Protest dads Plan Campaign

Cheltenham Town's Whaddon Road ground and the home of Gloucester Rugby Club, Kingsholm, are both targets. Marches, demonstrations and protests are planned around the country in a bid to change family law so fathers have improved rights to see their children.

New members to the branch were welcomed at the Aviator Pub at Gloucestershire Airport where around 25 fathers and their relations gathered. It was the first meeting of the county group.

The meeting follows a protest in which three Cheltenham men and a dad from Bristol staged a 26-hour demonstration on Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Police were forced to close the road to traffic and two Cheltenham men were arrested.

Jason, who did not to reveal his surname, of Alstone Mews, and Dave Pyke, of The River Leys, were released on police bail until March 17.
While they were being questioned officers raided the two men's homes, taking papers, mobile phones and computers.

Fellow member Russell Griffin revealed plans for future demonstrations at the branch meeting.

In the coming weeks the angry dads plan to hand out leaflets and display banners at both Whaddon Road and Kingsholm.

Jason said: "Weekends are the most likely time that dads are out with their children and they often go to this sort of event so we could pick up some more members." If given permission, a group of fathers dressed in the trademark superhero costumes intend going on the Whaddon Road pitch at half-time.

In May a group will go to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Services offices in Gloucester to hold a sit down demonstration. They will be dressed in Bob the Builder outfits and plan to arrive in a digger.

At the county meeting, the Gloucestershire branch asked for volunteers for treasurer, secretary, logistics and a parliamentary co-ordinator.
Russell said: "We've started some protests and got the ball rolling but we have to keep the pressure on and that is what we intend to do." New member Adnan from Cheltenham said: "I've just joined the group and they have been wonderful, it will certainly go from strength to strength." Jeff Skinner, a protest organiser who attended the meeting said: "It's absolutely fantastic.We're a big family and where we offer support we get it in return." Another man who travelled from Bristol summed up the group. He said: "I've won my court case for access to my children but I'm here because I won't stop fighting to help others and prevent my son getting in the same situation." Since Fathers4Justice started in December 2002 its 200 members have increased to 6,000 nationally. In Gloucestershire there are 35 so far.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge protest attracted more than 1,200 new members.

The next meeting at the Aviator pub will be held at 7.30pm on March 4.