Derbyshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir Asked To Become A Mixed-Voice Group.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-43646802

Is anyone in agreement with this ridiculous PC nonsense?

[jackthehat]

This choir is made up of men who just happen to be, coincidentally, Police Officers and because of this they assumed the name of the Derbyshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir.

It was not formed under the auspices of the Derbyshire Constabulary and it they were asked to either adopt the inclusive policies of DC or change the name.

They changed the name and concede that is 'no big deal'.

[Mamyalynne]

Go and find out what's planned for those teams, we could have another fret thread.

[ludwig]

//It was not formed under the auspices of the Derbyshire Constabulary and it they were asked to either adopt the inclusive policies of DC or change the name. //

Yes, and If they'd just been told, you're not really anything to do with Derbyshire Constabulary, please change your name, that would have been ok. Harsh perhaps, but at least it would have made sense.

However, this bit..
// asked to either adopt the inclusive policies of DC //
...is the bit makes it ludicrous.

[jackthehat]

Derbyshire Constabulary has been severely criticised because of the size of the Gender Pay Gap within the organisation.

Perhaps this was an (overzealous?) attempt to ensure that it is now being seen to be even-handed in matters of sex-equality?

[playersdigger]

I think I can see both sides on this one. The Chief Constable will feel its his duty to pursue equal rights,on the other hand the Choir says they would have to recruit 50 new female singers and they say the sound would be lost. They wont accept a separate womens choir.

[Togo]

//It was not formed under the auspices of the Derbyshire Constabulary//

60 years ago.

[Hopkirk]

Well the latest is that there isn't a single current or former police officer in the choir.
No wonder he doesn't want them to represent the force.

[Togo]

//The choir is made up of about 35 ex-officers and has raised £750,000 for charity since it was founded.//

Have they all resigned from the choir ?

//Mr Goodman said his force is "an equal opportunities employer" and "committed to having an organisation where there are no enclaves where people from different backgrounds cannot go".//

That was the reason given by Goodman!

[steg]

Everyone seems happy ....
apart from some abers :)

[Zacs-Master]

Why is there such a fuss about a story from last September which became a non event by the renaming of the choir? Ok Mr Goodman and his ilk are a nuisance, but nothing more.

[Hopkirk]

I don't know how to post a link on a mobile, but a second article in the mail dated 6 April said this.

No officers or ex officers in the choir and not a penny to the force's charities.

[Togo]

//'Never in my term as deputy Chief Constable or Chief Constable have they donated a single penny to the chief's charity.//

Hmm.. More like one particular person's choice of charities.
CHIEF'S CHARITY. (CLUE)
Bet you could guess what the "preffered" charities would be as well, if you tried.

[Togo]

Incidentally, it won't be burgled old age pensioners.

[New Judge]

"The Chief Constable will feel its his duty to pursue equal rights,..."

Actually his duty is the prevention and detection of crime, but no matter.

"Mr Goodman said his force is "an equal opportunities employer" and "committed to having an organisation where there are no enclaves where people from different backgrounds cannot go""

Unfortunately along with many right-on people (often promoted beyond their capabilities for their political rectitude rather than their skills and talents) Mr Goodman has served the equal opportunities movement which he says he so avidly supports, no good at all.

The equal opportunities movement has achieved valuable aims. There is no doubt that many people - principally females - suffer unwarranted discrimination at work and in their lives generally. Of course a Male Voice Choir is an "enclave where people from different backgrounds [i.e. those who cannot sing or females] cannot go" is quite correct. But to lump it in with places where females genuinely face discrimination that actually adversely effects their lives is simply ridiculous.

[Togo]

Goodman also stated that the choir was low on his list of priorities, although it seems strangely high on his agenda.