In article , Janet Baraclough.
.. writes

Was there an official explanation for the closure, Alan, or did it
just stop working?

The site was blocked by Lightmaker the software suppliers, who did not
respond to my request for an explanation. I can only assume that DDL the
site owners had decided not to continue funding it. It had been
operating at its usual recent level until then with all communities and
the chat-room well supported. The library/archive still holds a huge
amount of high quality gardening material including all urg FAQs and 4.5
years of gardening discussion in five distinct horticultural areas.
A sad though inevitable loss to our pastime.
--
Alan Gould