From the Northern Echo
HUNDREDS of Gypsy caravans pulled into Darlington today (Monday, May 20) ahead of a large gathering.
For four days, a site close to the A66 will be home to a large group of Christian Travellers as they join a gospel-themed meeting.
The event, hosted by members of the worldwide Light and Life Mission, focuses on spreading the word of the gospel amongst the travelling community.
Gypsies - who have travelled from all over the UK - will join prayer meetings, listen to gospel music and watch speeches given by a number of pastors.
One pastor, who would only give his names as Alex, said the event also represented an opportunity for the wider Darlington community to learn more about the positivity of Gypsies.
He said: “This event is open to everybody. Travelling people are brought up as very religious people and we are trying to reach our people in a way that will have a positive impact on the future of our community.
“People might see this as just a Gypsy get-together and we often receive bad comments but this is a way of proving to people that Gypsies are not bad people.
"We are here with the permission of the land owner, we pay for our own facilities and we keep the field clean.
"Anyone who comes onto this field will feel love. That is what travelling people are about, we are homely, welcoming people.”
Open meetings will be held at a large marquee on the site from 7pm each night until Thursday, May 23.
This is so good, I wish I lived in Darlington or could travel to Darlington to join in with this..I hope that all who attend will be blessed and a blessing to visitors
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