LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

ed! · Last edited by ed! on Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:07 am; edited 1 time in total

This is more to do with security rather than health and safety. Yesterday at Tatem, while the group was doing one of their sets, Gill (who was off skates and by the hut) was approached by three Irish girls in their mid to late-teens who had an overbearing interest in what we were doing.
Fred stopped to check on her, and I followed soon after. One girl was really pushy about trying on a pair of skates, not caring what size they were - wanting to wear mine / Fred's / anyones! The other one was quite chatty, but pleasant, with the remaining one quiet throughout.

In my view, I think they were more interested in our belongings, and trying to distract Gill. Things remained pleasant, and they left after a while. Well done to Fred for keeping cool and composed (is he ever anything else?!) - we definitely didn't want things turning aggressive or nasty.

This is the first time I've seen them, so unsure if they are regular visitors to the park. In any case, whether we are training as a group or on your own, please be mindful of yours and each other's belongings. If you must train on your own, consider having your belongings in the middle of the track (grassy area) so that you have an eye on them at all times, and keep any valuables on your person.

[edit - the incident occured in the middle of the session, not at the end]

matty · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:23 am Subject:

+1

Barrie · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 1380 Location: Putney

Is it worth seeing if we can have/put some thing(s) around to lock bikes and bags too?

matty · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:07 am Subject:

i can try to remember to bring my luggage lock, at least then we can lock all the bags together... it's bit more of an undertaking nicking all the bags at the same tme ... we use this alot in the park when we're teaching groups..

small valuables on your person, bags all locked togther.. seems to work there.. never had anything nicked not yet at least..

Glenn · Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1109 Location: ST Pauls

Thanks Ed,

Actually, I once had my bag stolen at Tatem a few years ago, when I was skating there on a weekend afternoon by myself.

I left my bag in the hut and was doing laps. There were three kids there but I was keeping an eye on my bag every lap. However, it started raining, it was blurry and as Gav commented at the time (when I told him) my eye sight is not the best - but I guess the point is, yes, absolutely agree that we need to be careful of our belongings.

G