian I suspect mostly don’t read the print edition anymore (nor do I) where the letters are prominent in the comment section. The letters appear in the various Guardian digital versions (which I subscribe to) but you have to search them out.

If you do actually want to read what I’m saying a good point of entry is on twitter @kmflett. If you don’t you won’t come across me inadvertently as you’re flicking through a paper or magazine anymore