THE campaign group for fathers' rights, behind the recent Spiderman protest in London, has opened a branch In Newbury.
Fathers-4-Justice is a civil rights movement which campaigns for a child's right to see both parents and the Newbury group held its first meeting this week.
Spiderman protestor David Chick, who spent six days on a crane above Tower Bridge in London last year because he was denied access to see his daughter, is a member of the group.
F4J has masterminded a series of other stunts to raise its profile, including driving a tank through the streets of London last year.
It sees Newbury as the centre of a catchment area that includes Swindon, Reading, Oxford and Basingstoke and the group will focus largely on the RG postcode.
The first meeting took place at the Monument public house in Newbury on Monday. Local co-ordinator Mike Ellis said: "We're not just a bunch of militant men with chips on our shoulders. We just want to see our kids."
F4J says that around 40 per cent of separated fathers lose all contact with their children after two years and the group wants to end the secrecy of family courts.
Its membership has risen from 100 to 7,500 in 14 months and mothers and grandmothers joined angry fathers at Monday's meeting in Newbury.
Hampshire co-ordinator Phil Osgood, who has been to 81 hearings over access to his children, said: "This is about kids and changing the law. We're not going to get justice unless we wear a skirt. It's a mismatch. We will not stop unless we change this law.
"I would prefer it if Fathers-4Justice didn't exist and that we weren't here. I hope that we go away quickly but I don't think we will. I think we'll be around for a few years yet."
Meetings will take place on the third Monday of every month in the Monument in Northbrook Street at 8pm. Next month's meeting is on April 19. For more information, contact Mr Ellis on (01488) 648203 or visit the Fathers-4-Justice website at www fathers-4-justice.org
From the Newbury Weekly News
im a dad and havent seen my 3 kids in four months because of my ex wife, i left the house two years ago it brakes my heart not to see them, im not asahmed to say i ball my eyes out when i think of them.please help me i cant afford court fees and no im not asking for hand outs just advice,somebody talk to me.Andy
Posted by: andrew | September 14, 2004 at 02:14 PM
I haven't seen my children in a few years. Is there something in Sacramento, California that I can call on? I don't know where to look and can't afford legal fees.
Posted by: Charles Bicking | February 21, 2006 at 05:47 PM