A Group of campaigning fathers enjoyed some quality time with their children at a funfair in Bristol. David Wynn, who runs Mr Wynn's funfair, invited the Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) members for an evening of free fun to help them forget about their troubles. The group has hit the headlines with a series of high-profile protests over what they claim is a bias in the legal system against dads trying to gain access to their children after relationship breakdowns. This included a stunt which led to Clifton Suspension Bridge being closed to traffic for more than a day in February.
Bristol dads and others from Cheltenham, who have access to their children, spent an evening at the funfair, which is on Rodway Common in Mangotsfield until tonight.
Funfair owner Mr Wynn said he sympathised with the F4J cause and wanted to do something for the group.
The 65-year-old said: "I know one of the members of F4J and when I heard about his problems I thought it would be nice to do something for all of them.
"We often have charitable days where groups come to the fair for a fun day out.
"I support the fathers and their cause because I feel that everybody is entitled to justice. I wanted to give them the chance to enjoy an evening at the fair, where they could spend time with their children." Jeff Skinner, co-ordinator of the Bristol branch of F4J, said: "This was a very generous gesture, which was much appreciated."
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Monday, April 12, 2004
We're being failed by the courts
A Fathers' rights campaigner has welcomed the comments by a senior judge who said the legal system is failing divorced dads. Jeff Skinner, the Bristol area co-ordinator of Fathers 4 Justice, said the judge had promoted the group's cause with his comments.
Mr Justice James Munby, a leading family judge, said he felt ashamed after dealing with a man who had fought unsuccessfully for five years to see his daughter.
He said there should be tougher penalties for mothers who do not let their former partners see their children at the agreed time and that there should be skilled social work intervention for children and warring parents.
Mr Skinner said: "What this judge has said is what we have been shouting from the rooftops for the past 18 months.
"Of course I welcome his comments as it promotes our cause.
"But I would also say that at the heart of this is a man who cannot see his children and my thoughts go out to him.
"The judge gave him a glowing reference but admitted that he could not do any more for him because of the way the system is discriminating against fathers." The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been forced to give up his five-year battle for access to his seven-year-old daughter after 43 court hearings.
His ex-wife had continually ignored orders allowing him contact with the child.
Mr Skinner said: "Any parent, whether it is a man or a woman, should pay the penalty for breaking the law.
"I just find it terrible that some poor bloke has to go through this, and be discriminated against like this." Justice Munby attacked the length of the case and the number of judges involved, 16 in 43 hearings, and has recommended that in future just one judge should deal with one case.
He said: "There is much wrong with our system and the time has come for us to recognise that fact and to face up to it honestly.
"If we do not, we risk forfeiting public confidence." He said the system made victims of the fathers more often than the mothers.
Mr Justice James Munby, a leading family judge, said he felt ashamed after dealing with a man who had fought unsuccessfully for five years to see his daughter.
He said there should be tougher penalties for mothers who do not let their former partners see their children at the agreed time and that there should be skilled social work intervention for children and warring parents.
Mr Skinner said: "What this judge has said is what we have been shouting from the rooftops for the past 18 months.
"Of course I welcome his comments as it promotes our cause.
"But I would also say that at the heart of this is a man who cannot see his children and my thoughts go out to him.
"The judge gave him a glowing reference but admitted that he could not do any more for him because of the way the system is discriminating against fathers." The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been forced to give up his five-year battle for access to his seven-year-old daughter after 43 court hearings.
His ex-wife had continually ignored orders allowing him contact with the child.
Mr Skinner said: "Any parent, whether it is a man or a woman, should pay the penalty for breaking the law.
"I just find it terrible that some poor bloke has to go through this, and be discriminated against like this." Justice Munby attacked the length of the case and the number of judges involved, 16 in 43 hearings, and has recommended that in future just one judge should deal with one case.
He said: "There is much wrong with our system and the time has come for us to recognise that fact and to face up to it honestly.
"If we do not, we risk forfeiting public confidence." He said the system made victims of the fathers more often than the mothers.
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