Latest Site News

[Ryan.]

Hello guys!

So today I have taken the difficult decision to step down as BJSC moderator. I've been very aware that my activity levels in the past few months in particular have been lower than I think they should be, and this is a result of both a slight decline in interest as well as a recent substantial increase in hours in my job! I've always said that as soon as I know I'm no longer the best person for a moderating job and have given everything I can then I'm not going to hang on to a position for the fun of it. I said exactly the same thing with the Pop forum a couple of years ago and now it is time to do the same thing here.

With having less free time I have had to decide which of my online duties I wish to continue with, and my focus has to be on my work with ESCXTRA.com which many of you will know I became a part of this time last year. My activity has also been slipping substantially in the Eurovision forum but I hope that by stepping down here, this will allow me to spend a little bit more time in there with the added advantage of that having a significant overlap with my aforementioned ESCXTRA work! Of course, I'll keep a close eye on my activity and if I realise its time to leave there too then so be it... we shall wait and see!

So yes, I've been a moderator here for just over two years which has absolutely flown by! With the 10th anniversary BJSC celebrations approaching quickly, I wanted to make this decision fairly fast as I know I'm not going to have enough time to contribute as much as I would want to and would need to. In addition, I feel the spin-off forum is slipping slightly in momentum too due to a lack of time for me to give input, so I think it's the perfect time for a new lease of life in there. The spin-off forum was definitely my baby and I'm proud that it has become a hive of activity (up until the last month or so at least!). I'm sure there will be a further announcement in the coming days as to who will be my replacement.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who was involved in giving me this opportunity that I'd wanted for so many years. I still have the good news PM from Phil in July 2015 saved firmly in my inbox! I know it was considered a big risk to take me on, but I think it was one that paid off. BJSC as a whole, both main contests and spin-offs, seems to be in a stronger place than when I joined as a moderator. In fact, it's perhaps the strongest I've seen it in my six years here. There's so many exciting things coming, I can't wait to see the culmination of lots of hard work behind the scenes!

Of course I will be staying around to participate in the contest for the foreseeable future, I have to get that elusive victory!

Thank you all,
Ryan!