Accrington, my home town, has been in the tabloids quite a bit lately.
Just a few lines about each story:
From the Daily Mail Article: Male teacher to return to school as a Miss:
Mr Upton has recently made a significant change in his life and will be transitioning to live as a woman,’ it read.
‘After the Christmas break, she will return to work as Miss Meadows.’
It then said the school was ‘proud of our commitment to equality and diversity among our staff and children’.
Yesterday parents at St Mary Magdalen’s Primary School in Accrington, Lancashire, were coming to terms with the fact the popular Year 6 teacher previously known as Nathan Upton – a father-of-one who until recently was married – is now Lucy Meadows.
They told how pupils had been informed that the 32-year-old felt he had been ‘born with a girl’s brain in a boy’s body
Read more: Male teacher to return after to school after holidays as a “Miss”
This story was blown out of proportion by a Mr Wayne Cowie, one of the parents at the school. He decided to go to the local papers, and then to the Daily Mail, protesting about something he couldn’t understand, nor did he seem willing to try.
This person – who seems to have the intelligence of a gnat – got what he hadn’t bargained for on local forums and websites, with the vast majority in support of the teacher.
To quote some comments:
- There are only three parents in the whole school who have an issue with this.
- Your children are hardly ever there, so what difference will it make…
- Well what can i say. Mr Cowie ran to the paper hoping that everyone would agree with him but how WRONG was he. Even Jeremy Kyle would not be interested in his story. You now look the most unwanted person in the school yard if you’re so bothered why are your kids still going to the school. Do yourself a favour keep your views to yourself. Mr perfect (NOT). Let’s listen to your life story I think that would be more interesting . Just my view and yes my son goes to this school and yes its an amazing school and fantastic teachers. And all my son is bothered about is how may days before Santa comes . Wish all the staff a very happy Christmas and see you all in Jan .
Mr Cowie feels that primary school kids are to young deal with the situation. He probably thinks sex education is a no-no too, and should be left to the teachers at secondary school, rather than himself.
The kids will probably just ask a few questions and then will take the situation for granted. What we need is children knowing about real life issues, not have the bigoted views of some parents passed on.
…….
Teachers’ Gangnam Style spoof video backfires as they are accused of undermining pupils’ respect
Very misleading headline to say the least. One person has objected in the local paper, which then went national.
That person was Mr Peter Britcliffe, leader of the local Conservative Party. (opposition)
His quote (concerning the sauna scene): ’Having viewed it myself, while most of it is just good fun, there are parts of it certainly that might not improve the respect there should be between teachers and pupils.’
This is from a man who seems to to take the chance to object to anything if it will get his face in the local papers.
“I am not a killjoy but I have looked at the piece, which is being discussed all over Accrington. It is the talk of the town’s young people.”
Is it really Mr B? Most of us watched it when it first came out, giggled and forgot about it! Stop telling porkies!
I thought it was quite fun, and is a fundraiser after all. My only issue is that it’s not very well filmed! (Video below)
…….
The latest one concerns housing in Accrington. The Daily Mail yet again.
Accrington back street
Revamp of terraced housing in Accrington
The story was supposed to highlight a good move in Accrington, to revamp five streets of terraced housing in the town.
It made it seem as if the whole place is a ghost town, hence some of the comments.
It’s five streets which have been waiting two years for this. The revamp was postponed because funding was cut. Just a few yards from where the photos were taken is one of the “posher” areas of the town. Do you notice how clean the long back alley in the photo is by the way? Also that is not a “boy kicking a football” in the picture if you look closely Daily Mail. You should know seeing as your photographer took the photo.
I hope the Daily Mail comes back when the project is finished and reports on how much improved those streets are!
A lot of renovation and rebuilding has happened in Accrington over the last few years. The photos could quite easily have been one of other areas before they were demolished.
The article doesn’t give a true impression of Accrington at all. On the whole it is a great place to be.
BBC video on Accrington revamp
Have a wonderful week ahead Carol. Lovely article!
Thank you very much, I try! It means a lot coming from J.J. Collins!
Sounds like The Daily Mail to a t!
My home town of Eastbourne was in the news when the teacher ran off to France with his pupil recently, I just knew it would have had to be my old school they were from!