Pain of Father's Day

 

This Sunday, families across the country will be coming together to celebrate Father’s Day. Parks, beaches and town centres will be full of happy, smiling faces, as people spend quality time with their loved ones. Sadly, this will not be the case for everyone.

It would be easy to forget that for many people, Father’s Day is one of the most painful times of the year. However, for the thousands of fathers up and down the country who are prevented from seeing their children following separation or divorce, often for no valid reason, Sunday will only be a reminder that their children are growing up without them. Some might reflect on happier times, before the crushing realisation that they may never be able to be one of those ‘happy faces’ in the crowd again. For many, it will not just be Father’s Day they miss out on; fathers in this position, and their children, are denied the cherished experiences and memories that many of us take for granted. Whether it be learning to ride a bike, days out, or simply a story and a kiss goodnight, these crucial relationships are being destroyed up and down the country, with little legal recourse for those affected.
We all know that in life, there is not always a ‘happy ever after’. Couples can and do split up and separation is often preferable to a family home full of anger, bitterness and arguments. Although separation inevitably brings with it a certain level of acrimony between parents, the interests of the children must always come first. Children have a fundamental right to maintain a meaningful relationship with both parents following separation or divorce, and it is our responsibility as parents to ensure that this happens. Sadly, this does not always occur; in fact 28% of children whose parents separated at least three years ago never have contact with the parent they do not reside with (Source: Office for National Statistics)*.
This is why Families Need Fathers campaigns for shared parenting arrangements following family breakdown, allowing both parents to remain fully involved in all aspects of their children’s lives, and in turn allowing children to benefit from the full involvement of both parents. Children cannot and should not be used as a means of punishing an ex-partner through preventing them from seeing the children. Such actions destroy the lives of parents and children in equal measure, and the damage done to the parent-child relationship in this way can last a lifetime.
Both parents are equally important in ensuring the happiness and wellbeing of their children, whether or not they are living together. Unfortunately, the family justice system does not always recognise this. Too often, the courts will only provide for limited contact between a child and a parent not living with their child. Court orders allowing for contact are flagrantly breached by parents determined not to allow the other parent to be involved in their children’s lives on a regular basis. In the majority of these cases, the courts will take no action. This situation must change.
You will almost certainly know of someone who is currently going through this dreadful situation. So spare a thought for them this Father’s Day, whilst the majority of us celebrate one of the key figures in life that make us the people we are today; Dad.
If you or someone you know is in this position, remember that you are not alone. Contact the Families Need Fathers helpline on 0300 0300 363 Monday to Friday between 6pm and 10pm for support and advice, or find the details for your nearest local meeting on http://www.fnf.org.uk/help-and-support/local-branch-meetings. Both parents matter; we owe it to our children to ensure that both parents remain fully involved in their lives, regardless of what happens between us parents.

This also goes for Mothers on Mothers Day. Lets try and get on, for the Children.

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"No Swear Zone"

I spotted this interesting article by Philip Davies and thought, could it happen here.

Barnsley Town Centre will become a "No Swear Zone" in June, as foul and abusive language is targeted by Police and businesses.
Barnsley Voice, the town centre business association, has made "Swearing" the number one anti-social priority, and Police have agreed to help stamp out the blight by issuing £80 spot fines to offenders.

Business managers agreed at their May meeting that something needed to be done about the bad atmosphere that was created by people 'screaming abuse' across the precincts. Leanne Beverley from Primark agreed that the friendly Barnsley welcome was undermined when the air was filled with foul language, but pointed out that it wasn't just a youth nuisance.

"It's older folks as well", said Leanne. "And they pass it on to the young ones".

For South Yorkshire Police, Alison Wales acknowledged the problem and pointed out that officers simply need the public or retail staff to report abusive behaviour whenever it offends them. "We can take a pocket-book statement and then issue a fine on the spot", said Alison.

South Yorkshire Police do NOT want to raise the expectation that people will be arrested simply for swearing however. It is when abusive language is used aggressively that an offence occurs.

Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 creates an offence of being threatening, abusive or insulting in a way which is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. 5(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he -
(a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,
within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.

Cycle to Llandudno How and Why

It was a lovely sunny day and as a family we all decided it would be nice to cycle from Deganwy to Llandudno along the cycle route. We parked the car, unpack our gear and set off. Not very far.

In front of us was a sea defence, a approximate 2 foot high steel gate padlocked. We all got off our bikes and I lifted them over the gate and we set off once again on our journey. Thinking why didn't they not put in a ramp instead of a locked gate as this prevents not only able-bodied people, but anybody who has trouble with walking or in a wheelchair or even people pushing a pram.
The next thing we came across was a sign “Terminal Point of the Definitive Right of Way”. Now I can only imagine that this refers to the end of the public right of way, because directly after it starts the cycle route. So, if there is a right of way then why is there a large steel gate preventing some people from getting access.

Next we were on the cycle route all was going well. We were making a concerted effort not to run over any dog shit, of which there was plenty and this I don't blame the Council. I don't blame the dog. I do blame the dog owners.They even put it in plastic bags and then leave the plastic bag standing proudly ready for someone to stand on it. Perhaps someone should leave a pile of poo on their drive or path and maybe they might get the idea.

On we went then suddenly no more cycling the cycle path ahead was blocked with sand that had been blown down from the sand dunes or off the beach. There have been attempts successfully to prevent the sand from collecting on the cycle path by the erection of windbreakers and fencing, but in the areas that were not sheltered it was impossible to cycle along and as for pushchairs and prams, I pity the person pushing. The Council had come along and cleared some sections but the sand looked as if it had just been dumped by the side of the cycle path ready to be blown back again over the very same spot. Perhaps if it was moved or more windbreakers installed it may not sand over so quickly.

After a bit of a hard walk through the sand pushing the bikes, we were back on our bikes again heading towards the car park at West Shore to look at the plan of Llandudno to see where we were to cycle next. But nothing, there was nothing marked on the map that was the continuation of the so-called national cycle route. So we turned round and went back.

On a later investigation by driving through Llandudno in the car, It appears that the cycle route starts or ends near the paddling pool on the promenade at Craig y Don. So how would you get from West Shore to Craig y Don. You have to go on the very busy main roads, you cannot even cycle along the promenade on North Shore, if you are caught you will be prosecuted and fined. You must cycle along the busy promenade road with cars parked on both sides and coaches sometimes double parked dropping off people at the hotels. Why is it that on Rhos on Sea and Colwyn Bay promenade which is much narrower, cycling facilities have been made available.

Rhos on Sea with cycle route

Llandudno Nothing to prevent a cycle route

If Llandudno is to attract tourism why are they alienating so many people, from young families to the disabled. There was a law passed about the right to roam, well how about the right to common sense. Whose family will it have to be that is injured or killed just for the sake of a couple of lines defining a cycle route along the promenade. As for getting from North Shore to West Shore, Gloddaeth Avenue and Gloddaeth Street are wide enough to install a dedicated cycle route just like the one that exists in front of the Cayley Embankment on West Promenade at Rhos on Sea, with very little cost, Compared to the price of a life. But it seems as always someone will have to do be killed or seriously injured before someone comes to their senses.
I think the original developers of Llandudno. The Mostyn family would be disgusted with the attitude towards tourists, the disabled and young children. How about YOU.
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£150 Billion Bailout

I am a little confused about why we're having so many cuts in our services from council workers, police, nurses etc.

We have bailed out the banks to the tune of approximately £150 billion, which makes us the taxpayer majority shareholders in some banks. So my first gripe is where are our bonuses. We the taxpayer in the guise of the government have bailed out these banks. So where is our money.

If we look at it, we have put our taxpayers money as an investment in these banks to which we should at least get our initial money back. Hopefully, with profits. Then why are we having so many cutbacks in our front line services. These aren't just small cutbacks. They are drastic deep cutting slashes at our services. If we are going to get back the money we invested, it will pay off what we have borrowed to bail out the banks. Then as long as we pay the interest on the loan and this interest along with our initial investment to save the banks is returned when we sell our shares in those banks, we only need to pay the interest and we would not have to make these drastic cuts. We should be investing in the infrastructure of our country and not selling it off to foreign run corporations.

Why are we having such drastic cuts in our services.

Is this all wool over our eyes, so that in four years, when as the government predicts we will have paid off the £150 billion debt and just before the next election. The government can sell these shares with profits and say, aren't we so very clever, now we have £150 billion to invest in the country, as a bribe in the next election.

If what I have said is correct, then why haven't the Labour Party and the Newspapers investigated and made it a story

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Child Beater

I abhor physical violence and I believe that everyone who commits physical violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Or do I ?.

Imagine this. The police phone you and ask you to come into the station to be with your 13-year-old son who has just been arrested for breaking and entering. During the course of the interview you get somewhat irate and cuff your son around the back of the head. Only to find the interview suspended and you arrested and charged with assault.

Now undoubtedly the 13-year-old is in the wrong and you have every right to be angry and to meet out a suitable punishment, but in this case, surely the police were also in the wrong.

In 2011 children have rights and while according to the law parents are allowed to smack their children, as long as it qualifies as moderate and reasonable chastisement. This parent will never be able to touch his son in any way whatsoever again, without having his police record thrown back in his face. For a parent clearly struggling with an out-of-control teen, maybe the police should have taken him to one side, offered support and counselling for not only anger issues but also assistance in how to bring his son under control, instead of undermining his authority further and labelling him a child beater.

Every reasonable parent knows how difficult it is to keep their children on the straight path towards becoming a law-abiding member of society and many regularly threatened with the Child Line phone number but by removing this parent's right to discipline his child surely the police have just helped another juvenile on the road towards delinquency.

Clean up your act

When are you going to look at the rubbish around your car park and clean it up.

On a recent trip to a well known supermarket in Llandudno Junction. I was shocked to see the amount of rubbish surrounding the car park. Understandably, this has been blown by the wind from the recycling skips in that area, but why has it not been cleared up.

With increasing profits and business turnover and some would say, good service. They have been a little lacking in looking around the car park and then getting organised to pick up all the rubbish that has blown into the small trees and bushes bordering the property. Also, what about those small animals and birds that may get caught in the plastic and die.

As you can see the major problem area is the recycling area and that this has been a problem increased by the extra rubbish over Christmas, with people dumping bags of plastic and paper by the side of the skips. Would it not be nice for the environment and customer relations, if someone was sent out to clean it up.

After all, they do say, first impressions count for a lot.

Let's see how long it takes to clear it up and help do something to protect the environment, over profit.

Dog Faeces

When is the council going to get its brush and shovel out to clear up dog faeces on a busy road and path between two schools T Gwynn Jones and Hen Golwyn and feeding Bryn Elian school in Old Colwyn. A lot of money has been spent on the regeneration in that area. But it seems as if once done it is forgotten and left to be spoiled by irresponsible dog owners. The dog faeces is not just in the gutter or on the side of the path and road it is everywhere. As you walk up what is a beautiful row of terraced houses you have to constantly look down to check that you are not going to walk into the dog faeces. I feel sorry for the residents of these houses having to put up with the smell and irresponsible dog owners.

Calls have been made to the council requesting them to come and clear up the mess, they in turn direct you to the dog warden who I believe is one person covering the whole of Conway County Borough. He puts in a request a to have the cleaning crew come round but as yet the dog faeces has not been cleared away and children walking to and from schools with their parents must dodge piles of dog faeces. If this is taken into school on a poor Childs foot the Child will be embarrassed and class teacher will have to clean up the mess on the child and on the floor and anywhere else it gets.

We all know that dog faeces can carry some very dangerous diseases and parasites. So why are irresponsible dog owners not cleaning up after their dogs.

Recently a group of responsible dog owners voluntarily cleared up over 200 bags worth of dog faeces from the playing field opposite T Gwynn Jones. Where the children from Hen Golwyn go to play sports after school. Thank you.

I know that the council is having to make cutbacks in services, and it is not their fault that irresponsible dog owners just let the dogs ot to do whatever they want where ever they want. But, they seem to be able to afford brand-new vehicles but not a shovel spade and plastic bag. This is not what we pay our rates for. By the inaction of the council and the irresponsibility of some dog owners, They are endangering our children to disease and parasites.

The council have got many tools at their disposal a little one-man roadsweeper that could easily clean up the mess. A hand held walk behind street cleaner that could easily pick up all the dog faeces and rotting leaves on the narrow path by the side of T Gwynn Jones.

 

It seems as usual, the only way that anything seems to get done is by pester power. So, please phone the council on (01492) 574000 and let them know where ever you see dog faeces that needs clearing away and report anyone you know or see letting their dog out unaccompanied. It is against the law.