In model flying, as in most areas of sport, we rely upon willing volunteers to do the instructing and tuition and these people are difficult to find at the best of times. This legislation will just serve to make it increasingly hard to attract suitably skilled people into the roles and thus Clubs will end-up adopting a "no under 18's" policy. Nobody would argue against protecting our young folk but this is just heavy-handed bureaucracy at its worst and social history will show that it was a mistake.

Perhaps we'll now see legislation to make it illegal for Clubs to refuse membership to under 18's?

Wiz, Herne Bay, Kent

This is what happens when you try to legislate common sence.
The child protection and vulnerable adults guidance has been poorly explained to model clubs by the British Model Flying Association to whom all clubs are affiliated. As a result most clubs have taken the simple way out by dictating that all parents must attend when their children fly their planes.
Whilst the children are keen, many parents are not and would prefer to leave their kids with the club instructors. As a result young adult numbers are falling.

David , Paddock Wood , UK

This is beyond parody. Child hobby clubs are effectively banned because of a tiny risk. As a direct result, children are thus encouraged to hang about on street corners. (Much greater risk) or encouraged to be anti-social at home.

Has the health & safety nazis forgotten what they were supposed to achieve.

Brian Vallance, LEFKIMMI, Greece

You should look beyond the government to the "child protection lobby". This originated in the extreme left-wing feminists of the 70's who theorised that child sexual abuse was necessary to ensure male domination in adulthood.
From this grew theories of satanic abuse, later ritual abuse which resulted in the Rochdale, Orkney, Nottingham and other scandals. Despite being proven so disastrously wrong, many of thesocial workers involved have gone on to take key positions in local and national government and other child protection agencies where their discredited theories continue to influence child protection legislation.

Robert Napier, Sutton Coldfield, UK

Regardless of whatever view might be held on this the stark fact is that many volunteers are dissuaded and it is becoming difficult for children to get assistance in hobby clubs.

Thats the problem, do nothing and its only going to get markedly worse with the 2008 legislation.

Antony, ware, uk

So, were are the parents in all this? As I think back to my own involvement in hobby clubs as a youth ('60's & '70's), it strikes me that my parents came to their own conclusion about the suitability of the adult advisors before we were allowed to participate. I had more to worry from some of the other youths than I had from the adults!

Ben Hoff, NJ, USA

It is not the people in power who are limiting the freedoms of these children - quite the opposit, they are protecting them! I admit that some of the strategies are difficult to deal with, but it is a lack of adult volunteers that is causing the problem! if more people volunteered to prove their capability and trustworthiness then clubs would not be required to ask parents to attend with their children. I have worked with children and been through these checks and dealt with child protection laws and i survived quite easily!

Emma, southampton,

I would hate to think how I would have turned out without these and other activities that were available to me in the 60's and 70's.

This is typical of the Governments meddling in private lives without taking due consideration of the consequences of their actions.

Are we breeding a generation of social inadequates who have not concepts of the adventures and fun there is to be had in life? I think so...

Vaughan Morgan-Jones, Leicester, England

If its good enough that every Church has to do it ,then its good enough for all.

Myke & Dr.Miriam Rosenthal-English, Füssen, Deutschland

And then people wonder why children stay at home, watch TV, stuff their faces with crisps and play on their Playstations or whatever. Somebody in power must really hate people - limiting their freedoms in such a stringent way as to literally put them in a straight jacket. 1984 is truly under way.

Tina, Duesseldorf, Germany

Mea culpa, mea culpa!

I used to spend week day and Sunday evenings surrounded by scantily clad children aged between 9 and 15 years of age.

I was a volunteer swimming coach for our local swimming club.

I suppose that the excuse that two of my daughters were members would nowadays count for nothing.

Paul, Antalya, Turkey

"No good deed shall go unpunished," in action!

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California