SWIMMING: Naturist hits out at under 18s ban
A NATURIST swimmer has criticised a decision by Fenland District Council to ban under 18s from naturist swimming sessions at its pools.
March man Andrew Crawford said this now meant he, his wife and their children – aged five, eight and 10 – could not enjoy swimming together as a family.
Mr Crawford has complained to the council and said he was pursuing the matter.
He feels the decision is based on "bigotry and prejudice toward the naturist way of life".
Naturist swimmers of all ages have been able to take part in swimming sessions locally for some time and Mr Crawford believes his family are safer with him than they are if they swim in the public sessions.
Fenland District Council said the decision had been made on child protection grounds.
"As an authority we have a responsibility to ensure that any leisure activities conducted at council premises are in line with child protection legislation.
"The council has made its decision based on expert advice from social services and, to date, we have not received any further advice to support the reversal of the decision made," the council said.
It is responding to Mr Crawford's complaint through its complaints procedure.
Mr Crawford argued the council had not said how child protection affected the sessions.
"There is no law that prohibits children from attending naturist swimming sessions. The council has made this decision on prejudice to naturism," he said.
"How can you say children are at risk being looked after by both parents rather than at a non-naturist swim where there are children on their own or in separate changing rooms from their parents? I think it is absurd."
He added: "I am of the belief that it is for parents to decide what moral code to lead their children by and it is for parents to decide whether it is acceptable to take their children to a naturist event.
"These are certainly not issues which should be decided by the local authority or local government employees."
The family had been attending naturist sessions at the Manor Leisure Centre, in Whittlesey, but found out towards the end of last year the decision had been made to ban under 18s.
"They have eliminated families. Children now cannot go," said Mr Crawford.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wisbech
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North east
