Gypsy and Traveller film to challenge prejudices

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 By Emily Twinch

A media charity has produced a film promoting the need for more Gypsy and Traveller sites.

The Rural Media Company’s DVD, Sites and Rights, features a series of interviews to try to dispel prejudices.

It starts by saying 150,000 Gypsies and Travellers live in houses or on unauthorised sites in England and Wales and that a recent audit revealed nearly 4,000 families had no legitimate stopping places, short or long.

Luke Clements, from Cardiff Law School, says in the video: ‘There aren’t enough sites and there are upwards of 3,000 families with nowhere to live.

‘Once a site has been built, people forget it’s there. If every borough council gave one or two permissions a year the problem would cease to exist.’

There are interviews with people who have changed their minds about Travellers and Gypsies, such as resident David Hilden from Warwickshire.

Since they moved in next to his home he says in the film ‘they’re no trouble at all’.

Viewers are also given a tour of Roma Gypsy Bobbie Jones’ family home.

A Communities and Local Government department annual progress report on the government’s policy of increasing site provision, published last month, concluded: ‘The current position on site delivery remains unsatisfactory.

‘It is clear that local authorities need to increase the pace at which suitable locations are identified that can be used as Gypsy and Traveller sites.’

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.

Scaled down Gypsy caravan taking shape at Hartlebury

8:24am Thursday 6th August 2009

AN 80-year-old volunteer is building a scale model of a Gypsy caravan - with a little help from a teenage friend.

Ced Lewis has been working at Hartlebury Castle’s County Museum on the two-thirds-size bow top wagon for more than a year.

He has been supported by Aaron Bannister, 16, a member of the traveller community, who attends Baxter College in Kidderminster.

The main structure of Bita Rawni, which, in the Romani language means "little lady", has been built and it is expected to be finished in about six months.

When completed, it will be open to visitors, including schoolchildren, so they can experience the feeling of living in a Gypsy wagon.

Mr Lewis, who has been travelling from his Wolverhampton home twice a week for more than 18 years to volunteer at the museum, said: “Kids love the caravans. There’s so much history about them and they are so attractive.

“Everybody who comes here is fascinated by them.”

Mr Lewis said he enjoyed working at the museum, as it was like a “fairy land” to him.

He explained: “The opportunity to build and restore horse-drawn vehicles has been great. It’s been a fantastic 18 years because it’s opened up a whole new world to me.”

Aaron wants to pursue a career in woodwork and has already made a model of a traditional Gypsy wagon himself.

A full-sized wagon owned and lived in by Aaron’s grandfather is also currently on display at the museum, run by Worcestershire County Council.

'Why should I live by Gypsies?'

By Helen Grady
Producer, Beyond Westminster

Every year millions of pounds are spent by local councils on evicting Gypsies and travellers from illegal camp sites. The government thinks the answer is to create more authorised sites, but who should decide where they go?

Len Gridley has some problems with his neighbours. The first is that there are 1,000 of them. The second is that they have set up what has become Europe's biggest illegal traveller site next to his back garden.

"All I want is for the council to clear the site," said Mr Gridley as he showed the 8ft fence he has fitted to separate his garden from his neighbours' homes.

"Who wants to live next to a Gypsy and traveller site? My house used to be worth £500,000 and now it's worth £150,000. No one wants to live here. People have sold up at a loss just to get away."

The site is in Cray's Hill, a picturesque village in the Essex countryside, which has become the focus of a planning row that is likely to cost the local council £3m.

Illegal settlement

The site backing onto Mr Gridley's bungalow is known as Dale Farm. It is owned by Gypsies and Irish Travellers, some of whom have been living there since the 1970s.

Grattan Puxon, a spokesman for the Dale Farm Residents, said the site expanded after some families bought an old scrap yard adjoining the original site. "As the families got bigger, they believed it was a quite a reasonable idea to clean up the old scrap yard and move onto it," he explained.

But only half of the Dale Farm site has planning permission and more than 400 people are facing eviction following a ruling by the Law Lords in May.

Basildon District Council, has spent almost £1m on the legal battle to evict the Travellers and set aside another £2m to pay for bailiffs to clear the illegal section of the site.

Council leader Tony Ball said it was worth the cost, adding "It's quite clear - they are living on green belt land without planning permission. UK law says that site has to be restored to green belt. What price upholding the law? The alternative is anarchy."

But families at Dale Farm claim they have nowhere else to go. And, although they are travellers by birth, they say they need a base.

"I don't know how to read or write," said Jean Sheridan, a mother-of-four. "I've been brung up like a proper traveller - travelling from site to site and on the roads constantly, so I never got the chance to go to school and get an education.

"This is somewhere for us to live, plus somewhere for us to get our kids looked after in the lines of doctors and dentists and education and things like that."

"I'd be happy to move if they could find us another site," added a neighbour, who asked not to be named. "But nobody wants us, so where are they going to put us?"

Political dilemma

That is a dilemma politicians have been grappling with for decades. So far, a solution seems elusive. Although most Gypsies and travellers live in authorised sites, it still costs councils in England at least £18m a year to evict people from illegal sites.

The government thinks the best way to cut these costs is to create more authorised sites and is offering councils £32m each year in grants for these sites.

There is some evidence to suggest this approach could work. Kent has 17 council-run sites across the county and has slashed its eviction costs by 80%.

But other local authorities have proved reluctant even to identify Gypsy and traveller sites, never mind creating council-run ones.

In England, each region must agree how many sites each local council will set aside for Gypsies and travellers in a document called the Regional Spatial Strategy.

However, some councils are threatening to take legal action rather than agreeing, even in principle, to provide what they see as "more than their fair share."

Candy Sheridan, a Liberal Democrat councillor in North Norfolk and a member of an Irish Traveller family, said a big part of the problem is that even authorised sites are unpopular with the settled community.

"There is no ideal site," said Ms Sheridan. "I sit on a planning committee and whenever the word Gypsy or traveller comes in, you get hundreds of people coming to public meetings and everybody is goaded up to say no to planning permission.

"Councillors who have signed up to creating new sites have lost their seats. What you have to do is take the responsibility away from local politicians."

At the moment, even though councils must assess the housing needs of Gypsies and travellers and have a strategy for meeting those needs, there is no legal duty to provide sites.

Labour MP Clive Betts, a member of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee, thinks that should change.

He told the BBC: "I think a lot of local authorities would welcome a statutory duty to have to do something because at least then they can go to their residents and say, 'we have to do something, let's find the best sites'."

Extra sites

But shadow local government spokesman Bob Neil said such decisions should be made at a local level and that the Conservatives would scrap the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Meanwhile Basildon District Council is advertising for bailiffs to evict the illegal Dale Farm residents and councillors are resisting calls to provide an extra 60 Gypsy and traveller pitches as part of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Said Coun Ball: "If every authority in the country took an additional seven pitches that would deal with the demand that's out there at the moment.

"We would take seven extra pitches. But it is inequitable that, while Basildon already provides a 100, some are not providing any."

is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday 1 August at 1100 BST. Or listen again via the BBC
Or download the programme

Should Gypsies and travellers be housed on official sites funded by the taxpayer? Who should decide where they go - councils or Central Government? Are you a traveller? Do you live near an authorised site for travellers or an illegal camp? Send us your comments by filling in the form below.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8171273.stm

Published: 2009/08/01 01:26:51 GMT

Schools exclude pupils less often

The number of exclusions from England's schools went down last year, latest figures show.

There were 8,130 permanent exclusions from primary, secondary and special schools in 2007-08, 6.4% less than the year before.

There were 383,830 fixed period exclusions, down 9.8%. Boys featured in three times as many cases as girls.

The number of appeals lodged by parents dropped a quarter to 780. Of these 26% succeeded, up 1.3 percentage points.

Appeal panels ordered children to be reinstated in their school in just over a third of the successful cases (35%), down five percentage points on the previous year.

Pupils from black Caribbean backgrounds were three times as likely as all children to be permanently excluded and twice as likely to be suspended (given a fixed period exclusion).

The exclusion rate was highest for Gypsy/Roma children, though they accounted for fewer than 2,000 cases in total nationally.

'Myth'

Shadow Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "There is a serious problem with discipline and poor behaviour in English schools.

"The fact that nearly 500 children a day return to school after assaulting an adult or a classmate shows that teachers do not have sufficient powers to keep control."

The statistics show there were 71,330 fixed period exclusions for assaulting another pupil and 17,870 for attacking an adult - though both sets of figures were lower than last year.

But Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo said: "It is time to put to bed the myth that behaviour is deteriorating with teachers powerless to act.

"The truth is that we have given teachers the powers they asked for to tackle bad discipline and today's figures, as well as the trend over the last several years, show that the action we have taken is working in improving discipline in schools."

'Fiddling'

She said programmes such as Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (Seal), which ensures that young people understand the consequences of their actions and are taught how to respond to situations responsibly, had had a positive impact on discipline.

"But we can always do more and that is why we have strengthened home-school agreements to make sure the worst behaved children have clear expectations of behaviour and schools can force parents to take action if they do not live up to these expectations."

Liberal Democrat spokesman David Laws said: "Although permanent exclusions are down, there is a strong suspicion that the government is fiddling the figures by not declaring the transfer from one school to another of children who have effectively been excluded.

"Yet again, we can see a divide between rich and poor in our education system, with those children entitled to free school meals being far more likely to be excluded."

Poverty

It was this aspect that most concerned a charity that works with excluded youngsters, UK Youth.

Children entitled to free school meals were three times as likely as the average to be excluded, and secondary schools in the most deprived areas had more exclusions than those in the least deprived areas, it noted.

UK Youth chief executive John Bateman said: "Young people who are at risk of exclusion need access to a personalised curriculum that motivates them together with support from teachers, youth workers and mentors who can provide appropriate support and guidance."

He said they responded well to being given access to vocational subjects which allowed them to gain skills and qualifications and to have a clear sense of how to manage their lives when they left school.

Councillor faces rap over gypsy comments

A SENIOR councillor's controversial comments about travellers are being reported to police.

Candy Sheridan, a Romany councillor for North Norfolk District Council, contacted the News to say she will be reporting Cllr Lister Wilson to police for "incitement to racial hatred".

It follows the Cambridgeshire county councillor's stinging attack on plans for 159 new travellers' pitches in South Cambridgeshire, which he said would make nearby properties "virtually unsaleable" and "near worthless".

He added that travellers had got away with a litany of crimes, including theft, vandalism and intimidation, saying: "Non-travellers cannot do these things and get away with them."

Branding his comments "cheap, unjustified claims", Cllr Sheridan said: "Cllr Wilson needs to be reminded about his code of conduct - he certainly would not be saying these things about Jewish people or any other nationality.

"He seems to think house prices will go down near traveller sites, which has never been proved in any study despite the Joseph Rowntree Trust work on this point.

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Police launch drive to recruit more gypsy officers

Gypsies and travellers are being recruited by Kent Police to ensure the force best represents the community it serves.

Officers believe that by giving jobs to people from the minority group they will be able to smooth what is often a rocky relationship between the two sides.

However, some are concerned the ‘tick-box’ targets could lower standards if vacancies are given to gypsies and travellers rather than the best candidates.

Earlier this year a report by the Association of Police Authorities (APA) suggested all forces should seek to recruit from under-represented groups.

Assistant Chief Constable Allyn Thomas said this was something Kent Police fully supported.

He said: “We seek to recruit staff from as wide a background as possible and we welcome applicants from all ethnic backgrounds.

“To support us in this we have a Gipsy and Traveller Action Group, the members of which advise us on issues and who provide support in the recruitment of new personnel and the progression of existing personnel.

“We believe recruiting officers from a variety of ethnic groups enhances the legitimacy of policing in the eyes of those minority communities.”

The initiative has been backed by campaigners for travellers’ equality, including the Canterbury Gipsy Support Group, which provides diversity training to Kent Police.

Vice-chairman Joe Jones said it was important his people were given the same career opportunities as others, but admitted he did not think there would be a mad rush to sign up.

He said: “Gypsies and travellers are far from being policed in the real sense. The only time we meet is when our camps are being raided or when we are being made to move on.

“We are the most misunderstood group of people in the British Isles and nobody really cares about us, but by the police looking to recruit us it shows that we have finally arrived in society.

“Over the years the police have acted as piggy-in-the-middle between us and various other authorities and there are a lot of issues that need to be overcome before gypsies and travellers really start to go for jobs in the force, but it’s obviously something we would like to see more of.”

The recommendation by the APA to recruit more gypsies and travellers has been ridiculed by the TaxPayers’ Alliance and the Campaign Against Political Correctness, both of whom fear standards of policing will go down if candidates are judged more on ethnic background than suitability for the job.

However, Kent Police Federation chairman Ian Pointon pointed out that all potential recruits have to pass the same entry exams to be considered for a job.

He said: “It could bring a better understanding of the ways and customs of travelling communities and help break down barriers between us.

“We’re all aware of notorious traveller sites but there are also ones many people don’t know exist that are peaceful and absolutely spotless, and where I’ve been able to sit down and have a nice cup of tea with the people who live there.

“As long as they meet the grade then I can see no reason why we shouldn’t seek to recruit more gypsies and travellers.”

Travellers hit back

A SUPPORT group for gypsies and travellers has blasted Henley Town Council’s decision not to help supply legal sites.

A spokesman for the National Federation of Romani Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Group said councillors should “come out of the dinosaur age”.

She said: “It is frustrating for us that people still have these antiquated views about gypsies and travelling people.

“We have had laws changed to protect us. People can still speak about gypsies in a very derogatory way. They would never speak like that about other people.

“Romani gypsies are an ethnic group who don’t choose their lifestyle — they have never known any other way. Gypsy people won’t change — by tradition they have an aversion to bricks and mortar.”

The Government Office for the South-East is asking the opinions of councils about providing land for travellers. It hopes that official sites would allow travellers better access to schools and healthcare, ensure that taxes and rent were collected and reduce illegal sites.

Last week, Henley councillors warned that offering parts of the town would lead to more illegal sites in the area and an increase in litter.

Speaking at a meeting of the finance strategy and management committee, Cllr Chris Pye said: “I don’t think we should be obliged to support travellers’ sites. There seem to be more and more travellers and increasing numbers of Eastern Europeans are arriving every year.

“By creating and providing more sites we are actually encouraging travellers to enter the country. Travellers, by their nature, always move on. They won’t want to stay at one legal site. They will come along for a brief time, do some roof repairs and then leave, normally dumping quite a lot of rubbish.”

Cllr Peter Skolar said: “If this scheme gave local authorities the power to remove illegal sites then I may be in favour of it but it doesn’t.

“There are already a lot of legal sites in Oxfordshire — the county council has been awarded a Charter Mark for its work — but we also have an awful lot of illegal sites.”

The Government says gypsies are the most excluded ethnic group in the UK. In June last year, there were 3,169 caravans in the South-East of which 2,466 or 78 per cent were authorised.

A government report on site provision is due next year. Locations for legal sites will then be decided by local authorities as part of their own area plans.

There are six permanent council-owned sites in Oxfordshire, providing 80 pitches, with another seven privately-run areas. The closest to Henley is The Sturt, at Oakley Wood, which has five plots.

What do you think? Write to: Letters, Henley Standard, Caxton House, Station Road, Henley, RG9 1AD or email letters@henleystandard.co.uk

Anger at travellers' camp

Travellers set up camp in a field near Newent despite a last-minute council attempt to stop them.

A dozen families arrived at the field on Friday and worked around the clock to make the site their home.

They laid a hard surface, put up portable toilets, dug a cesspit and 12 separate plots were fenced off.

It is understood the site is privately owned by one or more of the travelling community but no planning permission for residential use has been made.

The travellers insist they are using the land at Southend Lane after failing to find an adequate home elsewhere in the county.

A spokesman for the group, called Sam, said they wanted to be good neighbours.

"We are honest, law abiding citizens who just want a place to live," he said.

"We have applied to the council to give us a home on a number of occasions, but with no joy.

"We don't want to cause our new neighbours any harm and want to get on with them as anyone else would."

(MORE)

Standing up for the gypsies

The largest illegal travellers' camp in Britain has found a divine ally in its survival battle. Jerome Taylor reports

Friday, 15 May 2009

To say that Marianne McCarthy is house-proud would be something of an understatement. The dainty gravel garden outside her two bedroom prefab is immaculately kept, boasting two freshly painted miniature cannons and a host of cheerful garden gnomes to greet her visitors. Step through her front door and the inside of the house is spotless. A gleaming white kitchen with clear plastic stools leads into a sparse but welcoming sitting room where a simple crucifix, two chandeliers and an embroidered "God Bless Home" sign are the room's only adornments.

It's a far cry from what outsiders might expect the 68-year-old widow's home to look like. "Most people think this area will be filthy, with rubbish and sewage and everything," she says. "They think we're dangerous and that you have to come with bullet-proof vests. We've had to put up with all sort of accusations."

Mrs McCarthy expects people to have a negative perception of her modest dwelling because the "estate" on which she lives, Dale Farm, where she has called home for the past seven years, is the largest illegal gypsy site in the country.

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Packed gypsy meeting in Risborough attended by 350 residents

Published Date: 24 April 2009

A MEETING to discuss the arrival of gypsies near Princes Risborough held last night was so well attended that around 150 could not get in.

The 200 people who did manage to cram into The Royal British Legion Hall on Thursday heard from police, councillors, planning officers and the secretary of the Gypsy Council regarding the arrival of the gypsies at Hemley Hill off of Shootacre Lane.

Residents were angry that the gypsies had not asked for planning permission before starting development on the site, which they have bought.

Wycombe District Council is now preventing development through a stop notice.

Alistair Nicholson, development control manager at WDC, said the council was currently gathering information on the site and was visiting on a regular basis to make sure further development was not taking place.

However, he said that the erection of fences around the site was permitted.

He added that in his experience these type of planning issues last for 'months rather than weeks'- he cited one example where because of appeals, it had taken two years to resolve.

Joseph Jones, secretary of the Gypsy Council and based in Bucks, said the extended gypsy family had no where else to go- but if the council could find them a more suitable site, then it might be possible for them to move there.

Neighbourhood inspector for Wycombe Rural district, Insp Ray Wilks, said: "At the end of the day we have a little addition to the community and they will be policed the same way as the rest of you.

"We will deal with any reported crime and make sure no one is harassed on either side."

He added that there was an 'awful lot of rumours going around' but that crime had not gone up since their arrival.

At the end of the evening, deputy leader of WDC, Cllr David Carroll, who chaired the meeting, praised the behaviour of those who attended:

"I thought it would be a very difficult meeting to be honest but you made it very easy for me so my thanks to you. We are all up front and being honest."

Gypsies 'won't be a bother to anyone'

Published Date: 22 April 2009

THE backlash to the arrival of gypsies on a site near Princes Risborough is 'nothing new,' the secretary of The Gypsy Council has said.

Joseph Jones, who runs the floating support service for the gypsy and traveller community in Bucks, and who has visited the family at Hemley Hill, said: "There's bound to be people who are concerned, it is fear of the unknown and it is the bad press which the gypsy-traveller community always gets."

He blamed local councils in Buckinghamshire for not doing enough to identify sites where gypsies and travellers could settle, adding that he expected any planning application to go to appeal, where 'two out three cases are successful'.

A local resident who spoke to The Bucks Herald, who asked not to be identified, said locals feared an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour, which Mr Jones denied would be the case.

"There is crime and there are criminals but there is no such thing as gypsy crime," he said. "Criminals come from any community."

Speaking at the site, gypsy Eileen Cash said she was positive about the welcome they had received from nearby residents.

"So far the people have been very nice from what we know of them but we don't know what they're saying behind our backs," she said.

She said the nine families who will live on nine pitches were all extended family.

They include a 22-year-old blind woman who needs a permament home in order to be able to get a guide dog, and an 'old lady who is very very ill' who also needs a permament base for medical reasons.

"We will keep ourselves to ourselves, no noise and we wont bother anybody," she said. "Residents would not bother us so we wont bother them.

She said that they want to tidy up the site, install a play area for children and exchange caravans on the site for mobile homes. "It will be nice and respectable, a very pemament site. I want to spend the rest of my life here," she said.

Councillor censured after row with gypsy

9:30am Thursday 23rd April 2009

By Phil Hill

A COUNCILLOR has been censured and ordered to undergo training following a run-in with a Romany gypsy over a planning issue.

The standards committee at Taunton Deane Council upheld a complaint against Conservative Cllr Denise Webber and ruled that she breached the Code of Conduct.

The committee heard that during a planning meeting Ms Webber said words to the effect: “I’ve heard some excuses for a gypsy applying for planning, but this is the worst.”

The complainant, Sally Tucker Woodbury, chairman of the Romany Gypsy Advisory Group, also alleged that Ms Webber was abusive to her during a phone conversation.

The standards committee said that Ms Webber, who was not at the hearing, failed to treat Mrs Tucker Woodbury with respect and her behaviour fell short of what people expect of councillors.

She was ordered to undertake training in equalities and diversity.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Webber said: “I don’t think I’ve shown any disrespect to any person, but I don’t know anything about the hearing so can’t comment until I find out exactly what I’ve been accused of.”

Conservative leader Cllr John Williams said: “I regret the standards board found it necessary to take this action - let’s hope we can move on from here.”

Mrs Tucker Woodbury welcomed the decision – she said: “Being a Romany gypsy, the feeling you always get is, ‘Why should I bother? Nobody will believe me as I’m only a gypsy’.

“But thankfully the truth stood and she was brought to justice.”

From beggar to Big Brother: Italy's Gypsy celebrity

John Hooper in Rome
The Guardian,
Wednesday 22 April 2009

A 22-year-old Gypsy who as a child begged on the streets of Italy has been voted winner of the latest Italian Big Brother reality show on Silvio Berlusconi's Mediaset network.

Ferdi Berisa's victory, which had echoes of the movie Slumdog Millionaire and Susan Boyle's appearance on Britain's Got Talent, won him €300,000 (£265,000) and the prospect of fame as a celebrity.

But he told a press conference in Rome yesterday he would spend the money on a house and "then go back to my job as a sous-chef" while studying for a place at university. Berisa, from Montenegro, entered Italy 13 years ago as a clandestine migrant after a night-time dash across the Adriatic in a high-powered launch. He said his father made him beg and take part in staged fights with other boys.

Aged 11, the young Roma was put into care in the town of Fano near Rimini and spent two years with foster parents.

He said he thought he had won because of "my diplomacy and my always keeping out of stupid argument". Critics agreed. The website of the daily Corriere della Sera speculated that the eight million viewers had been won over by "the sense of normality that, despite his stormy past, the mild-mannered Ferdi was able to convey".

His victory came as other Gypsies were under unprecedented pressure from the authorities who, in several parts of Italy, have demolished their settlements. Politicians in Berlusconi's Freedom People party routinely talk of a "Roma emergency".

The Big Brother producers delivered Berisa video messages from his estranged mother and sister, both of whom live outside Italy. He said he was ready for a family reconciliation, but added that now, "We live in different worlds".

Should India Speak Up for the European Romani?

April 20, 2009
Vinod Joseph

I heard of the Romani for the first time over a dozen years ago when I was still in college. Term was about to get over and we were all preparing to go home. A friend of mine was packing his bags to leave for Prague where his father, a diplomat, was posted. While we would catch a train or bus to get to our destinations, this chap would fly to Prague. Naturally we were all very jealous and it came as a surprise when my friend told me that Prague is not the nicest places on earth, for an Indian that is.

‘Why is that?’ I asked him.

‘Because Indians tend to get mistaken for Gypsies.’

‘Gypsies?’

‘That’s right. There are Gypsies in Prague who look like us.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah! And the Czechs don’t like the Gypsies.’

Apparently my friend was advised carry a book and wear glasses to show that he was educated and not a gypsy.

I didn’t give that conversation further thought till I came to the UK. Gypsies or Travellers are news items in the UK and they routinely hit the front pages, usually for the wrong reasons.

(MORE)

PRINCES AMONGST MEN: THE GYPSY FILM FESTIVAL!

FEATURE FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES
ALONGSIDE A PHOTO EXHIBITION, LIVE MUSIC & DJS OVER TWO WEEK-ENDS!

www.myspace.com/princesamongstmen2007

April 24-25-26 @ The Ritzy, Brixton

May 1-2-3 @ The Picture House, Greenwich

This festival was conceived by Garth Cartwright after his book, Princes Amongst Men: Journeys With Gypsy Musicians (Serpents Tail) was published in 2005 and readers’ began enquiring as to how they could get to see the various feature films and documentaries he described. Since then lost classic feature films, brand new feature films and many documentaries have been screened. Directors, cinephiles and Roma rights activists have participated and the Ritzy’s upstairs bar has been transformed into a Gypsy-flavoured party across the weekend.

For 2009 the Festival continues with a rich offering of past classics and brilliant new material. The Ritzy also hosts FREE live music on Saturday and Sunday night in the upstairs bar and a PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION of an Albanian Roma community by Australian photojournalist Rob Hackman.

=======================================================
THE RITZY BRIXTON Friday 24th, Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th APRIL
=======================================================

FRIDAY 9pm: LATCHO DROM (film)
Directed by Tony Gatlif, this beautiful 1993 feature follows the musical migration of the Romany people from Rajasthan to Andalucia. Celebrated as a classic of world cinema, Latcho Drom is a haunting, visionary film.

+ post-screening Princes Amongst Men DJ event @ Ritzy upstairs Bar

SATURDAY afternoon 4.10pm: GYPSY MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA (vintage live footage)
Vintage TV (Esma Redzepova, Gabby Lunca) live performances (Fanfare Ciocarlia), Guca festival footage and Bulgaria's Azis. Ranges from the ‘60s to ‘00s: a variety of short documentaries including 1960s footage of Esma Redzepova, 1970s Romanian TV footage of Bygone Age stars, contemporary footage from Serbia’s Guca festival, Bulgaria’s gay Gypsy pop-folk icon Azis and other footage; most never before screened in the UK before.

SATURDAY evening 6.45pm: PRETTY DYANA: A GYPSY RECYCLING SAGA & CYMBALOM LEGACY (documentaries)

Roma documentaries Pretty Dyana: A Gypsy Recycling Saga (Serbia) & Cymbalom Legacy (Holland-Hungary 45 mins) are acclaimed, brilliant award winning documentaries! Pretty Dyana finds director Boris Mitic investigating how Roma families that fled ethnic cleansing in Kosovo have built Mad Max-like vehicles from old Yugoslav Dyana cars and employ them to recycle Belgrade’s trash. It is both hilarious and life-affirming – a Balkan Slumdog! Cymbalom Legacy focuses on virtuoso Hungarian cymbalom player Miklos Lukacs. Beautifully shot and recorded by director Mano Camon, Cymbalom Legacy offers up both a history of the cymbalom and the life story of Lukacs, a young Roma musician dedicated to crossing boundaries.

+ post-screenings live music @ Ritzy upstairs Bar with French singer-guitarist FLORENCE JOELLE, accompanied by accordionist-keyboard LUCIE REJCHRTOVA, performing a blend of jazz, blues and Romany songs (Princes Amongst Men DJ support).

SUNDAY afternoon 4.30pm: ROMA HUMAN RIGHTS EVENT (documentaries)
A variety of short documentaries from Turkey, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria and the UK celebrating ROMA HUMAN RIGHTS.

**** British Gypsy activist and film maker Jake Bowers will present several shorts he has directed on the UK Gypsy-Traveller community*****

SUNDAY evening 7.00pm: I EVEN MET HAPPY GYPSIES + CHILDREN OF THE BRASS BAND (film)

A very rare screening of the classic 1960s Yugoslav film I EVEN MET HAPPY GYPSIES. This brilliant, disturbing feature is rated as one of the great European films of the 1960s, helped launch Yugoslavia's "black cinema" movement and inspired Kusturica’s Gypsy epics. Supported by THE CHILDREN OF THE BRASS BAND VILLAGE, a witty and engaging 15-minute documentary that shows how ancient musical traditions continue to exist in southern Serbia.

+ post-film screenings live music @ Ritzy upstairs Bar with klezmer duo THE MATZOH BOYS (PAM DJ support).

RITZY PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

A photographic exhibition of an Albanian Roma community by Australian photojournalist Rob Hackman will hang in the Ritzy's downstairs bar across April.

Hackman writes, “After emerging from 50 years of isolated communist rule the people of Albania were encouraged to invest their savings and houses in a huge pyramid scheme. An estimated $2 billion was lost when these government endorsed schemes collapsed in 1997. Today many in Albaniastruggle to rebuild their lives.

This collection of images depict the lives of a small group of Roma living in the wake of this huge financial crash.” All prints will be for sale with profit going back to this Roma community.

============================================================================
THE PICTURE HOUSE GREENWICH Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd MAY
============================================================================
FRIDAY 6.45pm: LATCHO DROM (film)
Directed by Tony Gatlif, this beautiful 1993 feature follows the musical migration of the Romany people from Rajasthan to Andalucia. Celebrated as a classic of world cinema, Latcho Drom is a haunting, visionary film.

SATURDAY evening 6.45pm: PRETTY DYANA: A GYPSY RECYCLING SAGA & CYMBALOM LEGACY (documentaries)

Roma documentaries Pretty Dyana: A Gypsy Recycling Saga (Serbia) & Cymbalom Legacy (Holland-Hungary 45 mins) are acclaimed, brilliant award winning documentaries! Pretty Dyana finds director Boris Mitic investigating how Roma families that fled ethnic cleansing in Kosovo have built Mad Max-like vehicles from old Yugoslav Dyana cars and employ them to recycle Belgrade’s trash. It is both hilarious and life-affirming – a Balkan Slumdog! Cymbalom Legacy focuses on virtuoso Hungarian cymbalom player Miklos Lukacs. Beautifully shot and recorded by director Mano Camon, Cymbalom Legacy offers up both a history of the cymbalom and the life story of Lukacs, a young Roma musician dedicated to crossing boundaries.

SUNDAY afternoon 4pm: ROMA HUMAN RIGHTS EVENT (documentaries)
A variety of short documentaries from Turkey, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria and the UK celebrating ROMA HUMAN RIGHTS.

==============================================================

THE RITZY, BRIXTON Box Office: 08707 550
Coldharbour Lane, London, SW2 1JG
Nearest tube: Brixton (Victoria Line), 3 minutes walk
www.picturehouses.co.uk/site/cinemas/ritzy/local.htm

GREENWICH PICTURE HOUSE Box Office: 08707 55 00 65
180 Greenwich High Road , Greenwich, London, SE10 8NN
British Rail is five minutes walk
www.picturehouses.co.uk/site/cinemas/Greenwich/local.html

Councillor faces action over 'anti-gypsy' remark

john.downing@cambridge-news.co.uk

A COUNCILLOR could face disciplinary action for saying travellers should be left to stew in raw sewage.

Cllr Deborah Roberts is alleged to have made an offensive remark to Dale Robinson, a South Cambridgeshire District Council officer.

They met when the council was about to use its default powers to clear raw sewage from an area near where children played at the Smithy Fen travellers' site.

Mr Robinson, who said he had previously had a "very good" working relationship with the "rather challenging" Cllr Roberts, was asked by her about the cost of the Smithy Fen work.

After she said money should not be spent on "them", Mr Robinson's note of the meeting says:

"She said: 'Let them stew in their own ****'."

Cllr Roberts later said her comment was: "Let them stew in it."

An investigation by the Standards Board for England has been referred to the local hearings panel - and it meets at the council's offices on Wednesday, April 15 to decide if Cllr Roberts breached its code of conduct.

A report from the council's ethical standards officer reveals that Cllr Roberts contacted the Standards Board to deny Mr Robinson's "outrageous" claims and complain that she was the victim of a "witch hunt".

After she met Greg Harlock, the council's chief executive, about the issue, he recalled that she was "very worked up" and "her emotions were all over the place". He said: "At no time did Cllr Roberts deny having said it. What she went into was to provide background information."

But when interviewed by an internal investigator on July 25 last year, Cllr Roberts said: "No I didn't (say that). I'm sure I did say: 'Let them stew in it'."

The council's ethical standards officer said Mr Robinson's account was written soon after the meeting on January 31 last year and he had "no difficulties" in hearing Cllr Roberts' words.

Cllr Roberts said the officer's report took a "selective approach" to evidence, but the officer said all relevant evidence was used in the investigation into whether Cllr Roberts breached the code of conduct, which states: "You must treat others with respect."

If found to have broken the code, Cllr Roberts would face disciplinary action, with the ultimate sanction of three months' suspension from the council.

Cllr Roberts, who was last night unavailable for comment, is no stranger to controversy. In 2007 she escaped punishment from the Standards Board despite saying that, if she had cancer, she would launch a suicide bomb attack on travellers in Cottenham.

She was thrown out of the council's cabinet and later apologised.

Council's hunt for gypsy pitches

25 March 2009

LANDOWNERS are being asked if they have any room for gypsy caravans.

North Somerset Council must find 36 long stay and 10 short stay grounds by 2011 and wants people to contact them if they have a potential site.

There are 42 residential pitches in six locations across the district, but the council says it will only be able to eject travellers from illegal sites if it has the extra capacity.

The unitary authority's planning chief Elfan Ap Rees said: "We have to provide these sites over the next two years - we have no choice.

"We are inviting land owners to suggest sites but only those that meet our strict criteria are likely to be considered and even those will be subject to planning approval and public consultation.

"However if there is a sensible site available we would welcome an early planning application which meets our local plan policy.

"Frivolous planning applications for traveller sites are likely be disregarded as unsuitable."

No sites have yet been proposed, but the council will have to take into account any green belt, Mendip Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation sites and proximity of services.

Travellers using the sites would have to pay rent.

Anyone with a potential site is asked to telephone the council's planning policy team on 01934 426177 or e-mail planning.policy@n-somerset.gov.uk

Gypsy Louise given traditional send off

Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 09:30

HUNDREDS of mourners gave a "true Romany gypsy" a spectacular send off at the weekend.

Trucks and cars laden with flowers followed the horse-drawn hearse taking much-loved Louie Smith to her funeral on Saturday.

Roads on the route to Lingfield were closed to allow the cortege of nearly 300 mourners to pass.

They included Mrs Smith's seven children and more than 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The former caravan-dweller, of Packer Close, East Grinstead, died on March 11 aged 82 after a long battle with cancer.

"She was the kindest, gentlest, most trustworthy, hardest working, loving mum I could ever, ever have," her son Charlie told the Courier and Observer.

Born in Guildford, the daughter of well-known bare-knuckle prize fighter Frank Smith, Mrs Smith's family moved to the East Grinstead area when she was two and lived in a caravan in Felbridge.

Eventually, they were able to buy a bungalow but although it was the home of the rest of the family, Mrs Smith continued to live in the caravan at the rear.

Charlie said: "She was a true Romany gypsy.

"She made pegs, primrose baskets, wooden flowers and wicker baskets which she sold door to door."

She also caught the train from East Grinstead to Croydon where she sold baskets of lucky heather in the busy shopping streets.
"She always had to earn her bread before she could eat it," her son said.

Mrs Smith's husband, Albert, was a horse and scrap metal dealer.
When she died, the family followed the traditional gypsy rituals, Charlie said.

The caravan was burnt when she moved to East Grinstead and when she died, all her belongings were destroyed.

Four black-plumed horses and the hearse hired from Harrods took Mrs Smith from the chapel of rest at Queen Victoria Hospital to her home before the procession to the church of St Peter and St Paul at Lingfield.

The service was conducted by the Rev Michael Carter and the funeral arrangements were made by Alex Jones of Lingfield.

Chaos warning over gypsy sites

chris.havergal@cambridge-news.co.uk

SNAIL-PACED bureaucracy could plunge gypsy and traveller policy in South Cambridgeshire into chaos, furious planners fear.

Hold-ups in producing a flagship strategy to identify new pitches in the district have sparked concerns travellers might have to be accommodated in the already overstretched affordable housing stock - and that sites with temporary permission will end up getting permanent consent.

Numerous sites in the area could be affected, particularly in Willingham, Cottenham, Histon and Impington.

Work on the strategy - known as the gypsy and traveller development plan document - got under way in 2006 but it is now not expected to be completed until 2011.

Consultants were employed to develop the project but were fired after less than two years because their work was not up to scratch.

It is now being produced in-house at South Cambridgeshire District Council, but members are angry about the delay.

At a meeting of the planning committee, councillors said traveller sites given temporary consent on the understanding the strategy would be ready when their permission came up for renewal might have to be given permanent approval.

And the meeting heard new developments in the Cambridge area such as Trumpington Meadows had no pitches allocated to them, when the strategy might have changed this.

It was suggested traveller families could be homed in affordable housing - but the council already has 4,000 families on its waiting list.

Cllr Sebastian Kindersley, the leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, said waiting five years for the strategy was "simply unacceptable".

He said: "We are missing opportunities because of this. There has been no mention of it in all our growth areas where we were expecting allocations for the gypsy and traveller community."

Cllr Kindersley said developers would have to accept the need to accommodate traveller sites in their developments.

Cllr Pippa Corney said temporary permissions were already coming up for renewal in her Willingham ward.

She said: "We have got temporary consents coming up next year and the year after and I am concerned about what we are going to do with them."

Cllr Nick Wright, the council's planning chief, told members he did not think other authorities were faring any better in producing the strategy.

Cllr David Bard, its new communities boss, added: "There are reasons why this seems to take an inordinate length of time but I can assure you it is high on our agenda and we are pushing it forward as fast as we can."

Gypsy and traveller site plan in Winterbourne is refused

9:20am Monday 23rd March 2009

By Liza-Jane Gillespie

PLANNING bosses have refused an application for a gypsy and traveller site in Winterbourne.

An application had been made for the stationing of one mobile home and one touring caravan on land at Giddyend, off High Lane.

However, having deferred the decision from a meeting in January so as to allow a site visit, members of South Gloucestershire Council’s development control committee refused the application at a meeting last week.

Planning officer Helen O’Connor said: "It would be departure from normal green belt policy. This application is inappropriate development in the green belt and the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate the special circumstances that would outweigh the harm on the green belt."

The application is believed to have been made because of overcrowding at a neighbouring gypsy site owned by the same family.

The planning committee was also told that despite a shortage of gypsy and traveller sites in South Gloucestershire this site was not put forward as part of the recent Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document.

The planning committee refused the application because of highways concerns, which included increased traffic along Swan Lane, the unsuitable junction from High Lane onto Swan Lane and the detrimental effect it would have on safety of pedestrians and horse riders.

The committee also said the application was an inappropriate development and harmful to the green belt and that the applicant had failed to demonstrate special circumstances.

Barnet councillor Brian Coleman condemned for 'stay away gypsies' comments on BBC show

7:20am Monday 23rd March 2009

By Kevin Bradford

A Barnet councillor attracted controversy yesterday after claiming gypsies should “stay put in Ireland”.

The often outspoken Greater London Authority member for Barnet and Camden, Brian Coleman, condemned the traveller community during a debate on the BBC’s Politics Show about the potential for increased gypsy sites across London boroughs.

It came as the Greater London Authority prepares to discuss the results of the London boroughs’ gypsy and traveller accommodation needs assessment 2008, which suggests 553 new permanent pitches are required across the capital in the next five years.

Proposals could see up to 13 sites built in the borough, and managed by Barnet Council, to match the increased demand.

But speaking on the Sunday morning show, Mr Coleman said he would not welcome “one single site” in the borough, and claimed they would not be accommodating communities that had been in the UK for decades, but instead a group of people “who offer to Tarmac your drive”.

He said: “Successive councils in Barnet, Labour-controlled and Conservative, have examined the borough thoroughly and found no suitable sites.

“I do not know any councillor of any mainstream political party who would support traveller sites in their ward.

“We’re not talking traditional gypsies here, we’re not talking about this romantic vision of gypsies in attractive caravans, we’re talking about the itinerant Irish traveller community who come over and want to resurface people's drives and repair their roofs.

“This is a commuter who comes over from Ireland looking for work that should frankly stay put in Ireland.”


Father Joe Browne, chairman of the Irish traveller movement, who was also on the panel, said there is a shortage of legal sites in London which impacts negatively on gypsy groups, and went on to condemn Mr Coleman’s comments.

“I’m shocked Brian would take that attitude,” he said.

“It’s simply unacceptable to say they should stay where they are.”

Andrew Slaughter, Labour MP for Ealing Action and Shepherds Bush, responded on the show by branding Mr Coleman “loudmouthed” and saying the comments were “inflammatory and quite disgraceful”.

He said: “[The comments] would be completely unacceptable when talking about any other ethnic minority.”

Potential gypsy sites cut from 26 to 12

Published Date: 16 March 2009

Anxious members of the public turned out for a meeting on Thursday (March 13) to hear the results of a consultation on gypsy and travellers sites.

The crowd, of around 25 people, listened as the planning committee agreed with Dacorum Borough Council staff to shave 12 areas from the list.

The decision, if agreed by Cabinet, will leave only the following as possible sites: Grovehill West, PolADVERTISEMENTehanger Lane, Featherbed Lane, Fields End Lane and Long Chaulden in Hemel Hempstead, Swing Gate Lane and Sandpit Green in Berkhamsted, Dunsley Farm and Icknield Way in Tring, The Ridings in Markyate, plus Green Lane and the airfield in Bovingdon.

The committee also suggested that avoiding land within the green belt should be made a priority.

Councillor Alan Anderson: "This is a very difficult subject and one that Dacorum has not traditionally had to deal with.

"There are a number of issues to consider but can we request that green belt land is avoided as much as possible?"

But planning senior manager Richard Blackburn told the committee that building on green belt land was viable where there was a need to do so.

He added: "The way people have responded to this consultation suggests they would like to see the sites far away from settled areas.

"By not using any green belt land the sites would be even closer to settled parts of the borough."

More than 1,800 people put their concerns into writing when possible spots for gypsy and traveller sites were announced last year as part of
a wider consultation on housing.

The plans, which would bump pitches in Dacorum up from 36 to 59 by 2031, aim to meet government targets for more homes and traveller sites.

Most letters opposing the proposals cited the loss of green belt land, as well as social issues such as integration.

Around 150 responses were excluded from the report because they were deemed racist under The Race Relations Act 1976.

The issue will be discussed by Cabinet on March 31.

Bowd land IS gypsy home target

16 March 2009

LAND at the Bowd on "The gateway to Sidmouth" HAS been targeted to home travellers and gypsies- and its owner has "expressed a positive interest" in the prospect.

The Government has ordered East Devon District Council (EDDC) to find an additional nine pitches by 2011 and the Herald reported last month how land off the A3052 is one of four sites in the region that was earmarked to fulfil the quota.

EDDC planners discussed the matter in private this week and a spokesman said:

"Land owners of identified sites were contacted to seek their views on the potential use of their land. One land owner, in respect of land at the Bowd in Sidmouth, expressed a positive interest in making his site available for future use by gypsies and/or travellers."

Development control committee members agreed on Tuesday that the council "should" now embark a full public consultation exercise on this specific site.

Members also agreed to:

- invite the public, land owners and any other interested parties to suggest potential sites, and:

- continue discussions with land-owners of potential sites; and:

- hold further discussions with the County Gypsy Liaison Officer and gypsies and - travellers themselves on gypsy and traveller needs and sites; the joint think tank meeting again to consider any additional sites that might be suitable.

Hundreds expected for gypsy king funeral

Published Date: 17 March 2009

Many hundreds of relatives and friends were today attending one of Wigan's biggest gypsy funerals.

'King of the travellers' John Doran, 69, who latterly lived in a distinctive cottage off Scot Lane, lost a brave battle against liver and stomach cancer.

The father of six surviving children, as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, was also a popular member of the settled community with his own chair at his local, the Bowling Green at Newtown.

Many will be swelling the ranks for the Requiem Mass at St Edward's RC Church at noon today.

An exporter who made a living salvaging lorry engines and transmissions for sale abroad, Mr Doran ordered the funeral be a celebration of his great love of life and family.

As a result, there will be no traditional black on show.

He will be taken to church in a white carriage pulled by seven magnificent white horses, while the mourners, including his widow Violet, will be carried in seven silver-coloured limousines.

Originally from Roscommon in the Irish Republic, Mr Doran was the son of legendary 'Champion Piper of Ireland' Felix Doran. And some of his music is due to be played by brother-in-law John Rooney during the proceedings.

Mr Doran was also a much respected greyhound man, whose dogs won races organised by travellers all over the country.

There are potentially so many mourners coming from Ireland and Scotland for the funeral that residents have been asked by police to park their cars as close to the kerb as possible along the route in an attempt to keep it as clear as possible.

He will be buried in St Helens Cemetery, near to his late baby daughter's grave.

The full article contains 292 words and appears in Wigan Evening Post newspaper.

Collection of Romany Gypsy wagons to be auctioned

One of the largest exhibitions of Romany Gypsy wagons in the country, held at Paultons Park in the New Forest, Hampshire, is being auctioned. The collection was put together by the museum's owners in the early 80s to preserve and remember the New Forest Romany culture. However, due to a steady decline of visitors to the exhibition, the items will go under the hammer at Paultons Park on Wednesday.

SEE PICTURES

Gypsies face eviction from 'green belt' site

Adam Derbyshire
March 04, 2009

A GYPSY family who have settled on ‘green belt’ in Denton are facing eviction.

Dean Price, 32, and his brother Thomas set up camp at the former builder’s yard in Watson Street and transformed it into a des res for their families.

The brothers, both Romany gypsies, live in caravans with their wives Sheila and Colette and 10 children aged from one to 17.

Far from the stereotypical ‘gypsy camp’, the site is surrounded by a new brick wall, decorated with hanging baskets and topped with black railings. Ornate gates and CCTV guard the entrance and a gravel drive sweeps into camp.

Speaking to the Advertiser last year, Thomas, 40, said: "It was an eyesore when we arrived. The lane was a magnet for drunken youths, joyriders and flytippers. But we’ve tidied it up and there’s no trouble here now."

Dean added: "I want to give our kids something we never had, a settled school life.

"We bought this site for our family alone, no one else will come here."

They applied for retrospective permission to stay in the green belt, but their application was turned down on Wednesday (4 March) .

Solicitors for the family argued that because it was formerly a builder’s yard, green belt rules should not apply.

A government circular was introduced in 2006 because there had been a failure to deliver adequate sites for gypsies and travellers over the past 10 years.

But planning chiefs told councillors to refuse the application, arguing that "harm" done to the green belt outweighs the "special circumstances" of the proposal.

Seven unsigned objections were submitted from residents in Hyde Road, and Denton MP Andrew Gwynne and his wife, Councillor Alison Gwynne, also objected.

Mr Gwynne submitted an aerial photograph showing the site covered by extensive vegetation in 2003, while his wife said a residential planning application was refused in 1997 so granting permission now would set an ‘alarming precedent’.

Mr Gwynne claimd ‘gypsies’ are classed the same as ‘travelling showmen’ for which there are already three sites in Denton.

Traveller women give modern touches to Carmen

Reworked version of Bizet's opera of unrequited love and jealousy gets one-off performance at Royal Albert Hall

Ahmad Ali guardian.co.uk, Monday 2 March 2009 11.41 GMT

A modern version of Carmen written by Traveller women will be staged at the Royal Albert Hall today.

The one-off production will be performed in the Elgar Room by a cast of leading TV and stage actors. It is a collaboration between the Traveller Women's Group, based in Ealing, west London, and students from the Purcell School of Music in Hertfordshire.

Why Didn't I Tell You How Much I Loved You?, like the original that inspired it, is the story of an ill-fated Gypsy woman who falls in love with the wrong man. In the new version, however, Carmen has been replaced by Chantelle, an English Gypsy who falls in love with an Irish Traveller called Paddy.

"When we first heard about the offer we thought they were having a laugh," said Margaret, 40, one of the 16 writers involved in the project. She said she and the others were "delighted" to take part.

The women worked with playwright Darren Rapier and poet Ian McMillan in a series of workshops to realise their own interpretation, using Bizet's narrative as a starting point. They drew upon experiences of racism, and wrote about health issues affecting their communities, such as heavy smoking and difficulty accessing healthcare.

The tale focuses on internal differences within the Traveller population and undermines the misconception that Travellers are a homogenous group. According to Margaret: "Everyone thinks Irish and English Travellers are the same but there are differences in what girls are allowed to do." She added: "We are devout Catholics. Faith is central to our culture."

The story is set in London but much of the action takes place at the annual Appleby horse fair in Cumbria - one of the largest of its kind and an important cultural event in the Traveller calender. "The original happens in a tobacco factory," said Samantha, another of the writers. "We thought: 'Where would it take place for a Traveller?' We decided on Appleby as Irish dancing, horse dealing and everything in our culture are on display there," she added.

The project is a part of the Royal Albert Hall's training and participation programme, and follows on from the success of last year's Tosca project, in which ex-offenders from Enfield in north London rewrote the opera, setting it on a housing estate.

Alastair Tallon, head of learning and participation, said a key objective is to create interaction between groups that would not normally be in contact - in this case, Travellers and music students. Tallon, whose job is to diversify visitors to the Royal Albert Hall, said all the women involved in the project would come to see the production. He added: "Enjoying opera is not just about musical appreciation. It appeals to the human condition. We wanted to know how people relate to its themes."

Plymouth warned not to rush Gypsy site plan

Sunday, March 01, 2009, 20:08

PLYMOUTH City Council should not rush into building permanent Gypsy and Traveller sites in Plymouth, MP Gary Streeter told a packed meeting in Plympton.

The council is obliged by the Government to provide pitches for an extra 55 caravans and is considering land at Coypool, on the edge of Plympton, as well as sites at Coombe Farm, St Budeaux, and Efford Warren.

Mr Streeter, the Conservative MP for South West Devon, told a crowd of hundreds at Hele's School on Friday night: "My approach will be to encourage the council to play it long, because it is likely that this policy will disappear after the next General Election. I hope the next Government will not insist on this because feelings are running high in Westminster."
The meeting was told that the land at Coypool was owned by the Adams family trust and Cundy Farms, and that there had been no negotiations over buying it.

Patrick Nicholson, one of the three Conservative councillors for Plympton St Mary who called the meeting, said compulsory purchase was possible but the council could "get bogged down for years" in any attempt.

David Rowland, a travelling showman with Rowlands Fun Fairs, said: "I believe that the three sites they have picked are not suitable at all."
He said a site needed to be close to education and public transport.

Lesley Jones, a Woodford Infants School teacher, wanted to know where the children of Travelling families who stayed at Coypool would be educated.

"We are full and we have a waiting list," she said.

Sandra George of Lynwood Avenue in Woodford, near the proposed Coypool site, said the land did not fit the Government's criteria because some of it was greenfield land, it was steeply sloping, and it was too close to homes to allow adequate screening. She said more of the site was woodland. "Are they going to chop that down?"

David James, a Conservative councillor for Plympton St Mary, said there had been no consideration of putting sites at Sherford new town and at the new developments in the north of the city. His fellow Plympton councillor Samantha Leaves said that by putting Gypsy sites on new developments, people buying houses there would know what they were getting.

Mr Nicholson called on all residents to participate in the consultation process the council is about to launch.

"We need to use the process to our advantage and maximise Plympton's voice," Mr Nicholson said.

"This is a consultation exercise. No decision has been taken."

Gypsy camps: the facts and fiction

Friday, February 27, 2009, 06:45

KEITH ROSSITER talks to council experts Pete Aley, Bronwyn Prosser and Dave Taylor along with Cabinet member Peter Brookshaw to get their perspective on Travellers and the city’s plan for Gypsy camps.

Why should we pay for a Gypsy and Traveller camp? These people do not pay taxes and expect us to pick up the tab for cleaning up after them.

Like everyone else, Gypsies and Travellers have to pay council tax, rent and other bills. They also pay income tax on earnings. This includes those who stop on authorised local authority transit sites.

Why do we need several camps? Couldn't you just put them all in the same place – preferably out of Plymouth?

There is a legal requirement for each area to provide a certain number of pitches. We can't offload ours on the South Hams, for example. Too many people on one site can lead to tensions on the site and with the neighbours.
Who are the groups who come here?

We don't get many New Age Travellers. They tend to find a spot, usually in the countryside, and stay there. Plymouth gets mostly Irish Travellers and Romany Gypsies. We also have showpeople, who have lived at Efford Fort for many years.

What is the difference between the different groups?

A range with distinct backgrounds, cultures and traditions are recognised under race relations legislation. They include Roma, Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers, and travelling show people, including circus folk.

Some people say that the genuine Roma are all right; it's some of the other groups that cause problems.

They've all got their own cultures and traditions, but it's too simplistic to say one group is better than another. In any community there are those who cause problems.

Is there any evidence of rising crime connected with Gypsies and Travellers?

There is no evidence for this locally. This is backed up by national research by the Joseph Rowntree Study which looked into three new sites in Scotland where the police reported no noticeable increase in crime nearby.
Perception and fear of crime are totally different from the reality.

Is there any evidence about the impact on house prices of having a permanent site near by?

We do not have any evidence of this. The Joseph Rowntree Study found that evidence on this was inconclusive.

How much will it cost to build these sites?

About £80,000 to £100,000 a pitch. Plymouth needs to provide an extra 40 residential and 15 transit pitches.

That's a lot of money. What will you get for it?

People have an image in their minds from seeing the unauthorised encampments, and they transfer that to the proper sites. We believe the new sites will change people's views. They will be as modern as a modern holiday camp. There will be hardstandings for caravans and cars, and an amenity block. The block will have a kitchen and small eating area, toilets and bathroom. There may also be a storage area for working equipment. The permanent sites may also have a playground and a grazing area for animals, plus a site office.

What will the Gypsies and Travellers get out of it?

They will have adequate accommodation and be able to avoid setting up unauthorised encampments. We will also be able to give them access to other services such as health and education.

What size are the groups who come to Plymouth?

Most encampments are four to five caravans, and usually they have children with them.

How will the travelling people use our sites?

A family might have a permanent site as a base, then go travelling for a few months of the year. Those with small children will tend to stay put for longer.

The Government is forcing this on us and the Tories are refusing to fight it, or at least trying to hold out until the next General Election. Would it be possible to delay?

Delay will only store up problems and risks. This is not just about Government requirements – it's about long term-solutions. We have significant numbers of unauthorised encampments. We need to think about everyone – local residents, Gypsies and Travellers and those who put up with unauthorised encampments. Whatever political party is in control, the housing need will not go away and nor will the issue of unauthorised encampments. Delay also means we could lose the opportunity to bid for government funding – and have sites imposed on us.

What will happen if Plymouth defies the Government and refuses to build these camps?

The Secretary of State has the power to order us to do it. If we don't, the courts can make unauthorised encampments permanent. This happened last year in West Yorkshire.

Efford people say that the old Gypsy site there was abused and wrecked. Will it be different this time?

We are keen to involve local residents and Gypsies and Travellers in the design of the Efford site so we can minimise the risks. Experience from other areas show that well-managed sites are not problematic and different to the sort of unauthorised encampments that have caused so many problems in Plymouth. See www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/ findings/housing/H201.asp for more information.

I've heard that the Government is offering money right through to 2011 to build sites. Why are we rushing into it?

The money is announced year on year, with a separate pot each year. It is extremely likely that demand will grow and if we don't get a bid in now, we are likely to get less money.

The existing permanent site at The Ride has been in a shocking state, with uncontrolled dogs barking at passers-by. How will a new site be different?
The interior of the site and accommodation is well maintained and clean. This is not readily visible to passers-by. We recognise that there have been some issues about the area around the site. This is partly due to the design and the nearness to the old rubbish tip. Noise nuisance can be a problem for all communities and there are formal channels for reporting and dealing with it.

Some people say you haven't done enough consultation over using land at Efford Warren and that the site is contaminated.

The Efford plans have been in the public domain for more than a year. According to our survey the land is not contaminated. However, we'll do more investigation before we put in a bid.

Senior Plymouth Tory attacks 'war' on Gypsy camp

Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 20:18A

LEADING city Conservative has attacked Labour councillors for declaring "war" on plans to build a Gypsy camp.

As reported in The Herald on Tuesday, Andy Kerswell, Labour councillor for Efford and Lipson, vowed to fight after the council voted on Monday to go ahead with consultation over designs for a Gypsy and Traveller site off Military Road, Efford.

"It's war," Mr Kerswell told The Herald.

But a leading Conservative has now hit back at Labour's tough stance, questioning why Labour leader Tudor Evans was not at the emergency Gyspy meeting on Monday.

Cabinet member Dr David Salter said: "After Cllr Kerswell's outburst on the front page of The Herald, I'd ask: What sort of 'war' is it when the general doesn't even turn up for the fight?

Answer: one where Tudor Evans realises he is fighting his own Government."

The Government has ordered councils to provide permanent sites.

Mr Evans said later that he was out of the county, working for the Improvement and Development Agency.

"I couldn't change my plans because the meeting was called at such short notice," Mr Evans said.

Mr Kerswell threatened to take the fight to the courts after Labour councillors walked out of an emergency council meeting, claiming it had been called in violation of the council's own rules.

They later pledged their support in the battle to stop the council building Gypsy and Traveller camps at any of the three sites identified by the council.

Dr Salter said the Labour group was ignoring the independent legal advice of the city council's chief legal officer, David Shepperd, who ruled that the meeting was legal.

Meanwhile, the council has published a new timetable for people to have their say on plans for Gypsy Traveller sites. It has been drawn up after this week's controversial debate.

The council is revising the dates for public consultation on Efford.
Consultation on using land at Coombe Farm, Mowhay Road, St Budeaux, and at the Imerys works at Coypool will now take place from March 31 to May 12.

The original consultation period was due to start on February 23 but was delayed when the decision to consult the public, made by Plymouth City Council's Cabinet, was challenged by Labour councillors.

Members of the council's Overview and Scrutiny Commission voted earlier this month to allow the consultation to go ahead.

Cllr Peter Brookshaw, the Cabinet member for Safer and Stronger Communities, Housing and Supporting People and Community Cohesion, said: "This is a chance for everyone to have their say. We welcome all comments as long as they're not racist or abusive and we'd like to hear from anyone with ideas for suitable sites which we may not have considered so far."

The consultation will include displays, officers on hand to answer questions and feedback forms.

Coypool site consultation:
Thursday April 2, 9am to 1pm: Coypool Park and Ride.
Thursday April 2, 1.30pm to 6pm: Sainsbury's car park, Marsh Mills.
Monday April 20, 5pm to 8pm: Novotel, Marsh Mills.

St Budeaux site consultation:
Friday April 24, 10am to 4pm: Kitto Centre, Honicknowle Lane.
Tuesday April 28, 5pm to 8pm: Tamarside School.

There will be displays with comment forms at St Budeaux Library and at the temporary library in the former Jobcentre at the Ridgeway in Plympton throughout the six-week consultation.

Maps and information are available on the council's website: www.plymouth.gov.uk/gypsyandtravellerssitesldf.htm

Giving and taking away

Phil Chamberlain The Guardian, Wednesday 25 February 2009

Travellers' rights champion recognised for forthright campaigning faces a battle of her own over eviction from her home

Bridgette Jones will be at Buckingham Palace next month to collect an MBE for service to her community.

A week later she will be at the high court hoping that her home outside Canterbury will not be taken from her.

"They give you a medal with one hand and they try and take your home away with the other," she says.

Jones, known to everyone as Bridie, has championed Traveller rights for the last 15 years. During that time she says that overt racism against Gypsies and Travellers may have diminished in the UK but discrimination still exists - nowhere more so than in planning regulations. Since 2001 she has been fighting to stay on the plot of land that she, her son, daughter and seven grandchildren call home.

"It has been seven long and depressing years," she says. "We have been given planning permission by the county council and by two inspectors but some villagers have set up a group to stop us and they keep appealing. It is very aggravating. You have children born and bred on that land."

Through her work with the Canterbury Gypsy Traveller Support Group, Jones gets a lot of calls from Travellers about similar planning problems.

"In some cases it is just ethnic cleansing," she claims. "In Basildon the council is spending £3m on bailiffs to evict Travellers from a site. There are 300 children on that site and some are sick and some are dying. We're supposed to be in a credit crunch and yet they spend all this money to put people off their own land."

Jones began volunteering back in 1992, working with young people in Kent. She found then that ethnic minority children didn't access traditional youth services so she tried to open up the services to the whole community.

"I've always tried to break down barriers and build bridges," she says. "When I get a phone call now I try to make sure they get the right services and go to the right people. It's about bringing people around a table and discussing problems."

When Jones got the letter in the post back in October with the royal motif on it, asking if she would accept an MBE she thought it was a joke. A follow-up letter inviting her to the palace in March was met by "complete out-and-out shock".

Jones has been to Downing Street to petition for Traveller rights on several occasions, but she just plans on enjoying this trip. She is saving her energy for the high court battle.

"People get very angry when they see what is happening in Italy with [Roma]Gypsies," she says , "but I don't think people know that it [discrimination] is on their own doorstep."

Saunders Settles Down to Spar for Gypsy Kith and Kin

Billy Joe Saunders is determined to make a success of his professional boxing career to help highlight the plight of Romany Gypsies

A dark patch of sweat spreads across the back of Billy Joe Saunders's grey T-shirt in a derelict warehouse in Canning Town. Tucked away in a corner of a bleak industrial estate, with the flatlands of east London stretched out around us, the new boxing home for the teenage Romany Gypsy fighter is still a strange and draining place. Unlike the arcane world of amateur boxing, which increasingly resembles fencing more than fighting, with bouts being decided by ­scoring as political as it is arbitrary, the professional gym deals in raw hurt.

Between the ropes, and stalked by a determined African journeyman, ­Saunders's breathing falls hard and fast as he prepares for his professional debut in Birmingham on Saturday night. Alongside his fellow amateur stars, James DeGale and Frankie Gavin, Saunders will fight on a Frank Warren bill which should mark the start of an intriguing era for British boxing. DeGale will flash his Olympic gold medal and Gavin can point to the amateur world title he won, but Saunders brings the most ­evocative story to the ring.

As the 19-year-old endures a punishing training regime his father, Tom, talks softly about their Romany Gypsy heritage. In his understated way, he describes the persecution of the Roma under the Nazis and explains how draconian legislation shackles their misunderstood tradition in Britain today. Beyond the harsh sounds of sparring, Tom's hope, that his youngest son may help change ­perceptions of their community, resounds.

"I'd like to do that," the fighter himself says an hour later as he strips off his ­sodden shirt and protective headgear. "When most people hear we're Travelers they think: 'Gypsy! Trouble!' It ain't nice. Don't get me wrong, there are bad people among Travelers, but you can't tar everyone with the same brush. Look at my dad, or my great-grandad. They're proud and decent and if I can help people understand that I'll be doing a good job."

Absolom Beeny, Saunders's great-grandfather, used to make a living through ­bare-knuckle fighting at fairgrounds the Romany Gypsies set up at sites around England more than 70 years ago. "He was a champion, my old great-grandad," Saunders says, grinning, "and you can still see that today. We never had birth certificates in them days so no one's sure of his exact age. He says he's 96 but he might be a year or two older. He still goes drinking in different pubs around Hertfordshire and they all know him."

Saunders winks as he draws a link with old Absolom's recipe for a long life. "I haven't had a fight since the Beijing ­Olympics – except for down the pub," he quips. "My last fight was on 14 August, when I lost to the Cuban [Carlos Banteaux Suarez]. That's why I'm still shaking off the ring rust."

Some boxing experts believe that, starting his career at light-middleweight against Hungary's Attila Molnar , Saunders will eventually emerge as the most successful of the trio Warren has plucked from the British Olympic team. With his sharp punching and slick ringcraft, ­Saunders had already proved himself by the time he arrived in Beijing. He had won his first 49 bouts and also outpointed ­Suarez six months earlier.

"I had the beating of him in Beijing," Saunders insists. "But it's not good when you land 10 shots and you go back to your corner and see that none of them have counted and you're four points down. But best of luck to the Cuban. He won the silver." Saunders remains convinced that he would have won gold at the London 2012 Olympics – had his amateur career not been derailed by controversy soon after losing to Suarez. An unnamed source fed the Daily Mail a story that Saunders could be seen on a YouTube clip acting in an "obscene and lewd" manner towards a Frenchwoman.

"Believe it or not," Saunders snorts, "this meant the ABA [Amateur Boxing Association] pushed a future Olympic champion, me, out of 2012. Even if people say you can't be sure, I would have been a banker for gold. They really fucked themselves because I was thinking hard about staying for London, getting my glory, and only then turning pro. But they shafted me so they could get Terry Edwards."

As the plain-speaking coach of the British team, Edwards had many foes in the ABA. "They wanted Terry out," Saunders says. "They were jealous of him. So they blew up this YouTube thing to get at him. Terry went mad when he learnt the truth and saw there was no scandal. But at first he was mad with me. You could have sworn blind I'd murdered someone. I didn't know what he was talking about. It took me ages to work out he was talking about this joke we'd had in France months before."

The mysterious YouTube clip has been seen by very few people, and it has since been removed, which means that Saunders has to protest his innocence. "Nothing bad happened. This French lady was cleaning our hotel room and we were joking together. She was ­having a laugh with us, her and a few of her colleagues."

What were they laughing about? "I was just learning her English," Saunders says.It does not take much imagination to guess the kind of crude English words an excitable young boxer might claim to be teaching an older Frenchwoman, but Saunders suggests: "She was a lovely lady with a sense of humor. She would laugh this thing off if anyone asked her, I promise you. But someone twisted it and I got suspended for lewd behaviour. I couldn't believe it, but it was a blessing in disguise. It made me turn pro."

Saunders argues that he will bring a new responsibility to his professional work. "It's not about me no more. It's about my little boy's future."

Billy Joe Jr is 19 months old and his father reveals, bashfully, that another baby is due in May. "I call it my Beijing baby because it happened as soon as I got home from the Olympics. The little 'un is going to have a brother."

His former girlfriend, Ruby, is the mother of both, but Saunders, hinting at the chaos of a teenager's love-life, shifts awkwardly and mumbles, "Well, yeah, but I'm single now. It's a long old story but she's a lovely girl and very understanding. The important thing is I've got a ­little boy, and another on the way, and I don't want them on the streets in later life. I don't want them getting stabbed or any of that shit. I want them to lead a good and decent life."

Saunders laughs grimly when asked what might have happened to him had he not been such a gifted boxer. "I would probably have ended up in prison. I've had mates stabbed and shot and ending up on a life-support machine. I've had two close friends in prison – one for eight years and one for five – and both tell me to keep my head down and not make the same mistakes as them."

His elder brother, Tom, has also passed down lessons forged through ­bitter experience and tragedy. "Tom is a very talented boxer and he was on the same British team as Amir Khan. He was all set to go to the 2004 Olympics but he lost his way a little and got fed up with boxing. But something worse happened. Tom lost his baby boy when it was born [2007]. That knocked him badly. My own baby was due just a few weeks later. I was really worried but thankfully it was OK. And Tom now has a beautiful little daughter. So he's recovering and he's fighting again as a pro in April. But it made me understand ­nothing is certain."

There had been another poignant moment earlier that afternoon when Saunders' father had suggested that, for Romany Gypsies, "living in a home without wheels is the same as birds being kept in a cage". Yet, for Saunders, his new parental responsibilities mean he will "work hard, get some serious money and hopefully move into property".

He nods when reminded of his father's birdcage analogy. "I know. But we ain't allowed to travel these days. I've been at the same [Travelers'] site in Hatfield 13 years now. So he understands why I want to invest in property. All my advisers are telling me to do it, and they're smart blokes."

So could he become the first Romany Gypsy turned property developer – especially now that he has ordered himself a new Mercedes as a reward for turning professional? "I hope so," he laughs. "I remember Mike Tyson and the hundreds of millions he lost. Where did his money go? You have to be sensible and hold on to it. But that don't mean I'm giving up my Romany roots. They made me and my whole family. From the little 'un, my baby boy, to my dad and all the way back to my old great-grandad, I just want to make them proud of me."

Tickets for Billy Joe Saunders' debut are available on 0844 338 8000 or www.theticketfactory.com

Councillors vow: "We'll stop Gypsy sites"

Monday, February 23, 2009, 21:12

ANGER at plans to create a new permanent Gypsy camp in Plymouth boiled over last night as Labour councillors vowed: 'It's war'.

The city's Labour group called on residents to fight the council 'in the highest court in the land' over plans to build a Gypsy site at Efford Warren.
And they pledged to stand shoulder to shoulder with residents in Plympton and St Budeaux, where the council is also proposing to put permanent Gypsy and traveller camps.

Furious Labour councillors walked out of an emergency meeting yesterday, claiming that the way it had been called broke council rules.

Andy Kerswell, pictured right, Labour councillor for Efford and Lipson, told The Herald: "It's war. I would go to the extent of saying it's war.

"We are prepared to take this battle to the courts. We are in discussions with residents of Woodford and St Budeaux to have a joint legal approach. Woodford residents have already collected £3,500 towards their legal costs."

Addressing a small crowd of Efford protesters outside the Civic Centre after the meeting, Chris Pattison, Labour councillor for Ham, said: "We are absolutely going to stop the sites at Woodford [Plympton] and St Budeaux."
The city council called yesterday's emergency meeting after the Labour group challenged a decision to begin consultation over the design of the Efford site.

Conservative councillors said a decision was needed urgently because there was a Government deadline of the end of June to bid for funding.
After the Labour group walked out, Conservative councillors voted unanimously to go ahead with consultation.

Outside the Council House, Mr Pattison disputed the need for urgency. He said there were two more funding periods when the council could put in bids: next year and 2011.

"We didn't rush to find a site when we were in power because there was no deadline," he said.

"Anyway, it shouldn't always be about whether this council should get its money from somebody else."

Mr Pattison urged residents not to let it rest, and to "take the campaign forward".

He called for a meeting of all three areas that face having a Gypsy site to "get together and if necessary challenge it in the highest court in the land".
He said: "What is not going to work is foisting a site on any area where there is going to be antagonism from day one."

Mr Kerswell said he would present the results of a survey he carried out to the Government within the next ten days.

Vivien Pengelly, the council leader, said later: "I am relieved we can now press ahead with our plans to bid for more than £1.5 million of Government money to cover the cost of establishing a well run, official Gypsy and Traveller site.

"There is only one ring-fenced pot of money for the South West and if we don't get a share of it then it will go to other councils.

"The Government has the power to force sites on us. If we don't get our bid in, then local taxpayers could end up footing the bill."

Ted Fry, the deputy leader of the council, said: "There is an obligation on every local authority in the country to provide appropriate numbers of sites for Gypsies and Travellers.

"In Plymouth there has been a shortfall that has to be corrected."

Ian Bowyer, Cabinet member for Budget and Finance, said: "The Labour group's action would result in long-winded debates and needless bureaucracy at great expense to the city. Efford councillors had more than 12 months to wake up to these issues but it seems they were slumbering in their beds."

He said that cleaning up after unauthorised encampments cost the city about £160,000 a year.

Some Efford residents sitting in the public gallery during the meeting expressed their anger with the council's decision.

"We have to live with them and we don't want them," Pam Andrews shouted as councillors left the chamber. "They're not coming to Efford."
Around 50 members of 16 families of Showmen live at Efford Fort, next to the planned Gypsy site.

John Lock, a committee member and trustee of the Western section of the Showmen's Guild, said he had a meeting last Spring with council officers about the site.

"They told us about their plans for a Gypsy and Traveller site in Efford," Mr Lock said. He said that a previous Gypsy site in Efford, which closed in 1975, had caused "ill feelings and social unrest".

Paul Chuwen, a resident at Efford Fort and a member of the Showmen's Guild, said: "It came down to violent confrontation."

Mr Chuwen said it was "disgusting" that council officers visited the Gypsies at The Ride, Chelson Meadow, but did not visit members of the Showmen's Guild at Efford Fort.

"Instead of creating a number of small sites, why don't they just put all the Gypsies on one big site."

See Friday's edition of The Herald for Gypsy myth-buster special feature.

Gypsy and Traveller sites to double

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 By Clara Story

North west England will have to more than double the number of sites it provides for Gypsies and Travellers under a new draft policy for the region.


The forum for local authority leaders from the region, 4NW, has begun consulting on the plan, which would compel north west councils to find another 1,250 permanent and 270 temporary pitches by 2016, on top of the 950 sites that existed in 2007.

The new draft policy, part of 4NW’s partial review of regional strategy the North West Plan, is open for wide consultation until 18 March and the final version will be submitted to central government in July.

Michael Gallagher, 4NW’s director of planning, transport and housing, said there was ‘widespread support’ for a more strategic distribution of sites – placing them according to need rather than a simple formula for each council.

He added there was an ‘urgent need’ for more suitable accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers to provide better quality of life and access to services from legal pitches.

He said: ‘It is very important to address the issue. It is part of the homelessness agenda, and why should one section of the community not have somewhere to live?’

City chief defends his stance on gypsy debate

Thursday, February 12, 2009, 07:00

COUNCIL officers will not attend public meetings called to debate Gypsy and Traveller campsites because of the need to avoid "adversarial settings", councillors have been told.

In a letter sent on the eve of today's controversial council meeting about Gypsy and Traveller campsites, chief executive Barry Keel defends himself against allegations made last week that he is trying to stifle debate.

The council's Cabinet has approved work to prepare a bid for Government money for a Gypsy and Traveller site at Efford Warren after consultation last year on whether the site was suitable.

Cabinet members also agreed to start consultation on using land at Coypool and at Coombe Farm, St Budeaux for Gypsy sites.

Both decisions have been challenged and were to be scrutinised at a special meeting in the council chamber at 1.30pm today.

Keel wrote to councillors this week saying: "I wrote to all councillors on February 5 to advise them of the need to carry out consultation on ... proposals for the allocation of Gypsy and Traveller sites....

"There has been some concern expressed that my letter implies that we are stifling comment on this very important matter. This could not be further from the truth. The city council has set, and been recognised for, its very high standards around community engagement on planning matters. The consultation programme has been designed to avoid adversarial settings which mitigate against balanced communication of the issues....

"It is in this context, and in accordance with national advice and best practice, that I have advised that officers do not propose to attend public meetings or area committees as part of the consultation programme."
Plympton councillors and Gary Streeter, the Conservative MP for South West Devon, are planning to hold a public meeting later this month.

Mr Keel first wrote to councillors last week telling them that they could not call special area committee meetings to discuss Gypsy sites, and that council officers would not be sent to any meetings called to debate the subject.

Tory councillor Peter Brookshaw, the city's Cabinet member for Communities, Housing and Supporting People, said that in recent years about 20 unauthorised camps a year have cost Plymouth an average of £6,500 each to deal with.

He said Plymouth had a statutory duty to provide pitches for Gypsies and Travellers.

Labour group leader Tudor Evans said the council has used out-of-date maps when proposing to use land at Coypool for a camp. A housing estate built to the south of the proposed site within the past two years is not shown on the maps used by the council.

Meanwhile, Mr Keel's letter spells out a programme of consultation that will be followed if councillors do not give the process the thumbs down at today's meeting. This will include:

Staffed exhibitions close to the proposed sites at:
Coypool park and ride.
Sainsbury's Marsh Mills.
Tamarside School conference room.
Kitto Centre, Honicknowle.
Novotel, Marsh Mills.

An additional exhibition at Efford Library consulting on site design. There will be four members of staff at each of these events.

Local libraries will have copies of the consultation document and feedback forms which can also be picked up from the Civic Centre. Interested persons can also ask to speak to an officer if they come into the Civic Centre.

A specific event to discuss the sites will be held with the Gypsy and Traveller community.

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."

Upgrade for Gypsy travellers site

BBC News

A site for Gypsies and other travellers visiting Stirling is to be upgraded with security doors and improved CCTV, Stirling Council has said.

About 19 chalets will be upgraded at the site in the western outskirts of the city at Bridgend.

Cladding will also be added to the chalets to improve heat and fuel efficiency.

The work will be done after the council received £93,000 from the Scottish Government.

The site, which also contains a meeting room, can accommodate up to 18 families at any one time.

Councillor Alasdair MacPherson said: "These site improvements will go some way towards improving the health, wellbeing and security of who choose to live in Stirling.

"Gypsy travellers remain marginalised and misunderstood, and prejudice against them is rife.

"As with most racism and bigotry, it can be reflected in official attitudes that continue to this day.

"The government grant will help us to address these issues and improve the services that we provide at Bridgend."

Lack of Gypsy sites fuels homelessness

Published by traceybignall for Race Equality Foundation in Housing , Local Government , Health
Thursday 5th February 2009 - 10:21am

A quarter of Britain’s estimated 300,000 Gypsies and Travellers have nowhere legal to park and are forced to live on unauthorised sites, or choose between camping by the roadside or moving into flats and houses. These unauthrised sites and roadside encampments often result in friction between local people and travelling communities. A newly published paper on Gypsy and Traveller accommodation notes that increasing resources are being diverted to policing and eviction, with two thirds of roadside travellers who’ve been surveyed saying they’ve been evicted at least thirty times in the past five years.

Ronny Flynn, Director of Health and Housing at the Race Equality Foundation says:

“Despite the fuss and alarmism from some quarters, we are only talking about homes for 5,000 families. This constitutes only one square mile of land.”

The paper says research has found that Gypsies and Travellers live in or pass through nine out of ten local authorities in England and Wales.

The report’s author, Dr Margaret Greenfields of Buckinghamshire New University, says:

“More legal sites would help break the cycle of tension between the settled and travelling communities and result in reduced enforcement costs as the number of unauthorised encampments decreases.”

The Gypsies, Travellers and Accommodation Better Housing briefing paper by Dr Margaret Greenfields, was launched at an event hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Traveller Law Reform in association with the Traveller Law Reform Project, and Irish Traveller Movement in Britain on Thursday 29 January 2009. The paper is produced by the Race Equality Foundation and is available by visiting the Foundation's website www.raceequalityfoundation.org.uk or by contacting Tracey Bignall on tracey@racefound.org.uk.

Obligation to educate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children

What is a school's legal position when it comes to the education of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children, and how do teachers protect their education? Michael Segal discusses

QUESTION:

How should their educational needs be balanced against those of the community at large?

ANSWER:

The case of Hughes v The First Secretary of State and South Bedfordshire District Council [2007] ELR 1, CA looked at this question.

Mr Hughes was head of one of four Traveller families who bought a site for their caravans. The site, in the green belt, was subject to stringent planning restrictions.

Mr Hughes applied for planning permission to use the site as a Traveller site. The planning authority, South Bedfordshire District Council, refused. Mr Hughes appealed, and there was a public inquiry.

To justify a development on land within the green belt, Mr Hughes had to show ‘very special circumstances’ outweighed? ordinary planning considerations and any harm the development would cause.

The education argument
Mr Hughes relied heavily on the fact that six children of the Traveller children attended local schools. He argued that their education would suffer if they left the site, particularly if that meant a return to roadside camping and an itinerant way of life.

The inspector found that the proposed development would harm the green belt by reducing the openness of the landscape, leading to the encroachment of urban features, and adversely affecting the character and appearance of the locality.

But he accepted that there were no alternative sites for the families and that, if planning permission were not given, the children’s education would be severely hampered.

He concluded that there were ‘very special circumstances’, and recommended planning permission.

Appeal
The Secretary of State appealed against that recommendation. He conceded that the children’s education might be disrupted if they were required to leave the site — particularly serious for Traveller children, who have a history of fragmented education.

But, having regard to the local authority’s obligation to make educational provision for children in its area, he was satisfied that they would have appropriate education even without planning permission and an immediately available alternative site.

The educational needs of these children were not out of the ordinary. None had SEN; all were making progress. The harm to their education if they left the site was not a ‘very special circumstance’ sufficient to overcome the harm caused by the development.

High Court
Mr Hughes went to the High Court. The judge allowed the appeal. He held that the Secretary of State had been wrong in finding, without further evidence, that the harm to the children’s education, if they left the site, was not a ‘very special circumstance’ of sufficient weight to overcome the harm caused by the development.

Court of Appeal
The Secretary of State went to the Court of Appeal, which restored his decision, holding that the High Court had been wrong in saying that he should have called further evidence.

The Secretary of State had found that the children’s education would suffer if they were required to leave the site. No further evidence was necessary. He had simply concluded that this harm had not sufficient weight to overcome the harm caused by the development.

Local authority obligation
The Court of Appeal said Mr Hughes’ argument (that a severely disrupted education could not be an appropriate education) would be correct if the local authority’s duty were to ensure that all children within its area received education appropriate to their needs — but this was not the case.

The local authority’s obligation (Education Act 1996, s.13) was not to ensure that all children within its area received an education appropriate to their needs and, but simply ‘to secure that efficient and properly equipped schools of sufficient number and type were available to meet the needs of the population in its area’.

Whether and by what means parents and children used such schools was another matter. The planning judgment rested with the Secretary of State, who had to strike a balance between the community’s interests and those of the children.

The Secretary of State decided in favour of the community, despite the disruption to the children’s education. It was not an easy decision, but it was one that he was entitled to make.

Michael Segal is a district judge in the family division of the High Court

We regret we can not enter into individual correspondence. While it is hoped the answers given here are helpful, they should not be relied on without seeking proper advice as to their application to your own circumstances.

Bollard to block gypsies to be built in Mayfield

Saturday, January 24, 2009, 08:00

A LOCKABLE bollard is to be placed along a stretch of road to discourage gypsies and travellers from setting up camp there.

The moveable obstruction is to be constructed halfway down the disused section of Tunbridge Wells Road in Mayfield, referred to locally as the disused spur.

The road became home to a family of travellers in November 2007, causing great concern among residents and resulting in a court ordered eviction.
This new measure, to be introduced in February, is a response to concerns from residents that such an event could happen again.

Peter Deller is a parish councillor who lives on the spur.

He said: "There have been a lot of discussions about how to prevent it happening again. I think the truth is that there is no perfect solution."
The bollards are to be built as part of an experimental order likely to last a year.

Kathryn Langley, a spokesman for the county council , said: "We've been asked to introduce these measures because of some problems we had in this section of Tunbridge Wells Road.

"Vehicles are banned, and this is being enforced by lockable bollards. Emergency services and landowners who need access are being given keys."
She confirmed that should the bollards be successful and meet with residents' approval they would be made permanent.

The travellers were eventually evicted from the disused spur in February 2008 and since then Cllr Deller has worked with East Sussex County Council to prevent a similar situation arising.

One of his major concerns is the lack of official sites available for travellers.
"The police's job in moving these people on is made considerably easier if they are in a position to say to the offender you should go to this specific place. In 2007 there was no place to send them to and that is still the case now," he said.

Cllr Deller praised the support of East Sussex's Mayfield representative Cllr Bob Tidy in getting the bollard but questioned the council's efforts to provide more gypsy accommodation.

In response, Cllr Tidy pointed to redevelopment taking place at a travellers' site in Maresfield and gave assurances East Sussex was continuing to search for suitable locations.

He said: "We have two sites that we can move travellers to. The finding of new sites is principally a district and borough council responsibility but we help and we have just received funding for five pitches on existing traveller sites in Hailsham and Maresfield."

Gypsies reprieved

Published Date: 22 January 2009

A GYPSY family has won a three-year reprieve to stay on land it owns in a Northumberland village, after a planning battle with local residents and council chiefs.

Alnwick District Council agreed on Tuesday to allow Kathleen and Terrance Lowther to remain temporarily on the site at Heatherleazes, on the outskirts of Warkworth.

The couple moved there in 2007, when their former site at Carlisle closed down.

But their problems were further compounded because their daughter Lisa Anne, who was 23 at the time, was undergoing intensive therapy for cancer at Newcastle, and they needed to be closer to her.

They initially sited three caravans on the land, which has been in Mrs Lowther's family, the Ornsbys, for more than 100 years and was formerly owned by her uncle who lived locally.

But the family faced furious objections from neighbours and plans to change formally the use of the site were refused in June 2007.

They were served a notice to quit in December, but both the planning decision and the notice to quit were overturned on appeal in August last year.

Speaking after this week's decision, Mrs Lowther — whose grandparents are buried in Warkworth — said: "It has been very hard, and we're relieved we can stay.

"We don't bother anyone, we just want to get on with our own lives in peace."

Mr Lowther, who is disabled, added: "You would think people would be more understanding in this day and age. Life is terrible when you even have just one or two people who don't like travellers."

Lisa Anne, whose cancer is now in remission, said: "All we're asking is for people to respect us and our way of life."

Under the conditions of the approval, the Lowthers are permitted two caravans on the site, which are to be moved away from houses, with parking for one van.

Warkworth's district and county councillor, Jeff Watson, said: "Local residents are as adamant as ever that this site should not have been allowed, but have accepted that it is only a temporary permission.

"They look forward to the end of the three-year permission and the site reverting back to open countryside."

Travellers Lose Eviction Court Case

12:46pm UK, Thursday January 22, 2009

Mark Stone, Sky News reporter

The Court of Appeal has ruled that 1,000 travellers living in Dale Farm in Essex can be moved on by Basildon Council.

Up to 50 families now face being forcibly removed from their homes from what is the largest traveller community in the UK, including more than 150 children.

Reacting to news of the court's decision, Dale Farm spokesman Grattan Puxon said: "We are not going to allow (our youngest) to be terrorised.

"We don't want bailiffs to come in, using force and heavy machinery around our children."

Mr Puxon described the petition as "somewhat confusing" and insisted the community would still fight for a "common sense solution".

He said the travellers would pitch at a site 50 yards south of the contested land, between Dale Farm and the A127, for the next 28 days.

From there, Mr Puxon said, they would make further legal applications.

In May 2005, Basildon Council voted to clear a large part of the settlement. It said that sections of the site had no planning permission.

The High Court rejected the decision, claiming that the council was not offering an acceptable alternative location for the travellers to live.

That was overturned by the latest ruling, meaning they will now be moved on.

"People really fear losing their homes," Joseph Jones, the secretary of the Gypsy Council of England told Sky News prior to the Court of Appeal announcement.

"They have no place to go and will end up on the side of the road." he said.

Travellers first settled at Dale Farm in the 1960s with the then Labour-run council granted planning permission for 40 families.

Since then, though, many more have settled. Most do not have planning permission to be on the land which forms part of the Green Belt.

"Everybody should be treated equally," local MP John Baron said.

The Dale Farm case has been registered with the United Nations Advisory Group on Forced Evictions. The eviction will now be observed by a team of monitors.

Travellers site inquiry under way

BBC News

A gypsy has told a public inquiry he faces life in lay-bys and on waste ground if an appeal to allow a caravan site in Flintshire is rejected.

Leonard Hamilton, 62, represented one of three families that have built a 10-plot site on land near Holywell.

The hearing in the town is being asked to consider a planning application, partly retrospective, for the land on Bagillt Road known as Dollar Park.

Flintshire council rejected it last year, on the grounds of highway safety.

The local authority also said it wanted to protect ancient woodland bordering the site, and feared it could have a negative impact on the character of the local community.


At a hearing on Tuesday Mr Hamilton said his and the other families, the Gaskins and Prices, had settled down for the first times in their lives.

The families refer to themselves as Welsh-Romany or Romany Gypsies.

Mr Hamilton said high blood pressure meant he could no longer work, and his 59-year-old wife was ill.

He also said the families' children were enjoying a stable education, both in local schools and on site.

He added: "I want my grandchildren to have a chance in life that I never had.

"My grandchildren need education.

Mr Hamilton, who described himself as a born-again Christian, moved to Dollar Park in 2007 after helping host a religious convention in the area.


He said: "I wouldn't sell my plot for a million pounds. With the help of the Lord, that's where I want to be."

Some local residents complained when the site was developed without full planning permission and there were concerns about the park's effect on woodland which borders the park and is protected.

Hugh Richards, for Flintshire council, agreed there were some elements in favour of the families, including the age and health of some of the residents and the educational needs of the children.

However, he said the planning inspector must decide whether these were outweighed by highway safety issues and the impact on the environment and the area's character.

The planning inspector, Clive Nield, is expected to visit the site on Wednesday, with the public hearing due to end on Thursday.

A decision on planning permission and any enforcement action on site is not expected until Spring.

Gypsy camp protesters warn council: 'The battle starts here'

Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 17:33

A CROWD of about 130 angry residents besieged a city Cabinet meeting to protest about plans for a permanent Gypsy and traveller camp in the city.
The residents – mostly from the Woodford area of Plympton – warned the council: “the battle starts here”.

They are fiercely opposed to a proposal to use land at Coypool for a traveller site, and say it will bring down the value of their homes nearby.
The council has identified privately-owned land at Coypool, and at Coombe Farm in St Budeaux, as potential sites, and Cabinet members yesterday approved the start of public consultation.

The protesters were joined by Efford residents fighting to keep Gypsies off land at Efford Warren, which the council identified last year as suitable for a permanent camp.

The site is a former Gypsy and traveller camp, and yesterday Cabinet members gave the go-ahead to bid for Government money to bring it back into use.

Andy Kerswell, Labour councillor for Efford and Lipson, said the council had prevented any genuine scrutiny of the Military Road proposal.

Patrick Nicholson, Conservative councillor for Plympton St Mary, said: “We will be doing everything possible to thwart the council’s proposal.

“We are bitterly disappointed that the meeting failed to address any of the concerns we all have about the site. The battle starts here, today.”

Russell Gale, of Woodford Action Group, said: “I live next to the site and all my plans for the next five to ten years are gone because of what this will do to property values.”

Clair Skelley said: “We already suffer the noise from the Speedway track at Marsh Mills, road humps and the possibility of putting an incinerator at Coypool. How much more do we have to suffer?”

Fenland branded the traveller capital of UK

Published Date:
14 January 2009
By ET Staff

Councillors have rejected a new claim that the Fens have become the gypsy capital of the UK.

The outburst comes after a national report found that the Fenland area, which covers Chatteris, March, Whittlesey and Wisbech, has more than 6,000 gypsy residents.

It is also claimed in the Daily Express report that the area is being earmarked for more travellers' sites as part of "highly controversial" plans to provide new pitches for 25,000 gypsies and travellers in the next three years.

And it points out that up to 180 new pitches, with space for up to three caravans each, could be built in Fenland with about £140,000 being spent in Wisbech St Mary extending one of the five official sites in and around the village.

But leader of Fenland District Council Geoff Harper said: "The report is nonsense. There are only plans to introduce about 89 new pitches, not 180."

(MORE)

Gypsies 'could fill county's job vacancies'

Thursday, January 15, 2009, 07:30

Romany gypsies from countries including Romania and Bulgaria could be invited to Lincolnshire to take jobs previously filled by Eastern Europeans.
Gypsies and travellers currently suffering from persecution in their countries of origin could be persuaded to flee their "squalor" and step into jobs left by Poles returning home.

In Lincolnshire they have predominantly filled jobs in agriculture.

Peter Robinson, portfolio holder for social cohesion at Lincolnshire County Council, told colleagues this week: "If, because of the downturn, we start to see fewer Eastern European migrant workers from Poland and so forth, it's my personal view we could get replacements from Romania and Bulgaria."
He said Lincolnshire could extend a friendly hand to them saying "come to us and get a better deal".

"The main problem of course, whether we like it or not, is that gypsies and travellers are extremely unpopular people to have in the county," he added.

Coun Robinson was speaking during a meeting of the council's local community development and partnerships policy development group, which held talks on a new pilot project to deliver extra housing-related support to gypsy and traveller communities already living here.

But in a written response issued via the council's press office after the meeting, Coun Robinson said it only "might be the case that gypsies and travellers could take up the jobs that Eastern European migrants used to hold".

For more on the welcoming hand Lincolnshire could offer to Romany gypsies, see Thursday's Echo.

It is not racist to state that gypsy camps frequently cause an increase in crime and mess - it is a statement of fact

By Harry Phibbs
Last updated at 9:22 AM on 06th January 2009

The Government has issued a decree to local Councils to provide more caravan pitches for gypsies. Their argument seems to be that people have a 'right' to be gypsies and that if councils provide more authorised sites there will be less of a problem with gypsies occupying land illegally.

This is a policy of appeasement of lawlessness. If people want to spend their lives travelling around in caravans then they must operate within the law. They should also rely on finding people willing to accommodate them - not expect special favours from the state.

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Gypsy and Traveller sites to be set up

The government has allocated more than a third of a £21 million fund for Gypsies and Travellers to creating new sites.

Over £7 million of the 2009/10 fund, which is aimed at preventing unauthorised encampments, will be spent on new sites. These will be set up in the south west, east of England, south east, and north west. London, and the midlands will only see modifications to existing sites.

Announcing the funding junior housing minister Iain Wright said: ‘The problem of unauthorised camping and the tensions it can cause will only be tackled through sufficient provision of well-managed, authorised sites, coupled with effective enforcement.

‘Site provision helps reduce the need for enforcement action…which costs around £18 million a year.’

Steve Staines, planning worker for Friends, Families and Travellers, said much of the previous rounds of funding went on site refurbishments rather than new sites.

‘The problem is this time [with] 36 per cent going to new sites, if they’re provided by local authorities at around £100,000 a pitch, this isn’t going to provide very much of the grand total of what’s needed, so we have a shortfall that the Homes and Communities Agency needs to look at,’ he said.

He added that more creative ways of using the money should be adopted, such as those put forward in Gypsy and Traveller development plans by Epping Forest. This includes suggestions made to the HCA on introducing self builds and shared ownership on sites.

Declan Carroll, chief executive of Cara Housing Association, is expecting to receive some of the funding. He said the development of new sites is slow as many local authorities have only just finished needs assessments, and there is often local opposition to sites.

Traveller site to get cash boost

A traveller site in Leicester will have more pitches and better living conditions after receiving nearly £36,000 of government funding.

Communities minister Iain Wright said the Meynells Gorse site would be refurbished.

Leicester City Council has been awarded the cash as part of the government's Gypsy and Travellers Sites Grant.

Those living on the new authorised pitches will pay rent, council tax and all other utility bills.

Mr Wright said: "The Gypsy and Traveller Sites grant is crucial to the delivery of both new and better sites to ensure that Gypsies and travellers have authorised, decent places to live.

"The problem of unauthorised camping and the tensions it can cause will only be tackled through sufficient provision of well-managed, authorised sites, coupled with effective enforcement action."

It is hoped that the funding will help reduce the costs of enforcing against unauthorised sites, which costs local authorities about £18m a year.

£2.5m funding for work at Gypsy site

Dec 22 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A GOVERNMENT minister has announced almost £2.5m funding to improve a Gypsy site in County Durham.

East Howle site near Ferryhill will be extended and refurbished, Communities Minister Iain Wright announced yesterday. It was one of a number of successful bidders for funding from the Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant in 2008/9 to provide new pitches to reduce unauthorised camping, and help improve conditions on existing authorised sites.

The funding will enable local authorities and registered social landlords to provide new authorised pitches for residents who will pay rent, council tax and other utility bills.

It is also designed to help reduce the costs of enforcing against unauthorised sites – it is estimated that this costs local authorities around £18m a year.

In the North East, £2.4m of Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant has been allocated to East Howle. Mr Wright said: “The problem of unauthorised camping and the tensions it can cause will only be tackled through sufficient provision of well-managed, authorised sites, coupled with effective enforcement action.”

The funding announcement comes just over a year after a report commissioned by Durham County Council, landlords of East Howle, found that more permanent sites were needed in the county.

Additional temporary stop-overs for families ‘passing through’ the county should also be considered, it added, and Durham County Council’s six existing sites should be urgently refurbished.

Warwickshire parents remove children from school after gypsy camp is set up nearby

Dec 19 2008 by Christina Savvas, Birmingham Post

Angry parents removed their children from a Warwickshire school because they felt threatened after a group of gypsies set up camp in their village.

The travellers caused uproar when they arrived on the rural site at Darlingscott, near Shipston-on-Stour, next to the home of Olympic minister Tessa Jowell, during the Easter bank holiday.

After a nine-month battle by the local council to evict them, a three-day public enquiry into whether the camp can remain ended at Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall yesterday.

The travellers’ families, who lodged an appeal against eviction, said they bought 16 plots on the site in October 2007 for £20,000 each. But Stratford-on-Avon District Council refused planning permission for the camp and secured an injunction to stop any more people going onto the site and halt building work.

Coun Christopher Saint said: “There was a lot of local concern when the gypsies arrived. They felt compromised by the sudden appearance and felt it created a negative impact on the community. Several parents removed children and transferred them to other schools.”

Coun Michael Hutchins, of Tredington Parish Council, added: “The junior school has had 11 children from the travelling community with potentially another 21 of school age and three pregnant mothers. If they have to take all these children in one go they would not be able to cope.”

He raised concerns about pollution, flooding and dangerous driving.

Paul Cairnes, barrister for the local authority, said allowing the site to remain would be harmful to the rural area. He said Ernest Wilson, who lodged an appeal against the decision to remove the families resulting in the public inquiry, failed to demonstrate the site would meet a need in the district as identified in the Gypsy Travellers Accommodation Assessment.

The team acting for the gypsies said they had a right to permanent residency.

Barrister Michael Rudd said: “What do you expect them to do? Move them down a mile then they move back a mile. It becomes a never ending problem. There is a clear and undisputed significant regional need for additional pitch provision. The personal need of the appellants is also recognised. The appellants perhaps unusually in such cases have attempted to engage in consultation and were ultimately forced to move onto the appeal site in a last resort.”

During the enquiry members of the gypsy community told of their desire to settle permanently on the site so they could educate their children.

Fears over gypsy sites

10:43am Thursday 11th December 2008

By Liza-Jane Gillespie

PLANS to build new gypsy and traveller camps in Pilning have been met with opposition from residents.

Almost 100 people turned out at a special public meeting this week to vent their anger at proposals by South Gloucestershire Council to build two new gypsy and traveller sites and extend an existing site in the village.

The scheme is part of a consultation into possible sites across the district for 53 permanent pitches and 25 transit pitches, which the council was told to find by central government.

The plans for Pilning are to extend an existing site on Bank Road and build a new site nearby with another on Northwick Road.

At the meeting, organised by Pilning and Severn Beach Parish Council, residents said they felt their village was being expected to take more than its fair share of sites.

Karen Widdows, 42 of Pilning, said: "If South Gloucestershire has to do this then I'd expect the entire district to have sites and not for them all to be dumped in one area. It isn't fair."

Some residents said they were concerned about the future of the village if the sites went ahead.

Simon Ball, 47, an electrician from Pilning, said: "If this does go ahead they need to guarantee proper police support to help communities like ours and proper management of the sites."

Concerns were also raised about how close the Bank Road sites would be to the new St Peter's Primary School.

Residents also complained about a lack of communication from the council.

A spokesman said: "South Gloucestershire Council has endeavoured to undertake an extensive and participative approach to engaging local communities in what is an emotive and contentious issue. To support and promote the launch of the Gypsy and Traveller DPD Towards Preferred Options consultation, we have recently undertaken stakeholder workshops, community drop in exhibitions and have widely promoted the Gypsy and Traveller DPD through local community networks and newspaper adverts. In addition a telephone advice line, supported by balanced and accurate media reporting, have all provided a full opportunity for residents to find out more about the DPD and the issues and choices that have to be made in order to respond to the Government's Direction.

"An email was sent to Peter Jackson last week inviting him or his representative to attend a public meeting at Bank Road Primary School on 8th December. This invitation was declined, but an offer to meet with three representatives from the Parish Council was put forward as an alternative. This invitation has been accepted and the position acknowledged by the Parish Council.

"Colleagues in the Children and Young People department (CYP) were fully consulted and made aware of the proposals to include sites in the G&T DPD prior to the document being considered by South Gloucestershire Council's Cabinet on 6th October. The proximity of G&T sites in relation to the new school in Pilning was not objected to in principal by CYP. Should further issues be identified, these will be fully considered following the close of the public consultation.

"The current list of proposals are those plots of land which have been put forward to the Council. In addition, not only has the Council's Property Services department searched council-owned land, subject to criteria from the Spatial Planning team, but the Council continues to have discussions with the Government about other publicly-owned land. These efforts to find suitable sites are on top of letters that the Council has written to the National Farmers' Union and utility companies.

"This is a relatively early stage of the process and some proposals will no doubt drop out of the process after the comments received in this consultation have been analysed. The difficulty the Council has experienced over the years in identifying land continues, but the Council must adhere to the Government's Direction. It is also anticipated that other proposals will emerge from the process. This position was explained to the Pilning and Severn Beach Parish Council in a recent letter.

"The majority of sites will be private for family use and any 'management' will be the same as for any other private dwelling in South Gloucestershire. Once sites have planning permission with attached conditions, planning enforcement will become easier. Only multiple pitch transit sites will have schemes of management and these will be agreed at the planning application stage."

Addressing race equality in health services for Gypsy, Travellers and other minority ethnic groups

Published by traceybignall for Race Equality Foundation in Health
Tuesday 9th December 2008 - 12:20pm

Gypsies and Travellers form diverse communities with some people living nomadic lives and others settled in authorised sites or within social housing. Both settled and nomadic groups experience difficulties in accessing health services despite research evidence of their poor health outcomes and greater need.

A lack of continuity of care during pregnancy, high levels of suicide and self-harm due to mental distress; and the inability to use palliative care services for those who are highly mobile, are some of the health issues faced. Some resources, such as the Pacesetters Programme, do have specific targets to improve these communities health locally, however, good practice still needs to be embedded within a national programme or a national strategy on Gypsy and Traveller health, according to Zoe Matthews in the Better Health Briefing paper on the health of Gypsies and Travellers in the UK.

This is one of a series of Better Health briefing papers produced by the Race Equality Foundation. Each briefing paper provides an overview of the key messages for practice on a range of topics for health practitioners and includes practice examples, list of resources and further reading.

The papers are part of a programme of work to improve the health; housing and social care provision to black and minority ethnic communities. The programme resources will help primary care providers in addressing health inequalities and developing good practice in catering for the health needs of diverse communities.

Equipping practitioners to embed race equality in practice and service provision is encouraged through national events, such as the forthcoming Mainstreaming Race Equality: using evidence to promote change in health services conference being held on Tuesday 10 March 2008 at the Kings Fund, London. This event will enable delegates to have a better understanding of what it means to ‘mainstream’ race equality and explore evidence of what works in meeting equality requirements and duties.

To register interest contact Tracey Bignall at the Foundation by email tracey@racefound.org.uk

Further information about the project, briefing paper and national conference is available on our website: www.raceequalityfoundation.org.uk

Fresh look at gypsy site options

Monday, December 08, 2008, 07:00

A NEW consultation on gypsy and traveller sites in North Lincolnshire will begin next month.
Sites at Caistor Road, Barton-Upon-Humber, and Conesby Quarry, Scunthorpe, are to come under fresh scrutiny by the public.

The second stage of the North Lincolnshire Council consultation will run for six weeks from January 16.

Cabinet member for housing Coun Mick Grant said: "We need to know of any other potential suitable sites in Brigg, Barton or Scunthorpe."

The two sites have already proved controversial since they were selected in a consultation earlier this year.

Scunthorpe Speedway neighbours the Conesby Quarry site but staff there oppose re-opening area as gypsy site.

Promoter Rob Godfrey said: "We are putting a submission together and come January we will stand our ground and come out shouting."

For the full story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.

What do you think of the gypsy/traveller site plans? email viewpoint@scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk or comment here

Gypsy group’s warning over U-turn on traveller sites

Concern at council moves to abandon hunt for areas after public feedback

By Calum Ross

Published: December 12 2008

Democracy will have been failed if councillors back plans today to end the unpopular search for travellers’ halting sites in Aberdeen, a gypsy group claims.

The Gypsy Traveller Education and Information Project (GTEIP) is “extremely concerned” about moves to abandon the quest for four temporary halting sites in the city, in favour of expanding the existing campsite at Clinterty, near Blackburn.

The Press and Journal revealed last month that Aberdeen City Council’s political leaders were prepared to withdraw their plans after listening to public feedback.

The U-turn is expected to be supported by the strategy committee today, but the GTEIP warned councillors they may regret the move.

Jennifer Third, the organisation’s strategic co-ordinator, said in a strongly-worded letter to the committee that backtracking on the policy would represent a “complete breach of trust” with travellers who had worked with officials on the plans.

“Given that an intention to consult has already been made public, the whole democratic process required to be demonstrated and to be implemented by local authorities is being ignored.

“To prevent this happening because of ill-considered and intolerant statements and threats by groups and individuals is not democratic. To abandon the work carried out over the last three to five years because of a group of loud, prejudiced individuals could be viewed as a failure of the proper democratic process and could create a precedent that the local authority could regret in the future.”

Fierce community opposition to the previous policy of finding two halting sites in north Aberdeen and two in the south, included claims of a death threat and intimidation against Kingswells and Sheddocksley councillor Wendy Stuart last year.

Kingswells and Bridge of Don community councils have welcomed the policy change, as members believe sites identified in the areas are inappropriate.

Council director John Tomlinson said in a report: “While no one expected that there will be any local community that would welcome a halting site in their locality, it has proved extremely difficult to identify sites that have any level of acceptance within communities. Given that there has been ongoing consultation with the gypsy-traveller community since 2000, which has identified a need for short-term halting sites to complement the site at Clinterty, there will need to be positive engagement with this community not only to encourage use of Clinterty, but to regain and rebuild trust and credibility.”

Britain set for 'hundreds' of new gypsy sites

by JO STEELE - Friday, November 21, 2008

Hundreds of new gipsy camps could be built throughout Britain, it was claimed last night.

Work on some of the proposed 7,500 extra pitches - some which can hold up to three families - could go ahead within weeks, it was reported.

The government is set to announce £97million in grants for councils to provide new campsites and upgraded existing ones for travellers.

In return, the residents would have to pay rent and council tax.

Homeowners fear a 'land grab' if they refuse to sell. However, the department of communities and local government said many of the bids from local authorities would 'improve existing sites rather than create new ones'.

A spokesman added: 'It's important we have enough authorised sites for travellers to stop the vicious cycle of evictions. Councils have a range of powers to deal with any unauthorised developments and any antisocial behaviour resulting from the occupants, and we have provided clear guidance on their use.'

But shadow communities secretary Eric Pickles blamed 'political correctness' for the proposed explosion of new camps.

'Communities across the country are going to face the bombshell of having a traveller camp dumped on their backyard,' he said.

'Councils are powerless to resist these regional targets, and are being bullied into building.'

Award for work with travellers

Nov 15 2008 by Carl Butler, Daily Post

A WOMAN who champions the rights of gypsies and travellers in Gwynedd has won a top award.

Bethan Wyn Jones, Gwynedd Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officer, is passionate about her job and her dedication has been recognised with an award for her Commitment to Diversity by the North Wales Criminal Justice Board.

Gwynedd has had a permanent gypsy site for nearly 30 years and gypsies and travellers have been part of the county’s social fabric for centuries.

The officer’s post was created two years ago.

Gypsy group set for anniversary bash

Gary Morgan
14 November 2008

MEMBERS of a Romani Gypsy cultural group in Redditch are getting ready to toast its first birthday in style next week.

Debbie German, who set up Romani Roots with husband Aldo and friend Sharon Williams, is putting the finishing touches to plans for a big anniversary bash in the town next Friday (November 21).

The celebration is being held at Redditch Youth House in Ipsley Street.

It is being split in two with a 'Traveller Talents' event kicking things off between 3pm and 6pm before a music festival takes over from 6.30pm until 10pm.

'Traveller Talents' is a chance for visitors of all backgrounds to view and buy some of the many arts and crafts synonymous with traveller groups across the area.

It is the latest event to be staged by the group which was set up to break down negative stereotypes and misnomers associated with the Romani Gypsy community.

Debbie said the event was the perfect way to celebrate a "fantastic" first year.

"The success of our first year as Romani Roots has been enormous," she told The Standard.
"We have gone from humble beginnings last November to a 200 strong membership, including some from other parts of the world."

Debbie also announced Redditch Borough Council had, for the first time ever, agreed to allow Romani and other travelling visitors to next week's event to stay on a specially allocated patch of land.

Stitch Meadow, on the Arrow Valley Countryside Park, will be opened up between Friday (November 21) and Sunday where their 'vardos' (wagons) will line the field.

Continuing their success, Romani Roots has also just moved in to new headquarters at The Business Centre in Edward Street thanks to a £5,000 Community First grant.

Debbie said the move gave them the added credibility and recognition they craved.

'Traveller Talents' is free but the music concert costs £1 for a single ticket, or £4.50 for family or group tickets (five people or more). Under 16s get in free.

Tickets can also be purchased on the door.

To buy tickets, or for more information about next Friday's event, call 01527 65308 or 07590 011479.

Gypsy children of Romanian origin earn over 23 million euro annually

de Alina Comanciu HotNews.ro
Luni, 10 noiembrie 2008, 11:15

At least 200 Gypsy children from Romania, victims of the human trafficking dealers "earn" in Great Britain over 19 million pounds (some 23 million euro) from pickpocketing and fraud each year, The Sunday Times reads in its electronic edition, quoted by Romanian news television Realitatea TV.

The children, aged 8 on average were illegally brought to Britain with the consent of their parents. The parents receive an employment fee from the dealers. The activities of this network were revealed to the British Parliamentarians by Europol director Max Peter Ratzel.

All these children were brought to UK to fraud the kingdom's social security system, Ratzel wrote in a letter sent last month to the House of Commons Interior Committee. He added that the police suspects that the money are sent back in Romania.

House of Commons member James Clappison declared that this reality proved the threats coming from the East European countries. Moreover, he added that Brits should carefully consider the consequences of their presence.

After a series of investigations, the police searched some 17 houses in Slough, Berkshire and arrested 25 people. 10 children, aged 10 or less were found and handed over to the social security services.

Norfolk gipsy homes set for refusal

29 October 2008 08:48

Plans for six permanent homes for elderly gypsies at Beetley are being recommended for refusal.

The semi-detached bungalows with garages on land at The Paddocks, School Road, would be for gypsies and travellers who are over 55.

The site already has full planning permission to be used as a gypsy transit site for up to six caravans to accommodate four families, with no family being allowed to stay there for more than 18 months.

But a report to Breckland Council's development control committee states the new application by Miss S Macann does not demonstrate a substantial need for the permanent housing and the Norfolk Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment undertaken in June 2007 found there was no need for the type of accommodation proposed.

It continued: “It is considered that the proposal would result in the loss of pitches for an existing identified need for gypsy and traveller caravan pitches.

“There is a shortage of caravan pitches in the area and the loss of these pitches will exacerbate the situation.”

The application will be discussed by councillors at Breckland's development control committee meeting on Monday.

Kirby's commission's poster girl

1:10pm Sunday 26th October 2008

A pembroke teenager is one of Wales’ new faces of equality.

Kirby Jones, a Priory Project pupil and member of the gypsy community, is appearing on billboards and adverts in connection with a campaign by the Equality and Human Rights Commission called ‘Who do you see?’ Kirby, who recently gave a presentation to the European Parliament in Brussels, travelled to the launch of the campaign in Cardiff last week.

Kirby, aged 19, welcomed the opportunity to represent her community.

“There are no role models to speak out on behalf of the gypsy community and I felt this was a chance for someone to do so and be recognised for the good that we do instead of the bad,” she said.

A mobile billboard is winding its way around Welsh roads challenging people to think beyond their first impressions. Kirby’s image was also used in a flash animation spanning more than 15 metres which was projected onto the commission’s office in Cardiff.

Kirby is a former pupil of Monkton CP School, which supports the education of about 200 gypsy traveller pupils in the county and is regarded as one of the most successful services in Wales.

The school has succeeded in engaging gypsy traveller young people in education beyond the usual leaving age and equips them with skills to enter higher education and pursue a range of careers.

Shute Woods: Travellers appeal for tolerance

devon.editorial@archant.co.uk
22 October 2008

AS residents call for those pitched at Shute Woods to be moved on, the travellers have asked people to be tolerant and understand they are just 'surviving'.

Eight caravans pitched at the beauty spot have caused outrage in Kilmington and nearby villages, but the travellers feel people are being prejudiced and that they are the victims of discrimination.

One of the travellers, Paul, told the Herald he has had a petrol bomb thrown at him in the past.

Danny Steed spoke of stones being hurled at him and, while at Shute, Claire said people had passed by swearing.

Claire, 32, who said she comes from gypsy family but now is more 'new age traveller', said: "We're just normal people, but we don't live in a house.

"My son had lots of problems growing up and was called 'traveller kid' at school.

"He left school in the end because of the bullying and was self-taught."

Paul, 46, who has been a traveller since 15, added: "We're blamed for everything bad, from thieving to drugs, to prostitution.

"We keep ourselves to ourselves.

"We don't go looking for trouble - it comes to us."

The travellers said living at the site was a case of 'surviving' and, while they did not pay council tax, they did pay other taxes and had to work hard to get by.

Danny Steed, 33, said: "If I didn't live in a mobile home, I would be on the streets. It's just surviving."

However, he added there were attractions to living as a traveller, namely the sense of community.

"I left home at 17 and haven't looked back," he said. I've met different people, lived in different places, and now I've ended up here.

"It's like living with an extended family.

"I love the people I'm living with and we help each other out. I'm quite happy.

"We want to get on with people - some like us, some don't.

"I don't think people realise how hard it is living like this. But if people want to tarnish us all with the same brush that's their problem."

Paul added: "People who live in council houses don't know their next door neighbour. We are family."

When asked if he preferred to be referred to as a traveller or a gypsy, he said: "I'm an individual, just like anybody else."

The close-knit community is currently in mourning over the death of 65-year-old Monty, who died over the weekend.

"He will be sadly missed," said Paul. He said a wake would be held to mark his life. He told how Monty had worked for Save the Children and was known as a 'gentleman', suggesting people should not be judged by their property.

Axminster resident Paul Haywood, who has been closely following the planning application for gypsy pitches at Raymond's Hill, said: "They are easy scapegoats.

"It's tricky - they have to have somewhere to go. Sometimes they get a hard time from their own actions, but tarnished as a group with a very big brush."

During a parish council meeting at Kilmington, chairman Michael Collier said authorities were trying to move the travellers on but it was understood travellers had to be treated carefully.

Kilmington resident Ted Dutton said he did not know of anyone who was happy the travellers were there.

He said: "I'm categorically not in favour of the travellers staying there - they just ruin the site everywhere they go. They live free and don't pay taxes.

"But a lot of people are frightened to open their mouths.

"We are very tolerant and relatively decent people. We can't stop them from staying there but, if they mess the countryside, we shouldn't have to pay for it."

Devon County Council said the travellers were on land owned by the council and government guidance said they should meet travellers' and gypsies' needs, just as it does for settled communities.

A spokesperson said: "Devon County Council is working with district, borough and city councils to address the housing, educational, social and welfare needs of gypsies and travellers in Devon.

"The council is not a housing authority, but it still has statutory responsibilities to ensure that people have access to education, social care and welfare advice.

Health inequalities: travelling communities

Published: 06 October 2008 09:00 Author: Richard O'Neill
Last Updated: 06 October 2008 09:00

The alarming levels of health inequalities experienced by travelling communities can be better understood and tackled by health professionals, says Richard O'Neill.

The health of Gypsy Roma Travellers is more scary tale than fairy tale. I know from first-hand experience of having been born and brought up in a caravan that accessing healthcare while on the road is never easy. In the four decades since then, it has not improved much.

Study after study shows that Gypsies and Travellers have the worst health of any ethnic minority in the country and the anecdotal evidence that my colleagues and I collect on our travels shows an even worse picture.

It can be worse still for men, who can just drop out of the health service altogether, only to re-engage with it when absolutely necessary, usually in accident and emergency. A cause for concern, yes - but also an opportunity to tackle the problem once and for all.

Health professionals often ask me how to engage with Gypsies and Travellers. How do you find them in the first place and how do you break down barriers?

First we need to understand why those barriers are there - and be prepared to work with and have the trust of people who do know where Travellers are. Hopefully these are people who have worked positively with the communities before, and ideally people from the community who have got involved as advocates and health trainers themselves.

They would know, for example, that there are far more Gypsies and Travellers resident in housing than on caravan sites and these housed people are often overlooked as they are effectively invisible to ethnic monitoring.

Gypsies and Travellers also have their own languages and a deep culture. It is essential for people who are going to work with them to receive cultural awareness training, and that community members themselves are made aware of your organisation's culture, what is and is not possible in terms of service and why certain systems exist.

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Councillor's fury over travellers' complaint

By Leanne Carter
Published: 03 October, 2008

COUNCILLORS trying to help end a local community's long-running misery over gypsy traveller camps have been warned they could be in breach of their code of conduct.

Elected members have been rapped after a travellers' group complained that councillors appeared to be supporting moves to block access to their caravans on the Speyside Way.

They have been told their conduct at a recent public meeting could be a potential breach of official guidelines because councillors must represent all sections of the community.

Councillors have also been told they must be careful about making comments at another public forum next week where unauthorised camps will again be under discussion.

The letter issued by chief executive Alistair Keddie has provoked a furious reaction from one councillor, who said the minority were ruling the majority.

Councillor Gordon McDonald organised last month's meeting in Buckie in response to dozens of complaints from residents in his ward.

They claim the long distance walking route is being left in a mess by unauthorised gypsy traveller encampments, and they want to restrict access to the area.

Councillor McDonald said: "If I am hamstrung like this, there is no way I or any other councillor can do their duty or act in the interests of their community."

Mr Keddie issued a letter to councillors after a complaint was lodged by the Gypsy/Traveller Education Information Project (GTEIP) over the conduct of members at the meeting.

In his letter, Mr Keddie did not outline the exact nature of the complaint but stated that it alleged a potential breach of the code of conduct for councillors, which has been put in place by the Standards Commission.

He said he had made investigations, and it could be interpreted that councillors were acting in a concerted manner to preclude gypsy travellers from accessing a traditional encampment area.

It has subsequently emerged that the complaint related to comments made by Councillor Allan Wright, who attended the meeting as chair of the Speyside Way management committee.

He said that he was "quite taken" by an idea mooted by the local community to create landscaped earth mound embankments to act as a barrier, adding that steel barriers would not be attractive.

That, complained the GTEIP, indicated that he supported the notion of blocking off the Speyside Way to travellers' caravans.

Councillor McDonald said he was disturbed by the implication that councillors could be reported to the Standards Commission for simply trying to help their constituents.

"I accept and appreciate the rights of the minority, but my definition of democracy is that it is the majority opinion that counts, and the residents there have made it abundantly clear to me and to others that they want something done about it," said Councillor McDonald.

"The residents wanted me to do something about it and in arranging that meeting to discuss a way forward, I acted in the best interests of my constituents to try and solve the problem.

"I came away from that meeting with the feeling that it had been a fairly constructive meeting, so this letter came as a complete surprise, especially because it did not specifically name who the complaint was against or what had been said. I assumed that I was in the firing line because I had arranged it, I chaired it and I did most of the talking.

"I understand that no one from this travellers project attended the meeting and they based their complaint on what they had read in the papers.

"I also understand that they complained that they had not been invited to the meeting, but this was a public meeting and if they were there they could have had their say, just as everyone else did.

"The situation on the Speyside Way has to be treated differently from any other unauthorised encampment, because it is a major tourist attraction and we cannot allow it to become a mess. It's a gateway to Buckie and very important to tourism, and that's what makes this situation unique."

Councillor Wright said elected members quite often found themselves in a position where they had to be careful in their comments, particularly in regard to issues such as planning.

"We do have to be careful at times, but I must say that this one came as a surprise to me. However, an official complaint has been made and the chief executive has had to react to that," he added.

More than 50 members of the public attended the meeting, where it was agreed that council officials would draw up plans to give the area, which spans along the foreshore from Portgordon to Buckie, a facelift.

An application for Euro-funding has been made to carry out the work, and some cash may also be available from the Buckie Town Partnership.

A meeting to discuss problems with unauthorised encampments in the Garmouth area is due to be staged on Monday evening, and in his letter to all elected members, Mr Keddie has reminded them about their duty to observe the code of conduct.

Councillor Douglas Ross, member for the Fochabers Lhanbryde ward, attended last month's talks, and will be at the meeting in Garmouth.

He said: "I certainly do not remember Councillor Wright saying anything at that meeting that could cause offence to the group, and I did not have any concerns about anything councillors said.

"The chief executive, however, received a complaint and he had to deal with that in an appropriate way.

"I will still try to be as open as possible with those at the meeting in Garmouth, but will be mindful that people are now watching what councillors are saying in regard to this issue."

A spokesman for Moray Council confirmed that a complaint had been received from the GTEIP. He added: "Elected members have been alerted to the situation and, in the circumstances, have been reminded of the terms of the code of conduct for councillors."

No one from the GTEIP was available for comment.

Pupils discover the gipsy lifestyle

ROBYN GREENACRE
23 September 2008 06:20

It is a culture laced with a rich history which for hundreds of years has fought prejudice and preconceptions.

Now, in a bid to combat the stereotype and ensure future generations can face a more tolerant attitude, gypsies are opening their caravan doors to the public.

Primary school children from across the county will be visiting Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, near Dereham, to meet travellers and explore their way of life past and present.

The initiative called Home on the Road, kicked off yesterday and was organised by the workhouse and Norfolk Traveller Education Service.

Learning manager at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Jan Pitman, said: “This sort of thing is absolutely vital. We have to accept there is a very negative attitude about travellers in the region.

“So any contact where people can see the different sides to the culture is going to have a very positive effect.

“The children are engaged and it's a very good response. You're going to have to start young people so they see the reality of it, which will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

Members of the gypsy and travelling community have set up a selection of mobile homes from the traditional Vardo to the modern caravan.

And for three days volunteer gypsy and travellers are holding a series of workshops introducing pupils to aspects of Romany life, including cooking, horse grooming, washing, and flower arranging.

Yesterday pupils from Scole primary school from Diss picked vegetables from the fields, made stew over an open fire, learnt how to plait horses' manes and tails, hand washed clothes and hung them out with gypsy pegs and on bushes, and saw how mobile homes had developed over the years.

Gypsy Mary Price said: “This is just a little taster for children. It would be nice if we could bring something out to educate everyone.

“I'm very keen on the idea of educating people. I'm from a large family and I'm aware of the problems children have when they go into mainstream schools.

“Everyday my children come home and have had something happen to them because of their heritage. Young children don't come across the words 'dirty pikey or gyppo' by themselves. They've learnt it from adults.

“Thieving, dirty, scoundrels is how we're seen. There's bad in everyone and if you look for the bad apples you'll find them. But we're not all like that, and there are bad apples in every culture.

“Years ago we were accepted because everyone was used to seeing caravans being pulled by horses along the road.

“Now because there are less and less places we can go, people don't see us.”

And at the end of the trip pupils opinions were transformed.

Scole pupil Jessica King-Fisher, nine, said: “It's interesting. I've had a fun day. I didn't know much about gypsies before and I thought they were horrible.

“But now I think they are very nice.”

New gypsy site has no support

Published Date: 12 September 2008
By Alan Brook

VILLAGERS, councillors and travelling people themselves say they do not want the council's choice for a new gypsy site – which has been described as being "like a concentration camp".

Due to health and safety fears over possible leeching gases, East Riding of Yorkshire Council wants to use £1.4 million to replace Bridlington's Woldgate travellers' site which is on top of an old landfill area.

Their alternative is a larger area – the busy Grindale Lane country road – which is part of the council's network of scenic tourists routes.

But locals and those in neighbouring villages who use the route, and residents of Bridlington's nearby New Pasture Lane estate, say it is a nonsense to put it there.

Two local East Riding councillors, Bridlington town councillors and even the Woldgate travellers themselves are against the idea and say the council should look elsewhere for a replacement.

Bridlington Town Council's planning committee has rejected the plan as conflicting with the Wolds landscape on a designated scenic route and it would not give travellers what they need.

They said travellers themselves claim it would isolate them from shops, schools, public transport and medical and other services and there are no facilities for keeping horses.

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Residents learn about Romany roots

10:14am Tuesday 2nd September 2008

RESIDENTS learned all about Romany Gypsy culture and history during a special event in Redditch.

As a follow-on to Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month, the Eternal Wheels event was held at Arrow Valley Park.

The day, funded by a grant from Worcestershire County Council, allowed people to view, learn and interact with members of Romani Roots, a voluntary organisation that supports Gypsy heritage.

There were stalls at the event, various sources of information, entertainment and food.

The experience of Gypsies and Travellers in Britain

Emma Nuttall from the Friends, Families and Travellers charity works with English Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers. She spoke to Sadie Robinson about the struggles they endure

Gypsies and Travellers in Britain are socially excluded, powerless and often quite dispersed. The lack of resources and services available to them has a drastic impact on their lives. Educational achievement among Gypsies and Travellers is the lowest of any ethnic group in Britain.

They have the highest rate of infant mortality, the lowest life expectancy and higher rates of maternal deaths. Gypsies and Travellers live between ten and 12 years less than the settled population. They have higher rates of anxiety and depression.

You're incredibly vulnerable if you're camped out on the roadside. We've had cases where people have been firebombed.

I think the tabloid press encourages people to see Gypsies and Travellers as not being human. This makes them victims of the last socially acceptable racism. But the reality is that where there are well established sites there are usually no problems.

Currently there are about 4,500 Gypsy and Traveller families in England that don't have an official site to live on. So they stop on the roadside and get moved on. We've worked with some families that have been moved over 50 times in a year.

Compulsory

The tabloid newspapers say it's outrageous that families are living on the roadside but they don't ask why the families are there – they haven't got an authorised site to live on.

This makes it very difficult to access education, employment and healthcare, not to mention basics like electricity and running water.

Local authorities used to have a duty to provide sites for Gypsies and Travellers under the 1968 Caravan Sites Act. People paid council tax and paid rent to live there.

The Tories' Criminal Justice Act in 1994 changed this. They thought that it was too costly to provide sites and that Gypsies and Travellers should buy their own land.

The act also recommended that local authorities should identify which land would be suitable for Gypsy and Traveller sites. But this wasn't compulsory – and only one local authority followed the advice.

This meant that whatever land Gypsies or Travellers bought was disputed. People would pressure councillors and say they didn't want gypsies living near them. Councillors wouldn't identify land that could be used for sites.

The Housing Act in 2004 introduced a duty on councils to do what they called a "Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs assessment".

The act said that once the councils worked out how many pitches on sites were needed, the local authority had to allocate suitable land to meet that need. Their housing strategy would also have to say how the sites would be delivered.

But the problem is that, where many Travellers have bought land, they haven't managed to obtain planning permission.

The main stumbling block with the 2004 act is the length of time the process takes. It is so slow. Meanwhile you've got thousands of families stuck on the roadside.

Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month celebrated in style in Lancaster

Members of the Traveller community from Lancaster have celebrated the first ever national Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month. The month was marked with an evening exhibition at Skerton Learning Centre organised by Lancashire County Council's Traveller Education Service and the Adult College.

(Media-Newswire.com) - Members of the Traveller community from Lancaster have celebrated the first ever national Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month.

The month was marked with an evening exhibition at Skerton Learning Centre organised by Lancashire County Council’s Traveller Education Service and the Adult College.

Britain’s 300,000 Gypsies, Roma and Travellers have lived, worked and travelled throughout Britain for over 500 years, yet are rarely mentioned in British history.

This year, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across the country joined forces with central government backing to celebrate their rich history, culture and contribution to Britain’s past and future.

Displays of work produced by local Travellers included arts and crafts by the Traveller Family Learning Group during courses run by the Adult College, which had also held taster sessions for the Traveller community on family history, reminiscence work and digital photography.

Lancaster Traveller Youth Group, Lancashire Young People’s Service and The Dukes DT3 held a photography exhibition featuring images of today’s young Travellers.

NCBI Lancashire’s Welcome Stories Project worked with the Traveller Youth Group to record their stories and experiences of living in the district and displayed the booklet, CD and posters produced by the project.

One of the youngest participants was four-year-old Joseph Doran, who won first prize in the pre-school category of the GRTHM Poster Competition which was launched in the House of Lords in February.

There were thousands of entries so it was a real achievement that Joseph, from Kingsway Playgroup in Heysham, won a first prize and Lancaster Traveller Youth Group won a runner-up prize.

Joseph was unable to travel to the House of Lords to receive his £100 prize in June as his family were at the horse fair in Appleby, so he was presented with it at the evening by special guest the mayor of Lancaster, Keith Budden.

Eileen Mullervy, team leader for the Traveller Education Service, said: “Lancaster and Morecambe Travellers and friends certainly made the first ever Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month in 2008 a month to remember and I am sure it is an event to go on from strength to strength next year.”

Going for gold: young Gypsy keeps up a family tradition

Esther Addley
The Guardian
Monday August 4 2008

Like many of the athletes departing for China ahead of the Beijing Olympics, Billy Joe Saunders had an emotional send-off from his home. "There were about 30 car loads of my family and friends who came to see me. They've got England flags all over the place. It was crazy," he says.

But while he describes his upbringing as "really normal", home for the 18-year-old welterweight hopeful is not entirely conventional. Saunders comes from a Romany Gypsy family and lives on a Travellers' site near Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

Saunders's older brother, Tom, is a professional cruiserweight, and his father also boxed in his youth, but perhaps the proudest family members will be his great grandfather on his mother's side, Absolom Beeney. Now 95, as a young man Beeney was a champion in the travelling fairground boxing booths, stepping up, as his father, also Tom, puts it, "whenever he needed some beer money".

Tom Saunders Sr believes his son may be the first Gypsy to represent Britain at an Olympics, having taken it up at seven when his older brother, who was being bullied in part for being a Traveller, asked his dad to take him boxing.

But his family background may in fact be the least remarkable part of Billy Joe Saunders's story. Saunders was originally singled out by the British head coach, Terry Edwards, as a potential medallist for the 2012 games, one of a strikingly talented generation of British amateur boxers that has led Saunders, without irony, to predict that by the time of the London games Britain will be "the new Cuba" of boxing.

Expectations may have been low for Saunders, but he thought differently. After winning 49 fights in a row, he edged out the experienced British team captain Neil Perkins, who fights in his weight class.

"They had to give me my chance to qualify, I felt," says Saunders. "I boxed the No1 Cuban, I beat him, I boxed the No1 Russian, the European champion, beat him. I had to get my chance to be there, and when I got it, I took it."

Having won gold at the Commonwealth Federation championships last year, gold at the European Junior championships and a further gold, last month, at the European Union championships, some insiders are tipping Saunders as heavily as his teammate Frankie Gavin, the lightweight world champion and one of Britain's best hopes for gold.

"Given a fair wind and a bit of luck every one of the team could do as well as Frankie," says Edwards. "Billy Joe is the youngest member of our team, but in age terms he is very, very mature, he's a tough lad. We'd first identified him as a 2012 athlete, and he still is - we're right on course for that. The difference is that he may well be defending his gold medal in 2012."

For Tom Saunders, his son's presence in Beijing is a welcome opportunity to correct misconceptions about their culture. "We are true Romany Gypsies, that is what we are. If you go two, three generations back, to your great, great grandfather, he's most probably seen our people, with the horse-drawn wagons, selling the old wooden pegs and things like that. That's what the majority of people in this day and age don't understand."

"There's good and bad in everybody," agrees Billy Joe, "and you can't tar all Gypsies, or Travellers, with the same brush. I just need to get out there and prove to everybody that we're not all the same." Most of all, he'd love to be a positive role model, he says - to his adored one-year-old son, Billy Joe junior, and to his peers. "I would love it to be that I could get young kids off the street and into the gym. Help them out. I would love to think that I could do that."

Does he hope his son, too, will follow the family tradition and take up boxing? "It's completely down to him. If he decides he wants to take the boxing route he can, and I will be supporting him all the way, same as my dad did for me."

Gypsy film gets European airing

Students from Monkton School have been showing off their film-making talents on a recent trip to the European Parliament in Brussels.

Hosted by Plaid MEP Jill Evans, the visit was made possible by the Priory Project, which provides education and support for secondary school-aged gypsy children.

"It is refreshing to see young people from Wales taking the lead with a groundbreaking project like this.”

Jill Evans MEPAn informative DVD in which the young people share their views and experiences, was made with support from the Welsh Assembly Government and Save the Children, which also helped fund the visit to Brussels.

The party was led by project leader Bev Stephens and headteacher William Rees. Children heard from Belgian MEP, Els de Groen; Caroline Mooney of the Welsh Assembly and Livia Jaroka, the first Romany gypsy MEP to be elected.

Presentations were made by Caroline Mooney, of the Assembly’s social inclusion department, and Ant Edwards, of Save The Children. Priory Project pupil, Kirby Jones, also spoke to the MEPs about the work being done in Pembrokeshire.

Jill Evans MEP said: “I learned a lot from meeting these young people. They were impressive advocates for the gypsy traveller community and presented first hand evidence of their experiences and the challenges they face.

“The European Union now has a Roma Inclusion Strategy, but there is still a lot of discrimination.

“These young people were very interested in the work of the European Parliament. It is refreshing to see young people from Wales taking the lead with a groundbreaking project like this.”

She added: "I have asked for a copy of the DVD and will show it to my colleagues. This project has my wholehearted support.”

Gypsy Queen Mable dies, 99

A gypsy queen has died in Wigan only a few months before her 100th birthday.
Great-grandmother Mable Knight died at Wigan Infirmary after becoming ill when she broke a hip.

The 99-year-old was a hugely respected member of the gipsy community and thousands of mourners from as far away as Italy, America, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland have been coming to Wigan to pay their respects.

Her granddaughter Margaret Peroni, of Collette Close, Scholes, said her grandmother was part of a disappearing way of life and, as a younger woman, had gone "duckering" – earning money by predicting the future.

Margaret, whose dad is a gypsy king, said: "We're all heartbroken. If I live to be as wise and as good-hearted as she was, I'll die happy. She was a true queen and an absolutely beautiful woman and a great grandparent.

"She always said she was waiting for her telegram from the Queen on her 100th birthday and she almost made it.
"She'd been given the last rites three times before she died, but she pulled through.

"She was born in a horse drawn wagon and had lived through some tough times. Some of the stories she used to tell us would make your hair stand on end."

Her funeral was held at St Edward's Church on Scott Lane yesterday.

Community network sites honoured

BBC News

A social networking site for young gypsy travellers has won an award for the social use of technology.

The SavvyChavvy site was one of eight projects honoured in the UK's Catalyst Awards that recognise technology used to serve communities.

The site helps younger travellers stay in touch and post blogs and videos about their experiences.

Also honoured in the awards were a virtual nightclub for disabled people and a scheme to help people share cars.

Social action

The Catalyst Awards were set up to champion those using social media, such as the web, to keep communities together and tackle social challenges such as gang culture and poverty.

For its work helping young gypsy travellers communicate SavvyChavvy won the Community award. Chavvy is an old Romany word for "youth".

The site, which is closed to those who are not travellers, is credited with helping to gypsys change the way their community is seen.

Wheelies - a virtual nightclub hosted in Second Life - got the Revolutionary award. The David and Goliath award went to Liftshare - an online system that helps people with spare car seats find passengers.

Helen Anderson won an award for her work to bring broadband to South Witham in Lincolnshire. Ms Anderson was driven to get the project going after her community was ignored by large net suppliers.

The winners of the awards were presented with their trophies by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

He said the projects had huge potential to influence lives and communities.

"The worst of Britain can always be challenged by the best of Britain," he said.

The Community Awards for Social Technology (Catalyst) were sponsored by the Council on Social Action, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (Nesta) and the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform.

Helping to judge entries were the Make Your Mark campaign group; Unltd, which backs social entrepreneurs and Polecat which helps organisations measure their social impact.

Gypsies claim racial bigotry

By Joe Ware

GYPSIES who are fighting to keep their community at Minety have been treated with hypocrisy by council bosses, an inquiry heard this week.

The second public inquiry into the unauthorised building work at the site in Sambourne Road, heard by planning inspector Karen Ridge, got under way at North Wiltshire District Council on Tuesday.

Gypsy families were among those attending the inquiry, with Minety residents who have fought the development.

Representing the gypsies, Alan Masters said his clients want the same treatment as Minety residents. He said: "The Minety travellers have been victims of hypocrisy.

"The village of Minety is deemed as an area suitable for development by the council but the nearby appeal site is not.

"The gypsies have settled in the area and their children attend local schools. The council's approach is a failure to follow the Race Relations Act."

Earlier Mrs Ridges called for respect and outlined the main point of the investigation. She said: "This is a planning inquiry not a public meeting. I'm aware the subject is emotive but please do not interrupt or shout out. Please be respectful. This inquiry is here to determine the effect of the development on the local area given the nature of its affects on neighbouring parties."

Saira Kabir Sheikh, representing North Wiltshire District Council, said: "The appeal scheme does not represent a sustainable form of development. The development is significant in size and is unduly intrusive in the countryside.

"The scheme causes significant harm and has a detrimental impact on the character and amenities of the countryside. The scheme is also harmful to adjoining residential property."

Most of the opening morning was taken up with the cross examination of planning expert Simon Chambers, the council's sole witness.

He said: "As stated I believe there has been no physical change in the circumstances since the previous appeal was assessed and there has been substantial progress towards the assessment of gypsy and traveller accommodation needs and potential delivery of sufficient land to accommodate that need.

"There are a number of factors contributing to the unsustainability of the appeal site compared to the village.

"One of the reasons is village residents have better access to transport links whereas the appeal site is isolated making access to public transport much more difficult."

10:56am Thursday 10th July 2008

'No blacks, no dogs,no Gypsies'

The Independent

By Rachel Shields
Sunday, 6 July 2008

Gypsies and Travellers in the UK are uniting to form a nationwide coalition to fight what they describe as rapidly escalating levels of racism and discrimination. The leaders of the nation's largest Gypsy and Traveller organisations will hold an unprecedented gathering later this month with the aim of bringing together the country's 300,000 Roma, Irish, Welsh and English Gypsies and Travellers in a national federation.

Two of the UK's largest Gypsy and Traveller associations – the Gypsy Council and the Southern England Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller Network – are involved in the initiative.

Studies in recent years have shown that Gypsies and Travellers experience more racism than any other group in the UK, including asylum-seekers. The most recent Mori poll on the issue revealed that a third of UK residents admitted to being prejudiced against Gypsies and Travellers, while a European Commission report published last week demonstrated that millions of people of Roma origin are still subject to persistent discrimination.

"Travelling people are travelling people, no matter what their ethnicity – we are all marginalised and tarred with the same brush," said Richard Sheridan, president of the Gypsy Council.

"I don't think that the situation in the UK has changed much since the 1960s – those 'No blacks, no dogs, no Gypsies signs' are not very far away.

"Joining together will make us go further – if we have more people on board it will make it easier for us to stand up for our rights" said Mr Sheridan.

John Johnson, chair of the Southern England Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller Network, added: "We want to be seen as a cohesive community."

According to the British Medical Association, the community has the lowest life expectancy and highest rate of child mortality in the UK. Nomadic Gypsies fare particularly badly when it comes to health care, as the absence of a permanent address makes registering with a GP far more difficult. Ofsted has also reported low levels of educational achievement and high rates of illiteracy among Traveller children, due to a disrupted education and bullying.

The British National Party has said in previous local election campaigns that it will evict Travellers, while the campaigning organisation Minority Rights Group International reports that there have been racist attacks on campsites in the UK, many of which are not reported to the police.

"In my experience, racism against Travellers has definitely got worse over the past 40 years. In some bits of Europe, this is due to the fall of Communism and rise of nationalism, but in the UK, it's probably linked with anti-immigration feelings," said Grattan Puxon, founder of the Gypsy Council and the author of a number of books on the Traveller community, most recently the 2007 novel Freeborn Traveller.

"There is a lot happening within the Gypsy community at the moment.

"Unification will allow for more effective lobbying" he said.

Row erupts over park gypsy camp

A row has broken out over a decision by Powys council to locate a temporary gypsy camp in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The park authority has accused the council of a "flagrant disregard of planning policy" and may consider legal action over the site near Brecon.

A permanent camp is planned nearby, but the council wants to locate 12 caravans at a small holding until that is ready. It said it would apply to the park for retrospective planning permission.

The site under dispute is in an area known as Cefn Cantref.

At the moment the family of gypsies live in a lorry and coach park in Brecon, having recently moved from a lay-by in nearby Libanus.

Powys council said it had agreed in principle to create a permanent site for the family at Llanfilo, near Brecon, and a report about the project was expected to go before councillors in September.

In the meantime, the council said the lorry and coach park was not a suitable and it had decided to move the family to Cefn Cantref temporarily.

(MORE)

Anti-gypsy view cruel

The coverage of the protests about the proposed gypsy sites makes very disturbing reading and I would appeal to everyone involved in this process to think very carefully and sincerely about what they are saying.

While I understand the worries of the protesters, I am very upset by the sentiments some have expressed. While it is entirely appropriate to say: "I am worried that having a site near my home/school might lead to problems with noise, I am afraid it will appear unsightly, and I am concerned the comings and goings might cause problems and disturbance" it is another matter entirely to say, as one Calne mother you quoted did: "I want the councillors to look into my baby's eyes and tell her she will be growing up next to gypsies."

The gypsies are an ethnic and cultural group. They are human beings and this attitude towards them is racist and very cruel. How would this quote read if the word Jews' or Somalis' replaced the word gypsy?

Half a million gypsies were slaughtered by Hitler during the Holocaust. We think it is appalling how one group of people could dehumanise another group in such a way that it extends to genocide - but consider how dehumanising this comment is? How would a gypsy child feel, reading that a mother wouldn't want her child to grow up alongside him or her? Are gypsies worth less than non-gypsies?

I trust the Gazette, as a bastion of fairness and a promoter of racial equality and human rights, will not let such views and expressions go unchallenged.

Sarah Singleton, Patterdown, Chippenham

Rolls-Royce objects to plans for gypsy camp

ROLLS-ROYCE has objected to Derby City Council's plans to create a permanent gypsy camp on its land.

The company's message came in a damning letter calling the selection of its disused car park in Russell Street, Osmaston, flawed.

And it said locating a travellers' site on the land could scupper regeneration of the area.

But the council said Rolls-Royce's objection did not mean the end of the project.
A Rolls-Royce spokesman said the company objected because it believed there were more suitable locations for a travellers' site in Osmaston.

He said: “Our strategy has been to fully engage with the city council over sites in the area.

“Our view is that we have to look at opportunities in Osmaston strategically and as a whole.”

The letter was sent to principal planning officer Ian Woodhead from Rolls-Royce consultants Scott Wilson in response to the submission of a planning application for the site late last month.

The letter says: “We are concerned that the process of site selection was fundamentally flawed.

“The initial shortlist of sites considered by your own consultants, Cdn Planning, did not include the Russell Street site. This site was added later into the evaluative process.

“Progressing the site selected by the council will create a negative effect on the release to the market of the Osmaston Road site and other land in the area.”
Members of Action Group Osmaston, formed by residents in the area, said they were pleased with Rolls-Royce's objection after campaigning against the permanent site since it was first suggested in October.

But chairman Chad Foster said he would not celebrate until the plans were officially shelved.

Mr Foster, 53, of Handel Street. said: “It isn't over until the fat lady has sung. The Rolls-Royce letter encapsulates our objections.

“Osmaston needs regenerating and it now has an opportunity to do so because of the Rolls-Royce site being up for use.

“The fact is that there is a negative perception of travellers' sites and that people will not invest in the area if a permanent site is going to be there.”
A council spokeswoman said the authority was still discussing the site with Rolls-Royce.

She said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on the content of the letter. We're still confident of achieving a successful resolution for all parties.”

The council looked at four possible sites in Osmaston but chose Russell Street as its preferred option because, among other reasons, it was close to Glossop Street, Osmaston, where gypsies have been living without permission since October 2004.

The council would pay for the scheme with £1.4m given by the Government to create a camp in the city, which according to former council leader, Chris Williamson, would be transferable if an alternative to the Russell Street site was needed.

UK gypsies speak of need to unite

UK, 16.6.2008, 15:03, (Roma Daily News)

Faced with a rising tide of racism better unity is needed within the Romany movement in Britain, influential voices were heard to say this week.

Meeting at Dale Farm, the UK's largest Gypsy township still under siege by a hostile local authority, newly-elected members of the Gypsy Council spoke (10 June) of their wish to help a achieve a common front.

"I would like to see the revived Gypsy Council and the Federation working together," said John Johnson, chair of the Southern England Romany Gypsy & Irish Traveller Network, following his co-option as a committee member.

Joe Jones, another leading federation spokesman went further, suggesting that the GC and the national Federation, which links some 56 local groups, could agree to merge. "The Gypsy Council has been in decline but it has the brand name," said Richard Sheridan, newly elected president. "We at Dale Farm need everyone's support and this is the best place for us to make a start towards real unity."

The meeting resolved unanimously that members of the Federation should be invited to attend and participate in the next Gypsy Council session, at Greenwich University in July. Katie Goldsmith, of the Gypsy and Traveller Alliance Youth Division, co-opted to help form a new youth section at Dale Farm, said she believed young people could spearheard the movement, providing street drama at protest events.

Johnson said it was an outrage that a local MP should lead a 200-strong demonstration against a Travellers' site in Basingstoke, stirring up yet more race hatred against a minority. This is where we needed to unite and act together, Johnson stressed.

Lives of gipsy travellers celebrated by museum

A CELEBRATION of gipsy traveller heritage and culture is being held for one day only at the County Museum.

The special event, called "Gipsies - who are ya!"on Sunday has been put together by the Worcestershire County Council Museum Service and the Worcestershire Gypsy Roma and Traveller Partnership.

Visitors will be able to see one of the country's largest displays of gipsy caravans, meet wagon painters and restorers, watch musical entertainment, displays of dance and demonstrations of traditional crafts.

Sue Pope, the county council's education and outreach officer, said: "This is a really exciting event where we have opened our doors and embraced the wider community and partners to jointly organise something that celebrates the lives and achievements of Worcestershire's gipsy, Roma and travelling communities."

Sergeant Allie Webster, gipsy and traveller diversity adviser for West Mercia police, said: "By working together the force can learn more about the gipsy and traveller communities and can help promote wider tolerance and understanding within non-traveller communities.

The event will take place between 11am and 5pm. Normal admission prices to the museum apply. For more information e-mail Sue Pope at spope@worcestershire.gov.

advertisementuk or telephone the County Museum on 01299 250416.

Pub anti-traveller sign removed

BBC News

A senior police officer has raised concerns about a "bigoted and unpleasant" sign banning travellers from entering a pub.

North Wales Police assistant chief constable Ian Shannon was on a licensing visit when he saw the notice.

Writing in his blog, Mr Shannon said it was worrying that the owner did not recognise the sign was inappropriate.

The matter was reported to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and the sign has been removed.

Mr Shannon did not name the venue, but said it was in the force's eastern division, which covers Flintshire and Wrexham.

He wrote: "I was on patrol with a neighbourhood officer on our eastern division and made a licensing visit to a pub and was greeted by a sign on the door saying 'Polite notice- positively no travellers'.

"For starters this hardly seemed polite - bigoted and unpleasant is closer to the truth.

"The fact that the pub manager and others did not recognise this is worrying."

Mr Shannon mentioned the outbreak of violence against travellers and Gypsies in Italy which has been in the news recently.

He commented: "Whilst I do not suggest that the extreme violence that has manifested itself in Italy is coming to north Wales we cannot complacently believe that the prejudice that underlies the violence is not lurking in the background here."

North Wiltshire MP launches gypsy law petition

By Gary Lawrence
Gazette & Herald

North Wiltshire MP James Gray is launching a campaign to stop the government forcing councils to provide dedicated gypsy sites.

"I simply don't understand why gypsies and travellers should be treated under planning law in a different way to any other citizen," said Mr Gray , speaking at the launch of his petition against the current traveller law, in Chippenham this morning.

"North Wiltshire District Council is being required by law to spend £250,000 of taxpayers' money, against massive local opposition, to provide an unwanted and unnecessary gypsy encampment somewhere in North Wiltshire.

"There are two reasons for this: first, the Government have insisted on a needs survey', which is an absurd exercise in such a setting, to provide more gypsy encampments in North Wiltshire. But with large numbers of gypsies in Ireland, Romania and elsewhere just waiting to come to these shores, how is anyone supposed to know how many sites to provide? Surely there is at least a risk that by requiring local authorities to build these sites, you are in fact issuing an invitation to gypsies, of all kinds, to come to North Wiltshire.

"And second, it is likely that unless North Wilts District Council opens such a site, the Inspector who will shortly be considering the illegal site at Minety, will allow the gypsies to remain there. That too seems to me to be quite wrong, since it will be an invitation to travellers everywhere to follow the lead of those at Minety, and set up illegal encampments in the hope that it will force the local authority to give them expensive permanent sites.

"This petition therefore asks the Government to repeal the Act which places these unreasonable and unachievable demands on the District Council."

The Humble Petition of the residents of North Wiltshire, being concerned about permanent accommodation for gypsies and travellers, petition your Honourable House that they should be treated under planning laws in precisely the same way as all other citizens and, believe that the requirement on local authorities for a needs assessment is misplaced, as there can be no scientific census of the European gypsy and traveller population.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House request that the requirement on local authorities to provide new gypsy and traveller encampments should be repealed."

11:14am Saturday 31st May 2008

MP expresses concern over gypsy sites

By Gazette Reporter

North Wiltshire MP, James Gray, has written to North Wiltshire District Council expressing his concerns over the current consultation with regard to the proposed permanent gypsy encampments within the constituency.

In his letter, Mr Gray said that "The Government have set North Wiltshire District Council an unachievable task, namely to assess the need for such sites (unachievable since neither you nor anyone else has any means of knowing how many gypsy caravans may arrive in the county at any one moment); and then to make provision for permanent sites for those hypothetically arriving gypsies."

Mr Gray also commented that "The whole exercise seems to me to be sending out the wrong messages to the gypsy community as a whole. Those who may be contemplating breaking planning law in the way that those at Minety have done will be encouraged to do so on the grounds that it might lead to some other permanent site for them; and being forced by a foolish Government policy to build new gypsy sites in the way that is proposed will simply invite gypsies from as far as away as Ireland and Romania to come to Wiltshire."

3:21pm Friday 23rd May 2008

Museum celebrates Gypsy heritage

A CELEBRATION of Gypsy traveller heritage and culture is set to take place at Worcestershire County Council's County Museum in Hartlebury next month.

The special event, on June 15, has been put together by the county museum service and the Worcestershire Gypsy Roma and Traveller Partnership, which includes representatives of West Mercia Constabulary, Rooftop Housing, the Community Housing Group, Worcestershire Diocese and the West Midlands Traveller Education Service, pupils from Stourport high and Birchen Coppice, Stourport and Hartlebury primary Schools.

Visitors to the County Museum will be able to see and do the following things as part of the Gypsies - Who Are Ya! event:

See one of the largest displays in the country of Gypsy Vardos, including the recently-restored Esmerelda - one of the finest wagons on display

Meet Mary Horner, author and editor of the Romany Road journal and history society

Stalls to promote the partner organisations

Dance and exhibition displays by pupils from Stourport High School

Displays and demonstrations of traditional crafts

Meet wagon painters and restorers to find out how it is done

Have a their family photograph taken with wagons

Musical entertainment

Sue Pope, the county council's education and outreach officer, said: "This is a really exciting event, where we have opened our doors and embraced the wider community and partners to jointly organise something that celebrates the lives and achievements of Worcestershire's Gypsy, Roma and travelling communities.

advertisement"We are looking forward to welcoming plenty of people to the forthcoming one-day event."

People wanting to find out more should call Sue Pope, on spope@worcestershire.gov.uk or call the County Museum, on 01299 250416.

There wil be admission costs.

12:17 pm Saturday 24th May 2008 - The Shuttle

Judge stops demolition of Essex Travellers site

Jo Siedlecka

More than 50 Gypsy and Traveller families in Essex won a High Court fight on Friday, to stop the local council from evicting them.

The families bought the green belt land at Dale Farm, Billericay and Five Acres Farm, Wickford, about ten years ago. It had previously been derelict or used for storing scrap metal. The families pay council taxes and have gradually built up semi-permanent homes there. But they do not have planning permission.

Basildon District Council has been trying to evict them for several years. Last December, the council decided to use section 178 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to enter the land, evict the residents and demolish their dwellings. This would have left them homeless, and the council would not have been able to offer alternative accommodation.

In a 26-page judgment, Mr Justice Collins said the eviction order could not stand and he ordered more time to investigate concerns on the needs and welfare of the families. He drew attention to the high degree of prejudice faced by Gypsies and Travellers and the discrimination they have suffered at the hands of local authorities. (There has also been a very one-side campaign in the local press and the Daily Mail). Judge Collins said sick and vulnerable persons, and children attending school had not been given proper, individual consideration, nor had anti-racist legislation been fully complied with. Any future decisions by the Basildon council would have to be based on these and other considerations, he said.

The judge warned the residents they would not be able to stay on the sites permanently, but said: "I think that the approach has been that the sites should be cleared, rather than a consideration of whether there are any individual families whose circumstances are such that in their individual cases eviction would be disproportionate."

Judge Collins gave the council permission to appeal against his decision, saying the case raised "important points" over what appeared to be the "insoluble problem" of providing sites for Gypsies and Travellers.

Traveller spokesman Grattan Puxon said in a statement that the ruling "represents a major legal victory for Britain's long harassed Gypsies and Travellers, many of whom have in recent years seen their homes mercilessly bulldozed. "

"This is a wake-up call to all councils," said Dr Keith Lomax, the solicitor representing Dale Farm's 132 households, comprising chalets, mobile-homes and caravans. "Those that don't provide legal living space will find they can't rely on enforcement powers."

A meeting of the Gypsy Council has been convened for 10 June at Dale Farm to consider the implications of the judgment.

Father John Glynn, Parish Priest at Our Lady of Good Council in Wickford, told ICN last night: "This judgment is a welcome stay of execution. The great thing is that it draws attention to the situation of these individual families. I hope this will now lead to a proper dialogue between all the parties."

Father John said the local Churches, have offered to help bring the sides together for talks.

On Friday, the Bishop of Brentwood, Bishop Thomas McMahon, the Anglican Bishop of Chelmsford, Bishop John Gladwin, and other Catholic and Church of England clergy visited Dale Farm, where a small cabin was opened recently to be used as a chapel and community centre.


Source: Roma News Service/ICN

© Independent Catholic News 2008

Essex: chapel, community centre opened at beleaguered Gypsy camp

A small community centre and chapel was officially opened at Dale Farm Traveller and Gypsy camp near Crays Hill in Essex on Saturday.

The log cabin, which has been named after St Christopher, one of the patron saints of travelling people, will be used for community meetings, health projects, IT and literacy for children and a chapel for the site's Catholics. It was built with a £9,894 government youth grant fund from the Equality Council

The building was blessed by Father John Glynn of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Wickford. There were also speeches by Lib Dem peer Lord Avebury, Clive Mardner, director of the Equality Council, who sponsored the project, and site spokesman Richard Sheridan, Gypsy Council president.

The opening of the community centre has aroused controversy locally, and a hostile campaign in the Daily Mail. While the Gypsies and Travellers have bought the agricultural land at Dale Farm, and lived there for many years, Secretary of State Ruth Kelly has upheld Basildon's decision to evict the community. This Friday (9 May) Judge Collins is to issue his long delayed ruling in the judicial review in the British High Court into Basildon's policy towards some two hundred "illegal" families which it refuses to accommodate.

Eviction specialists Constant & Co., whose bailiffs have been accused of 'wanton destruction,' including the burning and looting of caravans during removal operations, are already believed to be planning to bid for the £2 million demolition of the Dale Farm township.

Lord Avebury said: "The bulldozing of Dale Farm would be a disaster." Richard Sheridan said: "If we are evicted it will be a traumatic experience for all the families who have nowhere to go."

Billericay MP John Baron has urged the National Lottery to stop funding the equality council because he claims it is "biased to travellers".

Essex Racial Equality Council, which sponsored the centre, has been threatened with a cut off of funding by Lord Haddingfield. His opposite number on Basildon council, Malcolm Buckley, has already ended ties with racial equality workers whom he accuses of a bias in favour of Gypsies.

Their leader, Clive Marden, said at the ceremony that he did not care what Tory MP John Baron said, he was proud to be involved with the Dale Farm project, which was going to benefit so many children and young people. "I'm happy to take the flak," Marden commented.

Next week, the Bishop of Brentwood, the Bishop of Chelmsford, and other Catholic and Church of England clergy will be paying their own visit to Saint Christopher's.

Source: Roma News Service

© Independent Catholic News 2008

Jobs lost at pioneering gypsy project

Eleven jobs have been lost at a flagship education service for Pembrokeshire gypsies and travellers, as a result of European funding delays.

Additional funding for the Priory Learning Centre at Monkton Priory Community Primary School came to an end in October. It was hoped a new fund would begin immediately to allow the project to continue as normal, but there is still no sign of the money.

The additional funding allowed the centre to expand its service and provide learning support workers for 14 schools in the area, helping to meet specific educational needs of more than 200 gypsy children.

However, as the project has been left waiting for the money to fund the scheme, 11 outreach staff for the Priory Project - mostly LSA workers - have been made redundant.

Ten of the redundancies have now been taken as regular LSA workers independently under schools' budgets.

Monkton Priory headteacher William Rees said: "The gypsy learning centre is used as an example for similar projects all over Wales. It supports gypsy children at primary level and as they move on to secondary education.

"The Department of Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills and, in particular, the additional needs and inclusion division have been hugely supportive of our project, but we are currently operating on half our normal funding and there is a desperate need to implement European funding as soon as possible."

The project receives its core funding from the Welsh Assembly, but received match funding two-and-a-half years ago under Equals - a budget for specified ethnic minority education, administered by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO).

When the funding ended last October, it was hoped there would be a smooth transition to the new Convergence fund, but the project has not yet received the additional funds.

Shadow finance minister and south Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns says she has raised the subject eight or nine times at the Assembly.

"Several organisations, including The Priory Project and The Sunderland Trust are suffering as a result of this gap in funding," she told the Western Telegraph.

"I've now been reassured that the various projects will be notified about what money will be available to the and when by the end of May or early June."

A spokesman for the Welsh Assembly said: "WEFO awaits further information from Pembrokeshire County Council before continuing its assessment of the project proposal for gypsy and traveller pupils."

4:17pm Saturday 19th April 2008

Official site for gypsies would have 'benefits'

By Melanie Vass

BOURNEMOUTH residents have been urged to "consider the benefits" of the official traveller and gypsy site proposed for land at Longham.

The recent arrival of a group of travellers at Turbary Park could have been prevented if Bournemouth had an authorised camp to direct them to, council officers claim.

The council is currently going through the legal process to evict the group of travellers, who are sited in a sensitive conservation area.

But Sue Bickler, the council's head of strategic services, said: "This current situation just highlights the need for an authorised traveller and gypsy site in the town.

"By having a dedicated site with decent facilities, this situation could have been avoided altogether as the travellers would be able to go directly to the site, preventing them from pitching up on other, less suitable or equipped areas of the borough.

"Were travellers to disregard this transit site and stay in an unauthorised area, the police powers to move them on will be greatly enhanced from the current situation.

"In addition, taxpayers' money would also be saved on eviction and clear-up costs that have sometimes occurred in the past, following illegal encampments."

But it is not just residents the council needs to convince - the National Romani Rights Association claim the proposed site is completely unsuitable for human habitation.

Basil Burton, chairman of the association and former Gypsy Liaison Officer for Dorset County Council, has written to Secretary of State Hazel Blears and Claire Cooper, the head of the Gypsy and Traveller Unit, urging them to intervene.

Consultation over the proposed site adjacent to Ringwood Road near the bridge over the River Stour is due to start in June.

The council then intends to make a final bid to the Government for funding in July.

7:00pm Friday 11th April 2008