At the weekend I was at my child's dance play. I was busy capturing
happy memories of the play on my camcorder when I received a tap on
the shoulder.

"You're not allowed to film here".
"Why?"
"Child protection laws don't allow it, you know, in case you
accidentally film someone else's child".

During the interval I contacted some friends who work in child care,
and did a couple of google searches.

There is no such "law".

I approached the lady during after the show armed with my new
information. She changed her tune, citing educational guidelines and
local council policy.

I was vilified when she stated "how do we know you're not a
paedophile?"

I cannot find any information of any such guideline or recommendation
that would prevent her from allowing me to film my children.

It's her private venue, if she only wants to allow folkes in wearing
red socks that's her right - she can refuse me to film.

I wouldn't mind but she tells me "I think it's as silly as you do, but
we don't make the rules". When pressed about which rules I was
eventually escorted from the premises and told I wasn't welcome again
"if I didn't agree with them"!

I'm clear on the legal issue.

Does anyone know of any such rules? guideline? Even recommendations?

From government bodies?
Local councils?
Educational bodies?

Anyone?

I wanted to get my camera out for two minutes during the ninety minute
session - the only times my child was dancing.

wrote in message 
news:1cafab22-58e6-48f7-9074-1f34bfd4feaf@m17g2000vbi.googlegroups.com...
> At the weekend I was at my child's dance play. I was busy capturing
> happy memories of the play on my camcorder when I received a tap on
> the shoulder.
>
> "You're not allowed to film here".
> "Why?"
> "Child protection laws don't allow it, you know, in case you
> accidentally film someone else's child".
>
> During the interval I contacted some friends who work in child care,
> and did a couple of google searches.
>
> There is no such "law".
>
> I approached the lady during after the show armed with my new
> information. She changed her tune, citing educational guidelines and
> local council policy.
>
> I was vilified when she stated "how do we know you're not a
> paedophile?"
>
> I cannot find any information of any such guideline or recommendation
> that would prevent her from allowing me to film my children.
>
> It's her private venue, if she only wants to allow folkes in wearing
> red socks that's her right - she can refuse me to film.
>
> I wouldn't mind but she tells me "I think it's as silly as you do, but
> we don't make the rules". When pressed about which rules I was
> eventually escorted from the premises and told I wasn't welcome again
> "if I didn't agree with them"!
>
> I'm clear on the legal issue.
>
> Does anyone know of any such rules? guideline? Even recommendations?
>
> From government bodies?
> Local councils?
> Educational bodies?
>
> Anyone?
>
> I wanted to get my camera out for two minutes during the ninety minute
> session - the only times my child was dancing.
>
I have it on good authority that the main reason for the prohibition of 
camcorders at such events is because people with camcorders often annoy 
others (standing up, moving in front of others to get the right angle, etc. 
etc. etc) especially when everyone and their mother seems to have one.

s.love@giant.org.uk wrote:
> At the weekend I was at my child's dance play. I was busy capturing
> happy memories of the play on my camcorder when I received a tap on
> the shoulder.
>
> "You're not allowed to film here".
> "Why?"
> "Child protection laws don't allow it, you know, in case you
> accidentally film someone else's child".
>
> During the interval I contacted some friends who work in child care,
> and did a couple of google searches.
>
> There is no such "law".
>
> I approached the lady during after the show armed with my new
> information. She changed her tune, citing educational guidelines and
> local council policy.
>
> I was vilified when she stated "how do we know you're not a
> paedophile?"
>
> I cannot find any information of any such guideline or recommendation
> that would prevent her from allowing me to film my children.
>
> It's her private venue, if she only wants to allow folkes in wearing
> red socks that's her right - she can refuse me to film.
>
> I wouldn't mind but she tells me "I think it's as silly as you do, but
> we don't make the rules". When pressed about which rules I was
> eventually escorted from the premises and told I wasn't welcome again
> "if I didn't agree with them"!
>
> I'm clear on the legal issue.
>
> Does anyone know of any such rules? guideline? Even recommendations?
>
> From government bodies?
> Local councils?
> Educational bodies?
>
> Anyone?
>
> I wanted to get my camera out for two minutes during the ninety minute
> session - the only times my child was dancing.

If the performance was on private property, then the owner can specify 
whether or not pictures can be taken.  I believe that the owner can allow 
pictures to be taken, and may also retain the copyright of any pictures 
taken.  The LEA may well have their local rules, or guidelines.  You would 
have to contact them to find that out.

You may wish to refer to this site, which has quite a thorough 
interpretation of how the current laws reflect on photography:
http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-photographers-rights-v2/
(under FREE Download - UK Photographers Rights v2 )

It sounds as though she probably didn't know about any rules (and possibly 
taking impulsive action) and was protecting her own back by taking the route 
of the least resistance.

It sounds as though you have quite valid grounds for a complaint - certainly 
with the allegations she made about you.  You could also speak to other 
parents about it.

IANAL
Iain

> It sounds as though you have quite valid grounds for a complaint - certainly
> with the allegations she made about you.  You could also speak to other
> parents about it.

Grounds of complaint about what and to whom?

s.love@giant.org.uk wrote:
>> It sounds as though you have quite valid grounds for a complaint -
>> certainly with the allegations she made about you. You could also
>> speak to other parents about it.
>
> Grounds of complaint about what and to whom?

I would have thought that it would be reasonable to expect parents to be 
adequately informed if taking pictures were to be disallowed, as seems to be 
the case.  As you correctly found out, no child protection laws exist 
regarding this.  It would be reasonable to expect that someone in her 
position should know about that sort of thing.  To even suggest the 'P' word 
I would consider unprofessional in those circumstances.
It would not be unreasonable for parents to be fully and correctly advised 
of the establishment's policy of child protection issues of that type.

To whom?  Presumably there is a parents' committee, or management committee, 
or govenors, or some form of management structure.

You could also find out from other parents what their opinions are.

Iain