Wetlook World Forum

the way the Manchester fountains are set up is

to give them a large viewing area - a circular stone bench runs round

most of their length - the idea that you should only watch when there

are no kids around is ridiculous -  the water flumes come on and off in

various patterns - people, of all ages usually try to run between them

trying to stay dy as long as possible - it has some entertainment value

for anyone watching.  Will they stay dry? How will they react when they

don't? etc The idea that if any kids turn up, spectators should avert

their eyes or go away is actually offensive. I was by the fountains

twice on wednesday - the first time was from 7.30 am to 8.15 am.  The

water only came on about 8 am. No one was in the fountain even then. I

wasn't there to watch anyone - it was just a nice relaxing place to

waste time between jobs i left when I thought the Arndale would be

opening up so I could get a book to read on my bus trip to Prestwich.

The footage of my return about 11.40 am- between my rubbish interview and taking a course I was on in the afternoon at a builing within sight of the fountains  will show me sitting down, drinking a bottle of pop, reading the Metro and the Evening News, - i

will undoubtedly have looked at the water and even the people running

through it - that's what the seating arrangements invite - movement

within the field of vision will invite you to look up and pay some

attention -  they'll also see me looking around the park area, looking

at the Debenhams clock often, and also watching the police themselves as

they deal with their previous target - water itself fascinates me - I

like fountains, lakes, rivers, regardless of any people being around or

not -

The police should not be hassling people sitting around for any period

of time in a public open air free theatre whic is what the fountains

are - i could be there 24/7 if desired  only if someone shows a

suspicious desire to communicate with a child or shows signs of playing

with themselves should anyone feel the need for concern - had I not been

tired after a long demanding morning i'd have got my book out but I was

happy enough just to chill out - the police arrival in front of me was a

real bombshell - but their own activity was among the things I saw in the

park - had I been doing anything untoward, their arrival in the park

area would have been my queue to leave - i didn't because i had no

notion that i was doing anything remotely wrong morally or legally. I

still don't.

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