There are children everywhere.

What I mean is, was there an incident or is it just their ignorance?

I, like many others have been to Arlington when children have been present and I have NEVER had any concern about their well being, so my guess is that these are the kind of people that are so ignorant that they would target paediatricians

There are children everywhere.

What I mean is, was there an incident or is it just their ignorance?

The picketing is a follow-on from the harassment of people attending the BN Blackpool Sandcastles event.
The harassing organisation apparently believe that everybody attending was either a paedophile or a "nonce" or possibly both.

Both sets of protesters seem to be unaware of the BN child safeguarding standards which were developed with the co-operation and help of NSPCC.

Is there a reason this group would target the swim session?

It is because there might be children there.

Yes.  They are off their heads and have been stirred up by a former Arlington Baths member who allegedly has behaved in an unpredictable and criminal maner before

We have been informed by the Arlington Baths, that because of the vigilante groups targeting us, GC can only continue on a 16+ Basis.  Therefore no children will be admitted on 17 March 2017.

The team are meeting on Sunday 17 March to discuss the options.  There is a SurveyMonkey questionnaire to gauge people's views ahead of that meeting.  Can you please complete it and SHARE with folk who aren't on here.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MWX375L

That is a huge disappointment. One protest by ill-informed vigilantes negates years of good behaviour by naturists. The venue caves in to the one-off extremists? Sad sad day for those who peacefully go about their legal activities.

I have now heard back from all the team members about whether they would want to run an 18+ weekly swim. Goetz and I agreed that there were insufficient numbers to make an efficient and safe swim viable.

Glasgow Continental will run on an 18+ basis on 24 & 31 March. This will be the last weekly GC.  Yoga will run on 24th. Penny 's inviting people to join the last sessions.

Subject to us negotiating a new let agreement, GC will run 18+ on the last Sunday of the month at the Arlington until an alternative more suitable arrangement can be found.

On behalf of SOC and the Swim Team, I would like to thank you all for your continuing support.

I don’t understand. I know I’ve only been a couple of times but last time I was there there must have been close to 100 people there and only two who were under 18. How does it come to the numbers being so diminished by introducing a lower age limit?

I think Nik is talking about the team members (those of us who do the paperwork/show people around/welcome people) numbers not being enough to make the running of the swim efficient and safe, rather than the attendee numbers. The Arlington staff numbers are also to be taken into consideration, as it is not compulsory for them to staff a Sunday evening, and there needs to be a certain ratio of staff:attendees.

I think Nik is talking about the team members (those of us who do the paperwork/show people around/welcome people) numbers not being enough to make the running of the swim efficient and safe, rather than the attendee numbers. The Arlington staff numbers are also to be taken into consideration, as it is not compulsory for them to staff a Sunday evening, and there needs to be a certain ratio of staff:attendees.

OK. I get that, but how has the Arlington’s decision to restrict the age of attendees changed the number of team members or the number of employees? Have Arlington employees declined to work the Sunday evening due the protesters outside? I’m just wondering because it was/is such a great venue and such a well attended and friendly swim that it seems a great shame that it can’t continue (even if my own attendances have been too few and too far between)

It’s the 18+ nature of the swim which is the problem. It isn’t embracing the ethos of Naturism as being inclusive and family friendly. So, to keep in touch with the GC members, once a month was seen as an acceptable compromise, if The Arlington wants to host it...

Nik and Naked Vegan (good to see you are back posting), thanks for the update.

It is a pity that this point has been reached so quickly just because a badly informed group protested one evening.

Just for interest, would it be possible to divulge how many voted in the survey and the breakdown in numbers between team members and attendees.

It’s the 18+ nature of the swim which is the problem. It isn’t embracing the ethos of Naturism as being inclusive and family friendly. So, to keep in touch with the GC members, once a month was seen as an acceptable compromise, if The Arlington wants to host it...

OK. I get that and I understand now. Thanks for explaining.

A statement will be circulated at Glasgow Continental tomorrow.  You can download it from Dropbox.  https://www.dropbox.com/s/sfi7rxodnq6p68d/19-03%20announce%20end%20weekly%20GC.pdf?dl=0

Just for interest, would it be possible to divulge how many voted in the survey and the breakdown in numbers between team members and attendees.

Over 150 took part in the survey which was about the 16+ situation.  On 17 March at the team meeting we agreed to proceed on that basis.  The interim results of the survey were made available at the Swim that evening.

Mid-week we were informed, with no prior consultation, that the Arlington was restricting entry to 18+ with immediate effect.  Only 2 of the team who are actively involved were willing to run the event on this basis.  It is not a matter of just people at the door, but reallocation of 8 roles including convener, secretary,treasurer, safeguarding officer, GDPR compliance and so on.

Because of the change of circumstances, the survey was closed early.

We know people will be disappointed, but I hope this explains things better.

Nik, thank you for the feedback.