CHINGFORD: Photographers barred from event due to 'paranoia' (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)
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Chingford photographers told of 'complaints' at Winter Wonderland
1:14pm Monday 28th November 2011 in Waltham Forest News By Joe Curtis
Chris Lafbury, of the Chingford Photographic Society with pictures he took at the Winter Wonderland fair
AMATEUR photographers were thrown out of one of London’s biggest festive events by security who implied they could be paedophiles, it is claimed.
Six members of Chingford Photographic Society visited the annual fair in Hyde Park on Sunday (November 27) but said they were asked to leave at 11.50am.
Security staff said they had received complaints about the group taking pictures at the event, which includes fanfairs and iceskating.
Member Chris Lafbury, 63, said the incident has left the club somewhat disillusioned but added it is typical of the paranoia over taking pictures of children.
The 63-year-old, of Larkswood Road, Chingford, said: “It’s a very serious and insulting thing to be accused of. We’re after an apology because it’s an overreaction, some people are maybe too paranoid about [taking pictures of children].
“We were taking pictures of everyone, not just children. Adults, families, all enjoying the rides and fun that Winter Wonderland offers.”
“We asked to speak to the people who had made complaints but [a member of security staff] said ‘So you want to get more pictures of their children, do you?’”
“We came here last year and had no problems at all. Why would a paedophile want to take pictures of kids in winter coats anyway? There’s been cases in local schools where children are in school plays but parents are not allowed to take photographs - it’s just getting silly.”
A PWR Events spokeswoman said: "At Hyde Park Winter Wonderland the safety of our customers is of the utmost importance to us.
"We have a system in place where photographers from the press, student photographers and photography groups must be accredited before they enter the site.”
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Comments(12)
Hepra
says...
7:57pm Mon 28 Nov 11
peaceful
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9:41pm Mon 28 Nov 11
Janny22
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10:09am Tue 29 Nov 11
Janet1
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10:54am Wed 30 Nov 11
I honestly do not understand this. It looks more like people inflicting repressive rules, without any justification, to save themselves the bother of having to think.
Helen, Walthamstow
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1:07pm Wed 30 Nov 11
Paranoia or not, it would seem some parents felt uncomfortable about photographers taking photographs of their children - pictures which could have been exhibited in public places without their permission.
ferdy55
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3:39pm Wed 30 Nov 11
I'm very normal but I start getting worried when I'm taking photos outdoors to make sure it doesnt looking like I'm aiming at any kids that might be in view.
Janet1
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4:12pm Wed 30 Nov 11
Helen, Walthamstow wrote:They're only offering accreditation to official groups, not individuals who just feel like taking a few photos on a nice day out.
Alternatively, they could have sought accreditation and had no problems at all.
Paranoia or not, it would seem some parents felt uncomfortable about photographers taking photographs of their children - pictures which could have been exhibited in public places without their permission.
Janny22
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3:47am Thu 1 Dec 11
ferdy55 wrote:I totally agree with you ferdy55 but organisations are running scared, even my own dad is scared to speak to a child when he is out for want of being thought a bit weird. Sad situation.
No Janny22, it might be better safe than sorry, but its making the majority of normal people guilty for the sake of a very, very tiny sick minority.
I'm very normal but I start getting worried when I'm taking photos outdoors to make sure it doesnt looking like I'm aiming at any kids that might be in view.
Chrisl_Chingford
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12:48pm Thu 1 Dec 11
1. We were not out to just take pictures of children. In fact, I would never take pictures of children on their own because I recognise the paranoia that exists. Any pictures that did include children also included adults. Examples can be seen in the picture with the article.
2. There are no notices anywhere, even in the terms and conditions on the Winter Wonderland web site, to say that there are any restrictions on photography. I looked because I didn't want a situation like this. If I'd known then we would have either applied for accreditation or just not gone.
3. My main complaint is with the way one of the security staff dealt with it. Just try to put yourself in the situation: You are taking pictures and a burly security guard comes up and insinuates, very loudly, that you are taking 'sneaky' pictures of just children. There were hundreds of people around within earshot. Nobody likes to be accused of anything they are not, and I can't think of a worse accusation. We offered to show them the pictures we had been taking but they were not interested. They had made their minds up that we were guilty without hearing our side of it. If they had said something along the lines of: 'we're sorry, but you are not allowed to take pictures unless you are accredited', then we would have stopped.
carmel.carmel
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2:36am Sat 3 Dec 11
ladygagaqueenbey
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11:20am Tue 6 Dec 11
one of dem woz me LYKEEEEE
Walthamster says...
6:15pm Mon 28 Nov 11