I don't see it as you being "wrong" and ROBCamra being "vindicated". People have expressed their views and most have said they don't see the point of the compass points. If you think they're valuable, there's nothing to stop you re-adding them! People who don't find them useful can just ignore them. And after all there's no harm done in having a pub in two or more areas.
I understand how it can feel like a personal attack, when you try to do something to improve the site but get knocked back all the time, but I really don't think this is anything personal.