Real Fathers 4 Justice

Superdad - Fathers 4 Justice stunt Photo - Press Association

For the past three years demonstrations by Fathers 4 Justice have become commonplace.

Their mission is to try to change family law.

But last month the organisation disbanded after claims of plots to kidnap the Prime Minister's son.

Inside Out has been told that the whole thing was fantasy, and there was no plot.

It's also been told that a new fathers' movement has been up and running for months, with a new collective leadership headed by a man from the North East.

The activists say stories that they've disbanded are untrue.

The Real Fathers for Justice

Real Fathers for Justice - a campaign formed by activists who left Fathers 4 Justice - is preparing more demonstrations to bring attention to their cause.

Inside Out joined them in December 2005 as they prepared for their latest demonstration

They're now an organisation at a turning point.

Turning point - the Blair kidnap controversy c/o PA Images

In January 2006 their former leader Matt O'Connor announced he was disbanding their campaign.

But the activists say they left him months before that to form their own organisation, Real Fathers for Justice, and O'Connor has no involvement.

But in January 2006 Real Fathers was also on the rack over reports that it was plotting to kidnap Tony Blair's son Leo.

It was claimed Special Branch had warned the plotters they'd be shot if there was a kidnap attempt.

Jolly Stanesby was supposed to be one of the plotters.

He says there was no plot, no talk of Leo Blair, and no kidnap warning from Special Branch:

"They said we support what you do. But we don't want to see anyone get shot... things have changed in the last six months."

Fighting for men's rights

Power has tilted towards the North East. There's a collective leadership headed by Mike Kelly, from Wallsend.

And he sees a potential smear campaign in the Leo Blair story:

"I very much believe the whole incident was orchestrated by the government to bring the campaign down."

True or not, people now think their campaign has disbanded.

The Real Fathers for Justice are determined to change that perception by embarking on a new series of campaigns.

The Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has already been pelted with eggs by a Real Fathers' activist.

Demonstrations may generate publicity, but a test of a campaign's popularity is the breadth of support it gets.

Inside Out spoke to Mike, a serving policeman, who can't be identified.

Mike says that his wife, a karate expert, has used violence on him.

He's not a member, but he still supports the fathers' aims.

In the name of the father - 2004 protest at York Minster c/o PA

The reason? His court order to see his two sons has been breached more than 20 times by his ex wife, yet he was the one who ended up being arrested.

He feels that fathers get a raw deal:

"I've seen it happen. You... see a woman, tears streaming down her face, holding a child in her arms.

"And then a guy there who's saying 'I've got a court order and it's not being enforced' full of hell.

"Somebody's got to lose and who's going to get it? The Police aren't going to want to go and arrest the mother and then go through the rigmarole of getting Social Services.

"The easier option is to remove the father."

Mike says the legal battle has left him financially ruined. He's been back in court over 40 times

In the first two years the legal fees were £40,000.

"I ended up having to be made insolvent," says Mike.

As a policemen he's against law breaking, but he sympathises with Real Fathers.

Not just for men

The Real Fathers for Justice also claim their support isn't just among men.

Inside Out spoke to a woman called Ruth who fostered a child and applied to adopt her.

The adoption application meant that the court had to choose between the foster mother and the birth mother, a recovering drug addict.

Ruth says the court was biased and she had to give up a child she'd cared for for five years:

"We have no rights. We can't apply to the courts to get contact or have her back. We're absolutely nothing in her life anymore."

"Once a year or thereabouts we get a letter explaining what they've been doing and how she's growing up."

Ruth says there should be a presumption of 50/50 contact as a starting point, and she believes that Real Fathers is on the right track.

"They have a serious point, and are making it in the best way they can... When it makes front page news, Mr Blair and the Government sit up and listen."

Fighting for rights

Depending on your point of view, Real Fathers for Justice either stage wreckless stunts or highlight the deficiencies of family law.

Mike Kelly responds to accusations that they are performing silly stunts:

"I hear a lot of parents saying they'll do anything for the love of their child, so these fathers want to get up and protest over the love for their children. And they want to be able to say to people 'look, the legal system is failing me. Will somebody come along and help us?'"

Paul, another member, agrees: "There's nothing else left... for us to do, you know."

Inside Out joins the protesters as they set off for a mystery location.

The whole planning of the demonstration is shrouded in secrecy.

The target is Metro Radio - and two fathers dressed as Santa Claus and a snowman get onto the roof with banners.

They planned to stay up for four days, but the stunt lasted nine.

When the demonstration ends, it's taken its toll as Mike Kelly explains:

"They're in a pretty bad way. Nine days without shelter and basic food and water.

"It took its toll, but they're determined to get the message out."

Super heroes?

The latest protests are an attempt to kick start a new campaign after the damage caused in January 2006.

Many of the fathers believe that it's the only way they can make a difference:

"I've had to fight long and hard. And I've had judges tell us we're bad dads and irresponsible. We're not irresponsible. We're loving dads. We want to see our children."

But putting super heroes on buildings may be losing its impact.

"This is a problem we've got. We'll be entering a dialogue with Government and we hope Government will listen.

"If it refuses to listen, more and more protests will take place," promises Mike Kelly.

The fathers even claim that the Prime Minister once supported their aims:

"No one who heard you could have any doubt about your love for your children... You are a very impressive and persuasive campaigner...

"We acknowledge that the present system does not work well enough."

Tony Blair in a personal letter to an activist 18 months ago.

Change of tactics

There's also talk of changing tactics. The fathers' new campaign has a slightly different focus.

Well known campaigner Jason Hatch c/o Press Association

There's a poster saying fathers who aren't allowed to give their kids Easter eggs should give them to their MPs instead.

It's another chapter in the ongoing battle for fathers' rights.

The media says the campaign is finished, but Real Fathers say they are very much in business:

"Being in the headlines and on front pages definitely makes people talk about it... you will definitely see some more high profile stunts," says Jason Hatch, who achieved fame for dressing as Batman outside Buckingham Palace.

Links relating to this story:

• BBC News: Fathers 4 Justice disband
• Real Fathers 4 Justice
• Fathers 4 Justice
• Parents for Protest

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

Alternative funerals

Rest in peace - traditional funerals face new competition

A motorcycle as a hearse and a jazz band to accompany the mourners may not be the most obvious choice for a funeral.

It seems that more and more people are looking at novel ways to depart this earth.

Inside Out investigates alternative funerals and meets one of Britain's most controversial funeral directors.

Last exit

"Although we all live our lives as individuals, when it comes to funerals, we all go the same way.

The funeral industry doesn't offer a great deal of choice." Carl Marlow.

Meet Carl Marlow - he's quite possibly Britain's most controversial funeral director.

Carl has just got the keys to the second branch of his business, Go As You Please.

The ethos of the company, purely and simply, is to change the way society thinks about death.

When Carl's mum died a decade ago, he felt the funeral didn't reflect her.

"I just couldn't help thinking very little thought goes into funerals," he says.

Strong views

Carl has burst into the funeral industry with some strong opinions.

"There's a lot of arrogance among funeral directors… a lot of funeral directors think they're the pillar of the community - they walk around with so much pride, self importance.

"I don't even know why they've got a uniform. I don't know why they walk in front of the car with a top hat and a cane. What's that all about?"

Funeral tradition but should we break with convention?

The former fruit and veg man turned funeral director and businessman is already ruffling a few feathers in the funeral industry.

"There's a lot of people hopping mad... Business is business. We're professional," says Kevin Foster, a traditional undertaker.

"At the end of the day you've got to look at the difference between professionalism and tackiness," he says.

"A coffin is a death image, so we don't promote our business by having coffin on show.

"As far as I'm concerned, we don't push death in people's faces."

Carl is quick to respond to criticisms that what he does is unprofessional or undermines the serious side of funerals:

"People will be saying it's unprofessional and this and that... But you ask anybody who we've done funerals for - they'd tell you they hadn't probably met anybody more professional than what we are.

Colourful funerals

Carl is a firm believer that funerals shouldn't all be gloom and doom.

Even his shop is bright and cheerful in appearance, a contrast to many funeral directors.

He's also keen to do things unconventionally:

"If the family don't have a garden, I take the dog for a walk, pick loads of flowers... and decorate the coffins ourselves…

"We don't charge for that, see… we do that for free. It's nice to do those things without charging for everything."

Some, more tradition funeral directors, say he's a cowboy and a joke within the profession, but Carl is keen to respond:

"Everyone's got their own opinions and what they don't know, they make up. You can't please everyone.

"I can't stop anybody thinking what they want and I'm not going to try. As long as I know I'm telling the truth. As long as I believe I'm giving the right message, I don't care.

"I've got a firm belief. If you do the right things, the right things will happen."

Eccentric funerals

Carl pays a PR woman to get him into the news, and he's crafted an image of a man who'll give you anything from the traditional to the unthinkable:

He's very interested in funerals in other countries, especially where they do things differently:

"Somewhere in the Philippines, they bury their relatives in cairns, holes in the ground, surrounded by bricks.

"Every anniversary the family comes and digs up the body and they sit crossed legged and have a picnic with the dead person.

"Imagine that in Britain… But if that's what they believe, they should be allowed to do that."

Funeral pyres

Carl wants to open minds, but instead, his latest vision is about to open a huge can of worms.

"The next thing I want to do is a funeral pyre," he announces.

A funeral pyre is basically an open air cremation on an open fire, popular with Hindus.

But there's one slight problem - it's illegal to make a pyre.

You can't do it because of mercury emissions and toxins that go into the ground.

But Carl is hoping to commission a big steel fire resistant dish with legs raised off the ground, so the fire won't touch the ground.

Carl has support for his idea from the Anglo Asian Friendship Society, who are looking to do pyres for Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs.

This Gosforth charity managed to get the Pakistani government to allow pyres there, and if they can do that, they say Britain should be no problem:

"Of course we're having opposition -there are some fanatics who don't want us to be doing what we're doing.

"We're not bothered because it's the birth right of every Hindu to have a funeral pyre." Davender Ghai.

The Anglo-Asian group and Carl are hoping to enter their own alliance to promote the idea.

"I pay very high taxes, so why shouldn't I be allowed to go as I please?" says Dr Anand from the Anglo-Asian Friendship Society.

"I've got Christian people saying 'why am I pushed into a boiler?'"

Hate mail

But Carl's got a nasty surprise waiting for him back at the office….

"Mr Marlow, If you go ahead with the funeral pyres for Sikhs and Hindus in the English countryside, both your offices will be torched.

"In our eyes you are a traitor and your business will be under surveillance..."

Undeterred, Carl's still planning to develop the pyre idea further:
"I'll do it, but I'll not do it unless I've got my own land. That's why we're looking for land."

Carl's seen two sites and he's got an environmental expert on board.

"I'm not doing it out of sensationalism," says Carl.

"It's just to offer choices to people and you'd be amazed at the amount of people who want funeral pyres."

Carl and his new found allies are pushing forward with their plans for the pyres - and the whole debate about alternative funerals looks set to hot up in the coming months.

Links relating to this story:

• BBC Inside Out - Burial crisis
• Go As You Please
• UK Funerals Online

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

Clarence Adoo

Clarence Adoo - back on the concert platform

He was one of the most talented trumpet players of his generation.

But 10 years ago, Clarence Adoo, was seriously injured in a car accident and almost certainly will never play trumpet again.

Despite being paralysed from the shoulders down, he’s always believed that he will one day perform before a live audience once more.

Can that dream really come true? Julia Hankin has been finding out.

Life without the trumpet

In 1995, Clarence was one of this country's most talented and admired trumpeters.

But after his near fatal accident, Clarence couldn't even scratch his own nose, let along blow a trumpet.

Top trumpeter - Clarence Adoo before his accident

So did Clarence think that he would ever play again?

"Yes, I did. I think because it had been such a big part of me since the age of six," he says.

"I just couldn't imagine life without it... I miss it in a big way."

So how has Clarence come to terms with the fact that he probably wouldn't play again?

"I don't think I have come to terms with it, actually."

"I miss it in a big way… If I am listening to a concert and I remember the trumpet lines… I remember some of the feelings or the way I played those lines so that can be a sentimental time."

"There is often a lump in my throat when I hear one of those trumpet lines."

A talent reborn

Headspace - technology and music get Adoo back on track

But then four years ago, something remarkable happened…

A maths professor called Rolf Gehlhaar designed and built Clarence an instrument he could play.

Head Space was invented and Clarence re-born.

It involves some hi-tech computer wizardry, as Clarence explains:

"The headset I am wearing has sensors either side and when I move my head it moves a mouse on the screen - the blow tube down the side works as the left click of the mouse and the blowing activates different notes and keys.

"The sensors on top of this head set - they allow me to move the mouse left and right.

"The mouth piece is like the left click of the mouse and that enables me to get it started."

Clarence is relying heavily on modern technology, so how much further could he take it in his music making?

"Clarence is really extraordinary. He is an extraordinary musician. He sent me an email and said this is the first time I have felt like a musician again - not a disabled musician," says Rolf Gehlhaar, electronic music specialist and Headspace designer.

"I know for a fact that is really excited. It is difficult for him to show his excitement because he can't jump around but from what he has told me, it is a milestone in his life!"

Headspace

It's more than 10 years since Clarence's last concert in this country.

This month he met his band for the first time in eight months to start rehearsals. It's a critical moment.

In less than two days they'll be on stage in front of hundreds of music lovers at the region's most prestigious music venue - The Sage Gateshead.

There's a vast amount to practice and the pressure is on for Clarence and his band.

"You haven't had the sound yet so you are starting from scratch and I'm starting from scratch," says band member John Kenny.

"We are all mad. This is crazy. We should be taking three weeks to do this but we haven't got three weeks so we will have to do it in two days."

Clarence's band is also called Headspace.

Passion for performance

Clarence played with the legendary jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine for five years.

By coincidence, Courtney's on tour and in town, and the two musicians meet up for a catch up chat.

The longest Courtney has ever gone without performing is one
month so he can understand Clarence's desire to get back on stage:

"To actually not play for a while is very very difficult.

"Footballers talk about being match fit and it's the same thing."

Courtney is excited about what Clarence is doing to reinvent himself as a musician, as he tells his former band member:

"I may have a saxophone in my hand but that's not the instrument.

"The instrument is the person and that is why I am excited by what you are doing - because it is a whole new instrument…"

For Clarence it's also a huge challenge:

"That is a big learning curve for me - having a new instrument called Head Space.

"I have no reference points…"

So can Clarence put into words the buzz of performing?

"Exciting... and what is even more exciting is when you work with new software or equipment."

There's also the anticipation and build up to the performance:

"There is 10 seconds to go and you are on stage.... and there is a point where everyone is thinking the same thing - are they going to make it?

"That's priceless - it's like an out of body experience for me!"

Emotional experience

It's the day of the concert, and Clarence is really looking forward to the gig.

Headspace with Clarence Ado centre stage

Understandably he's a little nervous.

"I have to really concentrate and focused," he says, trying to keep calm.

His friend Emma was in the car with Clarence when it crashed and she's travelled up from London to watch the show:

"Underneath Clarence's cool exterior I think it's going to be a very emotional experience for him because he has never stopped being a musician.

"Inside all that music is still there, but to be able to come back and express his music again will be very emotional."

It's equally emotional for Emma:

"I do feel quite emotional about it. I have seen Clarence come through recovery for 10 years now and I was in hospital when he nearly wasn't with us anymore...

"To see him come this far it will probably hit me."

Clarence once said to his brother Harry that to play in an orchestra or in front of a crowd again would mean more to him than actually walking.

To be able to perform again has been an enormous motivation for Clarence since his accident:

"If I was pushed, I would say that music is a big part of me and my soul... everything else... walking and running down the road is a means to an end."

The performance is a success and it's slowly dawning on Clarence that he has reached a huge milestone.

He'd would love the chance to take Headspace on a national tour

But most important of all, Clarence Adoo feels like a musician again - it is something that has taken a long time but it's a dream come true.

Contact information:

The Clarence Adoo Trust, c/o Nigel Hiscock, 4 Doncella Close,
Chafford Hundred, Essex, RM16 6HB.

Tel: 01375 481114

Links relating to this story:

• BBC News: Paralysed musician performs again
• Clarence Adoo official website
• Northern Sinfonia
• The Sage Gateshead

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites