Banned from the Littledown Centre pool - because my trunks are too long

TOO LONG: Andy Toms pictured here wearing the offending shorts. Picture: Sally Adams TOO LONG: Andy Toms pictured here wearing the offending shorts. Picture: Sally Adams

A FATHER was left high and dry after being told he could not go into a public swimming pool because his trunks were too long.

Lorry driver Andy Toms was accompanying his stepdaughter and her friend to the Littledown Centre pool in Bournemouth last Saturday morning when he was prevented from entering the water for safety reasons.

“I was wearing three-quarter length shorts, which come to just below the knee. I got a tap on the shoulder from an attendant who told me I wasn’t allowed in the pool because my shorts were too long,” said dad of six Andy, 45.

“The girl offered to go to lost property to find me another pair of shorts, but I said: ‘No way.’ “I left and had to take the two kids with me because at 11 and 13, they were too young to be left without an adult.

“We had planned the trip the night before, so they weren’t very happy.

“They had actually got into the pool and were swimming.”

Andy, who lives in Bear Cross with his wife and two stepdaughters, added: “I was advised that I had too much material, but they are proper swimming shorts and aren’t particularly baggy.

“I went to reception to get a refund, but no-one apologised.

“When I asked to speak to a manager, all they said was that it was company policy. It’s totally ridiculous. I was furious.

“I’ve been going to that pool for years and wore those shorts there just before Christmas. I’m definitely not going back again.”

Colette Kiernander, general manager at the Littledown Centre, said: “We are currently looking into the matter, but can confirm that our swimwear policy – outlining acceptable swimwear – is clearly displayed in the changing rooms and is there to maintain a safe environment for all of our swimmers. We explained this to the customer and he left the premises after being refunded in full.”

Comments(104)

Gooby! says...
9:42am Wed 7 Mar 12

How can a 3/4 length short be dangerous?

In Absentia says...
9:48am Wed 7 Mar 12

Gooby! wrote:
How can a 3/4 length short be dangerous?
It's because when other people have to look at them, they might swallow water when laughing at the persons lack of taste.

moldy john mole says...
9:50am Wed 7 Mar 12

Should ov borrowed the ones offered , that was nice
he cant possibly afford to buy if hes only a driver or on dole.
same low income.

BarrHumbug says...
9:57am Wed 7 Mar 12

Well that sounds a bit selfish, if it was me I would have told the staff fine I won't go in but will sit at the side and watch over my child and her friend. Not drag the kids out the pool ruining their enjoyment just because of me and my deemed unsuitable swimwear.

TinyLegacy says...
9:58am Wed 7 Mar 12

Rules are rules, and they don't look like swim 'shorts', they look like 3/4 length trousers...

simcal says...
10:06am Wed 7 Mar 12

What is dangerous about these shorts?

winton50 says...
10:06am Wed 7 Mar 12

Quite a lot of pools have this policy. I'm not really sure why, almost as if they are worried that people might be using too much water!

Personally I'd prefer it if he wore those shorts instead of budgie smugglers

Azphreal says...
10:08am Wed 7 Mar 12

I would love to know what their reason is?

moldy john mole says...
10:12am Wed 7 Mar 12

Someone I know has a friend who works at a swimming pool cleaning it. He was saying when then have Women only sessions the Asian women wear garments over their swimming wear. He was saying that he would not go swimming there because of this, but it would not bother me in the least, some of my lady friends have joined them and wear normal dresses

RageAgainstTheMachine says...
10:17am Wed 7 Mar 12

In Absentia wrote:
Gooby! wrote:
How can a 3/4 length short be dangerous?
It's because when other people have to look at them, they might swallow water when laughing at the persons lack of taste.
HaHa classic...........
Case for the fashion police!

Robynleanne says...
10:22am Wed 7 Mar 12

I think it has something to do with the weight of the shorts once they're wet, obvioulsy more material, more weight.

I'm sure I've heard that somewhere anyway.

But yeah, I dont think he needed to take the girls out of the pool. Seems a little melodramatic.

WOC says...
10:38am Wed 7 Mar 12

Fair enough. I don't know anyone else who swims in their trousers. Did he team them up with a t shirt and a pair of swimming shades?

cyco44 says...
10:43am Wed 7 Mar 12

Don't worry mate I've got an old pair of speedo's you can borrow! Better still, why not go back there with a "Borat" style mankini and see what they say then!

live-and-let-live says...
10:47am Wed 7 Mar 12

TinyLegacy wrote:
Rules are rules, and they don't look like swim 'shorts', they look like 3/4 length trousers...
i dont understand why anyone thinks its ok to be told what they can wear.

cyco44 says...
10:58am Wed 7 Mar 12

Even better still, organise a "Borat" flash-mob there!

l'anglais says...
11:19am Wed 7 Mar 12

Contact the cleaning and maintenance department of your local swimming pool and they will inform you of the reason.
It has nothing to do with fashion or hygiene.
There are logical reasons why these rules are applied.
Unfortuantely in tabloid educated Little Britain everyone is a victim.

Bob49 says...
11:49am Wed 7 Mar 12

'"i dont understand why anyone thinks its ok to be told what they can wear."

er, may because it is their swimming pool - the bit of that you don't understand I suggest you read L'anglais last sentence.

charley farley west parley says...
12:30pm Wed 7 Mar 12

An incident like this can ruin lives. I hope this man can move on and start looking to the future.
Remember, you have encountered the very worst of human nature but the majority of people aren't like that.
Shocking.

Quali-T says...
12:35pm Wed 7 Mar 12

STOP MOANING & ENJOY!!!!.... Why would you march to the paper with this story??... does everyone complain about everything now???!!!... if a small child wore shorts like those the wet weight of them would possibly pull him under, it's a simple saftey measure! one put in place for the saftey of YOUR children!!... Don't slam people for being pro active, if your child drowned you'd protest there should of been rules about swimwear... well guess what.. there are!! so stop complaining & enjoy the safe facillities provided for you!!

Quali-T says...
12:39pm Wed 7 Mar 12

STOP MOANING & ENJOY!!!!.... Why would you march to the paper with this story??... does everyone complain about everything now???!!!... if a small child wore shorts like those the wet weight of them would possibly pull him under, it's a simple saftey measure! one put in place for the saftey of YOUR children!!... Don't slam people for being pro active, if your child drowned you'd protest there should of been rules about swimwear... well guess what.. there are!! so stop complaining & enjoy the safe facillities provided for you!!

Derf says...
1:10pm Wed 7 Mar 12

I was told exactly the same thing last year... didn't go running to the echo though. I'm sure if you go online you'll see a list of the rules, I dare say they're on a wall somewhere in the Littledown centre as well. Perhaps this guy should read their terms rather than just assume things.

Baysider says...
1:40pm Wed 7 Mar 12

Yet another nothing story prompted by someone running off bleating to the Echo because he can't get his own way. In France many pools will not let you wear shorts full stop - you HAVE to wear the budgie smugglers.

The reason being that people who like to swim in shorts, and this blokes were a good example of this, is that they are often worn outisde the pool too and therefore not only do they get much dirtier and grubby as a result but people tend to stuff their pockets with change, chewing gum, used hankies, etc, etc, etc.

Still, never let it be said the Echo passes on a chance to create a "Health & Safety gone mad" story.

Upkeep says...
2:56pm Wed 7 Mar 12

I take it "No Petting" is still enforced ?

Jetwasher says...
2:57pm Wed 7 Mar 12

ARRRRGGH health and safety jobsworths , things like this really get my goat, One day they will tell the wrong person and will end up with a smack right in the mouth...

moldy john mole says...
3:29pm Wed 7 Mar 12

terrible isnt it

George Bowling says...
3:50pm Wed 7 Mar 12

Surely something more newsworthy (or of interest) than this must have happened in the last week or so.

pete woodley says...
4:41pm Wed 7 Mar 12

Baysider wrote:
Yet another nothing story prompted by someone running off bleating to the Echo because he can't get his own way. In France many pools will not let you wear shorts full stop - you HAVE to wear the budgie smugglers.

The reason being that people who like to swim in shorts, and this blokes were a good example of this, is that they are often worn outisde the pool too and therefore not only do they get much dirtier and grubby as a result but people tend to stuff their pockets with change, chewing gum, used hankies, etc, etc, etc.

Still, never let it be said the Echo passes on a chance to create a "Health & Safety gone mad" story.
This comment is more to the truth,dirty well worn trousers springs to mind.

moldy john mole says...
5:23pm Wed 7 Mar 12

surely this guy and the lady from the food bank are identical twins

justanoldie says...
5:23pm Wed 7 Mar 12

If you don't have a dress rule, every single customer will have to go through the dress police, stop moaning!

Bob49 says...
5:31pm Wed 7 Mar 12

"ARRRRGGH health and safety jobsworths , things like this really get my goat, One day they will tell the wrong person and will end up with a smack right in the mouth..."

Yes, how dare they decide what is suitable in their own swimming pool.

What this bloke was wearing is clearly NOT swim wear. Any apology should be directed at the two children who his selfish behaviour caused them to miss their swimming.

Another example of Joe Public not being able to cope with being told no.

andydt says...
9:22pm Wed 7 Mar 12

moldy john mole wrote:
Should ov borrowed the ones offered , that was nice he cant possibly afford to buy if hes only a driver or on dole. same low income.
they do happen be swimming trunks actually. and i have worn them many times before at the same pool. i did appologies to the children. because i could not leave them in the pool unattended as they are too you .

markiemong63 says...
9:24pm Wed 7 Mar 12

Can i wear a thong?

andydt says...
9:30pm Wed 7 Mar 12

Robynleanne wrote:
I think it has something to do with the weight of the shorts once they're wet, obvioulsy more material, more weight. I'm sure I've heard that somewhere anyway. But yeah, I dont think he needed to take the girls out of the pool. Seems a little melodramatic.
so how much do larger peoples trunks wiegh ? the girls are to young to be left unattended

andydt says...
9:42pm Wed 7 Mar 12

Quali-T wrote:
STOP MOANING & ENJOY!!!!.... Why would you march to the paper with this story??... does everyone complain about everything now???!!!... if a small child wore shorts like those the wet weight of them would possibly pull him under, it's a simple saftey measure! one put in place for the saftey of YOUR children!!... Don't slam people for being pro active, if your child drowned you'd protest there should of been rules about swimwear... well guess what.. there are!! so stop complaining & enjoy the safe facillities provided for you!!
the children were not wearing the shorts, its the fact that some jobs worth thought up a new rule. they are proper swimming trunks, and have never had any trouble with them before at any other pools.ive also worn them several times before at the littledown pool.

andydt says...
9:47pm Wed 7 Mar 12

Derf wrote:
I was told exactly the same thing last year... didn't go running to the echo though. I'm sure if you go online you'll see a list of the rules, I dare say they're on a wall somewhere in the Littledown centre as well. Perhaps this guy should read their terms rather than just assume things.
there was nothing on the walls until i reported it to trading standards. then the day after up it pops on a4 paper

pete woodley says...
9:52pm Wed 7 Mar 12

Andydt,give it a rest you have had your say.

andydt says...
9:54pm Wed 7 Mar 12

Baysider wrote:
Yet another nothing story prompted by someone running off bleating to the Echo because he can't get his own way. In France many pools will not let you wear shorts full stop - you HAVE to wear the budgie smugglers. The reason being that people who like to swim in shorts, and this blokes were a good example of this, is that they are often worn outisde the pool too and therefore not only do they get much dirtier and grubby as a result but people tend to stuff their pockets with change, chewing gum, used hankies, etc, etc, etc. Still, never let it be said the Echo passes on a chance to create a "Health & Safety gone mad" story.
last time i looked the littledown was in bournemouth not france. and no, you dont no me. but my trunks are only used for swimming in. being offered a pair from lost property is not hygenic, would you were a pair left by a stranger ????

Palantir says...
9:59pm Wed 7 Mar 12

Shouldn't the Littledown be calling libel on the local rag here?

The headline states 'banned' but this chap was merely told he couldn't wear those shorts and indeed was offered alternatives from lost property, leading to his refusal to ever return - there's not even any mention within the article that he has in fact been banned from coming back...

andydt says...
10:01pm Wed 7 Mar 12

pete woodley wrote:
Andydt,give it a rest you have had your say.
and ill say what i want when i want pete woodley thank you

live-and-let-live says...
10:25pm Wed 7 Mar 12

andydt wrote:
Quali-T wrote: STOP MOANING & ENJOY!!!!.... Why would you march to the paper with this story??... does everyone complain about everything now???!!!... if a small child wore shorts like those the wet weight of them would possibly pull him under, it's a simple saftey measure! one put in place for the saftey of YOUR children!!... Don't slam people for being pro active, if your child drowned you'd protest there should of been rules about swimwear... well guess what.. there are!! so stop complaining & enjoy the safe facillities provided for you!!
the children were not wearing the shorts, its the fact that some jobs worth thought up a new rule. they are proper swimming trunks, and have never had any trouble with them before at any other pools.ive also worn them several times before at the littledown pool.
andy. im on your side. the people here are brainwashed with rules that must be obeyed. there is no thinking involved here. just shut up and behave. its for your own good. apparently. but no good reason is offered.how anyone can say your shorts would be to heavy when wet is absolutely ludicrous. has anyone yet offered a sensible acceptable reason to disallow you to wear your swimwear in the pool? no. because there isnt a sensible reason.

retry69 says...
10:41pm Wed 7 Mar 12

live-and-let-live wrote:
andydt wrote:
Quali-T wrote: STOP MOANING & ENJOY!!!!.... Why would you march to the paper with this story??... does everyone complain about everything now???!!!... if a small child wore shorts like those the wet weight of them would possibly pull him under, it's a simple saftey measure! one put in place for the saftey of YOUR children!!... Don't slam people for being pro active, if your child drowned you'd protest there should of been rules about swimwear... well guess what.. there are!! so stop complaining & enjoy the safe facillities provided for you!!
the children were not wearing the shorts, its the fact that some jobs worth thought up a new rule. they are proper swimming trunks, and have never had any trouble with them before at any other pools.ive also worn them several times before at the littledown pool.
andy. im on your side. the people here are brainwashed with rules that must be obeyed. there is no thinking involved here. just shut up and behave. its for your own good. apparently. but no good reason is offered.how anyone can say your shorts would be to heavy when wet is absolutely ludicrous. has anyone yet offered a sensible acceptable reason to disallow you to wear your swimwear in the pool? no. because there isnt a sensible reason.
Nobodys brainwashed he was told he couldnt wear them in the pool so he had two choices he took one of them, no story,no headlines thats life live it and shut up

Bob49 says...
11:29pm Wed 7 Mar 12

"offered a pair from lost property is not hygenic"

Whereas immersing yourself in gallons of water that has been swilling about the nether regions of all and sundry is.

"there was nothing on the walls until i reported it to trading standards"

It gets worse, trading standards ! Have you nothing better to do, like getting a sense of perspective ?

"Which I presume someone else told you about as "I’m definitely not going back again"

"the girls are to young to be left unattended"

Whereas a few yards away in the female changing rooms they are (by who) ? Could you not have simply asked the two girls to wait safely beside a swimming pool attendant whilst you quickly changed so as to be able to sit and watch - at least allowing them to continue with their swim ?

If there's anything to be learnt from this idiotic tale it should be a better understanding as to why those working with Joe Public as so often forced to take what might be seen as 'extreme' preventative measures to protect themselves. I would not be surprised that if as well as contacting the Daily Echo and Trading Standards this chap also contacted some 'no win no fee' company.

If the Daily Echo and a few more newspapers printed more balanced view of stories this one might have been more accurately titled - 'Look what the Littledown Centre has to put up with'. And we might get less of these endless 'victim' stories and even less of the 'elf n safety gone mad' brigade squawking away like a bunch of over exited parrots in a thunderstorm.

s-pb2 says...
11:32pm Wed 7 Mar 12

What a ridiculous small minded story. The swimming pool through BH Live has its own rules, the staff have the right not to admit anyone to their facilities. The man was told his clothing was unacceptable and was given a refund. I cannot see what the fuss is about. After all no one would run to the Echo if the someone was not admitted by the maitre d at the Royal Bath for wearing stonewashed jeans

Lord Spring says...
8:41am Thu 8 Mar 12

Azphreal wrote:
I would love to know what their reason is?
I know his reason he was covering something up.

retry69 says...
8:50am Thu 8 Mar 12

Bob49 wrote:
"offered a pair from lost property is not hygenic"

Whereas immersing yourself in gallons of water that has been swilling about the nether regions of all and sundry is.

"there was nothing on the walls until i reported it to trading standards"

It gets worse, trading standards ! Have you nothing better to do, like getting a sense of perspective ?

"Which I presume someone else told you about as "I’m definitely not going back again"

"the girls are to young to be left unattended"

Whereas a few yards away in the female changing rooms they are (by who) ? Could you not have simply asked the two girls to wait safely beside a swimming pool attendant whilst you quickly changed so as to be able to sit and watch - at least allowing them to continue with their swim ?

If there's anything to be learnt from this idiotic tale it should be a better understanding as to why those working with Joe Public as so often forced to take what might be seen as 'extreme' preventative measures to protect themselves. I would not be surprised that if as well as contacting the Daily Echo and Trading Standards this chap also contacted some 'no win no fee' company.

If the Daily Echo and a few more newspapers printed more balanced view of stories this one might have been more accurately titled - 'Look what the Littledown Centre has to put up with'. And we might get less of these endless 'victim' stories and even less of the 'elf n safety gone mad' brigade squawking away like a bunch of over exited parrots in a thunderstorm.
Good points and ive pointed out in another comment the Editors choice includes this story but not the Closure Of Remploy as his choice, priorities and balanced views not the Echos strongest points

Hopkino says...
1:19pm Thu 8 Mar 12

Far be it for me to get technical, however the dictionary definition of shorts: having little length; not long.
3/4 length trousers are always 3/4 length trousers. They cannot be described as shorts or trunks.... I feel sorry for the two children who were whipped out of the pool because someone couldn't follow the rules..........
Bob49 - my sentiments are with you.

pete woodley says...
1:38pm Thu 8 Mar 12

Judging by the tone of his comments and his replies to criticism,i would think he was looking for a argument.

ballstoit says...
1:39pm Thu 8 Mar 12

What a complete tool. LOL.
Who reports their local swimming baths to trading standards? WTF, honestly, who even does that sort of thing?
Just buy a pair of proper shorts and quit your whining. Sympathy = Zero.

Baysider says...
1:57pm Thu 8 Mar 12

andydt wrote:
Baysider wrote: Yet another nothing story prompted by someone running off bleating to the Echo because he can't get his own way. In France many pools will not let you wear shorts full stop - you HAVE to wear the budgie smugglers. The reason being that people who like to swim in shorts, and this blokes were a good example of this, is that they are often worn outisde the pool too and therefore not only do they get much dirtier and grubby as a result but people tend to stuff their pockets with change, chewing gum, used hankies, etc, etc, etc. Still, never let it be said the Echo passes on a chance to create a "Health & Safety gone mad" story.
last time i looked the littledown was in bournemouth not france. and no, you dont no me. but my trunks are only used for swimming in. being offered a pair from lost property is not hygenic, would you were a pair left by a stranger ????
I offered the example of the situation in France by way of setting a point of comparison i.e. the centre in question is prepared to accept swimmers wearing shorts, unlike in France, for the reasons I set out but frankly you were taking the micky and got the hump when they enforced their rules.

The fact your shorts might be suitable for a day sitting on the beach is the very reason they are in effect unsuitable for the pool. Maybe you like swimming through the detritus of other peoples pockets but most of us would rather not.

As for raising this with trading standards...

redland104 says...
4:19pm Thu 8 Mar 12

i love these stories , viva la bloke in 3/4 trousers , sorry i mean't swimming shorts / trousers

JHabby says...
6:03pm Thu 8 Mar 12

Im shocked that andy toms has remembered hes a father of 6 as hes never paid a penny for them..maybe the ECHO could let the CSA know that hes working..otherwise take out that hes got 6 kids or is he going for a sympathy vote...or maybe the ECHO should contact me and ill give them the andy toms rundown on how he avoids paying maintanance...

JHabby says...
6:25pm Thu 8 Mar 12

andydt wrote:
pete woodley wrote:
Andydt,give it a rest you have had your say.
and ill say what i want when i want pete woodley thank you
Andy T if you want to add that you have 6 kids maybe you could start paying something towards them instead of running from the CSA..some dad you are

pete woodley says...
6:35pm Thu 8 Mar 12

JHabby wrote:
andydt wrote:
pete woodley wrote:
Andydt,give it a rest you have had your say.
and ill say what i want when i want pete woodley thank you
Andy T if you want to add that you have 6 kids maybe you could start paying something towards them instead of running from the CSA..some dad you are
What have you got to say to that Andyt,is it true ?,if you want to play the big man,expect repercussions.

JHabby says...
7:01pm Thu 8 Mar 12

pete woodley wrote:
JHabby wrote:
andydt wrote:
pete woodley wrote:
Andydt,give it a rest you have had your say.
and ill say what i want when i want pete woodley thank you
Andy T if you want to add that you have 6 kids maybe you could start paying something towards them instead of running from the CSA..some dad you are
What have you got to say to that Andyt,is it true ?,if you want to play the big man,expect repercussions.
oh its true, ive offered the Echo a more suitable heading for andy toms like 'WANTED by the CSA'

FNS-man says...
7:22pm Thu 8 Mar 12

Back on topic: it's a sensible rule as it helps stop people wearing dirty non-swimming trunks into the pool. Yes, the staff could have taken a decision that yours were clean and for swimming. But then the rule would have to be: if our staff think your shorts are not swim-wear then you can't swim, which opens up a big can of worms.

Not sure why you didn't just sit at the side, and not ruin your girls' day out. They're not too young according to Littledown rules, who let kids over 8 go into the pool on their own. I'd suggest that not letting your 11 and 13 year-old daughters swim on their own is a bit over the top health and safety-wise.

You could also have bought some from the shop there for about a tenner.

So in short: not sure what you're complaining about really.

FNS-man says...
7:34pm Thu 8 Mar 12

Step-daughter and friend, rather.

Krmgtsm7 says...
8:09pm Thu 8 Mar 12

lol This story was funny, the comments even funnier especially when the disgruntled ex shows up hahaha. It's like the Jeremy Kyle show "text edition" :-)

This post is going in my favourites
for future chuckles ;-)

JHabby says...
8:26pm Thu 8 Mar 12

Krmgtsm7 wrote:
lol This story was funny, the comments even funnier especially when the disgruntled ex shows up hahaha. It's like the Jeremy Kyle show "text edition" :-)

This post is going in my favourites
for future chuckles ;-)
and could this be the poison dwarf..lol..should fathers who produce kids not pay for their kids then..

danboy2835 says...
8:59pm Thu 8 Mar 12

6 families have just been told that their loved ones arent going to return from afghanistan, they are never going to hear their voice again and the rest of the men have to finish their tour knowing they will never see their friends again.
If that is all you have to worry about then you are a very lucky man and think about what other people are going through so just grow up stop moaning and stop wasting peoples time because u want to be in the limelight.
SHAME ON THE ECHO FOR THINKING THIS WAS A WORTHY STORY AND THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE INTERESTED

Krmgtsm7 says...
9:21pm Thu 8 Mar 12

JHabby wrote:
Krmgtsm7 wrote:
lol This story was funny, the comments even funnier especially when the disgruntled ex shows up hahaha. It's like the Jeremy Kyle show "text edition" :-)

This post is going in my favourites
for future chuckles ;-)
and could this be the poison dwarf..lol..should fathers who produce kids not pay for their kids then..
oh please do tell all, who is this poison dwarf? lol I want to know this is gettin' really juicy :-)

Sod the telly tonight echo online all the way for me :-)

Krmgtsm7 says...
9:21pm Thu 8 Mar 12

JHabby wrote:
Krmgtsm7 wrote:
lol This story was funny, the comments even funnier especially when the disgruntled ex shows up hahaha. It's like the Jeremy Kyle show "text edition" :-)

This post is going in my favourites
for future chuckles ;-)
and could this be the poison dwarf..lol..should fathers who produce kids not pay for their kids then..
oh please do tell all, who is this poison dwarf? lol I want to know this is gettin' really juicy :-)

Sod the telly tonight echo online all the way for me :-)

JHabby says...
9:38pm Thu 8 Mar 12

over an hour for you to reply your either who or a waste of space yourself

Bob49 says...
9:49pm Thu 8 Mar 12

"I'd suggest that not letting your 11 and 13 year-old daughters swim on their own is a bit over the top health and safety-wise"

eh ?

It was no more than this chap throwing his toys out of the pram and stomping off in a tantrum, no wonder if the comments on here are true he has never stayed around long enough to be a real father.

I wonder if, after he walked out on his kids, he contacted the trading standards and complained that he had banned himself from being a dad because the time it took was too long.

Krmgtsm7 says...
9:58pm Thu 8 Mar 12

at least you know what your 6 kids can get Daddy for his Birthday............
........... A pair of speedos!!

sammmymac says...
9:59pm Thu 8 Mar 12

The most shocking aspect to this whole story is that the man thinks that the children are too young to go swimming without him at 11 and 13!!!!!!!! The Littledown rules allow unaccompanied swimmers from the age of 8. I know of lots of local children who enjoy this freedom from that age, they go there to meet friends, parents know the lifeguards are there supervising them. What poor children having to have him cramp their style.....one of them is a teenager for goodness sake...let them grow up!!!!!!!

sammmymac says...
10:04pm Thu 8 Mar 12

Also....pools in Spain stipulate swimming hats for all females and most pools across Europe stipulate speedo style trunks for men. This is all to save the filters and keep the water clean. So the Littledown is hardly being over the top. Please be brave and let your children have a bit of freedom, I feel for them I really do........

lola23 says...
10:06pm Thu 8 Mar 12

I love it when a story has no truth! the man was not thrown out of the pool area!!! all staff are trained to have excelleomer service!! , he was spoken to very politely and in return he became very abusive!! i would have kicked him out however the staff were very professional and had to go by their saftey policy!!!!!!!

deanmatthews1966 says...
10:53pm Thu 8 Mar 12

Top news story Echo!

s-pb2 says...
12:02am Fri 9 Mar 12

This is genius. Best laugh ive had in ages.

Krmgtsm7 says...
8:19am Fri 9 Mar 12

s-pb2 wrote:
This is genius. Best laugh ive had in ages.
ditto

Tommo. says...
11:34am Fri 9 Mar 12

Is this even newsworthy ?

JHabby says...
1:43pm Fri 9 Mar 12

cheers for the support guys my 6 kids are absolutely fantastic and are better off without that thing in their lives, and the one being vicious i suspect is the misses..lol..who is ten times worse to mess with cus notice that the bigman himself has nothing to say...he will face his kids one day and his excuses will mean nothing just like him

manyogie says...
1:57pm Fri 9 Mar 12

Jetwasher wrote:
ARRRRGGH health and safety jobsworths , things like this really get my goat, One day they will tell the wrong person and will end up with a smack right in the mouth...
Health and Safety is a worty y thing, unfortunately it has become the big hide behind for the lame, lazy, workshy, or indeed, the big companies trying to sve money in some underhanded way.
My suggestion for handling any obscure reference to HS rules is to ask politely for the article to which this came from, whilst politely standing your ground

Krmgtsm7 says...
1:58pm Fri 9 Mar 12

Love seriously have some respect. Ok so your old man did one and hasn't paid you any money, but seriously is the Echo comment page really the place to go to to vent this. OK so he paid no maintanence we kind of get that. Instead of bleating on about what a toe rag he is and how he hasn't paid, why not just be a little bit constructive and tell the right people, like the CSA. He obviously works as the above article says he is a lorry driver. I am sure that the CSA can force him to pay either of his own back or direct from his wages. Then you are happy as you have some cash for your kids and he is happy becasue ............. well maybe he won't, but please oh please stop this fantasy that I "could be" his new partner logging onto here because I want to verbally abuse you. You really could not be more wrong if you tried. I don't know you or him and thankfully probably never will.

loj says...
2:00pm Fri 9 Mar 12

well lets hope 'the big man' has something to say when the CSA knock on his door,no doubt
they will very soon after this!!!

manyogie says...
2:02pm Fri 9 Mar 12

Perhaps Mr toms is 'well blessed and, for decencies sake, chooses to wear these long shorts.

JHabby says...
2:05pm Fri 9 Mar 12

CSA have been involved for over 8yrs but not easy when the only time he remembers he has kids is every 12 weeks to make a change in circumstances or casually leaves his job or moves..one top fella so yes the supposedly right people know

manyogie says...
5:18pm Fri 9 Mar 12

JHabby wrote:
Krmgtsm7 wrote:
lol This story was funny, the comments even funnier especially when the disgruntled ex shows up hahaha. It's like the Jeremy Kyle show "text edition" :-)

This post is going in my favourites
for future chuckles ;-)
and could this be the poison dwarf..lol..should fathers who produce kids not pay for their kids then..
Does'nt it take 2 to reproduce?

Bob49 says...
6:42pm Fri 9 Mar 12

Or as Dave Bowie might have -

This is Pool Control to Andy Toms
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know what size shorts you wear
Now it's time to call the CSA if you dare

"This is Andy Toms to Pool Control
I'm leaving through the door
And I'm speaking in a most peculiar way
And the stares look very different today"

Bishop7 says...
10:08pm Fri 9 Mar 12

What a pair of silly shorts to go swimming in !! Well done Littledown !

Krmgtsm7 says...
11:19pm Fri 9 Mar 12

Bob49 wrote:
Or as Dave Bowie might have -

This is Pool Control to Andy Toms
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know what size shorts you wear
Now it's time to call the CSA if you dare

"This is Andy Toms to Pool Control
I'm leaving through the door
And I'm speaking in a most peculiar way
And the stares look very different today"
lol classic

stevobath says...
1:14pm Sat 10 Mar 12

Bob49 wrote:
"ARRRRGGH health and safety jobsworths , things like this really get my goat, One day they will tell the wrong person and will end up with a smack right in the mouth..."

Yes, how dare they decide what is suitable in their own swimming pool.

What this bloke was wearing is clearly NOT swim wear. Any apology should be directed at the two children who his selfish behaviour caused them to miss their swimming.

Another example of Joe Public not being able to cope with being told no.
Its not 'Their 'pool.

I find tiny speedos more offensive & alarming.This is trivial

Bob49 says...
2:21pm Sat 10 Mar 12

"This is trivial"

not so trivial that you have read through all the posts

yes it is 'their' pool in as much as they are responsible for prices, opening times, admissions and admission criteria

maybe it's time for Joe Public to stop endlessly whinging about how they are 'victims' and accept a bit more responsibilty for their actions

Bmthdad says...
4:58pm Sat 10 Mar 12

JHabby wrote:
pete woodley wrote:
JHabby wrote:
andydt wrote:
pete woodley wrote:
Andydt,give it a rest you have had your say.
and ill say what i want when i want pete woodley thank you
Andy T if you want to add that you have 6 kids maybe you could start paying something towards them instead of running from the CSA..some dad you are
What have you got to say to that Andyt,is it true ?,if you want to play the big man,expect repercussions.
oh its true, ive offered the Echo a more suitable heading for andy toms like 'WANTED by the CSA'
...........such a cheap thing to do washing dirty linen in public as well. The kids must be so proud of BOTH their parents! What chavs the pair of you.

pete woodley says...
5:34pm Sat 10 Mar 12

Hark who's talking.

chrisjb98 says...
7:01pm Sat 10 Mar 12

I have shorts exactly the same length and have worn similar for about 20 years. I go swimming regularly with my daughter (though never in that pool) and have never had a problem! I really hate speedo's and find them pretty nasty to look at! This is as stupid as the no photography rule....I would have caused a fuss to. Fair play Andy T!

Brock_and_Roll says...
7:09pm Sat 10 Mar 12

This reminds me of an amusing incident from my youth. On holiday with mates in Cote D'Azur (as you do) we went to a pool. We were all wearing proper swimming shorts i.e. not 3/4 length but 1/4 length.

The attendant told us to get out of the pool and we could not understand why....all he kept saying was "skimpy...skimpy....
skimpy". After 5 minutes of confusion evenually he said "Speedos" by which point the penny dropped - he wanted us all in pairs of budgie smugglers. Well we did not have speedos (and would not wear them anyway) so we stripped off completely and fortified by a few tinnies, dived empecting to be chucked out - but for some (odd) reason that was considered fine!

a.g.o.g. says...
8:58pm Sat 10 Mar 12

reached the end of the "all mouth and trousers" debate yet have we?

btownboysie says...
10:37pm Sat 10 Mar 12

what a complete cretin, really raises a valid point for sterelization to become compulsory amongst the red-neck underbelly of our broken society. Maybe this tool should of been kicked out for the oversized forehead (due to incestrious breeding patterns) than the aformentioned oversized **** stained jjb joggers

rusty james says...
10:59pm Sat 10 Mar 12

Anyone who wears 3/4 length trousers is in indecisive dong. Shorts or trousers? Make your mind up. Anyone wearing these stupid tan-your-ankles garments should be thrown back into the pool with lead armbands. Idiot.

alasdair1967 says...
10:31am Sun 11 Mar 12

i got kicked out of a swimming pool after the s fell of my speedos

Krmgtsm7 says...
3:06pm Sun 11 Mar 12

alasdair1967 wrote:
i got kicked out of a swimming pool after the s fell of my speedos
lol

moonlyte says...
12:54pm Mon 12 Mar 12

manyogie wrote:
JHabby wrote:
Krmgtsm7 wrote:
lol This story was funny, the comments even funnier especially when the disgruntled ex shows up hahaha. It's like the Jeremy Kyle show "text edition" :-)

This post is going in my favourites
for future chuckles ;-)
and could this be the poison dwarf..lol..should fathers who produce kids not pay for their kids then..
Does'nt it take 2 to reproduce?
It does take 2 but unfortunately only one of them understands what a commitment having children entails.Only one of them has been there for them 24/7 while the other only remembers he has children when it suits him. What sort of man doesn't even support the children he wanted,then goes and brings up somebody else's? Those children are better off with him out of their life...and that's the truth.

pete woodley says...
1:57pm Mon 12 Mar 12

So say all of us.Please take his picture off,its only boosting his ego.

JHabby says...
2:22pm Mon 12 Mar 12

Thankyou moonlyte and pete woodley..all i can add is he has literally shot himself in the foot doing this article and even if its short lived CSA know where he is and where he works..my kids are my world..in all honesty as much as i agree he should pay for them if he hadnt of used them in this article i wouldnt have said a thing...we have survived this long without anything from him

BIGTONE says...
6:25pm Mon 12 Mar 12

They are banned because if you ****,too much air accumulates in your shorts and topsy turveys you then you drown.

poole-cherrie says...
9:40pm Mon 12 Mar 12

hi guys, sorry its a bit late. you may think this guy is a bit of an idiot, but you havnt heard the best of it. I know someone who works at littledown and she told me that the 3/4 lengths the guy was wearing in the echo, WERE NOT the offending shorts he was wearing that day... in fact they were much longer or shall i say trousers which were reaching the ankles, and were navy blue, NOT white. i also heard he told the lifeguard to f''k off when she offered trunks from the lost property! Personally if i was in charge he would not be refunded. All in all to some up this ridiculous article, which i don't think the echo help themselves with as they jumped to conclusion. I think karma has played a part, as far as i can see the guy hasn't commented since his ex wife got involved.. well done by the way

Ex-pat, thankfully says...
4:08am Tue 13 Mar 12

Haha, Andy Thoms, you are clearly quite the pleb and I hope this experience will teach you a lesson about running to the echo with ridiculous stories... I doubt it's taught you anything though in all honesty

JHabby says...
7:56pm Tue 13 Mar 12

THEY (the CSA) HAVE HIM....he wanted to get noticed and he has...my work here is done

spooki says...
9:01pm Tue 13 Mar 12

Haha brilliant! Tho I'd rather a man (or lady) didn't wear teeny tiny pants to go swimming in, I really don't see why the Echo has picked this up as a main story! Is there really nothing else going on to make the "news"? If that's genuinely the worse thing going on in Bournemouth, we should count ourselves lucky. Hurrah, no pointless stabbings or drug related tales for a whole day! Yeah, like that's likely...

pete woodley says...
9:24pm Tue 13 Mar 12

JHabby wrote:
THEY (the CSA) HAVE HIM....he wanted to get noticed and he has...my work here is done
I hope this is a warning to any other loudmouths.

slightlyperturbed says...
9:31am Thu 15 Mar 12

Come on Daily Echo, this is an appalling piece of journalism; and the editor surely must be able to discriminate between good work and pathetically researched space filler. Was it released as some sort of bet, or dare?

When I lived in Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, the local paper’s, the Kalgoorlie Miner, number one most read story on their website was: “Man Stole friend’s Vibrator!” (I kid you not!). Surely you could match this sort of incisive journalism as this sort of rubbish you’ve published here is just fuelling your reputation as a lazy newspaper.
The only good things about the echo as it seems the kids related to the father might get some support; and we’ve all had a good chuckle at the comments. Or, perhaps, that was your aim in the first place!

Post script: recently that Aussie paper got in trouble because a cricket-player sneakily exposed a testicle in a team photo and it wasn’t picked up until too late and on the back page. Apparently the paper sold out that day – perhaps you could try that!

slightlyperturbed says...
9:33am Thu 15 Mar 12

Come on Daily Echo, this is an appalling piece of journalism; and the editor surely must be able to discriminate between good work and pathetically researched space filler. Was it released as some sort of bet, or dare?

When I lived in Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, the local paper’s, the Kalgoorlie Miner, number one most read story on their website was: “Man Stole friend’s Vibrator!” (I kid you not!). Surely you could match this sort of incisive journalism as this sort of rubbish you’ve published here is just fuelling your reputation as a lazy newspaper.
The only good things about the Echo’s story here is it seems the kids related to the father might get some support; and we’ve all had a good chuckle at the comments. Or, perhaps, that was your aim in the first place!

Post script: recently that Aussie paper got in trouble because a cricket-player sneakily exposed a testicle in a team photo and it wasn’t picked up until too late and on the back page. Apparently the paper sold out that day – perhaps you could try that!

Krmgtsm7 says...
11:28pm Thu 15 Mar 12

JHabby wrote:
THEY (the CSA) HAVE HIM....he wanted to get noticed and he has...my work here is done
lol reminiscent of when the American's caught a certain Saddam Hussain. I think we have ourselves a hanging!

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