Latest news with #Swindon
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Parents' fury as primary schoolchildren are taught about the 300 different flags of Pride - including an 'intersex-inclusive' and another that celebrates polyamory
Parents were left furious after discovering that their primary-aged children are being taught about the 300 different flags of pride at school. Leaflets handed out by the charity Swindon and Wiltshire Pride claim there are more flags representing sexuality and gender identity than there are for countries. The extensive list includes an 'intersex-inclusive Pride flag', a 'polyamory Pride flag, and even a black and white 'heterosexual flag' for straight people, which it says can include transgender people. The information, displayed by the local council on social media, goes into detail about a 'small selection' of 29 varieties. It says: 'While some might think [300] is too many, it's all part of a drive to be more inclusive of the expansive breadth of identity within the community'. The leaflets are part of a free annual support guide produced by the charity, which says it aims to 'promote equality and diversity for the public benefit'. The three double-page spreads about Pride flags describe the identity each is meant to represent, the meaning behind their colours, and when the flag was designed if known. For example, beneath the pink, purple, and green 'trigender Pride flag', the charity explains that 'trigender is a gender identity in which a person switches between or among several genders, including a third gender', which may change depending 'on the individual's mood or environment.' Parents of children at the primary schools had raised concerns about the material to the local Labour council but, they told The Telegraph they had been ignored. One mother, a former teacher, said the guide being given out in primary schools was 'really concerning'. 'Obviously the polyamory one, encouraging children to have multiple sex partners, they shouldn't be sexualising children,' she said. 'In the guide itself, under education, it states it is 'for schools, teachers, and students'. 'A couple of sentences down, for example, it says 'raise awareness of the lesser known identities across the fetish spectrum',' she added, saying that was 'inappropriate'. Among the other Pride flags are 'genderqueer', 'demiboy' and 'demigirl', 'pangender', 'abrosexual' and the 'straight ally flag', which places the rainbow colours in the shape of an 'A' on top of the black and white heterosexual flag. Helen Joyce, the director of advocacy at human rights charity Sex Matters, said the flags 'draw children in' and 'suggest that they need to find themselves on the list' which is 'inappropriate and unnecessary'. Ms Joyce added that the 'false belief' a child can be born in the wrong body can be 'deeply unsettling for young people' and they should be 'protected from such misguided and harmful ideas'. A spokesman for Swindon and Wiltshire Pride said: 'We believe in 'Pride 365': a year-round commitment to celebrating identity, raising awareness, and supporting LGBTQIA+ people in our community. 'Throughout the year, we engage with a wide range of local events, organisations, and educational settings to build understanding and foster inclusion. 'During this Pride Month, we were invited into a small number of local schools to support their curriculum-led work around diversity and LGBTQIA+ relationships. 'Our support guide includes helpful information, links to support organisations, and content written for all audiences – it contains no sexual content whatsoever. 'It is disheartening, though sadly not surprising, to face unfounded attacks or misrepresentations of our work. 'As a visible LGBTQIA+ charity, we know that some individuals may seek to undermine the progress we are making in fostering a more compassionate, inclusive society. 'We remain proud of our mission and grateful to the many people, schools, and communities who continue to stand with us.' It comes after last week a Christian company vowed to sue a council dubbed 'Wokeminster' over plans to hang up trans-inclusive flags to mark Pride Month. In collaboration with Westminster City Council, the Crown Estate, who own the majority of properties on Regent Street, plan to fly Progress Pride flags in 20 locations throughout the central London area between mid-June and mid-July. But if the proposed decorations are hoisted into the air within the next week, the council, nicknamed 'Wokeminster' by its own chief executive Stuart Love, and the Crown Estate risk facing legal action from the Christian Legal Centre. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, told The Telegraph that the Pride flags were an attack on traditional beliefs about sex and gender. She warned that the Christian Legal Centre would have no option but to pursue legal action if the council chooses to proceed with the Pride display, arguing that everyone should feel welcome in Regent Street. Ms Williams said: 'They send the message that people holding these views – which are worthy of respect in a democratic society – are not welcome. 'The majority of the public do not know the highly controversial and harmful symbolism presented by the Progress Pride Flag.' The Pride flag was created by American artist and gay rights activist Gilbert Baker and was first displayed in 1978 as a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community. The Progress Pride flag, designed by artist Daniel Quasar, is an amended version including black, brown, pink, pale blue and white stripes to represent people of colour within the LGBTQ+ community, the trans community and those living with HIV/AIDS. Ms Williams continued: 'This ideology has been discredited by the Cass review, the closure of the Tavistock, and most recently Supreme Court ruling. When will the Crown Estate catch up with the rest of society?' In April, five Supreme Court justices ruled that the legal definition of a 'woman' in the 2010 Equality Act refers 'to a biological woman and biological sex'. Lord Hodge said he recognised 'the strength of feeling on both sides' and cautioned against seeing the judgement as a triumph for one side over another, stressing that the law still gives trans people protection against discrimination. Despite this, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised the ruling as a 'victory' for women and said it meant the 'era of Keir Starmer telling us women can have penises has come to an end'. The landmark ruling could have far-reaching implications on how sex-based rights apply, including how women-only spaces are allowed to operate. Vicky Lee, founder of the Way Out Club, urged the Christian Legal Centre not to pursue legal action over the Pride decorations. She argued they would need to sue 'for every pair of hot pants, every T-shirt and every flag worn as a cape because Pride Month is here and the superheroes [trans community] are not going away anytime soon.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The next Charlie Austin? Non-League hitman to go on trial with Swindon
Non-League goalscoring hotshot Jake Tabor looks set to have the chance to impress in the EFL as he will join Swindon Town on a trial this summer. Tabor opted to leave Amersham Town this summer to pursue a higher level of football, having scored 127 goals in 91 appearances in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North, the ninth tier of English football. Advertisement In May, it was revealed that Tabor had agreed to go on trial at a League Two club, a jump of five divisions, and The Moonraker has reported that Swindon will welcome him through their doors once pre-season begins next week. The Adver floated Tabor's name to a source close to the club earlier this summer, and at that point, it seemed likely he would get his shot with Crawley Town or Gillingham, but Holloway has moved to give him a shot in professional football in recent days. Swindon will be hoping that Tabor can emulate the success that Charlie Austin had stepping out of Non-League and scoring goals in the EFL back in 2009/10. Advertisement The former Amersham striker has been on trial with Wycombe Wanderers before, although he did not earn a contract at Adams Park, who were able to turn Richard Kone into a success in the EFL after he joined from Athletic Newham in 2024, after scoring 88 goals in 109 games. Swindon had evaluated multiple Non-League players in January as Holloway looked for an injection of energy into his team, although none reached his standards for fitness, and at that point of the season, it was not feasible to bring them up to speed. The man who has scored more than a century of goals across the last three seasons will have to impress more than those fellow Non-League players in Holloway's famously punishing pre-season running schedule. Read more: Town's move for Grimsby winger hits late roadblock Advertisement 'Oatmeal thinking' has Swindon in position to compete next season Six potential loan targets for Swindon this summer Since leaving Amersham at the end of last season, Tabor has featured in multiple Non-League showcase games and evidently impressed, scoring three goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers under-21s and netting another six in a game this week. Speaking to Chall on YouTube about his journey, Tabor said: 'It all started just playing Sunday football. I have never really played at a great level or in academy football. 'In the last two or three seasons, I have had a massive rise while scoring loads of goals, and following that, I have been getting more attention and more goals. Advertisement 'I think it is about time for a step up. Everyone says, 'He is doing well, but it is at Step Five or Step Six', so now it is time to put myself in a challenging environment and see if I can live up to it. 'Everyone thinks I am a big fish in a small pond, but hopefully I can prove them all wrong.' The striker may now get the chance to show he is worthy of the attention, with Swindon beginning their pre-season against Step Four sides Swindon Supermarine on July 5 and Melksham Town on July 12.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Council looks to extend dog fouling order
A council is looking for people to share their views on a proposed renewal of a legal order to clamp down on dog Borough Council's Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is expiring, and the authority wants to continue to use the powers.A separate order covering Lydiard Park is also due for renewal. It has been in place since 2016, and the council said it has reduced the number of complaints about fouling, nuisance dogs and their Jim Grant, cabinet member for communities and partnerships, said dog fouling was regularly raised by residents who use local parks and open spaces. The PSPO allows anti-social behaviour wardens to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone caught failing to pick up after their Grant urged people to complete an online survey about the order."We think it is working," he said. "But by law, after every three years, we have to renew it, and we have to consult with the public to determine whether they want it renewed."It's pretty obvious that people do want it renewed, and I'm hoping that people that do respond to the consultation will not just say yes, but give further views on the subject." Councillor Grant added that even people who fail to respond to a warden can still be fined."Almost nobody goes to Lydiard Park without a car. If they ignore the officer, that officer can then note down the number plate, and we will be able to get these people," he said."The more fines we're able to issue, the more of a deterrent it is going to be."He said the council is also looking to employ more wardens to address the survey can be completed on the council's website until 20 July.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wellens signs new Orient contract to 2028
Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens has signed a new three-year contract until the end of the 2027-28 campaign. Wellens guided Orient to the League One play-off final last season, but they were beaten 1-0 by Charlton Athletic to miss out on a return to the ChampionshipThe 45- year-old previously led the east London club to promotion from League Two in said that getting so close to the Championship had left him "wanting more".He said in a statement: "We've seen progress season-by-season, and we want to keep improving and get this club to a level we think it can reach."I'm an ambitious person and an ambitious head coach, and I want to manage in the Championship, and I want to get there with Leyton Orient." Wellens has transformed Orient during his tenure so far, having taken over in March 2022 with the club languishing just four points above the League Two relegation won the League Two title just over 12 months later to return to the third tier for the first time in eight also won the League Two title with Swindon in 2019 and the EFL Trophy with Salford City in 2020, and has also managed finished sixth in the table in 2024-25, beating Stockport County on penalties following a 3-3 draw over two legs in the play-offs to reach the defeat by Charlton last month, Wellens said the club needed to "recruit right" with the majority of the squad for the play-off final out of contract this chairman Nigel Travis said Wellens' committing his future to the club was "another step in the right direction".Travis added: "Richie understands what this club is all about and has passion, the managerial skills and determination for the club to succeed."We're now in the transfer window, as I'm sure you'll all know, and we're working extremely hard behind the scenes to assemble a squad that we believe is capable of achieving our goals this season."
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Football legends reunite for evening of entertainment at County Ground
The pair were also team-mates at Tottenham Hotspur for several years (Image: Swindon Town Football Club) Football legends Ossie Ardiles and Micky Hazard have returned to Swindon Town for a night of nostalgia. The Tottenham Hotspur legends and Swindon Town alumni joined fans at the Nigel Eady County Ground on Wednesday, June 11 for 'An Evening with Micky Hazard and Ossie Ardiles'. Advertisement Swindon welcomed the former midfielders to the Legends Lounge to entertain an audience with tales from their impressive playing careers. Ardiles and Hazard spoke to supporters about their time at White Hart Lane and the County Ground, their time in English football and their experiences on the international stage. Ardiles managed Swindon from 1989 to 1991, describing the club's 1-0 win over Sunderland in the 1990 Second Division play-off final as one of his all-time favourite achievements. He also made two appearances for Swindon as a player in a career that also saw him win the 1978 World Cup representing Argentina. Advertisement Hazard scored 17 goals for Swindon in 121 appearances and helped guide the club to the Premier League under the management of Glenn Hoddle. Recommended reading The pair were Spurs team-mates from 1978 to 1985 before Hazard departed for Chelsea, winning the FA Cup and UEFA Cup while at the club. Their evening at the County Ground is part of a calendar of events that will see a number of legendary figures from the world of football. Stuart Pearce visited the Legends Lounge to speak with fans earlier this year in March, while Paul Merson will be making a similar appearance at the club on October 29. The events are part of a club initiative to push for increased commercial revenue that could help guide Swindon back to League One. Advertisement The club's Chief Commercial Officer, James Watts, said: "We are doing a selection of events in The Legends Lounge. We want to try and turn it more into a venue, using it for more events and getting promoters involved in that, who we are talking to on a local and national level. "That goes beyond club events but also guest speakers, race nights, and things like that. "The concert was the starting point, and on the back of that, we can add things to the commercial portfolio in the lounge, but also the suites upstairs and then with a redevelopment of the stadium, you can look at other things."
