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Fathers for Justice hijack Stonehenge Wiltshire

Submitted by Andy B on Wednesday, 17 October 2007  Page Views: 12399

Stonehenge

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Country: England County: Wiltshire Type: Henge

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Three men dressed as cartoon character Fred Flintstone evaded security earlier this year and scaled Stonehenge in a protest by protest group Fathers 4 Justice. They climbed the ancient monument and unfurled a banner with the message "Drag the family courts out of the Stone Age."

The move follows comments by Conservative leader David Cameron, who said he feels the rise in anti-social and gangland behaviour can be partly attributed to family breakdown and absent fathers.

Matt O'Connor, the founder of Fathers 4 Justice, said: "It all went to plan at Stonehenge and although the security was beefed up the three guys managed to get up there.

"David Cameron's comments about fathers angers us because it is obvious that so many fathers do care, so it's like a case of what do we have to do to show that?

More, with photos: Wiltshire Gazette, Wiltshire Times

Note: Stonehenge protest fathers fined £100 each + costs, see latest comment on this page
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"Fathers for Justice hijack Stonehenge" | Login/Create an Account | 25 News and Comments
  
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Re: Fathers for Justice hijack Stonehenge by glen on Thursday, 08 November 2007
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No look really, fair's fair, but these guys have crossed a bad line here.
Proud to have them freely express and demonstrate, even at stonehenge, but how could they guarantee "no damage" when actually climbing the stones?
how sympathetic would the French be if they stood on the Mona Lisa? (is that smug smirk just looking at men funny?). How would italians feel if they clambered up the Sistine chapel walls? (that Adam's a tough guy but seems somehow incapable of fatherhood).
Stonehenge isn't the Portland vase, but the vandals' approach to the culture was not much different - totally subsumed in their private cause.
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Re: Fathers for Justice hijack Stonehenge by Anonymous on Thursday, 18 October 2007
Many many people consider Stonehenge to be sacred ground and the thought of anyone deliberately climbing onto the stones with one's own agenda borders on sacrilidge.

Although I sympathsize with the cause, the act was insulting and disrespectful of those who treat Stonehenge as holy ground. I doubt someone dressed up as a cartoon figure would consider scaling the cathedral walls of York or Caterbury to make their point, however noble it may be.

Stonehenge has been abused enough by the government, local officials and commercialism. We don't need anymore sacrilige than what has already been committed upon this holy site.
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    Re: Fathers for Justice hijack Stonehenge by Andy B on Thursday, 18 October 2007
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    Well you have a point, but York and Canterbury cathedrals don't hold drunken orgies inside them for 30,000 odd people every summer solstice. Far more people climb the stones at these times and with a lot less care, yet these events are tolerated. As I said in my last post, start your protests with the 'big' guys not the 'little' guys.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Fathers for Justice hijack Stonehenge by Anonymous on Wednesday, 17 October 2007
well done to them.fathers do get a very rough justice from all.this being a equal land.
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More Fathers for Justice vandalism of ancient monuments... by coldrum on Wednesday, 17 October 2007
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More Fathers for Justice vandalism of ancient monuments...

Stonehenge protest fathers fined

Two fathers' rights campaigners have been fined for climbing on to the ancient Wiltshire monument Stonehenge.

Fathers 4 Justice protesters Richard West, 40, of Ottery St Mary, and Jolly Stanesby, 36, from Ivybridge, scaled the monument in February.

When they came down they were arrested by Wiltshire Police.

On Thursday they were found guilty of unlawfully climbing a national monument at Salisbury Magistrates' Court and fined £100 each with £100 costs.

Richard Adams, the South West co-ordinator for the group that campaigns for fathers rights to see their children, said supporters stormed out of court to burn copies of the Children Act.

He claimed they later returned but refused to sit down. He said: "As a campaign group we must evolve, and will always be innovative and humorous in our protests and stunts."

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said after the case: "Although...

Read the rest of this post...
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    Re: More Fathers for Justice vandalism of ancient monuments... by Andy B on Wednesday, 17 October 2007
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    Which was the book 'promoted by vandalism'?
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: More Fathers for Justice vandalism of ancient monuments... by Andy B on Wednesday, 17 October 2007
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      Answering my own question - it was 'Family Court Hell' as I found in one of your links. I hope people will also protest to the makers of the Simpsons movie, and Trinny and Soosbloodyzannah about their activities. Perhaps not to buy any more of their trite cobblers.

      The difference is that these 'big' media luvvy people have plenty of money to spend and lots of avenues open to them to promote their products without such 'stunts'. Little people like the person who must have paid Pen Press to a substantial sum out of his own pocket to publish his Family Court Hell book do not. "Prices start from as low as £1,950 for the complete publishing service..." Pen Press just provided a publishing service to someone unable to be heard any other way.

      Not that I'm condoning damage to ancient monuments. A positive example to mention is the sculptor who left the mystery heads around Yorkshire villages had the right idea. Plenty of publicity but no damage done.
      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: More Fathers for Justice vandalism of ancient monuments... by coldrum on Thursday, 18 October 2007
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        Hi
        Someone who did'nt leave their name posted this on news list so posted it here for them.
        I have no idea of the author. Sorry about that.
        [ Reply to This ]

FATHERS FINED FOR CLIMBING STONEHENGE by coldrum on Saturday, 13 October 2007
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Two fathers' rights campaigners from the Westcountry have been fined for climbing on to Stonehenge dressed as cartoon character Fred Flintstone.

Fathers 4 Justice protesters Richard West, 40, of Ottery St Mary in Devon, and Jolly Stanesby, 36, from Ivybridge, Devon, scaled the ancient monument in February.

Dressed as the caveman from the children's TV show, the pair were on the stones, on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, from 9am until 4.30pm. When they came down they were arrested by Wiltshire Police.



They were yesterday found guilty of unlawfully climbing a national monument following a short trial at Salisbury Magistrates' Court.

A spokeswoman for the court said the case was proved and they were each fined £100 and ordered to pay £100 costs.

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said after case: "Although the protest back in February was peaceful and there was no damage to the stones, we were disappointed that this group chose Stonehenge to make their protest."

h...

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Stonehenge protest fathers fined £100 each + costs by Andy B on Friday, 12 October 2007
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Two fathers' rights campaigners have been fined for climbing on to
the ancient Wiltshire monument Stonehenge.

Fathers 4 Justice protesters Richard West, 40, of Ottery St Mary, and
Jolly Stanesby, 36, from Ivybridge, scaled the monument in February.

When they came down they were arrested by Wiltshire Police.

On Thursday they were found guilty of unlawfully climbing a national
monument at Salisbury Magistrates' Court and fined £100 each with
£100 costs.

Richard Adams, the South West co-ordinator for the group that
campaigns for fathers rights to see their children, said supporters
stormed out of court to burn copies of the Children Act.

He claimed they later returned but refused to sit down. He said: "As
a campaign group we must evolve, and will always be innovative and
humorous in our protests and stunts."

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said after the case: "Although the
protest back in February was peaceful and there was no damage to the
sto...

Read the rest of this post...
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Fathers for Justice hijack Stonehenge by Anonymous on Wednesday, 30 May 2007
I have no problem as a mother with fathers having the right to bring up there children and belive that both parents should be there for the children.But as a worker in domestic violence see the damage that is done to children who with there mothers have fled to a place of safety.And just as a matter of intrest would like to know if fathers for justice check out why some women take children away from the fathers, and do you look into each case before helping fathers track down women and children who have fled abuse.Or do you feel that every father has the right to the children no matter what damage he has done.I know that there are fathers who are loving caring fathers but at least be aware that there are those who use your group as a shield who are not
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Re: Opportunist comments by Anonymous on Saturday, 24 February 2007
I am Dave White, one of the Freds. I appreciate all of the positive comments, and see that theres a few left from others like me.

I was a bit sorry that some people took offence from us climbing the stones as that was never the intention. I appreciate PeteG's comments as well as we WERE careful not to damage the stones.

The trouble is now after continually begging my ex wife, solicitors, letters to MP's etc.. there dos'nt seem any other way than doing stunts like this to protest at the laws in this country, and its not till you are affected by them then you realise how useless they are for the non-resident parent.

Its early days for me yet as I split with only with her in Nov '06, but I know that Rich West (another Fred from Stonehenge) has'nt seen his lad for a year and a half. Things need to be changed as it seems that it dos'nt matter whether you are a good dad or not.. Just whether you have a big fat wallet, and that the resident parent decides that you are allowed to...

Read the rest of this post...
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    Re: Opportunist comments by Andy B on Saturday, 24 February 2007
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    Voting for 'Hooray for Fathers for Justice' in our poll has just shot up from about 2 votes last night to 29 tonight (Saturday). Co-incidentally this was just after Dave, one of the Fred Flintstone climbers visited us earlier on and left this comment.

    Good stunt lads, at least this one's a bit safer :)
    Cheers for the comment too Dave
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Opportunist comments by slumpy on Sunday, 25 February 2007
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    I think that Dave White and the other Freds handled the whole thing with dignity, apart from the actual costumes, and his comments here ring very true to my heart. My kids were never held to ransom exactly, but it was made very clear that my access was purely at her behest, and after 2 years she packed up and moved 240 miles North, taking the only things that ever mattered to me away. So I go from weekly visits and access to sleeping in a van under Eccles Pike in the winter so I get to see my kids. Now it's down to half terms and holidays, but they are old enough to spot her tricks so they have some say in the matter, thankfully, and I get to call them whenever I want, without having to ask permission.

    Good luck Dave, hope it works out for you all.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Fathers for Justice hijack Stonehenge by Andy B on Friday, 23 February 2007
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Whilst I don't agree with climbing the stones, I thought the "Drag the family courts out of the Stone Age" was a very poignant point and I would encourage everyone to read about some of the awful things that the family courts get up to with no redress by the people invoved possible

And seeing as how this 'attack' on Stonehenge has been in the public domain for several weeks, had English Heritage beefed up the usually fairly laid back security at all?
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Re: Opportunist comments by butekaz on Friday, 23 February 2007
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As a woman, I fully support F4J in their fight for equality in the family courts. Its a shame that they have to get themselves arrested and possibly a criminal record in order for things to change but if thats what it takes, them goood on those of them that are prepared to do it. Its time that more women supported them and showed the world that we're not all men hating harpies out for all they can grab!!
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Re: Opportunist comments by Jonzjob on Friday, 23 February 2007
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I think that it is a crying shame that fathers have had to resort to this, but if it is the only way they can make their voice heard then good for them!
When my marriage broke up I had my 2 children for 2 years before the courts took them away and said they would have a more settled life with my ex. The stats then were that 95% of fathers lost their children at a break up of a family and of the 5%, 95% of them lost the children withing 2 years. I was one of the latter 95%.
I have to admit that I too have sat on the stones. That was in the mid 60s when you could actually go up to them, study them at close quaters and not have to pay for the priviledge? We respected them without having to be told!
I also know the stones now as my parents used to live in Amesbury. To me it is a great shame that the security is needed, but I suppose it is these daze...
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Re: Fathers for Justice hijack Stonehenge by Anonymous on Friday, 23 February 2007
Hi, I'm a father who has been separated from his 3 year old son. I've been to court several times and won every time. I can have all the access and visiting anytime that is '' mutually agreeable '' My ex won't agree to any times unless I first give her £250 cash each visit. The courts are reluctant to punish or force her to allow me to see my son. My court and solicitor's bills have now passed thr £5,000 mark. She is allowed full legal aid / assistance whilst fathers are only allowed 2 hour legal assistance. I have said that when my son is old enough, he will want to see me, her reply ''Yes, he'll be 18, but you'll be dead by then won't you?''
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF FATHERS LIKE ME. Please help us.
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    Re: Fathers for Justice hijack Stonehenge by butekaz on Friday, 23 February 2007
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    All I can say is don't give up the fight. You may not have access to your son but at least when he's old enough to understand you will be able to tell him that at least you tried and you didn't give up on him! Keep records; photo's, letters anything that will show him in the future that you didn't stop caring about him just because you weren't around. KEEP FIGHTING!!
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Opportunist comments by PeteG on Friday, 23 February 2007
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I was at stonehenge all day and the 3 protesters did everything possible not to damage the stones.
While I suppost the cause I wish they hadn't chosen the site at it may encourage others who are less caring.
http://www.aveburylodge.co.uk/News.html
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    Re: Opportunist comments by PeteG on Friday, 23 February 2007
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    http://www.scoopt.com/gallery/picday.asp
    I got photo of the day at scoopt for Feb 23rd
    PeteG
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    Re: Opportunist comments by JimChampion on Friday, 23 February 2007
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    the 3 protesters did everything possible not to damage the stones.

    I noticed this (briefly) on the local BBC tv news - it looks like they'd wrapped rope around the ends of the ladder they used to climb the stones to stop it scraping. Or perhaps it was just to muffle the sounds???

    And look - it did the trick. They got on the TV! Doing silly things at Stonehenge gets attention.
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Opportunist comments by Andy B on Friday, 23 February 2007
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      Personally I find publicity seekers like the idiotic 'New 7 wonders' person to be far more annoying. I don't know, fly round in an airship for a couple of days and you're suddenly god's gift to ancient monuments? Why do the media fall for it? Now we see English Heritage out canvassing for people to vote for Stonehenge to be a 'new 7 wonder'. Words fail me.
      [ Reply to This ]

Opportunist comments by Andy B on Friday, 23 February 2007
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Although F4J say it's about David Cameron's comments, this stunt has clearly been planned for some weeks as this report from a fortnight ago illustrates:

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1183884.mostviewed.fathers_4_justice_plan_west_wiltshire_protest.php

More:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2019377,00.html

'English Heritage, which manages the site in Wiltshire, said it was "disappointed" Stonehenge had been chosen.' They sound really worried then. Apparently some idiot journo has been asking people if the three people might cause Stonehenge to break - give US a break!

Lots more:
http://news.google.co.uk/news?hl=en&safe=off&q=Fathers%20Justice%20Stonehenge
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