SOLE STREET: Complaints about gypsies are 'racist' says farm owner
1:55pm Monday 24th August 2009
By Michael Purton
A FARM owner has hit back at criticism of her decision to rent a field to gypsies, saying the complaints are racist.
Last week Beverley Smit rented one field of her 50 acre home, Cranbourne Farm in Sole Street, to a travelling pentecostal gypsy church.
Around 300 people in almost 200 caravans stayed in the field off Copt Hall Road until Sunday (August 23), holding services and welcoming local residents to join them.
(MORE)
However, many residents complained to Gravesham Council, with leader Councillor Mike Snelling saying he had been “inundated with calls”, and a Daily Mail article today called Mrs Smit a “villain”.
The 56-year-old, who has owned the farm for ten years, said: “The people who stayed in the field are Christians who want to spread the word of God, and they caused no trouble while they were here.
By Michael Purton
A FARM owner has hit back at criticism of her decision to rent a field to gypsies, saying the complaints are racist.
Last week Beverley Smit rented one field of her 50 acre home, Cranbourne Farm in Sole Street, to a travelling pentecostal gypsy church.
Around 300 people in almost 200 caravans stayed in the field off Copt Hall Road until Sunday (August 23), holding services and welcoming local residents to join them.
(MORE)
However, many residents complained to Gravesham Council, with leader Councillor Mike Snelling saying he had been “inundated with calls”, and a Daily Mail article today called Mrs Smit a “villain”.
The 56-year-old, who has owned the farm for ten years, said: “The people who stayed in the field are Christians who want to spread the word of God, and they caused no trouble while they were here.
Labels: Gypsy, Gypsy Camp, Racism, UK
posted by Allie @ 8:36 AM
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