Western Gazette – by Tina Rowe
A bird enthusiast made a 25-mile trip to see a falconry display at a family leisure park only to be told that single adults are banned – for fear of paedophiles.
Married man Matthew Richards, 54, a father of three grown-up children, was staggered by the rule at award-winning Puxton Park, a family-orientated leisure attraction near Weston-super-Mare.
Mr Richards, who also has three grandchildren, had previously visited the park with his family to admire the birds of prey.
But when he returned on Thursday hoping to watch another falconry display he was told he couldn’t be admitted as a single man, on child protection grounds.
Puxton Park claimed the rule, which is explained in the small print on its website, was “in line with all other parks”.
However Mr Richards, of High Littleton, near Bath, said he couldn’t understand the ban and questioned why the rule was not explained on the brochure which prompted him to visit.
He said: “I was frankly amazed. I was told the rule applies to single men, and women, for the protection of children.
“I couldn’t see anything about the rule on the brochure which I picked up at another attraction.
“We have taken one of our grandchildren there before, and I saw that the falconry was there and thought it would be interesting to go back and see the displays.
“They are advertising adult memberships as gifts so I can’t understand it.”
Puxton Park has many attractions that appeal particularly to young children, including its adventure park for youngsters aged four years and upwards, but its falconry display appeals to all ages.
Puxton’s website does state that single men and women without children are excluded from entry, but the information is not carried on the home page, or under two other sections which might be expected to carry it – the “Access Statement” which gives information for disabled visitors, and “Rules of Admission” which carries helpful guidance such as washing hands after touching the animals, especially before consuming food.
The information on the unaccompanied single adult ban comes in the prices section, at the end of a long list, and after information on gift vouchers. It states: “We are sorry but we are unable to let single men or women without children into the park.
“If you are here to meet someone let one of our reception staff know and they will happily do a tannoy announcement asking them to come and meet you.”
Alistair Mead, managing director of the park said the rule has been in place since the park opened seven years ago.
“There is a lot in the headlines about paedophiles and things that are going on with children.
“We have done our research and in line with all other parks we don’t let single men or women in,” he said.
“We make it quite clear that if people want to go to the falconry they have to get a prior appointment, and we would take them down to the falconry centre.
“It is in the leaflet. I think if I did a survey of 100 of our customers they would agree that we are doing the right thing.”
The falconry centre has more than 15 different breeds of birds of prey and is run by an experienced falconer.
The falconry section of the website lists hunting days and even a five day in-depth falconry course.
To find out more people have to ring or email the falconer, so would then be advised about special arrangements to allow unaccompanied adults to take part.
But there is no specific mention of the no single adults rule on the falconry page.
Mr Richards has struggled to find the guidance in the brochure he picked up. “I almost feel discriminated against,” he said.
“I could understand it if it was for the attractions that young children only enjoy, but the falconry is of interest to all.”
A spokesman for Visit Somerset said: “It sounds as if Puxton Park needs to publicise this particular rule a bit more prominently.”
Read more: http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/Single-adults-banned-park-case-paedophile/story-24477493-detail/story.html#ixzz3IfWm3Kpq
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Given the widespread pedophile culture in Britain, particularly among the upper classes, its no wonder they are taking precautions. Nonetheless, it wouldn’t hurt to apply a little common sense to individual circumstances.
I have a feeling something else is going on, though I may be wrong. Most people are normal and are NOT pedophiles. Yet, policies like these would do several things: create in many of us a fear and mistrust of normal, ethical, well meaning (and probably helpful) adults. It would also serve to confuse and deflect attention from the small percentage of people who are the real pedophiles. And it also sets up in the children a sense that the world is more dangerous than it actually is (in terms of everyday people they would encounter). So that the actual, genuinely trustworthy people are mistrusted, and the only people you can trust are the “authorities.” If we all start mistrusting and being suspicious of each other, we are divided and not united. I think it is something like that. Who knows exactly where these policies came from, but this subtle indoctrination of mistrusting each other has been planted for a long time, and this just seems to be a logical but disturbing escalation of it.
What happens if 2 men try to enter?
they get a free pink shirt. /sarc
this is just one bit of a larger problem,
you need a special “i’m not a pedo” permit to do just about anything near kids now.
and it costs about $100 to get one.
@Frank.
it’s not a u.k. thing, it’s a rich “family” thing.
or did you forget the larry franklin affair!
a guest, are you serious, you can get a permit?
yes, you can get a permit to work near kids.
it lasts 6months or a year i think.
all it is is a police background check to make sure your not a convicted pedo pretty much.
want to give your neighbor’s kid a lift home with yours? you need this permit!!
personally i think it’s just another excuse to get money out of everybody.
Well this story acts as if a “single” man is more likely to be a pedophile but from my experience that is a minority.
The few occasion iv become aware of a pile of shit, I mean pedophile, they all where married and had kids(easier targets). In fact they almost all had adopted kids too or had a foster home. SO GO FIGURE.
Where is the discrimination of petherasses group? They should be clamoring about their rights. lol