Children to learn traveller songs in 'gypsy' village
Traveller songs will be taught to children in a village which is home to one of Britain's biggest gypsy camps.
Last Updated: 1:05AM GMT 12 Feb 2009
Youngsters in Cottenham, Cambs., will be taught Romany music by professional folk singers during a month of workshops - before performing in a concert in November.
The workshops are being funded by a £8,000 National Lottery 'Awards for All' grant, applied for by Cottenham's Fen Edge Community Association.
Cottenham became synonymous with conflict between travellers and villagers after the nearby Smithy Fen site mushroomed into one of the biggest camps in Britain in 2004.
Local residents have branded the idea for the concert insensitive, and said the money would be better spent elsewhere.
Jacqueline Smith, 49, a member of the settled community at Smithy Fen, who has campaigned against illegal traveller sites, said: "I find it strange there is going to be a concert in the village college when there are hardly any traveller students there at all.
"I am sure there are a lot of people around the village who would have appreciated that money for better causes.
"There are many more deserving people who could use £8,000."
Grandmother-of-four Joy Impey, who works in the village greengrocer's, said: "It is a bit insensitive considering everything that has gone on here.
"But I suppose they have to integrate and if you do not start with the children, where else would you start."
Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive at the TaxPayers' Alliance said the concert was a waste of resources at a time when schools and communities should be prudent with their spending.
He said: "This money would be better spent on teachers and text books.
"At a time when parents are feeling the pinch in credit crunch and the job market is ever more competitive, schools should be focusing on giving children the best possible formal education, not frittering away this funding on unnecessary extras."
Secondary school pupils from Cottenham Village College, and younger children from Cottenham, Waterbeach and Willingham Primary Schools will be taught for four half days each by two musicians from the East Anglian Music Trust.
The songs, which have not yet been selected, will contain heavy influence from Irish and Romany travelling communities who have both settled extensively across the Fens.
Amy Wornald, arts development manager for Fen Edge Community Association, said the folk songs were first brought to the area in 1915 by travellers seeking work in the fields.
She said: "The traveller community has been based in Cottenham for generations when they moved here to work.
"We are really keen to revive the songs that arrived here with travellers so they can be shared by the whole community.
"There has been a lot of tension over the years between the settled and travelling communities and I think it's really important that people share their heritage."
A spokesman for the National Lottery Awards for All fund said the Fen Edge Community Association has been awarded a grant of £8,010.
He said: "Groups can apply for grants between £300 and £10,000.
"If they meet the criteria and it is a good positive project they stand a very good chance of getting funding."
Last Updated: 1:05AM GMT 12 Feb 2009
Youngsters in Cottenham, Cambs., will be taught Romany music by professional folk singers during a month of workshops - before performing in a concert in November.
The workshops are being funded by a £8,000 National Lottery 'Awards for All' grant, applied for by Cottenham's Fen Edge Community Association.
Cottenham became synonymous with conflict between travellers and villagers after the nearby Smithy Fen site mushroomed into one of the biggest camps in Britain in 2004.
Local residents have branded the idea for the concert insensitive, and said the money would be better spent elsewhere.
Jacqueline Smith, 49, a member of the settled community at Smithy Fen, who has campaigned against illegal traveller sites, said: "I find it strange there is going to be a concert in the village college when there are hardly any traveller students there at all.
"I am sure there are a lot of people around the village who would have appreciated that money for better causes.
"There are many more deserving people who could use £8,000."
Grandmother-of-four Joy Impey, who works in the village greengrocer's, said: "It is a bit insensitive considering everything that has gone on here.
"But I suppose they have to integrate and if you do not start with the children, where else would you start."
Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive at the TaxPayers' Alliance said the concert was a waste of resources at a time when schools and communities should be prudent with their spending.
He said: "This money would be better spent on teachers and text books.
"At a time when parents are feeling the pinch in credit crunch and the job market is ever more competitive, schools should be focusing on giving children the best possible formal education, not frittering away this funding on unnecessary extras."
Secondary school pupils from Cottenham Village College, and younger children from Cottenham, Waterbeach and Willingham Primary Schools will be taught for four half days each by two musicians from the East Anglian Music Trust.
The songs, which have not yet been selected, will contain heavy influence from Irish and Romany travelling communities who have both settled extensively across the Fens.
Amy Wornald, arts development manager for Fen Edge Community Association, said the folk songs were first brought to the area in 1915 by travellers seeking work in the fields.
She said: "The traveller community has been based in Cottenham for generations when they moved here to work.
"We are really keen to revive the songs that arrived here with travellers so they can be shared by the whole community.
"There has been a lot of tension over the years between the settled and travelling communities and I think it's really important that people share their heritage."
A spokesman for the National Lottery Awards for All fund said the Fen Edge Community Association has been awarded a grant of £8,010.
He said: "Groups can apply for grants between £300 and £10,000.
"If they meet the criteria and it is a good positive project they stand a very good chance of getting funding."
Labels: Children, Gypsy, Gypsy Children, Gypsy Music, Travellers, UK
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