Life with the Romanian gypsies for retired Hedingham teacher
Published Date: 03 March 2009
AFTER a long and demanding career teaching children from Romany and gypsy communities across Essex, you would expect Margaret Biddulph to take it easy once she retired.
But after a few months it was clear a comfortable life of coffee mornings in Castle Hedingham was not for her and she made a decision that would radically alter her life.
The grandmother put her house up for rent, packed a suitcase and jetted off to a far corner of Romania.
Mrs Biddulph, a 64-year-old divorcee, said: "I made lots of inquiries and found out about a gypsy community in Romania. In January, 2005, I decided to pack up and go. It was a just case of jumping into the unknown.
"It was quite a culture shock. Romania is a very poor country and the community I work with, who live on the edge of a village called Tileagd, experience tremendous prejudice and have become a convenient scapegoat for many of the problems blighting the country."
Mrs Biddulph, a committed Christian and member of the Sible Hedingham Baptist Church, now spends her days teaching people to read and write in their own unique language and how to live a more sustainable life through small business ventures.
"We have set up a craft programme where I buy hemp and linen for the women to stitch and embroider into bags and cushion covers," she said.
On her infrequent trips back to England she attempts to find outlets prepared to sell the products, with the proceeds being sent back directly to the community.
"It is hard for them to get jobs as the perception is they are nothing more than thieves. It's unfortunate but they have often been left with no choice but to steal to survive.
"Whatever time I have left working there my goal is to break this cycle through the craft project and education," she added.
Giving up her home and spending most of the year in a small house in Romania has resulted in an unusual lifestyle for a retiree.
She said: "It's quite strange really. When I come home I end up living out of a suitcase in spare rooms of various friends before flying back again.
"It means I keep my possessions to a minimum as well. I guess I've taken on a bit of a gypsy existence myself."
The programme Mrs Biddulph is working on is supported by the Smiles Foundation, a Christian organisation attempting to change lives in poorer countries.
The charity has already built a church and school in the village, which is open to both Romanians and gypsies in an attempt to bring the communities together.
She is appealing for any shops, museums, or tourist venues to step forward and start stocking the bags and cushion covers so the next phase of the project can go-ahead.
"I will happily meet or talk to anyone who is prepared to support this vital work.
"This is such a worthwhile project and will make a massive difference enabling the community to stand on their own feet and move forward," she added.
Anyone who wants to find out more about the Smiles Foundation should go to www.thesmilesfoundation.org
For more information on the products made by the gypsy community or to inquire about stocking the goods email m.rainbird@btinternet.com.
AFTER a long and demanding career teaching children from Romany and gypsy communities across Essex, you would expect Margaret Biddulph to take it easy once she retired.
But after a few months it was clear a comfortable life of coffee mornings in Castle Hedingham was not for her and she made a decision that would radically alter her life.
The grandmother put her house up for rent, packed a suitcase and jetted off to a far corner of Romania.
Mrs Biddulph, a 64-year-old divorcee, said: "I made lots of inquiries and found out about a gypsy community in Romania. In January, 2005, I decided to pack up and go. It was a just case of jumping into the unknown.
"It was quite a culture shock. Romania is a very poor country and the community I work with, who live on the edge of a village called Tileagd, experience tremendous prejudice and have become a convenient scapegoat for many of the problems blighting the country."
Mrs Biddulph, a committed Christian and member of the Sible Hedingham Baptist Church, now spends her days teaching people to read and write in their own unique language and how to live a more sustainable life through small business ventures.
"We have set up a craft programme where I buy hemp and linen for the women to stitch and embroider into bags and cushion covers," she said.
On her infrequent trips back to England she attempts to find outlets prepared to sell the products, with the proceeds being sent back directly to the community.
"It is hard for them to get jobs as the perception is they are nothing more than thieves. It's unfortunate but they have often been left with no choice but to steal to survive.
"Whatever time I have left working there my goal is to break this cycle through the craft project and education," she added.
Giving up her home and spending most of the year in a small house in Romania has resulted in an unusual lifestyle for a retiree.
She said: "It's quite strange really. When I come home I end up living out of a suitcase in spare rooms of various friends before flying back again.
"It means I keep my possessions to a minimum as well. I guess I've taken on a bit of a gypsy existence myself."
The programme Mrs Biddulph is working on is supported by the Smiles Foundation, a Christian organisation attempting to change lives in poorer countries.
The charity has already built a church and school in the village, which is open to both Romanians and gypsies in an attempt to bring the communities together.
She is appealing for any shops, museums, or tourist venues to step forward and start stocking the bags and cushion covers so the next phase of the project can go-ahead.
"I will happily meet or talk to anyone who is prepared to support this vital work.
"This is such a worthwhile project and will make a massive difference enabling the community to stand on their own feet and move forward," she added.
Anyone who wants to find out more about the Smiles Foundation should go to www.thesmilesfoundation.org
For more information on the products made by the gypsy community or to inquire about stocking the goods email m.rainbird@btinternet.com.
Labels: Gypsy, Gypsy Family, Gypsy Products, Gypsy Women, Jobs, Margaret Biddulph, Romania, The Smiles Foundation
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