Calls for pool to have sessions for women only
CAMPAIGNERS converged on Horfield Leisure Centre on Mothering Sunday calling for sessions solely for women swimmers.
Dozens of youngsters and their mums protested outside the centre, calling for a women-only swimming sessions in line with all other public pools in Bristol.
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Protestors calling for women- only swimming sessions at Horfield Leisure Centre Picture: Joanne Wakenshaw BRJW20130310A-002_C
Protestors say they want the sessions for both cultural and personal reasons. Their campaign is gathering support and a petition has generated several hundred signatures.
The activists say they have been left with no alternative than to protest because the management at Horfield Leisure Centre has refused to provide a women-only slot. Rahma Ali, spokesman for the campaign, said: "We asked Horfield Leisure Centre two years ago to give us the opportunity to swim with our children. They have refused to listen to us. They told us to take two buses to another pool. This is unfair and our children are missing out as they are not being allowed to go swimming with their mums.
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"We have been getting lots of support for our campaign and we are very pleased that so many people are backing us."
The protesters, members of Unite – the union's new community membership – are being supported by Bristol Community Housing Foundation and Bristol NHS.
Ms Ali said: "Horfield Leisure Centre does not allow women to swim in a way that recognises their culture."
A spokesman for the leisure centre said: "Everyone Active takes its customers' views very seriously and we are working with the council to enable us to offer a solution for this particular group of ladies."
59 Comments
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by collegefields
Thursday, March 14 2013, 3:17PM
“Sorry Bedmo, appreciate the lesson, it's my phone you see.
Not got the hold of the spell checker!!
Cheers!”
by BedmoBanjo
Thursday, March 14 2013, 11:36AM
“You're or You are NOT your. Glad we agree.”
by collegefields
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 7:00PM
“Yes of course Bedmo I lose,
And yes your a winner a very big winner.”
by BedmoBanjo
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 4:04PM
“Minorities? I'm a minority? News to me pal. I get taken seriously in this country cause I'm not an idiot. That you waste your time throwing passive hate statements around a local news website tells me...you're not very busy, you're not very bright, you're in fact a very sad person with a lot of personal failings you'd like to blame on others.
So, just to confirm, the "pro-racist" types are left to throw weary personal digs about whilst the "anti-racist" lot have provided an endless stream of clearly thought out retorts based on fact and reality.
You lose.
I'd provide some inventive put-downs but frankly it in't worth the effort. Keep it up Knuckle draggers.”
by collegefields
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 2:53PM
“Bedmo and Brennus, Drama classes tonight?
Minorities like you get taken seriously in our country, that's the problem.”
by BedmoBanjo
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 10:27AM
“Hi guys!
Right, your mock outrage at being called racist is hilarious. Here's a suggestion, don't say stupid generalisations and you will have no reason to live with that term. Try being a minority, words that get thrown at them are pretty hard to evade.
AGAIN, this is perfectly standard procedure for pools across the land. You've lost the debate. Further points are just hard feelings and essentially meaningless assumption. Words like cultural are hardly incendiary but I love how much they wind you up. If you want someone to blame maybe the BEP could try writing non-inflamatory rubbish for once. Hook line and sinker for another moan-fest article.
Take your indignity and imagined marginalisation and stick it up your bottom. Fantasists, loons and cranks. I'm enjoying this. Keep it up lads.”
by collegefields
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 8:21PM
“BedmoBonzo and Bren****,
Disagree with their fairytale ideas and your branded a racist bigot .... your never win with clowns like this.”
by collegefields
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 8:07PM
“Why don't they explain their cultural and personal reasons ?
Or alternatively crack on down Severn beach for a swim, plenty of free space down there.”
by ToryToMyGrave
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 5:57PM
“"Horfield Leisure Centre does not allow women to swim in a way that recognises their culture."
Then stop bringing 'culture' into it. If they just wanted to swim as women then it would have been allowed several years ago...but it's not as simple as that is it.
Bringing culture into it, along with a women only swimming session where the kids come too (?) only makes people like BEP readers stick their heels in the ground.
Besides, if it's that important to them, why don't they just use another swimming pool?
If only the multi-cultural ideal that morons like BedmoBanjo and Brennus bang on about meant accepting a local culture rather than pressuring it. Question their motives and you're called a racist. Mad.”
by BedmoBanjo
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 2:43PM
“Oh man that's so funny it's definitely worth publishing...”