Environmental campaigners who had dressed as penguins today defied a ban on handing out leaflets without permission in Telford Town Park.Rachel Whittaker, of Wellington, was thrown out of the park last week after being told she needed permission, a criminal records bureau check and a risk assessment, before she would be allowed to distribute her leaflets on climate change.
But today she risked being ejected again, after deciding to finish giving out the 200 leaflets she has had printed.
Joined by campaigner Graham Bunn, of Madeley, the pair vowed to stay until the job was done – even if it meant having to sit down and park bosses having to call police.
The 34-year-old, who once again donned a penguin beak and yellow flippers to highlight the plight of penguins and how they are affected by climate change, vowed to carry on her fight to raise awareness.
She said her right to protest had been suppressed when she was told to go on Friday. “We are not here to antagonise the park, but we’re here to prove a point,” she said.
“We feel it’s a public place and we’re not doing any harm. We are trying to raise awareness of the issue of climate change.”
Telford & Wrekin Council, which owns and manages the park, today defended its rules for the site. David Morgan, council spokesman, said there were many children in the park during the summer months and the council had a duty of care to them and adult visitors.
He said: “People wanting to participate in an activity or stage an event need permission. It is not the authority being heavy-handed, it’s a legal requirement.”
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38 Comments
Personally, I want to relax in the park not be bothered by people going-on about climate change and penguins dressed up in penguin-type outfits – it’s enough to scare the children!
Printing the leaflets out and handing them to people isn’t particularly helping climate change anyway – why don’t they just tell people (quitely) or rely on their notice board?
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Defeats the object having printed materials surely they have had to use burn fossil fuels to make electricity and paper to make the point which both contribute to climate change if you believe everything you read!
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Well done I say.
It is people like these and their collective tenacity that actualy get things done.
Whether you agree in part, in whole or not at all, we must agree that people have the right to freedom of speech that is all to often conveniently taken away.
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Good point were the 200 flyers (which no doubt the majority of people handed them chucked away) printed on recycled paper ?
We should know.
It seems these 2 demonstrators are adding to the fairy tale of climate change by needlessly printing off flayers and handing them to people who do want them.
Shame on the pair of you.
also I hope the penguin costume was made in the Uk and not China – just think of the carbon footprint
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If there were more people who spoke out about that which concerns them the youth of Whitchurch would have their skatepark. Continue to make your point whatever it is and always remember that your point of view is valid in any debate.
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Is there any particular reason why these people aren’t working? Like the workshy shower down in Kent last week I would have hoped they’d have something better to do.
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There’s another point to their being required to have a criminal records bureau check and a risk assessment, and that is why don’t people who are just visiting the park not also required to have them? Afterall, they are just as much of a risk to vulnerable people as these two, possibly more so. Is it too much to expect the council to explain the difference between the two types of park users and if there is none, when ordinary users will have to be CRB checked and risk assesed before being allowed in? Or is it just that the council see this as an easy way of controlling campaigners? If it is the latter, we should all be very worried by these control freakes.
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There are some valid comments here about the environmental impact of producing 200 leaflets and we are aware that our methods are sometimes appear contradictory with our aims.
However, on the rare occasions that we produce a run of leaflets, we produce them ourselves on recycled paper, using the most environmentally friendly inks available to us whilst the member of our group who does the printing uses a supplier who provides energy from renewable sources.
The leaflets are not handed out willy-nilly and if someone does not want to take one then they just have to say no and we keep it for someone who does.
On the other hand, I wonder if demands that we explain ourselves from those who either don’t care about climate change or who don’t even admit that it is happening aren’t somewhat contradictory in themselves? Even with 200 leaflets printed, I would expect that the carbon footprint of our whole group is less than some individuals but if climate change isn’t a problem, why are you bothered?
Anyone who did not want to engage with us was welcome to just walk on by and get on with their visit to the park.
Do I look like I was capable of hot pursuit with those flippers on?
I assume that those who just want to ‘relax in the park’ will join us in supporting the Hands of Our Park (HOOP) group who are taking direct action to protect this valuable local green space.
I feel no shame whatsoever for the action I take on climate change and if one day definitive evidence is presented that it is not the threat currently suggested, I will never have been happier to be wrong. In fact, I will take to the Town Park in an appropriate costume and trumpet my error with glee.
Whether climate change is a threat or not, human beings are still having a negative impact on the planet and inevitably, other species and our own.
With much of the negative feedback about our actions in the Town Park focusing on protecting children, I find it astounding that people are prepared to stick their head in the sand about the problems we are creating for our children to deal with in the future.
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that david cameron will dress up as anything to get elected
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And the next time someone without permission and without a CRB check dresses up as -say- a penguin and molests children, will Whittaker and Bunn have anything to say on the matter? I doubt it.
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Rachel the problem that I see it is your dressing up as a penguin!!!
Something a small child will want to go upto and say hello to naturally.
Without having a CRB check anyone with dubious motives could use dressing up as a childrens character in a childrens park to attract young children.
That is why you needed a CRB check.
If you had been dressed up normally I doubt you would have had a problem
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Racehl as for the leaflets handing out
Could’nt you have just obtained a loudspeaker and spoken your views to everyone?
That way you would not have added to the carbonprint by handing out 200 leaflets
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Just to respond to the comment about having a job, yes i do work, has it ever occurred to you that a large majority do not work standardized 9-5 hours. So i am fortunate that i have some spare time to spent in constructive activities. I and many others took annual leave to Attend the climate camp. I Do have a CRB records check. I don’t think our activities are intended to harm children but to try and raise awareness to safeguard theirs and our future.
This week E-On had a stall in the town center, did any one take them to task over their plans to build more C02 emitting power stations? surly more of a risk to the public than my or Rachael’s activities.
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This activity was done in a very open space in full view of the public. We were not hiding in the bushes waiting to jump on children. What a sad sad reflection on our society when everyone is suspected of having sinister motives.
Y Mab Darogan if you believe climate change to be a fairy tale why are you so concerned with our carbon footprint? This is contradictory thinking.
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Matt, To state ” And the next time someone without permission and without a CRB check dresses up as -say- a penguin and molests children ” implies that this has already taken place. I don’t recall this type of offence reported as taking place in our town park.
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Y,
So dressing up is a public offence now???? That means we will have to have “bouncers” and a dress code on all public open spaces…good grief, what is this country coming to???
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This bureaucratic tool being used as a deterrent to free speech – frankly, this council operative should get a life.
If the young people aren’t pushing drugs, porn or fascism the leave them alone.
Kids aren’t foold by a pair of flippers and a card-board nose even if you are.
Keep it up, someone has to care and point it out to others who are happy to turn their backs on reality.
The missed point in this discussion is the undermining of free speech by petty bureaucrats and health and safety n@zis.
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Matt,
It’s shame that they weren’t dressed up as peodophiles then the children would have know to avoid them!!!!
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Well done.
I for one support you.
Ignore the mindless rantings of the uneducated morons who believe that they can run their lives regardless of the consequence to others.
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To respond to your comments Graham Bunn
I was being sarcastic when I mentioned your carbon footprint in regard to your leaflets.
As for dressing up as a Penguin – All child entertainers now have to have CRB checks carried out ie clowns etc
You were dressed in a penguin/child costume as such it is only proper you have CRB checks as well.
As we all know Telford town park is used by young children so I do not see your issue with informing T & W of your intentions and undergoing a CRB check.
Unless of course you were hoping that the end result would be to gain you media attention.
As for climate change – I do not believe it is happening to the extent that everyone is getting worried about.
Climate change occurs naturally, it is a result of earths rotation around the sun. The UK has at various changes in the last billions years been a huge glacier, attached to Europe via the channel, a tropical rain forest, and a desert.
YOU WILL NOT STOP THE CLIMATE FROM CHANGING!!!!
Carbon footprints and the climate change issue is simply a easy way for world Governmentts to raise taxes to fight more wars in the middle east.
By raising the issue of climate change and being fooled by this issue you are giving our government a licence to raise money
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What Bob Kiernan said!!!!!!!!!!!!
How exactly does the council decide who must have CRB and risk assesments done? someone in a penguin suit with a sign on their head is a risk but someone skulking in the corner is not a risk?!?!? Rubbish!
Either they are deluding themselves or the are deceiving the public.
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this is the nanny state gone mad
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I was thinking of having a fancy dress party this weekend, will I have time to get all the CRB checks done?
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Here’s my two penneth:
1 Climate change – do know about it, but dont see any harm in people behaving as they did.
2 Council stopping them – how ridiculous. Do the Council Workers who went into the park have CRB checks in case they have to ask children to “move on”?
The Council has gone potty, what else do they waste our money on?
Finally I though Brian2 was spot on, dress as paedophiles with rain coats and dark glasses, holding a bag of sweets, and the problem is solved – kids will run a mile!
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Well done to the protesters.
I fully support your actions, Rachel and Graham.
Let’s hope it inspires more penguins -this is a vital issue!
I am delighted that Y Mab Darogan wants to debate the evidence about climate change.
The entire text of Rachel’s previous leaflet is reproduced at the link below, as are responses to Y Mab Darogan’s points, which I hope he can respond to, either here or there.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/08/09/protesters-kicked-out-of-town-park/
Unfortunately, as is customary with these Shropshire Star debates about climate change, the denialists disappear when challenged to substantiate their views and explore the issues.
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Well done to the protesters.
I fully support your actions, Rachel and Graham.
Let’s hope it inspires more penguins -this is a vital issue!
I am delighted that Y Mab Darogan wants to debate the evidence about climate change.
The entire text of Rachel’s previous leaflet is reproduced at the link below, as are responses to Y Mab Darogan’s points, which I hope he can respond to, either here or there.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/08/09/protesters-kicked-out-of-town-park/
Unfortunately, as is customary with these Shropshire Star debates about climate change, the denialists disappear when challenged to substantiate their views and explore the issues.
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Well done Rachel and Graham. I am sick to death of petty officials pestering people who are just exercising their right to free speech – or otherwise putting one toe over what some control freak has decided is the latest line in the sand.
I hope you two ignore the mindless carping and go on standing up for your beliefs.
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Huw, this isn’t a debate about climate change but a debate on peoples right to use the town park as they feel fit without petty minded council officials, who at the best of times find it difficult to do the jobs that they are expected to do , coming up with rules which don’t even exist. You try and swing every debate over to climate change because it’s the only thing you think that you can debate successfully on, so long as you can glean the information off the internet that is!
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When people make a stand like that, including a totally harmless, unthreatening one – they will always get attacked by cowards.
Cowards who 1) wouldn’t dare publicly stand up for their beliefs (if they have any) and
2) Seem to yearn for a world full of petty uniformed officials who will regulate our every move and thought.
You’ll be criticised by the type of people who go round peeping in their neighbours’ wheelie bins in the hope of finding an unauthorised tea bag they can report to the authorities.
Don’t let the ***** grind you down :)
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My impression was that under English common law, you can do what you want unless there’s a law against it.
We are moving rapidly to a situation where you can’t do anything at all unless some uniformed bozo with a badge signs your permission slip.
The really creepy part is how many people seem to like it that way, and rub their hands in sanctimonious glee when someone’s caught out being naughty.
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Hang on now Peter, you will have me thinking that you are a Daily Mail reader, the true lefties don’t worry over demonstrators working and as for Devon Salopian, you will have me thinking that you have the ailment of “obsessive paranoia” over the Tories and Cameron. Can you comment on anything without bringing them into it.
As for the protestors, good on you, more power to your elbow, not only for what you are protesting about but also poking a finger in the eye of the jobsworths on the Council. Keep up the good work.
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Stupid pair! there are a number of people (minority)who protest about impossible issues forthe majority of us to live by? get real for god sake!
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Capt Marvel, the movement to do away with the Poll Tax had small and humble beginnings, if it hadn’t you would probably now be paying that iniquitous tax still. I can assure you – if you are normal and human, you would not like it at all. Perhaps someone could start a similar demonstration against the Council Tax in the same park but dressed up in a kilt, a sporran and a tam – o – shanter to draw attention to the robbers in Westminster who have increased it by over 100% since 1997.
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Well said, Stuart. As for minority people making stupid, impossible rules for the majority to live by….that sounds just like the council to me!!!!
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BRIAN(2), this thread IS about climate change as well as the issues you mentioned.
Rachel and Stuart are keen to discuss it (see photo), and Y Mab Darogan was disputing it before he mysteriously disappeared.
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Mab Darogan was disputing it before he mysteriously disappeared.
Maybe he has been silenced Huw. Always a bit risky giving your full name to strangers I fear!
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I don’t share your paranoia, BRIAN(2).
I do, however, hope that someone is willing to substantiate their views when they deny that climate change is happening on these discussion boards.
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It is interesting that John Franklyn is cheering on people who are protesting about something that he sees as a ‘con’. (See #1 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/02/23/shameful-actions-of-ukip-mep/)
Climate change is real, Mr Franklyn.
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