You have moved me again!!!

Although the petition continues to grow slowly but surely the last couple of days have been significant. In view of happenings I feel it would be rude of me not to write. I am VERY moved that some of you have 'chipped in' to further promote the petition. I cannot thank you enough!!! I can also report that, albeit again slowly but surely, it seems to have worked. I am also grateful to those of you who have forwarded details to others. While I still reiterate that I think we need to keep a realistic perception about the likely support for a petition relating to stammering (ironically, makes the point in a way!), I am confident we can get there and cause the BBC to think EXTREMELY hard. As I said before, I believe we could with the comments some of you have already made but of course we want as many as possible. I am particularly pleased that a colleague who is a head teacher has signed. I paste below what he had to say about it as I think it makes the point perfectly: Thanks John, Completely agree and have signed it. I have taught several children, and have one in school at the moment, who are very sensitive about this and the last thing they need is public approval for mickey taking and potential bullying. Hope you get the required amount of people to sign it. Will think who I can forward it to. Best wishes, Alan I have been watching the current run of “Still Open All Hours” closely. I find it interesting that the mimicking has been very 'watered down' compared to last year's run. There is one more episode to go but so far the mimicking has been very slight and in episode 4 there was none at all. I do not want to kid myself but I wonder if I can flatter myself that I have already had some effect with the protracted and in-depth correspondence I had with the BBC. I also informed the director general, Tony Hall, I was setting up the petition. I am wondering if they are trying to compromise by making it very minimal. I suspect they might be wanting to include some as a gesture of respect to the late Ronnie Barker. It was one of the arguments the BBC used in its defence in that it is something David Jason would want to do as he and Ronnie Barker worked together for many years. I understand David Jason's feelings, but sorry the way of doing it relates to a misguided idea. Interestingly, I understand from what I consider a reliable source, that Ronnie Barker, to his credit, had reservations about the mimicking of stammering for the original “Open All Hours.” It seems he was persuaded otherwise. Again, thank you all so much and please keep at it – as I will. We can get there!!! Take care. John