To be fair I can understand them wanting to be a bit careful about the knife (not knowing the context of why you had it) but as for the original complaint, that’s just stupid and unfair.

It’s insane how over politically correct and suspicious the UK has become.

I heard on the radio the other day (You and Yours) that some men had found it very refreshiong to travel abroad and see men interacting with children in a natural manner, playing with them talking to them – the normal things. perhaps the park owners should remove the bench then no one would be tempted to ‘lurk’.

You do look dodgy though!!

Stu: Ever since 1948 when I graduated from the then “Wolf Cubs” at 11 years old and went into the “Boy Scout” fraternity, and was awarded my very first ‘jack-knife’ I have ALWAYS carried a penknife. We were taught in the Scouts that it was not a weapon, but a tool to help us survive if necessary.

I resent the implication that I carry it as a weapon. To use it as such would be a breach of all I was taught.

If I wanted a weapon I would get a handgun! That’s not so messy! (Joke! In case Mr Plodd is reading this.)

Anji: I dont REALLY hate children, I find it very refreshing to talk to them when I go to my daughters place in France. I love their unbiassed outlook on life, and we ‘oldies’ can learn a lot from them, things that in this modern world with all it’s complications, we have forgotten; like the joy of just being alive.

In this god-forsaken country sometimes a child will speak to me in the street as they pass by with their mother. “Hello Mister” they say, and I feel a right bastard because I have to look straight ahead and pretend that I haven’t heard or seen them. What on earth must they think of the Grumpy Gits who ignore them?

I would never dream of harming a child in spite of what society may think.

John G: I can see that I need to have a serious word with you on Sunday; that is after you’ve bought me a drink (or two!)

I’m afraid that I’m a bit more aggressive than you. I would have told the Fuzz that if they didn’t like the situation then they should send the kids and their minders packing, after all you were there first. Even as a ‘grumpy old git’ you do still have rights sometimes.

I know that you don’t hate children. perhaps the child minders, or mothers or whatever they were should be reminded that most children are assaulted by people they know within their family and friends

It’s a sad place we live in. A few years ago now hubby was driving home in really bad weather and saw a young girl who lived up our road walking home from school. He was going to stop and offer her a lift, then thought better of it. He felt so guilty that he had left her to walk in all the rain, but also didn’t want to risk his kind offer.

I carry a swiss army knife in my book tote–and there may be one in my purse. Very handy to have. Wonder if 74 yr. old women get funny looks if they watch children? I’ll have to try it sometime.

I really can’t believe that this happened. But then I’m listening to some git on the radio who wants to ban people covering their heads in the UK.

I’m sorry that this happened to you – England is pants.

Why is it that some policemen talk like some kind of self-fulfilling parody of themselves? There’s something very peculiar about it. And why is it that some policemen have a vacuumous absence of common sense? Anyway, found you via Mr Duck. Cheers.

Oh Keith what next? You’ll just have to get a girl friend who can protect you from stupid PC PCs.

Sweet Mother of God, that is appalling, Keith. The last time I went to visit two grandsons I went to watch the eldest play football on the Sunday morning and as I raised my cameraphone to take a snap of him I was asked ‘What are you doing?’

Apparently taking photos of boys football is now strictly ‘verboten’ in this police state.

My flabber gets more gasted every day.

Wendy: Grumpy Old Git eh? I can remember a Grumpy Young Woman called ‘Anon from Winchester’ moaning about the state of the country and writing a BIG essay on t’internet about it. I was surprised that Gordon Browns “Facist Police”, as you called them, didn’t lock you up and throw the key away!

Anji: Let’s face it, only an idiot would think that a 73 year old man would harm a child in a public place. Anyway, I was only interested in the young women in charge of the brats. . . . .

Helen: Similar situation happened to me once. I saw a nun walking alone along a country lane one dark rainy night. I thought I would be safe if I gave her a lift, so I pulled up and offered to run her to the Nunnery, or whatever they call it, but she declined my kind offer, preferring to walk in the rain rather than ride in a nice warm car with a non-believer!

Sue: A sweet kindly old lady like you carrying “an offensive weapon”? What’s the world coming to!

Zoe: “. . ban people covering their heads. . .”. My God! Does this mean that I shan’t be able to wear my shemagh when robbing the local Post Office?

Pat: Get a girl friend? That’s going a bit too far isn’t it?

Brennig: According to a survey I saw on the net recently over 50% of the indigenous British people now regard the police as the ‘enemy’. That speaks volumes don’t you think?

Blazing: I took some pictures of our local street fair and fete last week to put on the Earl Shilton website, but every one had children somewhere in the picture, and being a hot day some had very little clothing on, so I had to delete most of them (the photos, not the children!) and the ones that were left were boring (the grown-ups, not the photos!) so I didn’t use them.

So that means that the mothers must have complained. Why on earth would they do that? People really are becoming paranoid aren’t they? As for the police, they get criticised if they do act on complaints and criticised when they don’t. I should think if there was any ‘discretion’ left in them they wouldn’t dare use it. Oh for the old days of the bobby on the beat who was regarded as a friend (unless you were up to no good!)