It has been an interesting few weeks despite having been confined to barracks, cowering in the face of the global pandemic without so much as an immune system to repel the deadly bug.
But at least I've been blessed with a fairly thick skin which has allowed me to withstand the slings and arrows of Avocet chairman Martin Frost - my reward for writing about the activities of his 'disruptive technology' businesses.
I can only assume the 650 shareholders who have large and small stakes in Avocet Natural Capital PLC agreed with Mr Frost when he used letters and updates to those hundreds of investors to accuse me of being a naysayer, an acolyte, a bag man, and a supporter of the Scottish National Party among other things. And I presume his statements are signed off by the entire board of directors.
I have also been the recipient of correspondence from his company secretary demanding I sign a written agreement to the effect that I will desist from any further potential breaches of the Data Protection Act, and have apparently been named together with a number of other individuals who I've never met in a formal complaint lodged with Northumbria Police by Avocet's chairman. It alleges 'possible criminal activity'.
However, all of these alleged acts of wrongdoing paled into insignificance this weekend when Mr Frost, who throws insults around like confetti, informed his own acolytes that, basically, I'm past it. How hurtful is that?
In what has become an almost daily outpouring of personal opinions and grievances peppered with an occasional reference to Avocet's latest proposals for world domination, Mr Frost writes in his July 18th missive about the 'perceived bag men' in 'Aileen Orr's onslaught against Avocet and myself''.
It does not appear to matter to him that I have never met Aileen Orr who has been the consistent target for much more damaging allegations, including some which could not be published in a family newspaper let alone a humble blogging website most of whose readers tend to be of a relatively delicate disposition.
Here, in full, is Mr Frost's ultimate put down...I suppose I should be grateful I'm first on that list of bag men and bag women: " Mr. Bill Chisholm who runs a web-blog fuelled with deprecating articles – like Aileen, Bill is a strong SNP supporter though once a brilliant reporter the jury (as with me) currently judges him as past his best."
In the face of such a devastating assertion it would be reassuring if the members of 'the jury' could get in touch and confirm they concur with Mr Frost's strident view. After all it will be difficult to accept that one is 'over the hill' despite one's advanced age.
However, having observed the Avocet operation from a distance and without a vested interest it has been noticeable that Mr Frost has harsh words and condemnation for a multitude of people who he appears to believe have either defrauded him or are responsible for Avocet's woes.
Former employees of his companies stand accused of disloyalty and dishonesty while the administrators appointed to the insolvent farming business he re-named Orrdone are invariably branded 'bully girls'. So at least I'm in good company.
Yet only a few months back Mr Frost was telling his shareholders he was perhaps past it too, his doctor having advised him to stop working, and that he would be stepping down from his position at the Avocet helm to make way for others. For now he remains in charge as at least some shareholders wonder what the future holds.
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