A Kent mum has hit back at former newsreader Jan Leeming after she criticised parents for bringing “screaming” children to a luxury hotel restaurant.
Alex Edwards, who lives in Canterbury, believes the comments were directed at her young family after they visited The Pig at Bridge to celebrate her husband’s birthday.
Alex Edwards, pictured with her husband Taylor, dined at The Pig with her three children. Picture: Alex Edwards
But Mrs Leeming now insists she was talking about a different mother when she posted on social media about the incident, sparking national headlines.
Mrs Edwards, 35, says young children should experience different social settings – and has urged other families not to be discouraged from visiting upmarket venues.
The row began on Monday when Mrs Leeming posted on X: “Perhaps this shows my age. I took a friend as a birthday present to lunch at the Pig at Bridge – not inexpensive.
“Lovely ambience – slightly spoiled by a screaming child at lunch.
“When I paid and remonstrated, was treated as though I were the one at fault.”
Jan Leeming said parents should get a babysitter rather than taking their children to formal settings such as The Pig
The former BBC presenter also criticised the parents, who she claims did little to intervene, and suggested that if they could afford the prices at the upmarket restaurant, they could also afford a babysitter.
She also described a similar incident at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.
Several commenters agreed, with one saying: “I’m with you 100% Jan…parents these days just DON’T discipline their children and don’t think there is anything wrong with that.”
Another said: “Entitled parents, no self-sacrifice.”
Mrs Edwards, who runs a communications company, told KentOnline she has been shocked by the backlash.
Alex Edwards, from Canterbury, says the experience has not put her off dining with her children. Picture: Alex Edwards
“It was far more negative than I anticipated. Some of the comments, particularly on the Daily Mail website, were genuinely shocking and at times quite hateful,” she said.
“That level of hostility towards families and young children was difficult to read.”
Mrs Edwards says a friend had sent her the original Daily Mail article, saying: “I think this might be about you.”
“When I read it, the details – parents with three children, one of them in a high chair – felt uncomfortably familiar,” she said.
Mrs Edwards then gave her views on the incident to the newspaper.
The Pig at Bridge Place is part of a chain of hotels and restaurants. Staff pic
But Mrs Leeming said today: “The woman in Mail was not the mother of the couple about whom I complained. They had one tot having a tantrum.”
She says she is going to write an article for The Telegraph setting the record straight.
Mrs Edwards told KentOnline she takes her toddler to The Pig in the village of Bridge, near Canterbury, most weeks for a coffee and a croissant and her family has never encountered any problems before.
They also go other venues in the county, such as The Ivy in the city and Updown Farmhouse near Deal, without issue.
Mrs Edwards says the experience has “absolutely not” put her off, adding: “My children love going out for meals, and I won’t let a hateful or judgmental comment dictate how we live our lives as a family.
“Their enjoyment and confidence matter far more to me.”
Jan Leeming tweeted about her experience at The Pig at Bridge PlaceJan Leeming slammed “screaming” children at The Pig at Bridge Place
She told KentOnline that despite the furore, she would encourage other parents to take their children out to restaurants.
“Children learn social behaviour by being in social settings,” she said.
“If a child becomes unsettled, a good parent will step outside or remove them briefly until they calm down, which is what most families naturally do anyway.
“I think it’s important that children experience a range of establishments so they can learn how to behave appropriately in different environments.
“Etiquette isn’t something children are born knowing – they learn by being included.”
A spokesperson for The Pig at Bridge Place said: “Everyone is welcome at The Pig at Bridge Place – and we go to great lengths to ensure that all of our guests (young and old) are looked after by our wonderful team.”