GUEST BLOG
By Tabitha Ronson Over the weekend, Master A and I went along to a free family event in our local park with one of his classmates, Talia, and her mum.
The sun was shining and laughter filled the open space. Children of all ages were taking full advantage of the activities on offer from old school fairground games and cake decorating to model car racing and crafts.
First stop was the face painting, with Master A opting for Batman. Talia a butterfly. While waiting for the transformation to take place, I became aware of a third adult standing alongside us. A presence that was rather too close. I turned to find a man, in his late 50s, positioned a few steps behind the face painter filming Talia.
I was very uncomfortable.
I am normally mild-mannered, reserved even, but without giving it a second thought, I confronted the stranger. I demanded he stop filming and to delete all footage of Talia.
He mumbled something about not knowing that he wasn't allowed to film and pointed out the signs that read: "Photographs at this event may be taken for future publicity purposes."
He started to walk away - still with the footage on his camera.
Again without thought, I blocked his path and insisted he delete the material he had taken. A crowd had formed around us, nudging and whispering. The man remained passive.
Drawn to the ruckus, an event co-ordinator came over. On hearing the issue, she immediately requested the man delete any material featuring Talia.
He continued to play daft laddie, fumbling with his phone's controls, before eventually handing the phone over to the event organiser.
The phone was cleared and the man shuffled off.
In hindsight, I probably over-reacted. The man was quite likely enjoying a wonderful carefree day.
However, with the news about the Southend deputy head who hanged himself before it was revealed he was a paedophile, one can never be too careful.
Working Mum, despising those who would rob children of their innocence.
