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We have clocked cars exciting our village travelling at 70 mph and accelerating at the same time. Have you heard a BMW putting its foot down and rocketing (its the most apt description) off out of the village. You have parked cars that allow just about two cars to travel past each other. I am not risking my kids and allowing some impersonation of a jim henson creating to mop up the mess afterwards. They are polite to other pedestrians and stop to let them pass. We can co exist with pedestrians but not with cars. its nice if you live in a quite area or congested area where cars can't travel to fast. Here its like brands hatch. I want to teach my sons a love and respect for the bike that is not tempered adversely by either some ignorant prat in a fast car or muppets who don't even know the law that they preport to be upholding.
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Remember you can ride on the pavement if you are teaching your sons to ride providing you are not causing problems to other pavement users and that under 16 are not allowed to ride on the road - Metropolitian Police bike team Cycle show Oct 2010. That is confusing as 2 Panda cars pull up a year ago tell me and my 7 year old who was a late learner to get off the pavement and on to the main road now this is a dangerous road with cars going very quickly. Pointing out one of these speeding cars the police said 'noting to do with us mate'. These people also confirmed they would only get involved if my son was a fatality on this road. Great so you can imagine why he did not appreciate being likened to one of Jim Henson's creations. The moral of this story is - well I'm not sure there are quite a few that come to mind.
A CRB is for 3 years and from personal experience is a waste of time. Having to have CRB for all my employees is an onerous task and most importantly does not protect anyone from those who we wish to protect. It is a sop to satsify those jobs worths who can't be bothered in actually assessing a candidate. It only takes one act whether you have a record or not. I know of a girl who was brilliant with kids who got a criminal record which bears not reference and is part of her ability to work with kids professionally, or morally. Because of this she now has to retrain in something different due to a minor infringement. The CRB encompasses all errors we may make including the small insignificant ones. There has to be a better way to check on suitability for working with kids otherwise we will put of many many good honest people who know they are alright, except either for a youthful indescretion or for fear of being accused of something that they were not involved in or was made up. The CRB is not a suitable way to vet people. I have met many many people who have applied for work with children, who should never be let near a child for many reasons, they are not criminals but just unsuitable to work with kids, only to see them get a job working with children. Sorry end of rant as this is a sore subject with we.