Gypsy culture on display at Worthing museum and art gallery - Sussex

From the Worthing Herald

A DISPLAY of Romany Gypsy heritage took place at Worthing museum and art gallery.

The exhibition was held to commemorate the history of Gypsy culture in Worthing and included dozens of old photographs and artefacts documenting the lives of families and individuals in the area.

A traditional horse-drawn wagon and trolley were displayed outside the museum with demonstrations of traditional Gypsy crafts, music and dancing.

The exhibition was organised by the Clearwater Gypsies as part of their Traveller history month.

The group is recording a film called ‘We Are Invisible’ – paid for by the heritage lottery fund.

Organiser Greg Yates, 53, of Chichester, said Worthing had a large historical Gypsy population, who ran the local flower trade for generations.

According to Greg, Gypsies make up the largest ethnic minority group in Worthing.

He said: “We have the Marmite effect; people either love us or hate us.

“We unite communities.

“People who have never spoken before get together against us. People need to know it’s not just about rubbish in the lay-byes.”