I was talking to a prominent local figure who has done a lot of work with the save Ramsgate Library group yesterday, he visited the library last week with other prominent local figures for a meeting and viewing of the restoration’s progress.What he said beggars belief. “The developers and Kent County Council’s representatives said we were under no circumstances to take photographs, a lady journalist had already started photographing the work and they stopped her.”
“What reason did they give?” I asked.
“You’re not going to believe this one.” He said.
They said. “Because the library is next to Clarendon House School any photographs taken in or of the library have to be approved by the head teacher to ensure none of the pupils appear in them.”
“What even the pictures taken inside the library.” I asked.
“Yes,” he said, “and the funniest part of all was that the meeting was at 4 pm and all of the pupils hade gone home.”
I have published a few pictures of Ramsgate school children click here to view them and I await with interest to see if Kent Count Council, or anyone else asks me to remove them.
Peter that could be interesting, however it just doesn’t make sense as it would mean that you couldn’t take photographs in your own home, if it was near a school.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think is really the question here is why don’t they want it photographed and what have they got to cover up?
Someone needs to explain very patiently that they are talking rubbish. If you're ina public place (this probably means outside the library fence) then no-one has anything to say at all about what you photograph, unless you are likely to cause offence or a breach of the peace by pointing the camera at an individual who objects (or whose parent does). Inside the library, there's some nominal contract between you and your host/guide who can set conditions, but they're not law, they're just - "if I let you in, then act within these limits".
ReplyDeleteHere's a good guide to Photography rights and laws.
I'm not brave enough, but one day someone needs to say "OK then call the police" and then to the policeman "OK, please cite which law you believe me to be breaking and then arrest me so I can sue, and then let's talk to a senior officer" (you know, the ones who actually know the law and aren't just blustering to avoid looking stupid in the face of a stroppy member of the public).
Like I said, not me, far too cowardly, but it's irritating to hear people making up laws to stop others acting perfectly legally...
The article attached by zumiweb is very helpful. Recently there have been cases of journalist going about their lawful activity and being harassed, wrongly, by plods in pleece cars who think they know better.
ReplyDeleteThe simple principal is that it is quite legal to take photographs in a public place of anyone and anything provided one is not concealed or acting in a secretive/suspicious fashion.
I for one would like to think I would hold my corner if the plods tried it on - but yes, it would depend on the situation and if there was a good alternative.
Solidly made cameras can make good coshes!
Nick, Whitstable
Nick, Whitstable
Nick Zumi Peter thanks for the article and comments useful and interesting. I wonder who the journalist was and what she will have to say I haven’t seen anything in the papers yet. No one has asked me to remove the photographs either, as it is the intention to replace the council offices in York Street and the tourist information office with desks in the library, perhaps they were worried that they had some extra large and hard to explain desks coming. Or perhaps they aren’t putting in a sprinkler system or doing the fire proofing properly. The mind boggles really perhaps a visit from the building inspectors wouldn’t go amiss, I once lived in a town where I assumed that the library belonged to the people of the town and the books in it represented their tastes. I for one want a large sign on the wall saying, silence and not one saying, no photography.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable!
ReplyDeleteHas anyone contacted the school to ask whether they have really objected to photographs being taken of the outside or inside the library?
Was this just an excuse?
Is photography banned on all council properties when they are near schools?
I did contact the school, the school confirmed they have NEVER been in any discussion with the council/library about photographs taken on the library premises.
ReplyDeleteRegards Mrs T.P.
by email
ReplyDeleteI would be grateful if you could mention on your blog that I have contacted you and clarified that I have made no request whatsoever about taking photographs inside or outside the library and it is very irritating to find that someone had used my name in such a way. I have no objection whatsoever either personally or from the school's point of view to anyone taking photos of the library. We are all working locally for the local community and I would not want anyone to think that I was putting obstacles in the way
Well, well. Why would they stop anyone taking pictures of the new library do you think?
ReplyDeleteKent County Council our quite within their rights to stop people taking pictures of the library or any other building.
ReplyDeleteramsagte library was also a building site. Most of the time if you ring senior library offical they will allow this under supervision. providing it's not a building site.
Barwicks could also stop you as they were then incharge of the site which had been handed to them by kcc for the build period
Thanks for your comment regarding my arrest in Chatham High Street. The event you describe in this post is another good example illustrating the insiduous effect of state paranoia wrapped up in the guise of protecting us all from harm. It's no more than a racket and a shoddy one at that.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteKent County Council our quite within their rights to stop people taking pictures of the library or any other building.
ramsagte library was also a building site. Most of the time if you ring senior library offical they will allow this under supervision. providing it's not a building site.
Barwicks could also stop you as they were then incharge of the site which had been handed to them by kcc for the build period
Hahaha!
What a load of utter bilge!