Snapper Phil left steaming at ban on photos

THIS amateur photographer is steaming mad after a guard at a Sheffield museum told him to put his camera away for child protection - even though he was taking pictures of steam engines.

Actor Phil Harrison, aged 44, of Button Hill, Millhouses, was paying a family visit to Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet when he was told by a security guard to stop snapping pictures.

The guard told Phil the order was due to child protection regulations - even though Phil pointed out he was simply taking pictures of the engines.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Phil said: "This over-zealous security woman ruined an otherwise pleasant family day out by taking it upon herself to tell everyone not to take photos - including photos of their own family and friends!. She seemed completely unaware that people who attend such events do so specifically to photograph the exhibits, and their own friends and family with the exhibits, giving them a record of the event to keep and cherish.

"One of the traction engine owners, who had actually helped to arrange the show at a cost of 250 to him, was so annoyed he said he might refuse to come to the Hamlet again.Of course public safety and privacy is important but, as with everything, some common sense and discretion is required."

Martin Jones, operations manager at Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, apologised.

He said: "We are guilty of over-zealously trying to protect children, when the expectation of visitors is that they will be able to take photos.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The last thing we want to do is to ruin anyone's enjoyment at a great family day.

"People can rest assured they will be able to take non-commercial photographs at all future large-scale events at the Hamlet, as they have always in the past.

"Apologies to all who were disappointed on the day."

Click here for more news.

What do you think? Post your comments below.