From the South Wales Argus
NEWPORT council is going back to the drawing board over the controversial issue of Gipsy and Traveller sites.
A shortlist of five potential sites in Newport has been effectively scrapped and a committee is set to review a long list of potential sites following a request from the city council's Labour administration.
It will speak to members of the public to consider the sites suggested, make comments and ask them to suggest their own alternatives.
The council has to identify both permanent and transit sites for inclusion in the local development plan.
In opposition, Labour members had claimed there had been no consultation on the shortlist, revealed in 2011, and had called for a previous list of 200 sites to be examined by a council committee.
However, the list may include some of the old shortlisted sites in Bettws, Lliswerry and Marshfield.
The work will need to be completed by September to meet the LDP timetable.
The scrutiny committee for community planning and development is to look at a new long list of sites, however, as some of those listed on the old one are no longer viable.
Councillor Bob Bright, council leader, said: "We are aware this is a sensitive issue for many reasons and we want to be sure that all potential sites are subjected to thorough and transparent scrutiny as well as extensive consultation."
He said it was "vitally important" the right locations are chosen for the sake of Newport's communities and its Gipsies and Travellers.
“Further consultation will allow the public as well as elected members to consider the suggested sites, make comments and suggest alternatives."
A date is yet to be set for the first hearing of the review.
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Allocate space for Travellers on estates - Somerset
From Weston, Worle and Somerset
DEVELOPERS have now been officially asked to find space on their land for specialised Traveller and Gypsy sites.
The Mercury revealed earlier this year that North Somerset Council is looking to ‘persuade’ landowners to allocate space within the new Weston Villages developments for the sites so the travellers can ‘live side-by-side’ with locals.
But now home builders have been told it is a necessity, rather than a choice.
The authority has had to turn to more urban areas to create the new facilities, after more rural land it was looking at was rated as high flood-risk by the Environment Agency.
North Somerset is set to earn £2million over the next year by finding sites for traveller pitches in the area.
The authority’s deputy leader Elfan Ap Rees says a meeting has been held between council officers and Persimmon, Meadow Mead and St Modwen Homes where the companies were told at least two sites with up to 30 pitches in total are required to meet local Traveller family needs.
The council says it is under growing pressure to find the sites due to the growing and ageing population of Travellers already living in the district, which means the children now need homes. The Weston Villages development lies between Winterstoke Road and Wolvershill Road, to include the former airfield, Locking Parklands at the former RAF camp and the Mead Realisations’ land south of Somerset Avenue.
One housing association has already come forward to say it would like to run some pitches, which are likely to go on land adjacent to the new housing developments where they can be suitably landscaped and are convenient for schools, shops and other amenities.
Cllr Ap Rees said: “It is important to identify legal sites before we are faced with Travellers moving onto land without planning permission and creating new problems.
“We have a situation where some pitches are becoming overcrowded and we have a duty to the local community to respond.”
In North Somerset there are nearly 50 permanent Traveller pitches across multiple sites already.
These include Willowmead and the privately-owned Moorland Park in Hewish.
The monthly thousands-of-pounds-per-caravan payments mean councils can claim back extra money from the Government in return for clearing the way for sites.
DEVELOPERS have now been officially asked to find space on their land for specialised Traveller and Gypsy sites.
The Mercury revealed earlier this year that North Somerset Council is looking to ‘persuade’ landowners to allocate space within the new Weston Villages developments for the sites so the travellers can ‘live side-by-side’ with locals.
But now home builders have been told it is a necessity, rather than a choice.
The authority has had to turn to more urban areas to create the new facilities, after more rural land it was looking at was rated as high flood-risk by the Environment Agency.
North Somerset is set to earn £2million over the next year by finding sites for traveller pitches in the area.
The authority’s deputy leader Elfan Ap Rees says a meeting has been held between council officers and Persimmon, Meadow Mead and St Modwen Homes where the companies were told at least two sites with up to 30 pitches in total are required to meet local Traveller family needs.
The council says it is under growing pressure to find the sites due to the growing and ageing population of Travellers already living in the district, which means the children now need homes. The Weston Villages development lies between Winterstoke Road and Wolvershill Road, to include the former airfield, Locking Parklands at the former RAF camp and the Mead Realisations’ land south of Somerset Avenue.
One housing association has already come forward to say it would like to run some pitches, which are likely to go on land adjacent to the new housing developments where they can be suitably landscaped and are convenient for schools, shops and other amenities.
Cllr Ap Rees said: “It is important to identify legal sites before we are faced with Travellers moving onto land without planning permission and creating new problems.
“We have a situation where some pitches are becoming overcrowded and we have a duty to the local community to respond.”
In North Somerset there are nearly 50 permanent Traveller pitches across multiple sites already.
These include Willowmead and the privately-owned Moorland Park in Hewish.
The monthly thousands-of-pounds-per-caravan payments mean councils can claim back extra money from the Government in return for clearing the way for sites.
Views sought over Travellers' site row - Berkshire
From the Royal Borough Observer
PETITIONERS have won a bid for a full consultation over the contentious issue of finding further sites for Travellers in the Royal Borough.
At a meeting of the Royal Borough cabinet on Wednesday councillors ruled that the proposals for the extension of two sites and the construction of one more be reconsidered in light of vociferous opposition.
Petitions against the plans had been submitted by the residents of Waltham St Lawrence, Horton and Wraysbury.
A motion was passed for officers of the Royal Borough to undertake further work to find other potential Travellers sites in the borough and for further consultation to be undertaken involving the residents in the wards affected.
The consultation results will be presented to the cabinet on Thursday, September 27.
Cllr David Evans, lead petitioner against the extension of the Waltham St Lawrence site, said: "We need to be transparent about why some sites have been ruled out and why others have not.
"I am quite optimistic that we are moving in the right direction and the Pool Lane site will be removed from the proposal."
The plan proposed extending the Travellers sites in Pool Lane, Waltham St Lawrence and Mill Place, Datchet, and constructing a new site in Pickins Piece, Horton, which are all in the Green Belt and on flood zone land.
Betty Marlow, lead petitioner for the Horton petition, said: "I am quite happy with the outcome as we are all singing from the same hymn sheet about the green belt."
Cllr Christine Bateson, lead member for planning and partnerships, said: "We wish to take further consultation and technical enquiries for the project. Cabinet needs more time to make an assessnent on the sites. We are aware of the strength of feeling on the issue."
PETITIONERS have won a bid for a full consultation over the contentious issue of finding further sites for Travellers in the Royal Borough.
At a meeting of the Royal Borough cabinet on Wednesday councillors ruled that the proposals for the extension of two sites and the construction of one more be reconsidered in light of vociferous opposition.
Petitions against the plans had been submitted by the residents of Waltham St Lawrence, Horton and Wraysbury.
A motion was passed for officers of the Royal Borough to undertake further work to find other potential Travellers sites in the borough and for further consultation to be undertaken involving the residents in the wards affected.
The consultation results will be presented to the cabinet on Thursday, September 27.
Cllr David Evans, lead petitioner against the extension of the Waltham St Lawrence site, said: "We need to be transparent about why some sites have been ruled out and why others have not.
"I am quite optimistic that we are moving in the right direction and the Pool Lane site will be removed from the proposal."
The plan proposed extending the Travellers sites in Pool Lane, Waltham St Lawrence and Mill Place, Datchet, and constructing a new site in Pickins Piece, Horton, which are all in the Green Belt and on flood zone land.
Betty Marlow, lead petitioner for the Horton petition, said: "I am quite happy with the outcome as we are all singing from the same hymn sheet about the green belt."
Cllr Christine Bateson, lead member for planning and partnerships, said: "We wish to take further consultation and technical enquiries for the project. Cabinet needs more time to make an assessnent on the sites. We are aware of the strength of feeling on the issue."
More Travellers move on to Oswestry site - Shropshire
From the Shropshire Star
More Travellers have set up camp on community football pitches near Oswestry.
About 35 Traveller families are now on Oswestry Boys’ and Girls’ Football Club’s pitches at Park Hall. Police have been informed and football club officials today said they hoped a notice would be served on the Travellers to vacate the area tonight.
Club chairman Neil Jones said residents had raised concerns with club officials when extra Travellers moved on to the site.
Mr Jones said: “We are hoping, because they have had that notice, that if they don’t move somebody will ask them to move.”
It is feared thousands of pounds of damage has been caused to some of the pitches.
The Travellers arrived at the Park Hall pitches when they found the site of their Christian Travellers’ event at Halston Hall, near Whittington, waterlogged.
West Mercia Police said it was aware the Travellers were there.
More Travellers have set up camp on community football pitches near Oswestry.
About 35 Traveller families are now on Oswestry Boys’ and Girls’ Football Club’s pitches at Park Hall. Police have been informed and football club officials today said they hoped a notice would be served on the Travellers to vacate the area tonight.
Club chairman Neil Jones said residents had raised concerns with club officials when extra Travellers moved on to the site.
Mr Jones said: “We are hoping, because they have had that notice, that if they don’t move somebody will ask them to move.”
It is feared thousands of pounds of damage has been caused to some of the pitches.
The Travellers arrived at the Park Hall pitches when they found the site of their Christian Travellers’ event at Halston Hall, near Whittington, waterlogged.
West Mercia Police said it was aware the Travellers were there.
Travellers return to Cofton Park - Birmingham
From karmadillo.co.uk
http://www.karmadillo.co.uk/b31/2012/06/travellers-return-to-cofton-park/
This morning, Travellers entered Cofton Park car park. Unable to enter the park due to new security measures put in place by local councillors last year, they broke into the green waste compound adjoining the car park and set up camp there.
Police officers, Councillor Andy Cartwright and parks manager Joe Hayden have visited the site. Police have given Travellers notice to leave the site within two hours.
Travellers made camp at Cofton Park last year and left a considerable mess. Following this and illegal encampments around the area (Frankley, Great Park, Egghill) efforts were made by Birmingham City Council to secure sites.
If you live in the area, please be vigilant to any movement and possible settlement by the Travellers. If you see them setting up encampments or trying to break through security on open spaces in the area, please contact Longbridge Police by calling 101.
—-
Last year, B31 Voices kept a timeline and map of the movement of Travellers in the area to help highlight the need to find a solution to illegal encampments as Northfield MP Richard Burden called for Birmingham City Council to look into establishing a second legal site for Travellers in Birmingham.
http://www.karmadillo.co.uk/b31/2012/06/travellers-return-to-cofton-park/
This morning, Travellers entered Cofton Park car park. Unable to enter the park due to new security measures put in place by local councillors last year, they broke into the green waste compound adjoining the car park and set up camp there.
Police officers, Councillor Andy Cartwright and parks manager Joe Hayden have visited the site. Police have given Travellers notice to leave the site within two hours.
Travellers made camp at Cofton Park last year and left a considerable mess. Following this and illegal encampments around the area (Frankley, Great Park, Egghill) efforts were made by Birmingham City Council to secure sites.
If you live in the area, please be vigilant to any movement and possible settlement by the Travellers. If you see them setting up encampments or trying to break through security on open spaces in the area, please contact Longbridge Police by calling 101.
—-
Last year, B31 Voices kept a timeline and map of the movement of Travellers in the area to help highlight the need to find a solution to illegal encampments as Northfield MP Richard Burden called for Birmingham City Council to look into establishing a second legal site for Travellers in Birmingham.
‘Keep Travellers off the green belt land’ - Dorset
From the Daily Echo
CONCERNED residents are stepping up their campaign to protect Bournemouth’s green belt land from three proposed Traveller sites.
A new petition has been signed by scores of Throop, Muscliff and Holdenhurst residents calling for the three Bournemouth green belt sites to be immediately deleted from a list of potential options for Traveller sites across Dorset.
Consultants Bakers Associates have carried out widespread consultation on a range of possible options, including green belt land near Erlin Farm on Muscliffe Lane, green belt land at Careys Road off Broadway Lane and green belt land on the edge of urban development at Throop Road, between Woodbury Avenue and the allotments.
But campaigners say this consultation was based on figures imposed by central Government over five years ago in the scrapped South West Regional Spatial Strategy and so is now out of date.
They also claim that recent guidance from the Government, which states that local councils can determine their own levels of need, should enable the council to remove all three contentious sites immediately.
Wendy Sharp, of the local area forum, said they felt their case was strengthened by the Government’s new planning policy for Traveller sites which states that ‘traveller sites (temporary or permanent) are inappropriate development’.
“The Forum is calling for the immediate scrapping of the three green belt sites and a full consultation,” she said.
Independent Cllr Ron Whittaker, who represents Throop and Muscliff, said: “We cannot allow these three green belt sites to remain when Bakers failed to undertake a proper and vigorous search.
“Erlin Farm is not in council ownership and the farm is worked, not, as indicated, ‘undeveloped’.”
Bournemouth council leader Cllr John Beesley said: “I fully understand the frustrations of Throop, Muscliff and Holdenhurst residents and would like to assure them that no decision has been made and that these sites are not endorsed by us as Council.
“We are awaiting the revised list of sites suggested by Bakers Associates following the extensive public consultation conducted with local residents on the proposed sites.”
He said a report from Bakers would be made available later in the year and councillors would then decide whether they support the proposals.
CONCERNED residents are stepping up their campaign to protect Bournemouth’s green belt land from three proposed Traveller sites.
A new petition has been signed by scores of Throop, Muscliff and Holdenhurst residents calling for the three Bournemouth green belt sites to be immediately deleted from a list of potential options for Traveller sites across Dorset.
Consultants Bakers Associates have carried out widespread consultation on a range of possible options, including green belt land near Erlin Farm on Muscliffe Lane, green belt land at Careys Road off Broadway Lane and green belt land on the edge of urban development at Throop Road, between Woodbury Avenue and the allotments.
But campaigners say this consultation was based on figures imposed by central Government over five years ago in the scrapped South West Regional Spatial Strategy and so is now out of date.
They also claim that recent guidance from the Government, which states that local councils can determine their own levels of need, should enable the council to remove all three contentious sites immediately.
Wendy Sharp, of the local area forum, said they felt their case was strengthened by the Government’s new planning policy for Traveller sites which states that ‘traveller sites (temporary or permanent) are inappropriate development’.
“The Forum is calling for the immediate scrapping of the three green belt sites and a full consultation,” she said.
Independent Cllr Ron Whittaker, who represents Throop and Muscliff, said: “We cannot allow these three green belt sites to remain when Bakers failed to undertake a proper and vigorous search.
“Erlin Farm is not in council ownership and the farm is worked, not, as indicated, ‘undeveloped’.”
Bournemouth council leader Cllr John Beesley said: “I fully understand the frustrations of Throop, Muscliff and Holdenhurst residents and would like to assure them that no decision has been made and that these sites are not endorsed by us as Council.
“We are awaiting the revised list of sites suggested by Bakers Associates following the extensive public consultation conducted with local residents on the proposed sites.”
He said a report from Bakers would be made available later in the year and councillors would then decide whether they support the proposals.
Fears for green belt land as Gypsies plan expansion - Kent
From the Tonbridge Courier
RESIDENTS and councillors have raised fears green belt land could be lost to a growing Gypsy site if an application for caravans in Hadlow is approved.
A cluster of four mobile homes and caravans already lies in Springfield Place, a small site behind The Harrow pub in Cemetery Lane.
Now planning permission is being sought for a mobile home and a touring caravan to permanently stay on land further up the road at Little Gobland Farm.
But the applicant, Terry Wilson, has already met with opposition from Hadlow Parish Council which said the development would encroach on Green Belt land.
Mr Wilson wants to change use of the agricultural land, which has already been mown, for the stationing of one mobile home and one touring caravan to allow the family to "return to their roots."
However, residents were keen to avoid an influx of Travellers.
Sonny Stoneley, of Sonny's Butchers, said: "As long as it's kept in check and there aren't any more than half a dozen caravans then I don't have any problems at all. At least they're going the right way about it and it's legal.
"The Wilsons are a very friendly family, they've lived in the village for years.
"But we don't want anything like what happened in Essex (with Dale Farm). There were hundreds of them (caravans) there."
Another neighbour, whom the Courier agreed not to name, said: "I remember when it used to just be a field there. It starts off small but it could expand.
"Why should they be allowed to live on green belt land if someone who wants to build a house there gets turned down?"
The Wilson family, who have lived in the village for more than 50 years, argued there was not enough land available for Travellers to live on.
The application stated: "We are aware that the site lies within the green belt. However, within the borough, it is important to note over 80 per cent of all land is designated as green belt.
"We are of the view therefore, that there is little land within the borough that could be classed as outside the green belt and be suitable for gypsy accommodation.
"A search of local authority sites indicates there are currently no available pitches and there appears to be little likelihood of one becoming available in the near future."
Mr Wilson's partner has had to live in a council home while the family await the planning decision, which goes against the Gypsy way of life.
The application adds: "It is essential they find a site locally that would enable them to carry out their Gypsy way of life and yet be within arm's reach of family members if they need them."
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council will decide whether to grant permission for the development by July 26.
RESIDENTS and councillors have raised fears green belt land could be lost to a growing Gypsy site if an application for caravans in Hadlow is approved.
A cluster of four mobile homes and caravans already lies in Springfield Place, a small site behind The Harrow pub in Cemetery Lane.
Now planning permission is being sought for a mobile home and a touring caravan to permanently stay on land further up the road at Little Gobland Farm.
But the applicant, Terry Wilson, has already met with opposition from Hadlow Parish Council which said the development would encroach on Green Belt land.
Mr Wilson wants to change use of the agricultural land, which has already been mown, for the stationing of one mobile home and one touring caravan to allow the family to "return to their roots."
However, residents were keen to avoid an influx of Travellers.
Sonny Stoneley, of Sonny's Butchers, said: "As long as it's kept in check and there aren't any more than half a dozen caravans then I don't have any problems at all. At least they're going the right way about it and it's legal.
"The Wilsons are a very friendly family, they've lived in the village for years.
"But we don't want anything like what happened in Essex (with Dale Farm). There were hundreds of them (caravans) there."
Another neighbour, whom the Courier agreed not to name, said: "I remember when it used to just be a field there. It starts off small but it could expand.
"Why should they be allowed to live on green belt land if someone who wants to build a house there gets turned down?"
The Wilson family, who have lived in the village for more than 50 years, argued there was not enough land available for Travellers to live on.
The application stated: "We are aware that the site lies within the green belt. However, within the borough, it is important to note over 80 per cent of all land is designated as green belt.
"We are of the view therefore, that there is little land within the borough that could be classed as outside the green belt and be suitable for gypsy accommodation.
"A search of local authority sites indicates there are currently no available pitches and there appears to be little likelihood of one becoming available in the near future."
Mr Wilson's partner has had to live in a council home while the family await the planning decision, which goes against the Gypsy way of life.
The application adds: "It is essential they find a site locally that would enable them to carry out their Gypsy way of life and yet be within arm's reach of family members if they need them."
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council will decide whether to grant permission for the development by July 26.
Friday, 29 June 2012
Travellers' site application sparks fears about Lichfield Canal restoration - Staffordshire
From Waterways World
The Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust has expressed fears that restoration of the Lichfield canal could be obstructed, after a family of Irish Travellers bought a field on the line of the canal just south of the M6 Toll motorway – and put in planning permission for a caravan site.
On 11th June local councillors rejected the application, saying it represented “inappropriate development … harmful to the openness and visual amenity of this green belt location.”
The field has already been cleared of vegetation by the family, and was to have been concreted over to provide standing areas for six mobile homes, two touring caravans, utility buildings and septic tanks. Other amenities, not mentioned in the application, would also have been required by law if permission had been granted.
The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust was among the objectors, since the land lies directly on the line of the canal at the south end of the Lichfield canal aqueduct, installed when the M6 Toll was built.
The site is also adjacent to where the famous ‘Staffordshire Hoard’ of Saxon treasures was discovered in 2009. If permission had been granted, there were also fears that it might prevent a future Mercian visitor centre being built - or further archaeology taking place.
In rejecting the application, little mention was made of the canal restoration. The canal restoration’s supporters now fear that a renewed bid could be made. If it were to get approval in the future, the applicants would be ‘sitting pretty’ on the land, and this could make restoration of the line up to Ogley Junction very problematic indeed.
The Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust has expressed fears that restoration of the Lichfield canal could be obstructed, after a family of Irish Travellers bought a field on the line of the canal just south of the M6 Toll motorway – and put in planning permission for a caravan site.
On 11th June local councillors rejected the application, saying it represented “inappropriate development … harmful to the openness and visual amenity of this green belt location.”
The field has already been cleared of vegetation by the family, and was to have been concreted over to provide standing areas for six mobile homes, two touring caravans, utility buildings and septic tanks. Other amenities, not mentioned in the application, would also have been required by law if permission had been granted.
The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust was among the objectors, since the land lies directly on the line of the canal at the south end of the Lichfield canal aqueduct, installed when the M6 Toll was built.
The site is also adjacent to where the famous ‘Staffordshire Hoard’ of Saxon treasures was discovered in 2009. If permission had been granted, there were also fears that it might prevent a future Mercian visitor centre being built - or further archaeology taking place.
In rejecting the application, little mention was made of the canal restoration. The canal restoration’s supporters now fear that a renewed bid could be made. If it were to get approval in the future, the applicants would be ‘sitting pretty’ on the land, and this could make restoration of the line up to Ogley Junction very problematic indeed.
Travellers ordered to leave - Nottingham
From dumbles.co.uk
A GROUP of Travellers who have set up camp at Lambley Lane Recreation Ground this week have been served with a court order to leave.
An ‘Order for Possession’ from Nottingham County Court dated today, 29 June 2012, has been attached to the gates of the playing field close to the Travellers’ camp. It orders ‘persons unknown’ to leave the property to the north west of Lambley Lane on or before 29 June 2012 (ie, also today).
A notice to the defendant included in the court order warns that failure to comply means that the claimant, Gedling Borough Council, can “ask the court, without further hearing, to authorise a bailiff or High Court Enforcement Officer to evict you”.
The Travellers appeared on the field this week, prompting one dumbles.co.uk reader to write to ask whether the gates had been forced open or left unlocked.
When visiting the site this afternoon to inspect the court notice, our reporter was challenged by three men in a Transit pick-up. They at first denied being part of the group camped on the land, and then asked if we had any trees that needed trimming, before driving into the camp.
A GROUP of Travellers who have set up camp at Lambley Lane Recreation Ground this week have been served with a court order to leave.
An ‘Order for Possession’ from Nottingham County Court dated today, 29 June 2012, has been attached to the gates of the playing field close to the Travellers’ camp. It orders ‘persons unknown’ to leave the property to the north west of Lambley Lane on or before 29 June 2012 (ie, also today).
A notice to the defendant included in the court order warns that failure to comply means that the claimant, Gedling Borough Council, can “ask the court, without further hearing, to authorise a bailiff or High Court Enforcement Officer to evict you”.
The Travellers appeared on the field this week, prompting one dumbles.co.uk reader to write to ask whether the gates had been forced open or left unlocked.
When visiting the site this afternoon to inspect the court notice, our reporter was challenged by three men in a Transit pick-up. They at first denied being part of the group camped on the land, and then asked if we had any trees that needed trimming, before driving into the camp.
Travellers move on to play area - Hampshire
From the News
TRAVELLERS have set up camp at a play area in Leigh Park.
An encampment of Travellers is currently at Bitterne Park, off Bitterne Close, which is close to Staunton Country Park.
There are currently four caravans and a number of vehicles.
The area is a green open space that is used by local children and families.
Havant Borough Council has visited the site and has started the process of repossession through legal proceedings.
A spokeswoman for the council said: ‘Until such time as we can reclaim the park land, Havant Borough Council will continue to work closely with Hampshire Constabulary to ensure that the proper procedures within the law are followed.’
TRAVELLERS have set up camp at a play area in Leigh Park.
An encampment of Travellers is currently at Bitterne Park, off Bitterne Close, which is close to Staunton Country Park.
There are currently four caravans and a number of vehicles.
The area is a green open space that is used by local children and families.
Havant Borough Council has visited the site and has started the process of repossession through legal proceedings.
A spokeswoman for the council said: ‘Until such time as we can reclaim the park land, Havant Borough Council will continue to work closely with Hampshire Constabulary to ensure that the proper procedures within the law are followed.’
Fight to keep Travellers out of Bournemouth beauty spots - Dorset
From the Daily Echo
SECURITY has been stepped up at North Bournemouth nature reserves after travellers tried to gain access to Kinson and Turbary Commons.
Earlier this month council officers foiled attempts to set up unauthorised encampments on both commons before travellers moved onto a field at Duck Lane, West Howe.
The group left piles of rubble and rubbish, along with a £4,000 clean-up bill, before cutting the locks and moving onto a field opposite Pelhams Park leisure centre last weekend.
The earliest date Bournemouth council can obtain an eviction order is Monday.
Gary Josey, the council’s service director for parks, confirmed that attempts had been made to gain access to Kinson and Turbary Commons on June 12 and June 13.
He added: “We understand the importance of guarding these sites and are taking measures to ensure they remain protected.
“Our officers were successful in protecting Kinson and Turbary Commons and they are monitoring all North Bournemouth nature reserve sites daily and undertaking works to improve and strengthen defences.”
Geoff Budden, chairman of the Friends of Kinson Common, has voiced fears that Bournemouth’s nature reserves are at risk from Traveller invasions. In a letter to council leader John Beesley he said: “We are very lucky to have ten local nature reserves and it now appears these sites are at great risk.
“Kinson and Turbary Commons are sites of special scientific interest and both have wetlands of international importance and grazing animals. Thanks to the vigilance of the public and council staff, attempts to gain entry to these special sites were unsuccessful.
“Imagine what could have happened had the ponies or cattle been released.”
Mr Budden called for a change in the law to ensure that Travellers picked up the bill for the damage they caused, adding: “I know that if I were to gain entry to a council property I would almost certainly be prosecuted.
“As a council taxpayer I am astounded that Travellers are seemingly above the law – a view widely shared.”
SECURITY has been stepped up at North Bournemouth nature reserves after travellers tried to gain access to Kinson and Turbary Commons.
Earlier this month council officers foiled attempts to set up unauthorised encampments on both commons before travellers moved onto a field at Duck Lane, West Howe.
The group left piles of rubble and rubbish, along with a £4,000 clean-up bill, before cutting the locks and moving onto a field opposite Pelhams Park leisure centre last weekend.
The earliest date Bournemouth council can obtain an eviction order is Monday.
Gary Josey, the council’s service director for parks, confirmed that attempts had been made to gain access to Kinson and Turbary Commons on June 12 and June 13.
He added: “We understand the importance of guarding these sites and are taking measures to ensure they remain protected.
“Our officers were successful in protecting Kinson and Turbary Commons and they are monitoring all North Bournemouth nature reserve sites daily and undertaking works to improve and strengthen defences.”
Geoff Budden, chairman of the Friends of Kinson Common, has voiced fears that Bournemouth’s nature reserves are at risk from Traveller invasions. In a letter to council leader John Beesley he said: “We are very lucky to have ten local nature reserves and it now appears these sites are at great risk.
“Kinson and Turbary Commons are sites of special scientific interest and both have wetlands of international importance and grazing animals. Thanks to the vigilance of the public and council staff, attempts to gain entry to these special sites were unsuccessful.
“Imagine what could have happened had the ponies or cattle been released.”
Mr Budden called for a change in the law to ensure that Travellers picked up the bill for the damage they caused, adding: “I know that if I were to gain entry to a council property I would almost certainly be prosecuted.
“As a council taxpayer I am astounded that Travellers are seemingly above the law – a view widely shared.”
Thursday, 28 June 2012
A silent revival The rise of Pentecostalism among English Gypsies
From the Economist
“MY PEOPLE were in spiritual darkness,” says Davey Jones, leader of the Life and Light church in Britain. “Now many of them are experiencing a personal relationship with God for the first time.” Sitting in his immaculate caravan, Mr Jones ticks off the Life and Light churches that have opened in the past few years, bringing the total to more than 30. At the end of next month the church will hold a meeting in a field near Doncaster. It is planning for 1,000 caravans and 5,000 people, although that could be an underestimate. The past few meetings of Pentecostal Gypsies have attracted many more people than either the church or local residents had bargained for.
Gypsies have been evangelised before. Victorian pastors tried to save them from a nomadic lifestyle that they considered depraved. Several Gypsy preachers emerged, including “Gipsy Smith”, a member of the Salvation Army. But the current revival began in continental Europe. Life and Light was founded in Brittany by Clement le Cossec, who converted Mr Jones. Although the church has more members in France, it is quickly gaining converts among the much smaller population of English Gypsies and, to a lesser extent, among Irish Travellers. According to an official count, there are fewer than 19,000 Gypsy and Traveller caravans in England.
In this section
Pentecostal religion is having a profound effect on Gypsy culture. Believers practise baptism by full immersion, speaking in tongues and divine healing. Mr Jones’s wife Nora comes from a family of fortune-tellers, but she no longer practises: the church frowns on such superstitions. Life and Light also scorns teenage marriage (common among Gypsies and Travellers) and stimulants such as alcohol. It emphasises Bible study, which means learning to read. “Proper Romanies just want to do business, so they have had no need for education,” explains Mr Jones.
Some fear a culture is being eroded. Ian Hancock, an expert on Europe’s Gypsies at the University of Texas, admires the way the church gives a voice to downtrodden folk. But he describes its prohibitions as a “gross cultural imposition”. Even Mr Jones moves gingerly at times. Earlier this month he was at Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria—Europe’s largest Gypsy gathering—but quietly. He wanted to establish a Christian presence at the fair, but avoid the appearance of fanaticism. “We must draw our people to us,” says the pastor.
“MY PEOPLE were in spiritual darkness,” says Davey Jones, leader of the Life and Light church in Britain. “Now many of them are experiencing a personal relationship with God for the first time.” Sitting in his immaculate caravan, Mr Jones ticks off the Life and Light churches that have opened in the past few years, bringing the total to more than 30. At the end of next month the church will hold a meeting in a field near Doncaster. It is planning for 1,000 caravans and 5,000 people, although that could be an underestimate. The past few meetings of Pentecostal Gypsies have attracted many more people than either the church or local residents had bargained for.
Gypsies have been evangelised before. Victorian pastors tried to save them from a nomadic lifestyle that they considered depraved. Several Gypsy preachers emerged, including “Gipsy Smith”, a member of the Salvation Army. But the current revival began in continental Europe. Life and Light was founded in Brittany by Clement le Cossec, who converted Mr Jones. Although the church has more members in France, it is quickly gaining converts among the much smaller population of English Gypsies and, to a lesser extent, among Irish Travellers. According to an official count, there are fewer than 19,000 Gypsy and Traveller caravans in England.
In this section
Pentecostal religion is having a profound effect on Gypsy culture. Believers practise baptism by full immersion, speaking in tongues and divine healing. Mr Jones’s wife Nora comes from a family of fortune-tellers, but she no longer practises: the church frowns on such superstitions. Life and Light also scorns teenage marriage (common among Gypsies and Travellers) and stimulants such as alcohol. It emphasises Bible study, which means learning to read. “Proper Romanies just want to do business, so they have had no need for education,” explains Mr Jones.
Some fear a culture is being eroded. Ian Hancock, an expert on Europe’s Gypsies at the University of Texas, admires the way the church gives a voice to downtrodden folk. But he describes its prohibitions as a “gross cultural imposition”. Even Mr Jones moves gingerly at times. Earlier this month he was at Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria—Europe’s largest Gypsy gathering—but quietly. He wanted to establish a Christian presence at the fair, but avoid the appearance of fanaticism. “We must draw our people to us,” says the pastor.
Travellers will need to quit common - London
From Wandsworth.gov.uk
A group of Travellers who set up camp on Tooting Common last night (Wednesday) are set to be served with formal legal notices later today giving them 24 hours to move on.
The Travellers will be told they must vacate the common or face prosecution and risk having their vehicles towed away.
Camping overnight on any part of Tooting Common, without prior authorisation from the council, is a criminal offence under parks and open spaces byelaws.
The council also has powers to physically remove any person, and their belongings, including vehicles, if they do not comply with the byelaws.
Environment spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: "Local people can rest assured that we will be arranging for this group's removal from the common as quickly as possible.
"This swift response should ensure this camp doesn't get any bigger and also minimise the risk of the common suffering any long lasting damage."
Residents who witness any incident involving travellers on council-owned land are being urged to contact the town hall's emergency response team on (020) 8871 6900. This is a 24 hour service. Occupations of other land should be reported immediately to the police.
The council provides an approved travellers site in Trewint Street, Earlsfield.
Before the group can be served with the notice to quit the common, the council is duty-bound by law to carry out welfare checks.
A group of Travellers who set up camp on Tooting Common last night (Wednesday) are set to be served with formal legal notices later today giving them 24 hours to move on.
The Travellers will be told they must vacate the common or face prosecution and risk having their vehicles towed away.
Camping overnight on any part of Tooting Common, without prior authorisation from the council, is a criminal offence under parks and open spaces byelaws.
The council also has powers to physically remove any person, and their belongings, including vehicles, if they do not comply with the byelaws.
Environment spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: "Local people can rest assured that we will be arranging for this group's removal from the common as quickly as possible.
"This swift response should ensure this camp doesn't get any bigger and also minimise the risk of the common suffering any long lasting damage."
Residents who witness any incident involving travellers on council-owned land are being urged to contact the town hall's emergency response team on (020) 8871 6900. This is a 24 hour service. Occupations of other land should be reported immediately to the police.
The council provides an approved travellers site in Trewint Street, Earlsfield.
Before the group can be served with the notice to quit the common, the council is duty-bound by law to carry out welfare checks.
Travellers to be evicted
From the Batsley and Birstall News
TRAVELLERS camped on Carter’s Fields are set to be evicted tomorrow (Friday).
Coun Shabir Pandor (Lab, Batley West) told Tuesday’s Area Committee meeting that County Court bailiffs were on stand-by to evict the Travellers at 11am, with a towing firm also lined up to move the caravans if necessary.
Kirklees Council got a special court order for the council-owned fields, off North Bank Road, Carlinghow, on Monday.
Around six or seven caravans moved onto the top field on Sunday June 17, sparking complaints from nearby residents.
Carlinghow and Cross Bank Neighbourhood Watch vice-chair Patricia Crisp told Tuesday’s meeting that she had been flooded with complaints about rubbish on the site, dog and horse excrement and men ‘using the field as a toilet’ and even exposing themselves.
She said: “The field is damaged due to four-by-four cars driving all over the place and horses and dogs racing around.”
Mrs Crisp said she was concerned the fields would not be repaired in time for the upcoming football season, which begins in August.
“Rate-payers will have to pay for all the damage done because the Travellers won’t,” she said.
Coun Pandor said the fields would be cleared before the football season and that the eviction notice, which was delivered to the Travellers yesterday (Wednesday), will ensure they cannot return to Carter’s Fields for 12 months.
“We are taking it very, very seriously,” he said.
“The priority for us is that when they are moved off, within the legal process, the football field will be restored.”
Traveller Kathleen McGinley told the News there was no rubbish on the fields and said the grass would soon grow back over the tyre tracks.
Last week the council said the eviction could be delayed because one of the travellers was due to give birth. But yesterday a council spokesman said unless they were advised that the woman couldn’t be moved on medical grounds, the eviction would go ahead as planned.
TRAVELLERS camped on Carter’s Fields are set to be evicted tomorrow (Friday).
Coun Shabir Pandor (Lab, Batley West) told Tuesday’s Area Committee meeting that County Court bailiffs were on stand-by to evict the Travellers at 11am, with a towing firm also lined up to move the caravans if necessary.
Kirklees Council got a special court order for the council-owned fields, off North Bank Road, Carlinghow, on Monday.
Around six or seven caravans moved onto the top field on Sunday June 17, sparking complaints from nearby residents.
Carlinghow and Cross Bank Neighbourhood Watch vice-chair Patricia Crisp told Tuesday’s meeting that she had been flooded with complaints about rubbish on the site, dog and horse excrement and men ‘using the field as a toilet’ and even exposing themselves.
She said: “The field is damaged due to four-by-four cars driving all over the place and horses and dogs racing around.”
Mrs Crisp said she was concerned the fields would not be repaired in time for the upcoming football season, which begins in August.
“Rate-payers will have to pay for all the damage done because the Travellers won’t,” she said.
Coun Pandor said the fields would be cleared before the football season and that the eviction notice, which was delivered to the Travellers yesterday (Wednesday), will ensure they cannot return to Carter’s Fields for 12 months.
“We are taking it very, very seriously,” he said.
“The priority for us is that when they are moved off, within the legal process, the football field will be restored.”
Traveller Kathleen McGinley told the News there was no rubbish on the fields and said the grass would soon grow back over the tyre tracks.
Last week the council said the eviction could be delayed because one of the travellers was due to give birth. But yesterday a council spokesman said unless they were advised that the woman couldn’t be moved on medical grounds, the eviction would go ahead as planned.
Football event called off due to Travellers - Shropshire
From the Shropshire Star
A group of Travellers today remained on community football pitches near Oswestry – forcing the postponement of a five-a-side soccer festival which was due to be staged this weekend.
About 20 Traveller families drove their caravans on to Oswestry Boys’ and Girls’ Football Club’s pitches at Park Hall on Saturday.
Club bosses had hoped the families would leave yesterday but have now been told the Travellers would be staying until tomorrow.
Chairman Neil Jones said the club had reluctantly decided to postpone this weekend’s five-a-side festival. He warned the club may have to look at options on how to remove them if the families remained on site.
The Travellers arrived at the Park Hall pitches at the weekend when they found the site of their Christian Travellers’ event at Halston Hall, near Whittington, waterlogged.
Club bosses fear thousands of pounds of damage may have already been caused to some of the pitches because some of the families had driven their vehicles across the pitch.
Mr Jones said: “We don’t feel we can run the festival this weekend because of the travellers being at the site.
“It will take place the following weekend and we are contacting players now to tell them. We have seven pitches and four, maybe five, have been so churned up.
“We are run by volunteers who all work very hard for the club.
“Hopefully the Travellers will leave and we can get on with repairing the pitches.”
A group of Travellers today remained on community football pitches near Oswestry – forcing the postponement of a five-a-side soccer festival which was due to be staged this weekend.
About 20 Traveller families drove their caravans on to Oswestry Boys’ and Girls’ Football Club’s pitches at Park Hall on Saturday.
Club bosses had hoped the families would leave yesterday but have now been told the Travellers would be staying until tomorrow.
Chairman Neil Jones said the club had reluctantly decided to postpone this weekend’s five-a-side festival. He warned the club may have to look at options on how to remove them if the families remained on site.
The Travellers arrived at the Park Hall pitches at the weekend when they found the site of their Christian Travellers’ event at Halston Hall, near Whittington, waterlogged.
Club bosses fear thousands of pounds of damage may have already been caused to some of the pitches because some of the families had driven their vehicles across the pitch.
Mr Jones said: “We don’t feel we can run the festival this weekend because of the travellers being at the site.
“It will take place the following weekend and we are contacting players now to tell them. We have seven pitches and four, maybe five, have been so churned up.
“We are run by volunteers who all work very hard for the club.
“Hopefully the Travellers will leave and we can get on with repairing the pitches.”
Update on Travellers in Lancing and Worthing - Sussex
From the Worthing Herald
COUNCIL officers attended court this morning (June 28) to remove Travellers from Beach Green.
Adur District Council officers attended Worthing County Court and obtained an Order for Possession.
Travellers will now have 24 hours from the date of the order being made to pack up and leave the site.
If they fail to leave the site a warrant will need to be gained from the court bailiff to evict the Travellers from the land.
At Hill Barn Lane Recreation Ground, also known as the Rotary ground, the council has an Adur Watch vehicle monitoring the area from a “safe distance”.
Council workers have also been sent to Bost Hill, near The Gallops, to monitor Travellers there.
COUNCIL officers attended court this morning (June 28) to remove Travellers from Beach Green.
Adur District Council officers attended Worthing County Court and obtained an Order for Possession.
Travellers will now have 24 hours from the date of the order being made to pack up and leave the site.
If they fail to leave the site a warrant will need to be gained from the court bailiff to evict the Travellers from the land.
At Hill Barn Lane Recreation Ground, also known as the Rotary ground, the council has an Adur Watch vehicle monitoring the area from a “safe distance”.
Council workers have also been sent to Bost Hill, near The Gallops, to monitor Travellers there.
Travellers set up camp on recreation area
From the Brighouse Echo
A GROUP of Travellers has moved onto a recreation area at Bramston Street, Rastrick.
Police are working with Calderdale Council to ensure that the Travellers leave the site as soon as possible. Seven caravans moved onto the grassed area at Bramston Street on Monday to the consternation of local residents.
Undertaker Gavin Screen, who has a funeral chapel near the site, said he was concerned about the presence of the Travellers and wanted action taken to stop them returning to the site.
Sgt Dean Maddocks from the Lower Valley NPT said the Travellers had told police that they would be moving on in a few days time.
“I have asked them to be considerate to other people in the community and keep their children and dogs under control. I have also advised them to keep the area tidy. In the meantime we will be conducting regular patrols in the area,” he said.
Philip Schofield from the Parks Services at Calderdale Council and local councillors are also monitoring the situation.
A GROUP of Travellers has moved onto a recreation area at Bramston Street, Rastrick.
Police are working with Calderdale Council to ensure that the Travellers leave the site as soon as possible. Seven caravans moved onto the grassed area at Bramston Street on Monday to the consternation of local residents.
Undertaker Gavin Screen, who has a funeral chapel near the site, said he was concerned about the presence of the Travellers and wanted action taken to stop them returning to the site.
Sgt Dean Maddocks from the Lower Valley NPT said the Travellers had told police that they would be moving on in a few days time.
“I have asked them to be considerate to other people in the community and keep their children and dogs under control. I have also advised them to keep the area tidy. In the meantime we will be conducting regular patrols in the area,” he said.
Philip Schofield from the Parks Services at Calderdale Council and local councillors are also monitoring the situation.
Council urges Travellers to come forward with information on Dale Farm fly-tippers - Essex
From Basildon Council
Basildon Council is calling on both local residents and the Traveller community at Oak Lane to work with them to help tackle the fly-tipping issue at the former Dale Farm site in Crays Hill.
Local authorities do not have a duty to remove rubbish from private land and limited powers to deal with fly-tipping on private land, Basildon Council’s leader, Cllr Tony Ball is urging local residents of the area, including the travelling community living at Oak Lane, to come forward with any information that may help to identify those fly-tipping.
Cllr Tony Ball, Leader of the Council, says:
“I share the frustrations and anger expressed by local residents at the fly-tipping that has taken place at the former Dale Farm Traveller site. Somebody is responsible for doing this and I would appeal to all people living locally to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. There is now a significant amount of debris accumulating and has become an eyesore.
"The people best placed to catch those responsible are of course those living in the immediate vicinity. Fly tipping is a criminal activity so I would appeal to local people to remain vigilant and let the authorities have any information that might be useful. Registration numbers of vehicles used for dumping are particularly useful when tracking the culprits down so I would ask all local people to keep their eyes and ears open and report anything they see.
"Ultimately local authorities only have the powers to tackle fly tipping on public land and this incident is on private land, so is therefore the responsibility of the landowners. I would urge the Travellers who own the land to take responsibility for this issue. If they are witnessing fly-tipping, or they know who is doing this, then they should report as much information as they have to the authorities, as fly-tipping is a criminal offence.
"This is an example of how the Council cannot do everything for local people - but if the Travellers living at Oak Lane wish to cooperate with us then we have a much better chance of solving the problem together.
“In the meantime we have stated all along that the Council intends to return the area to a site that is in keeping with its greenbelt status and is committed to recovering the costs of the original operation in 2011. However, there is a due process to be followed, and whilst this is frustrating and takes time, it is a process that we must follow.”
If you witness fly-tipping, at Oak Lane or anywhere across the borough, you can call the council’s street care team on 01268 294949 who will look into the incident.
Basildon Council is calling on both local residents and the Traveller community at Oak Lane to work with them to help tackle the fly-tipping issue at the former Dale Farm site in Crays Hill.
Local authorities do not have a duty to remove rubbish from private land and limited powers to deal with fly-tipping on private land, Basildon Council’s leader, Cllr Tony Ball is urging local residents of the area, including the travelling community living at Oak Lane, to come forward with any information that may help to identify those fly-tipping.
Cllr Tony Ball, Leader of the Council, says:
“I share the frustrations and anger expressed by local residents at the fly-tipping that has taken place at the former Dale Farm Traveller site. Somebody is responsible for doing this and I would appeal to all people living locally to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. There is now a significant amount of debris accumulating and has become an eyesore.
"The people best placed to catch those responsible are of course those living in the immediate vicinity. Fly tipping is a criminal activity so I would appeal to local people to remain vigilant and let the authorities have any information that might be useful. Registration numbers of vehicles used for dumping are particularly useful when tracking the culprits down so I would ask all local people to keep their eyes and ears open and report anything they see.
"Ultimately local authorities only have the powers to tackle fly tipping on public land and this incident is on private land, so is therefore the responsibility of the landowners. I would urge the Travellers who own the land to take responsibility for this issue. If they are witnessing fly-tipping, or they know who is doing this, then they should report as much information as they have to the authorities, as fly-tipping is a criminal offence.
"This is an example of how the Council cannot do everything for local people - but if the Travellers living at Oak Lane wish to cooperate with us then we have a much better chance of solving the problem together.
“In the meantime we have stated all along that the Council intends to return the area to a site that is in keeping with its greenbelt status and is committed to recovering the costs of the original operation in 2011. However, there is a due process to be followed, and whilst this is frustrating and takes time, it is a process that we must follow.”
If you witness fly-tipping, at Oak Lane or anywhere across the borough, you can call the council’s street care team on 01268 294949 who will look into the incident.
Travellers set up camp on football pitches - Hampshire
From Get Hampshire
AN unauthorised Travellers’ camp was set up on the edge of Farnborough this week.
Fifteen caravans appeared in the car park off the Kennels Lane football pitches, home of Fleet Spurs FC, on the very brink of the Rushmoor and Hart border.
Bollards were allegedly damaged to get onto the site and the Travellers were threatened with facing court action if they did not leave by yesterday (Thursday), 48 hours after the date of the served notice.
As the News & Mail went to press, 11 of the caravans had left.
This car park falls just inside the Rushmoor borough but is actually controlled by Hart District Council. Nonetheless, Rushmoor Borough Council knew of the problem.
Ashley Sharpe, principal contracts manager at the council, said: “We were aware of some Travellers. The car park is one of their favourite locations.
“That is one of their regular locations, it is probably in the top four or five locations in the area that they go to – I am not surprised that they were there.”
Mr Sharpe described the Travellers as a real ‘inconvenience’, and said they can often leave the areas they stay in an unacceptable state.
“Sometimes you are left with a lot of debris on the site,” he said.
“There is always a mattress and green waste, as a lot of these guys cut down trees.
“There are bags of rubbish and human waste unfortunately. A bit like a fly-tip really.”
There was also earlier reports of Travellers pitching up at Farnborough Airport.
However, a spokesman for TAG Farnborough Airport said there were no Travellers at all on any airport land.
Yateley also saw unauthorised traveller camps set up over the last week, with caravans appearing in car parks and playing fields.
Since Wednesday last week more than 20 caravans have appeared on private land, and Hart District Council served a direction to quit notice relating to three sites.
In one instance a Gypsy family returned to Blackwater Station approach car park with two caravans. Two days later they were served with a direction to quit notice and left the car park.
Four more caravans were spotted on the back of the Monteagle playing fields off Monteagle Lane, in Yateley, and as of Wednesday they were still there.
On Tuesday night a bonfire was started on the site, which police were said to be currently investigating.
Councillor Myra Billings, from Yateley Town Council, said: “We have Travellers camping on the back of the Monteagle playing fields, I’m not sure how they got onto the land but residents are not too happy.”
Don Bowning, from the housing department at Hart District Council, put the spate of new camps down to being ‘the time of year’.
AN unauthorised Travellers’ camp was set up on the edge of Farnborough this week.
Fifteen caravans appeared in the car park off the Kennels Lane football pitches, home of Fleet Spurs FC, on the very brink of the Rushmoor and Hart border.
Bollards were allegedly damaged to get onto the site and the Travellers were threatened with facing court action if they did not leave by yesterday (Thursday), 48 hours after the date of the served notice.
As the News & Mail went to press, 11 of the caravans had left.
This car park falls just inside the Rushmoor borough but is actually controlled by Hart District Council. Nonetheless, Rushmoor Borough Council knew of the problem.
Ashley Sharpe, principal contracts manager at the council, said: “We were aware of some Travellers. The car park is one of their favourite locations.
“That is one of their regular locations, it is probably in the top four or five locations in the area that they go to – I am not surprised that they were there.”
Mr Sharpe described the Travellers as a real ‘inconvenience’, and said they can often leave the areas they stay in an unacceptable state.
“Sometimes you are left with a lot of debris on the site,” he said.
“There is always a mattress and green waste, as a lot of these guys cut down trees.
“There are bags of rubbish and human waste unfortunately. A bit like a fly-tip really.”
There was also earlier reports of Travellers pitching up at Farnborough Airport.
However, a spokesman for TAG Farnborough Airport said there were no Travellers at all on any airport land.
Yateley also saw unauthorised traveller camps set up over the last week, with caravans appearing in car parks and playing fields.
Since Wednesday last week more than 20 caravans have appeared on private land, and Hart District Council served a direction to quit notice relating to three sites.
In one instance a Gypsy family returned to Blackwater Station approach car park with two caravans. Two days later they were served with a direction to quit notice and left the car park.
Four more caravans were spotted on the back of the Monteagle playing fields off Monteagle Lane, in Yateley, and as of Wednesday they were still there.
On Tuesday night a bonfire was started on the site, which police were said to be currently investigating.
Councillor Myra Billings, from Yateley Town Council, said: “We have Travellers camping on the back of the Monteagle playing fields, I’m not sure how they got onto the land but residents are not too happy.”
Don Bowning, from the housing department at Hart District Council, put the spate of new camps down to being ‘the time of year’.
Controversial Old St Mellons Gypsy site plans withdrawn - Cardiff
From Wales Online
Controversial plans to build a Gypsy and Traveller camp on Wales’ most expensive street have been withdrawn.
Proposals were submitted to Cardiff Council for five Gypsy and Traveller caravan pitches on a swathe of countryside-designated land on Druidstone Road.
With an average house price of £685,000, the single-lane road was last year ranked the most expensive place to live in Wales and is home to some of the nation’s most prominent business executives.
Objectors to the proposals included businessman Sir Stanley Thomas, former Cardiff Blues chief executive Robert Norster, and Andrew Howell, managing director of Cardiff-based survival gear specialists BCB International Ltd.
But yesterday it emerged the applicants for the Gypsy and Traveller plot development had withdrawn their plans.
Residents expressed their relief at the decision.
A 46-year-old homeowner, who did not want to be named, said: “Obviously, everyone is going to be pleased that it has been withdrawn, but to me it’s criminal because it has devalued our homes. Our village has been tarnished.”
The site on Druidstone Road is owned by Michael Evans, but his architect, Keith Chichester, had previously said his client was “not party” to the Gypsy camp planning application.
The application was submitted by Mr L Callaghan, of Wentloog, Cardiff. Attempts to contact Mr Callaghan have been unsuccessful. Mr Callaghan’s application stated he wanted to create one static Gypsy pitch for his family and four touring gypsy pitches with individual purpose-built amenity blocks.
The current Cardiff development plan does not identify any sites to accommodate established demand for extra Gypsy and Traveller pitches, the application added. The site was “intended to meet in part the established requirement of Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the Cardiff area”.
More than 40 objections were submitted, including from local Conservative councillor Dianne Rees and Labour councillor Georgina Phillips.
Estate agent Kelvin Francis has three properties for sale on Druidstone Road, with prices ranging between £650,000 and £700,000. Director Tony Filice said:
“I think it’s an appropriate action because, with regard to an application for a Gypsy camp, there would be more suitable areas.”
He added: “When a person purchases a property, they will always look at neighbours. We are not critical of Gypsy camps, but they would influence individuals.”
The applicant and the owner of the site could not be reached for comment last night.
Controversial plans to build a Gypsy and Traveller camp on Wales’ most expensive street have been withdrawn.
Proposals were submitted to Cardiff Council for five Gypsy and Traveller caravan pitches on a swathe of countryside-designated land on Druidstone Road.
With an average house price of £685,000, the single-lane road was last year ranked the most expensive place to live in Wales and is home to some of the nation’s most prominent business executives.
Objectors to the proposals included businessman Sir Stanley Thomas, former Cardiff Blues chief executive Robert Norster, and Andrew Howell, managing director of Cardiff-based survival gear specialists BCB International Ltd.
But yesterday it emerged the applicants for the Gypsy and Traveller plot development had withdrawn their plans.
Residents expressed their relief at the decision.
A 46-year-old homeowner, who did not want to be named, said: “Obviously, everyone is going to be pleased that it has been withdrawn, but to me it’s criminal because it has devalued our homes. Our village has been tarnished.”
The site on Druidstone Road is owned by Michael Evans, but his architect, Keith Chichester, had previously said his client was “not party” to the Gypsy camp planning application.
The application was submitted by Mr L Callaghan, of Wentloog, Cardiff. Attempts to contact Mr Callaghan have been unsuccessful. Mr Callaghan’s application stated he wanted to create one static Gypsy pitch for his family and four touring gypsy pitches with individual purpose-built amenity blocks.
The current Cardiff development plan does not identify any sites to accommodate established demand for extra Gypsy and Traveller pitches, the application added. The site was “intended to meet in part the established requirement of Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the Cardiff area”.
More than 40 objections were submitted, including from local Conservative councillor Dianne Rees and Labour councillor Georgina Phillips.
Estate agent Kelvin Francis has three properties for sale on Druidstone Road, with prices ranging between £650,000 and £700,000. Director Tony Filice said:
“I think it’s an appropriate action because, with regard to an application for a Gypsy camp, there would be more suitable areas.”
He added: “When a person purchases a property, they will always look at neighbours. We are not critical of Gypsy camps, but they would influence individuals.”
The applicant and the owner of the site could not be reached for comment last night.
Council plan for 16 more Gypsy pitches to cost taxpayer £1.4m - Yorkshire
From the Yorkshire Post
HOUSING bosses who are struggling to meet Government targets on the provision of Gypsy sites have drawn up plans to spend £1.4m which will create 16 extra pitches for caravans.
Each new pitch will cost the taxpayer £90,000 with the work publicly funded through a grant from the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency.
Last year, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) issued new guidance on accommodation for travellers, which forces councils to have a five-year “supply” of sites.
But a study carried out in Doncaster, which has a higher than average population of Gypsies and Travellers, has found an immediate need for 15 pitches and a projected requirement of 34 more by 2017.
Doncaster Council also estimates it will need to allocate land for 113 families of “travelling Showpeople”, with its new strategy suggesting that private sites be encouraged.
The council’s Gypsy and Travellers Review Document says a new assessment carried out under Government rules had identified the current “unmet need” and the future requirements.
It is proposed that the £1.4m is spent as soon as possible to provide the pitches required immediately, while a longer-term plan is drawn up to ensure that Westminster rules are followed.
All of the 16 new pitches will be provided in Thorne, to the north east of Doncaster, with 10 provided at a former site which has been vandalised and six on an existing site which will be extended.
The strategy will be examined by Doncaster Council’s Regeneration and Environment Overview Panel tomorrow, before final approval is sought from Mayor Peter Davies and his cabinet nexy week.
The document says Doncaster’s Gypsies and Travellers make up a relatively large proportion of the population with estimates in the region of 4,000 to 6,000, around two per cent of the population.
“Current provision in Doncaster comprises four council-run sites with 49 pitches, 61 private sites with 273 pitches and 11 Showmen’s sites.”
Officers say the grant from the HCA has not yet been finalised, but add that the council is “meeting regularly” with the agency in a bid to ensure the project can go ahead.
Planning permission will be required at both of the Thorne sites before work can commence on building the pitches and their associated “utility blocks”.
The authority recognises that meeting the requirement for pitches over the next five years is a bigger challenge with suitable sites difficult to come by.
A recent controversy centred on a site in Moss Croft Lane, Hatfield Woodhouse, between Doncaster and Thorne, which a private operator wants to turn into a site for travelling Showman.
Residents have repeatedly campaigned against it with decisions on its development deferred on several occasions. It is expected back before the planning committee shortly.
The strategy document says: “Council officers have met and consulted with representatives for the Yorkshire region of the Showman’s Guild.
“We have met to discuss how we can work with the guild on facilitating access to grants from the HCA for them to bid on.
“The council has and will continue to work closely with the travelling community to identify suitable private land that could be made the subject of planning applications.
“The travelling community have so far struggled to find land that is available and affordable and suitable but the council’s core strategy, which has now been adopted identifies broad locations where new and extended sites could be acceptable in principle.
“Planning officers are currently preparing a development document that identifies land for a range of uses. this will include identifying the sites and approaches for unmet need.”
HOUSING bosses who are struggling to meet Government targets on the provision of Gypsy sites have drawn up plans to spend £1.4m which will create 16 extra pitches for caravans.
Each new pitch will cost the taxpayer £90,000 with the work publicly funded through a grant from the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency.
Last year, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) issued new guidance on accommodation for travellers, which forces councils to have a five-year “supply” of sites.
But a study carried out in Doncaster, which has a higher than average population of Gypsies and Travellers, has found an immediate need for 15 pitches and a projected requirement of 34 more by 2017.
Doncaster Council also estimates it will need to allocate land for 113 families of “travelling Showpeople”, with its new strategy suggesting that private sites be encouraged.
The council’s Gypsy and Travellers Review Document says a new assessment carried out under Government rules had identified the current “unmet need” and the future requirements.
It is proposed that the £1.4m is spent as soon as possible to provide the pitches required immediately, while a longer-term plan is drawn up to ensure that Westminster rules are followed.
All of the 16 new pitches will be provided in Thorne, to the north east of Doncaster, with 10 provided at a former site which has been vandalised and six on an existing site which will be extended.
The strategy will be examined by Doncaster Council’s Regeneration and Environment Overview Panel tomorrow, before final approval is sought from Mayor Peter Davies and his cabinet nexy week.
The document says Doncaster’s Gypsies and Travellers make up a relatively large proportion of the population with estimates in the region of 4,000 to 6,000, around two per cent of the population.
“Current provision in Doncaster comprises four council-run sites with 49 pitches, 61 private sites with 273 pitches and 11 Showmen’s sites.”
Officers say the grant from the HCA has not yet been finalised, but add that the council is “meeting regularly” with the agency in a bid to ensure the project can go ahead.
Planning permission will be required at both of the Thorne sites before work can commence on building the pitches and their associated “utility blocks”.
The authority recognises that meeting the requirement for pitches over the next five years is a bigger challenge with suitable sites difficult to come by.
A recent controversy centred on a site in Moss Croft Lane, Hatfield Woodhouse, between Doncaster and Thorne, which a private operator wants to turn into a site for travelling Showman.
Residents have repeatedly campaigned against it with decisions on its development deferred on several occasions. It is expected back before the planning committee shortly.
The strategy document says: “Council officers have met and consulted with representatives for the Yorkshire region of the Showman’s Guild.
“We have met to discuss how we can work with the guild on facilitating access to grants from the HCA for them to bid on.
“The council has and will continue to work closely with the travelling community to identify suitable private land that could be made the subject of planning applications.
“The travelling community have so far struggled to find land that is available and affordable and suitable but the council’s core strategy, which has now been adopted identifies broad locations where new and extended sites could be acceptable in principle.
“Planning officers are currently preparing a development document that identifies land for a range of uses. this will include identifying the sites and approaches for unmet need.”
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Local Little Gaddesden Gypsies hit back at council after ‘Dale Farm’ slur - Hertfordshire
From Hemel Today
GYPSIES have said it is an ‘insult’ to be compared to Dale Farm for putting in a planning application for two extra caravans at their site.
Valley View – between Hudnall Lane and Hemel Hempstead Road – only has permission for one, that is lived in by a family of five.
Charlton Webb, from the family, said: “We are the only Travellers in the country that own a caravan site that’s only allowed one caravan on it.”
The application for extra caravans there has support from 59 people – and just 17 against it.
But that didn’t stop Little Gaddesden Parish Council last week comparing it to Dale Farm.
Mr Webb said: “If you have a look at Dale Farm, it was absolutely disgusting, but we have lived here for 17 years. We are part of the community and our kids go to school in the area.
“It sounds like we have just pulled up next to Ashridge House and spread rubbish everywhere.
“We have not bullied our way in here or barricaded ourselves in or anything like that. We are all taxpayers.
“We live here peacefully. There has never been a problem. The police have never been called to the address and to be called Dale Farm is an insult.”
“We are just very quiet, easy-going people. We just want to raise our family and live our lives in peace.”
GYPSIES have said it is an ‘insult’ to be compared to Dale Farm for putting in a planning application for two extra caravans at their site.
Valley View – between Hudnall Lane and Hemel Hempstead Road – only has permission for one, that is lived in by a family of five.
Charlton Webb, from the family, said: “We are the only Travellers in the country that own a caravan site that’s only allowed one caravan on it.”
The application for extra caravans there has support from 59 people – and just 17 against it.
But that didn’t stop Little Gaddesden Parish Council last week comparing it to Dale Farm.
Mr Webb said: “If you have a look at Dale Farm, it was absolutely disgusting, but we have lived here for 17 years. We are part of the community and our kids go to school in the area.
“It sounds like we have just pulled up next to Ashridge House and spread rubbish everywhere.
“We have not bullied our way in here or barricaded ourselves in or anything like that. We are all taxpayers.
“We live here peacefully. There has never been a problem. The police have never been called to the address and to be called Dale Farm is an insult.”
“We are just very quiet, easy-going people. We just want to raise our family and live our lives in peace.”
Latest Traveller information from Adur and Worthing councils - Sussex
From the Worthing Herald
ADUR and Worthing councils have today (Wednesday, June 27) released an update on the presence of Travellers in the borough and district.
A council spokeswoman said: “Adur and Worthing councils and Sussex Police are continuing to work in partnership to deal with the Traveller incursions at Beach Green, Lancing, Findon Gallops, and Hill Barn, Worthing.
“In the case of Beach Green a hearing for possession of the land is listed at Worthing County Court for 10am on Thursday June 28.
“With regard to the sites in Worthing, following the unauthorised encampments on its land the council has promptly commenced legal proceedings for possession of the sites.
“Subject to court availability it is expected that a court hearing for both sites will take place early next week.
“Sussex Police held a street briefing with residents at the Findon Gallops and have attended the Hill Barn site regularly during the week and a street briefing for local residents is planned to take place at Hill Barn.”
The council will be posting updates online at www.worthing.gov.uk and www.adur.gov.uk.
Lancing Parish Council also posts information on travellers on its land www.lancingparishcouncil.gov.uk.
Sussex Police posts advice on encampments on unauthorised land at www.sussex.police.uk/advice-and-support/gypsies-travellers.
ADUR and Worthing councils have today (Wednesday, June 27) released an update on the presence of Travellers in the borough and district.
A council spokeswoman said: “Adur and Worthing councils and Sussex Police are continuing to work in partnership to deal with the Traveller incursions at Beach Green, Lancing, Findon Gallops, and Hill Barn, Worthing.
“In the case of Beach Green a hearing for possession of the land is listed at Worthing County Court for 10am on Thursday June 28.
“With regard to the sites in Worthing, following the unauthorised encampments on its land the council has promptly commenced legal proceedings for possession of the sites.
“Subject to court availability it is expected that a court hearing for both sites will take place early next week.
“Sussex Police held a street briefing with residents at the Findon Gallops and have attended the Hill Barn site regularly during the week and a street briefing for local residents is planned to take place at Hill Barn.”
The council will be posting updates online at www.worthing.gov.uk and www.adur.gov.uk.
Lancing Parish Council also posts information on travellers on its land www.lancingparishcouncil.gov.uk.
Sussex Police posts advice on encampments on unauthorised land at www.sussex.police.uk/advice-and-support/gypsies-travellers.
Residents oppose plans plans for Travellers' pitches on Green Acres, Oxhey Lane - Watford
From the Watford Observer
Residents in Carpenders Park said "the whole area will be changed for the worse forever" if planning permission for a Travellers' pitch on Green Belt land was granted.
The application, for Green Acres, Oxhey Lane, would see the land changed from horse keeping and stables to a residential caravan site for six families, each with two caravans.
The stable, which is currently at the rear of the lane and screened by a fence and hedge, would be converted into six day rooms, each with bathroom facilities.
In the plans, the application said Three Rivers District Council intended to provide 15 pitches between 2006-2011, and has only provided 12, and aims to add another 12 by 2021.
One neighbour, from Carpenders Avenue, said: "This application must be denied. We already have travellers on Oxhey Lane.
"This is Green Belt land and this is not in keeping with that remit. There will be a huge negative response to this application and I hope this will be enough to stop this proposal."
Another, in Greenfield Avenue, said: "We object to this development on the grounds that this change of use from open fields farmland will spoil the natural face of the area.
"Six families in 12 caravans? We know it will not stop at this. This application must be refused on the grounds the whole area will be changed for the worse forever."
Residents in Carpenders Park said "the whole area will be changed for the worse forever" if planning permission for a Travellers' pitch on Green Belt land was granted.
The application, for Green Acres, Oxhey Lane, would see the land changed from horse keeping and stables to a residential caravan site for six families, each with two caravans.
The stable, which is currently at the rear of the lane and screened by a fence and hedge, would be converted into six day rooms, each with bathroom facilities.
In the plans, the application said Three Rivers District Council intended to provide 15 pitches between 2006-2011, and has only provided 12, and aims to add another 12 by 2021.
One neighbour, from Carpenders Avenue, said: "This application must be denied. We already have travellers on Oxhey Lane.
"This is Green Belt land and this is not in keeping with that remit. There will be a huge negative response to this application and I hope this will be enough to stop this proposal."
Another, in Greenfield Avenue, said: "We object to this development on the grounds that this change of use from open fields farmland will spoil the natural face of the area.
"Six families in 12 caravans? We know it will not stop at this. This application must be refused on the grounds the whole area will be changed for the worse forever."
Permanent Traveller site will not stop unlawful encampments
From Brighton and Hove Conservatives
Here is the text of the letter from Cllr. Geoffrey Theobald published in today’s Argus:
“The Green Administration of Brighton & Hove City Council continues to mislead residents by claiming that their proposed new permanent Traveller site at Horsdean will stop any further unlawful encampments on the city’s precious parks and open spaces.
However, the 16 pitches that the proposed new site would provide have already been allocated to local Traveller families. The Travellers who are occupying sensitive areas such as Carden Park, Greenleas Park, Wild Park and Stanmer Park are mainly from outside the city and have permanent bases elsewhere in Great Britain and Ireland. Therefore, the permanent site will not prevent the continuing trespass on public land.
I continue to maintain that the Council, or anybody else for that matter, should not be building permanent caravan parks on this scale within the new South Downs National Park. It was established in order to protect the beauty and biodiversity of this unique natural habitat and this development, if given the go ahead by the National Park Authority, would set a dangerous precedent. This development could also cause significant disruption to the city’s natural groundwater sources, an issue that has not yet been properly explored by the authorities.
I shall be presenting a petition to the next meeting of the Full Council with the signatures of 1,500 residents who oppose a new permanent Traveller site at Horsdean and I will continue to campaign on their behalf to stop this development from happening.”
Cllr.Geoffrey Theobald OBE
Leader of the Conservative Group
Here is the text of the letter from Cllr. Geoffrey Theobald published in today’s Argus:
“The Green Administration of Brighton & Hove City Council continues to mislead residents by claiming that their proposed new permanent Traveller site at Horsdean will stop any further unlawful encampments on the city’s precious parks and open spaces.
However, the 16 pitches that the proposed new site would provide have already been allocated to local Traveller families. The Travellers who are occupying sensitive areas such as Carden Park, Greenleas Park, Wild Park and Stanmer Park are mainly from outside the city and have permanent bases elsewhere in Great Britain and Ireland. Therefore, the permanent site will not prevent the continuing trespass on public land.
I continue to maintain that the Council, or anybody else for that matter, should not be building permanent caravan parks on this scale within the new South Downs National Park. It was established in order to protect the beauty and biodiversity of this unique natural habitat and this development, if given the go ahead by the National Park Authority, would set a dangerous precedent. This development could also cause significant disruption to the city’s natural groundwater sources, an issue that has not yet been properly explored by the authorities.
I shall be presenting a petition to the next meeting of the Full Council with the signatures of 1,500 residents who oppose a new permanent Traveller site at Horsdean and I will continue to campaign on their behalf to stop this development from happening.”
Cllr.Geoffrey Theobald OBE
Leader of the Conservative Group
Travellers pitch up at Aberdeen FC camp
From the Express and Star
AN ABERDEEN soccer school for hundreds of schoolchildren was today thrown into turmoil after Travellers set up camp on the pitches.
More than 30 caravans have parked up on the playing fields and nearby car parks, with the start of the Aberdeen FC Soccer School just days away.
About 700 children are set to attend the two-week camp, which is due to be held at the Balgownie playing pitches in Aberdeen’s Bridge of Don.
AN ABERDEEN soccer school for hundreds of schoolchildren was today thrown into turmoil after Travellers set up camp on the pitches.
More than 30 caravans have parked up on the playing fields and nearby car parks, with the start of the Aberdeen FC Soccer School just days away.
About 700 children are set to attend the two-week camp, which is due to be held at the Balgownie playing pitches in Aberdeen’s Bridge of Don.
Plans to extend Pentre Broughton Travellers' site submitted - Wrexham
From the Leader
PLANS to extend a Travellers’ site have been submitted to Wrexham Council.
An application to transform the land off Long Lane, Pentre Broughton, from a single pitch site consisting of two caravans, to a four-pitch site allowing one chalet and one touring caravan per pitch, is being considered by the authority.
A report submitted to Wrexham Council by agent Rob Bennett, of Bangor-on-Dee, on behalf of the private applicant, reads: “This is a traditional Gypsy camp which can easily accommodate four families and help meet the local shortage of good sites.
“The council’s policies on traveller sites are out of date and appear to conflict with Welsh Government advice on the provision of Traveller accommodation.
“The chalets will be similar to those commonly used on modern Traveller sites. They will be completely in character with the area and will significantly improve the appearance of the site.”
Lawrence Isted, head of community well-being and development at Wrexham Council, said: “We have received the planning application which will now go to consultation and will follow all the usual planning procedures.
“The planning policy will be explained to the planning committee when it makes its decision.”
PLANS to extend a Travellers’ site have been submitted to Wrexham Council.
An application to transform the land off Long Lane, Pentre Broughton, from a single pitch site consisting of two caravans, to a four-pitch site allowing one chalet and one touring caravan per pitch, is being considered by the authority.
A report submitted to Wrexham Council by agent Rob Bennett, of Bangor-on-Dee, on behalf of the private applicant, reads: “This is a traditional Gypsy camp which can easily accommodate four families and help meet the local shortage of good sites.
“The council’s policies on traveller sites are out of date and appear to conflict with Welsh Government advice on the provision of Traveller accommodation.
“The chalets will be similar to those commonly used on modern Traveller sites. They will be completely in character with the area and will significantly improve the appearance of the site.”
Lawrence Isted, head of community well-being and development at Wrexham Council, said: “We have received the planning application which will now go to consultation and will follow all the usual planning procedures.
“The planning policy will be explained to the planning committee when it makes its decision.”
Gypsies and Travellers – A tale of two events
From Huxley06
I was going to focus purely on the Time To Think Seminar I was invited to by Sussex Police with two women telling us about their life and how it is to be respectively an Irish Traveller and a Gypsy. Stories of terrible discrimination and downright cruelty. Bullying, tolerated by teachers. Refusals to allow travellers to register with a GP. A refusal by every community and their local government to provide sites, so forced into houses where neighbours complain about the noise, visitors, parking. The early mortality, difficulty with accessing education and the resulting literacy issues, the hostility and fear that Gypsies and Travellers experience binding their community ever closer and ever more defensive of each other and their cultures and customs.But a continual fight to get any positive messages about Gypsies and Travellers occurs everywhere. Last year, representatives from the Gypsy community went to the Cenotaph to remember the Gypsy war dead, wearing the medals won by their families. Even there, where we remember a terrible war and the genocide of many, including Gypsies by the Nazi regime, they experienced abuse and harrassment.In the shadow of a terrible grief, more grief befalls Gypsies. I am not going to pretend I understand people’s fear and that behaviour on that day. To me, it is shameful and I condemn the hypocrisy and ignorance.
I remember going to the meeting organised by Mike Weatherly MP in Patcham about Council plans to extend the transit site. I fully understood the main thread of the complaints, about the plans to extend on the Downs, about the fact that other areas could be used and I quite believe that many of those objecting would have objected whoever the residential site was intending to house. There were issues about infrastructure which, in fairness, most developments raise questions about. I was impressed with the Chairing even though I had felt sick with anxiety about the meeting beforehand.
There was a contingent of people which represent a lot of the prejudice of the ‘settled population’ towards Gypsies and Travellers, which was born out by the life experiences of the two women who spoke today: A constant reference to the dirt, rubbish, urination, faeces in example after example of objection to having Gypsies and Travellers in the area. Visceral words which express and convey disgust, less than humanity and a permission to hate. I know people will holler at me ‘ITS TRUE..YOU SHOULD SEE THIS PARK’ etc etc. You know what is my truth, I have seen a young man pee in the bushes in the children's section of my local park before hopping over the wall and getting a bus. He wasn’t a Gypsy or a Traveller. I challenge any of you who troll me on this, to get up early on a Summer Sunday and patrol the streets of the city centre and our beach if you believe that urination, defecation in public space is a Gypsy/ Traveller thing. I will come with you if you like!? We can also tread carefully through the vomit and spit that also are splattered over the pavements. Those are our friends, neighbours, family and communities creating that mess.
When I first became Diversity Lead on Sussex Police Authority and discussed Gypsy & Traveller work with family, they told me I was being too idealistic, that SOME are terrible and I should understand that. My response? “Oh tell me about a Traveller experience you have had?” *tumbleweeds* Their answer, INVARIABLY: “Well a friend of mine…[insert own terrifying experience]” here.
I am not a Gypsy or a Traveller but I lived on a boat when a small child, with an even smaller sister. Someone waited until my parents had left the boat to go next door and, then placed gas cannisters either end and blew them up simultaneously with the intent to kill my sister and I. Because, they felt the world would be a better place if we were exterminated. My sister is an Occupational Therapist and I have worked in charities becoming Chief Executive of a national charity prior to having my baby.
I don’t think many, but the truly irredeemable would do anything but condemn that man’s actions. To be fair, the villagers where we lived were really traumatised by that action. But my questions for you are:
-Would you have condemned him if he said that since we had been living there crime had risen?
- Would you have believed him if said he had seen me and my sister weeing on the tow-path?
- Would you have believed my teacher if she told you we were problematic and difficult to teach?
- Would you have believed your child’s best friends mum if she blamed an outbreak of nits on me?
- Would you have called me smelly?
- Would you have invited me round to play with your child?
Politicians have failed to tackle these inequalities for decades, because they don’t think you would vote for them if they insisted that Gypsies and Travellers had a site near your home, went to your kids schools, had proper protection from fear and loathing. I believe I live in a better country than that and that the dialogue is being distorted for political gain which is frankly shabby.
I was going to focus purely on the Time To Think Seminar I was invited to by Sussex Police with two women telling us about their life and how it is to be respectively an Irish Traveller and a Gypsy. Stories of terrible discrimination and downright cruelty. Bullying, tolerated by teachers. Refusals to allow travellers to register with a GP. A refusal by every community and their local government to provide sites, so forced into houses where neighbours complain about the noise, visitors, parking. The early mortality, difficulty with accessing education and the resulting literacy issues, the hostility and fear that Gypsies and Travellers experience binding their community ever closer and ever more defensive of each other and their cultures and customs.But a continual fight to get any positive messages about Gypsies and Travellers occurs everywhere. Last year, representatives from the Gypsy community went to the Cenotaph to remember the Gypsy war dead, wearing the medals won by their families. Even there, where we remember a terrible war and the genocide of many, including Gypsies by the Nazi regime, they experienced abuse and harrassment.In the shadow of a terrible grief, more grief befalls Gypsies. I am not going to pretend I understand people’s fear and that behaviour on that day. To me, it is shameful and I condemn the hypocrisy and ignorance.
I remember going to the meeting organised by Mike Weatherly MP in Patcham about Council plans to extend the transit site. I fully understood the main thread of the complaints, about the plans to extend on the Downs, about the fact that other areas could be used and I quite believe that many of those objecting would have objected whoever the residential site was intending to house. There were issues about infrastructure which, in fairness, most developments raise questions about. I was impressed with the Chairing even though I had felt sick with anxiety about the meeting beforehand.
There was a contingent of people which represent a lot of the prejudice of the ‘settled population’ towards Gypsies and Travellers, which was born out by the life experiences of the two women who spoke today: A constant reference to the dirt, rubbish, urination, faeces in example after example of objection to having Gypsies and Travellers in the area. Visceral words which express and convey disgust, less than humanity and a permission to hate. I know people will holler at me ‘ITS TRUE..YOU SHOULD SEE THIS PARK’ etc etc. You know what is my truth, I have seen a young man pee in the bushes in the children's section of my local park before hopping over the wall and getting a bus. He wasn’t a Gypsy or a Traveller. I challenge any of you who troll me on this, to get up early on a Summer Sunday and patrol the streets of the city centre and our beach if you believe that urination, defecation in public space is a Gypsy/ Traveller thing. I will come with you if you like!? We can also tread carefully through the vomit and spit that also are splattered over the pavements. Those are our friends, neighbours, family and communities creating that mess.
When I first became Diversity Lead on Sussex Police Authority and discussed Gypsy & Traveller work with family, they told me I was being too idealistic, that SOME are terrible and I should understand that. My response? “Oh tell me about a Traveller experience you have had?” *tumbleweeds* Their answer, INVARIABLY: “Well a friend of mine…[insert own terrifying experience]” here.
I am not a Gypsy or a Traveller but I lived on a boat when a small child, with an even smaller sister. Someone waited until my parents had left the boat to go next door and, then placed gas cannisters either end and blew them up simultaneously with the intent to kill my sister and I. Because, they felt the world would be a better place if we were exterminated. My sister is an Occupational Therapist and I have worked in charities becoming Chief Executive of a national charity prior to having my baby.
I don’t think many, but the truly irredeemable would do anything but condemn that man’s actions. To be fair, the villagers where we lived were really traumatised by that action. But my questions for you are:
-Would you have condemned him if he said that since we had been living there crime had risen?
- Would you have believed him if said he had seen me and my sister weeing on the tow-path?
- Would you have believed my teacher if she told you we were problematic and difficult to teach?
- Would you have believed your child’s best friends mum if she blamed an outbreak of nits on me?
- Would you have called me smelly?
- Would you have invited me round to play with your child?
Politicians have failed to tackle these inequalities for decades, because they don’t think you would vote for them if they insisted that Gypsies and Travellers had a site near your home, went to your kids schools, had proper protection from fear and loathing. I believe I live in a better country than that and that the dialogue is being distorted for political gain which is frankly shabby.
Travellers leave Kingston Fairfield after week of controversy - Surrey
From the Surrey Comet
Travellers who pitched their caravans on a recreation ground have left after a week of controversy, which included fireworks being thrown at them.
The five caravans arrived on the Fairfield in Kingston after driving in through a gap in fencing on Monday, June 18 at about 2.45pm.
The Travellers claimed they had nowhere else to go but leader of Kingston Council, Councillor Derek Osbourne, said the situation was “totally unacceptable”.
Kingston County Court ruled the group were staying illegally on the land and granted an outright possession order, which meant they had to leave by 4pm today or face eviction.
The group, who included a pregnant woman and children with measles, were seen leaving the site at about 12.40pm today.
One traveller, who only wanted to be known as Mike, said during their stay people had driven past shouting abuse at them and police attended after fireworks were thrown at them at 1.50am on June 23.
Counc Osbourne said: “We would like to thank residents and other users of the Fairfield for their patience whilst Kingston Council secured the necessary court authority to regain the Fairfield for the benefit of residents.
“We look forward to residents and the public being able to enjoy the Fairfield once again as soon as possible.”
Travellers who pitched their caravans on a recreation ground have left after a week of controversy, which included fireworks being thrown at them.
The five caravans arrived on the Fairfield in Kingston after driving in through a gap in fencing on Monday, June 18 at about 2.45pm.
The Travellers claimed they had nowhere else to go but leader of Kingston Council, Councillor Derek Osbourne, said the situation was “totally unacceptable”.
Kingston County Court ruled the group were staying illegally on the land and granted an outright possession order, which meant they had to leave by 4pm today or face eviction.
The group, who included a pregnant woman and children with measles, were seen leaving the site at about 12.40pm today.
One traveller, who only wanted to be known as Mike, said during their stay people had driven past shouting abuse at them and police attended after fireworks were thrown at them at 1.50am on June 23.
Counc Osbourne said: “We would like to thank residents and other users of the Fairfield for their patience whilst Kingston Council secured the necessary court authority to regain the Fairfield for the benefit of residents.
“We look forward to residents and the public being able to enjoy the Fairfield once again as soon as possible.”
Culture and crafts treat at Gypsy fair - Yorkshire
From the Telegraph and Argus
A special fair is to be held on Saturday in Baildon offering residents the chance to learn about Gypsy history and culture.
The Baildon Green Gypsy Fair has been organised as part of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, a national programme celebrating the history and cultural heritage of the UK’s travelling communities.
The fair will include a traditional Gypsy camp, bow wagons and horses, donkey rides and traditional craft demonstrations. There will also be palm reading demonstrations, traditional Roma dancing, a “dance off” as well as storytelling and activities for children.
There will be lots of opportunities to talk to people from Gypsy and Traveller communities and find out about their unique culture.
Bradford Council is helping organise the fair as part of a programme of events to build understanding, tolerance and positive relationships between different communities. The authority runs two official Travellers’ sites – one at Bowling Back Lane and the other at Esholt.
Councillor Imran Hussain, the deputy leader of the Council said: “Events celebrating culture and heritage help us all develop better understanding, tolerance and relationships between community groups.
“A huge amount of work, particularly from local Baildon residents and Gypsy and Traveller people, goes into making this event so successful.”
Henry Price, Romany Gypsy community leader said: “The Baildon Green Fair follows the fantastic success of the 2010 event.
“Bradford has had a long association with travelling communities and the fair will give people the chance to find out about our history and culture.
“We are very pleased Bradford Council has supported the fair”
Lucy Maddison, centre manager and community development worker at Baildon Community Link attended the 2010 event, and said: “This year I am delighted Baildon Community Link will be directly involved in the event.”
The Baildon Green Gypsy Fair runs on Saturday from 11am to 4pm at Baildon Green, Green Road, Baildon.
For more, call Fiona Natarajan on (01274) 434812.
A special fair is to be held on Saturday in Baildon offering residents the chance to learn about Gypsy history and culture.
The Baildon Green Gypsy Fair has been organised as part of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, a national programme celebrating the history and cultural heritage of the UK’s travelling communities.
The fair will include a traditional Gypsy camp, bow wagons and horses, donkey rides and traditional craft demonstrations. There will also be palm reading demonstrations, traditional Roma dancing, a “dance off” as well as storytelling and activities for children.
There will be lots of opportunities to talk to people from Gypsy and Traveller communities and find out about their unique culture.
Bradford Council is helping organise the fair as part of a programme of events to build understanding, tolerance and positive relationships between different communities. The authority runs two official Travellers’ sites – one at Bowling Back Lane and the other at Esholt.
Councillor Imran Hussain, the deputy leader of the Council said: “Events celebrating culture and heritage help us all develop better understanding, tolerance and relationships between community groups.
“A huge amount of work, particularly from local Baildon residents and Gypsy and Traveller people, goes into making this event so successful.”
Henry Price, Romany Gypsy community leader said: “The Baildon Green Fair follows the fantastic success of the 2010 event.
“Bradford has had a long association with travelling communities and the fair will give people the chance to find out about our history and culture.
“We are very pleased Bradford Council has supported the fair”
Lucy Maddison, centre manager and community development worker at Baildon Community Link attended the 2010 event, and said: “This year I am delighted Baildon Community Link will be directly involved in the event.”
The Baildon Green Gypsy Fair runs on Saturday from 11am to 4pm at Baildon Green, Green Road, Baildon.
For more, call Fiona Natarajan on (01274) 434812.
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
More Travellers have moved on to community football pitches near Oswestry. - Shropshire
From the Shropshire Star
The Oswestry Boys’ and Girls’ Football Club was holding talks today to try to mitigate the damage being caused to the football pitches at Park Hall.
Officials say that if the Travellers are not off the land by the weekend a fundraising five-a-side competition could be affected.
About 20 families drove their caravans on to the land on Saturday when they found the site of their Christian Travellers’ event at Halston Hall, near Whittington, waterlogged.
Club chairman Neil Jones said thousands of pounds of damage may have been caused to the pitches, which may now have to be re-turfed.
He said: “They have wrecked at least five of the football pitches, driving across them. Some of the families have taken our pleas on board and stayed off the pitches, but not all of them.
“At the moment our senior pitch is unaffected, but with more and more vehicles arriving we are really concerned that it is still in jeopardy.”
Mr Jones said he and other club officials were in talks with United Utilities about an entrance and exit it created as part of work to re-line underground pipes. He said: “We need to block up one of those to avoid more damage to the pitches.
“The Travellers have told us the Christian festival will end on Tuesday evening we hope that the caravans will leave the land by Wednesday. If not I do not know what we will do about the five-a-side tournament planned for the weekend to raise money for a new senior team.
“We are all volunteers who work very hard to make this club a success. Hundreds of youngsters enjoy playing football here. To see the mess that has been made is heartbreaking.”
Owners of the Halston Hall Estate did not want to comment.
see also: The Border Counties Advertizer - Football club's red card for Gypsies
The Oswestry Boys’ and Girls’ Football Club was holding talks today to try to mitigate the damage being caused to the football pitches at Park Hall.
Officials say that if the Travellers are not off the land by the weekend a fundraising five-a-side competition could be affected.
About 20 families drove their caravans on to the land on Saturday when they found the site of their Christian Travellers’ event at Halston Hall, near Whittington, waterlogged.
Club chairman Neil Jones said thousands of pounds of damage may have been caused to the pitches, which may now have to be re-turfed.
He said: “They have wrecked at least five of the football pitches, driving across them. Some of the families have taken our pleas on board and stayed off the pitches, but not all of them.
“At the moment our senior pitch is unaffected, but with more and more vehicles arriving we are really concerned that it is still in jeopardy.”
Mr Jones said he and other club officials were in talks with United Utilities about an entrance and exit it created as part of work to re-line underground pipes. He said: “We need to block up one of those to avoid more damage to the pitches.
“The Travellers have told us the Christian festival will end on Tuesday evening we hope that the caravans will leave the land by Wednesday. If not I do not know what we will do about the five-a-side tournament planned for the weekend to raise money for a new senior team.
“We are all volunteers who work very hard to make this club a success. Hundreds of youngsters enjoy playing football here. To see the mess that has been made is heartbreaking.”
Owners of the Halston Hall Estate did not want to comment.
see also: The Border Counties Advertizer - Football club's red card for Gypsies
UK360 - Gypsy Roma Traveller special 25/06/12
From the Community Channel
Damian Le Bas, editor of Travellers Times, hosts this special programme dedicated to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
In this week’s show we meet a top gypsy flamenco dancer now living in the UK. Tracy Finney, an English Romany Gypsy tells us his experience of discrimination against his culture. UK360 local reporter Jeska Jempeji explores the impact of the destructive media coverage on the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. UK360 speaks to a Gypsy community who want to separate the media hype from the reality of their daily lives. And we hear from three inspiring people who have made very important contributions to the Irish Traveller movement.
Remember, you can watch UK360 on Community Channel every Monday and Thursday at 7am and 7pm and if you miss an episode you can watch us anytime online at www.communitychannel.org
And if you’re at home thinking you’d like to make a report and feature on UK360, we’d love to have you on board. Email us at uk360@communitychannel.org for more information on how you can get involved.
- Following on from their documentary Not In My Backyard, Cambridge Filmworks takes us behind the scenes with a Gypsy community to separate the media hype from the reality of their daily lives.
- The Irish Traveller Movement is a national charity working to raise the social inclusion of the Irish Traveller community in Britain. In this film, we meet some inspiring people who have made very important contributions within this community and beyond.
- Many countries around the world have settled gypsy flamenco communities, however the UK is one of the countries where you are less likely to see authentic gypsy flamenco. Jairo Barrull is a Spanish gypsy who lives in the UK. He is an international flamenco star whose artistic legacy goes back to the 18th century. To find out more information about Jairo and the Gypsy flamenco community, you can visit his website at – http://www.jairobarrull.com
- Tracy Finney, an English Romany Gypsy as he tells us his experiences of Gypsy culture, but also his sense of being discriminated against for being a Gypsy. To watch the full documentary following Tracy and his daughter during one day in their lives, visit http://www.gypsyfair.weebly.com
- UK360 local reporter Jeska Jempeji explores the impact of the destructive media coverage on the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and how they are fighting back to be heard and positively represented.
Damian Le Bas, editor of Travellers Times, hosts this special programme dedicated to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
In this week’s show we meet a top gypsy flamenco dancer now living in the UK. Tracy Finney, an English Romany Gypsy tells us his experience of discrimination against his culture. UK360 local reporter Jeska Jempeji explores the impact of the destructive media coverage on the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. UK360 speaks to a Gypsy community who want to separate the media hype from the reality of their daily lives. And we hear from three inspiring people who have made very important contributions to the Irish Traveller movement.
Remember, you can watch UK360 on Community Channel every Monday and Thursday at 7am and 7pm and if you miss an episode you can watch us anytime online at www.communitychannel.org
And if you’re at home thinking you’d like to make a report and feature on UK360, we’d love to have you on board. Email us at uk360@communitychannel.org for more information on how you can get involved.
- Following on from their documentary Not In My Backyard, Cambridge Filmworks takes us behind the scenes with a Gypsy community to separate the media hype from the reality of their daily lives.
- The Irish Traveller Movement is a national charity working to raise the social inclusion of the Irish Traveller community in Britain. In this film, we meet some inspiring people who have made very important contributions within this community and beyond.
- Many countries around the world have settled gypsy flamenco communities, however the UK is one of the countries where you are less likely to see authentic gypsy flamenco. Jairo Barrull is a Spanish gypsy who lives in the UK. He is an international flamenco star whose artistic legacy goes back to the 18th century. To find out more information about Jairo and the Gypsy flamenco community, you can visit his website at – http://www.jairobarrull.com
- Tracy Finney, an English Romany Gypsy as he tells us his experiences of Gypsy culture, but also his sense of being discriminated against for being a Gypsy. To watch the full documentary following Tracy and his daughter during one day in their lives, visit http://www.gypsyfair.weebly.com
- UK360 local reporter Jeska Jempeji explores the impact of the destructive media coverage on the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and how they are fighting back to be heard and positively represented.
Travellers move on to site near Shifnal - Shropshire
From the Express and Star
Travellers have moved on to land next to a service station off the M54 near Shifnal.
Seven caravans are parked along the side of the road on the A464 Priorslee Road, off junction four, next to Telford Motorway Service Station.
Several horses have also been tethered along the side of the road, as well as three dogs.
One worker at the service station said: “There are about six or seven caravans on there. They have set up camp along here in the past. They usually leave a mess.”
Travellers have moved on to land next to a service station off the M54 near Shifnal.
Seven caravans are parked along the side of the road on the A464 Priorslee Road, off junction four, next to Telford Motorway Service Station.
Several horses have also been tethered along the side of the road, as well as three dogs.
One worker at the service station said: “There are about six or seven caravans on there. They have set up camp along here in the past. They usually leave a mess.”
Traveller site plan by autumn - Lincolnshire
From the Lincolnshire Free Press
A PLANNING application for a new Travellers site could be submitted by autumn.
Although South Holland District Council is still remaining tight-lipped about the exact location of the site, it is believed it will be to the north of the existing illegal site in Broad Drove, Gosberton Clough.
At a meeting of the council’s cabinet last week, portfolio holders were presented with a report which outlined progress made so far in negotiations with the owner for a parcel of suitable land.
After reading the report, they agreed to give delegated authority to the asset and property manager to enter into an option agreement to buy the site, conditional upon planning permission being granted.
Delegated authority was also granted to submit a planning application, buy the site if that were approved, and then award a contract for the site to be built.
Upon its completion the site would be handed over to the Travellers living on the Broad Drove site in exchange for the land they currently occupy.
Coun Christine Lawton, portfolio holder for housing landlord, who will be one of those to receive delegated authority to press ahead with the new site, said: “We have got to the point where we have identified a site and we are actively going through the process to make sure it meets all the criteria.
“The people of Gosberton Clough, the travellers and the council are all anxious to get this matter resolved, so the sooner we can do it the better for all concerned.
“If it can be done, it will be done.
“We are making progress and hopefully by the autumn we will be in a position to submit a planning application.”
The new site will be the second of two permanent sites the council was told it needed to provide by a Government inspector in 2006.
A permanent site has already been established off the A151 in Holbeach, at a cost of £1,075,834, leaving a budget of £638,682 for the second site and a temporary site already identified in Sutton Bridge.
A PLANNING application for a new Travellers site could be submitted by autumn.
Although South Holland District Council is still remaining tight-lipped about the exact location of the site, it is believed it will be to the north of the existing illegal site in Broad Drove, Gosberton Clough.
At a meeting of the council’s cabinet last week, portfolio holders were presented with a report which outlined progress made so far in negotiations with the owner for a parcel of suitable land.
After reading the report, they agreed to give delegated authority to the asset and property manager to enter into an option agreement to buy the site, conditional upon planning permission being granted.
Delegated authority was also granted to submit a planning application, buy the site if that were approved, and then award a contract for the site to be built.
Upon its completion the site would be handed over to the Travellers living on the Broad Drove site in exchange for the land they currently occupy.
Coun Christine Lawton, portfolio holder for housing landlord, who will be one of those to receive delegated authority to press ahead with the new site, said: “We have got to the point where we have identified a site and we are actively going through the process to make sure it meets all the criteria.
“The people of Gosberton Clough, the travellers and the council are all anxious to get this matter resolved, so the sooner we can do it the better for all concerned.
“If it can be done, it will be done.
“We are making progress and hopefully by the autumn we will be in a position to submit a planning application.”
The new site will be the second of two permanent sites the council was told it needed to provide by a Government inspector in 2006.
A permanent site has already been established off the A151 in Holbeach, at a cost of £1,075,834, leaving a budget of £638,682 for the second site and a temporary site already identified in Sutton Bridge.
Trashed: '£4,000 bill' to clear mess at Duck Lane - Dorset
From the Bournemouth Echo
WITHIN hours of moving onto Pelhams Park the Travellers were making themselves at home yesterday.
Washing had been hung out to dry with plastic tables and chairs providing the ideal sunbathing spot. Babies were being wheeled in pushchairs while older children were having an impromptu game of football or wandering over to nearby Pelhams Park leisure centre.
The large white boulders surrounding the site had failed to keep the Travellers off and 17 vans had arrived by lunchtime.
Many residents were unaware the Travellers had set up temporary home on their doorstep.
The earliest date the council can obtain an eviction order is next Monday.
Gary Josey, Bournemouth council’s director for housing landlord, parks and open spaces, said Duck Lane had been left in “a disgraceful state.”
He added: “The area is littered with human waste, green waste and dog waste amongst other rubbish including building rubble, gas canisters, Tarmac and wood.
“Our contractor Watsons have been instructed to begin the clear up operation and to disinfect the area – the cost is estimated to be in the region of £4,000 but it could be even more.”
Mr Josey said council officers and the police were currently liaising with the Pelhams Park encampment.
He told the Daily Echo: “Our council officers successfully defended Kinson Common from an illegal encampment but unfortunately the Travellers, who were previously in Duck Lane, gained access to Pelhams Park on Sunday evening.
“Our officers have taken swift action and are working with the police to take the necessary legal action to move them on as soon as possible.”
WITHIN hours of moving onto Pelhams Park the Travellers were making themselves at home yesterday.
Washing had been hung out to dry with plastic tables and chairs providing the ideal sunbathing spot. Babies were being wheeled in pushchairs while older children were having an impromptu game of football or wandering over to nearby Pelhams Park leisure centre.
The large white boulders surrounding the site had failed to keep the Travellers off and 17 vans had arrived by lunchtime.
Many residents were unaware the Travellers had set up temporary home on their doorstep.
The earliest date the council can obtain an eviction order is next Monday.
Gary Josey, Bournemouth council’s director for housing landlord, parks and open spaces, said Duck Lane had been left in “a disgraceful state.”
He added: “The area is littered with human waste, green waste and dog waste amongst other rubbish including building rubble, gas canisters, Tarmac and wood.
“Our contractor Watsons have been instructed to begin the clear up operation and to disinfect the area – the cost is estimated to be in the region of £4,000 but it could be even more.”
Mr Josey said council officers and the police were currently liaising with the Pelhams Park encampment.
He told the Daily Echo: “Our council officers successfully defended Kinson Common from an illegal encampment but unfortunately the Travellers, who were previously in Duck Lane, gained access to Pelhams Park on Sunday evening.
“Our officers have taken swift action and are working with the police to take the necessary legal action to move them on as soon as possible.”
Leader: Law should be the same for everyone - Shropshire
From the Shropshire Star
Leader: Law should be the same for everyone
Finding their own site waterlogged, a group of Travellers simply moved onto other land as if they owned it, churning up the ground in the process.
It has been more than an incidental irritation. The ground on which the travellers drew up was community football pitches at Park Hall, near Oswestry.
According to Neil Jones, chairman of Oswestry Boys and Girls Football Club, at least five football pitches have been ruined. A fundraising five-a-side football competition could be hit as a result.
The Travellers had no right to go on the land, but they did because they could. That is why some pieces of open land have mounds of earth or low overhead bars at the entrances to stop caravans or other trespassers moving on.
The Travellers’ behaviour has been inconsiderate at best. It should have been obvious to them that the ground was soft and liable to damage.
Apparently they did not care.
Nor does it seem to have been a factor in their considerations that they should not be there in the first place.
They had moved on when they found the site of their Christian Travellers’ event at Halston Hall, near Whittington, was waterlogged.
If being a Christian Traveller involves respect and compassion for others, they have failed on both counts.
They are not welcome there. But once Travellers have set up camp, landowners know it can be a heck of a job to shift them.
Because they are Travellers, there is a softly-softly approach to moving them on.
But is it not about time that the law was changed so that it is applied equally, no matter which section of society somebody causing upset and inconvenience belongs to?
Leader: Law should be the same for everyone
Finding their own site waterlogged, a group of Travellers simply moved onto other land as if they owned it, churning up the ground in the process.
It has been more than an incidental irritation. The ground on which the travellers drew up was community football pitches at Park Hall, near Oswestry.
According to Neil Jones, chairman of Oswestry Boys and Girls Football Club, at least five football pitches have been ruined. A fundraising five-a-side football competition could be hit as a result.
The Travellers had no right to go on the land, but they did because they could. That is why some pieces of open land have mounds of earth or low overhead bars at the entrances to stop caravans or other trespassers moving on.
The Travellers’ behaviour has been inconsiderate at best. It should have been obvious to them that the ground was soft and liable to damage.
Apparently they did not care.
Nor does it seem to have been a factor in their considerations that they should not be there in the first place.
They had moved on when they found the site of their Christian Travellers’ event at Halston Hall, near Whittington, was waterlogged.
If being a Christian Traveller involves respect and compassion for others, they have failed on both counts.
They are not welcome there. But once Travellers have set up camp, landowners know it can be a heck of a job to shift them.
Because they are Travellers, there is a softly-softly approach to moving them on.
But is it not about time that the law was changed so that it is applied equally, no matter which section of society somebody causing upset and inconvenience belongs to?
Kingston Travellers will be forced to leave after court hearing - London
From the Kingston
Travellers who pitched their caravans on a recreation ground will be forced to leave following a court hearing.
The five caravans arrived on the Fairfield, Kingston, after driving in through a gap in fencing on June 18.
None of the Travellers turned up for a hearing, which was held to decide if they could stay on the site, at Kingston County Court today, June 26.
Judge Claire Jakens ruled the Travellers were illegally staying on the land and granted an outright possession order, which means they must leave as soon as is practical.
Anne Murphy shares a caravan with her husband and five children and said the decision came as no surprise and they felt it was not worth attending the hearing.
She said: "It’s what we were expecting; we weren’t expecting them to show us any compassion.
"We have no rights. At the moment we haven’t been given notice but when we find out the day they want us out by then we will probably just go."
Another Traveller, who only wanted to be referred to as Mike, said they would have liked to stay a bit longer on the site.
He said: "We don’t have enough sites, that’s the reason we get on the road and why we have to stay here.
"We would prefer a real site. We don’t like taking other people's parks and annoying other people."
The Travellers had their stay extended for health checks on a pregnant woman and children believed to have measles.
Council security officers have manned the entrance into the Fairfield since the Travellers arrived, to stop more caravans arriving.
Travellers who pitched their caravans on a recreation ground will be forced to leave following a court hearing.
The five caravans arrived on the Fairfield, Kingston, after driving in through a gap in fencing on June 18.
None of the Travellers turned up for a hearing, which was held to decide if they could stay on the site, at Kingston County Court today, June 26.
Judge Claire Jakens ruled the Travellers were illegally staying on the land and granted an outright possession order, which means they must leave as soon as is practical.
Anne Murphy shares a caravan with her husband and five children and said the decision came as no surprise and they felt it was not worth attending the hearing.
She said: "It’s what we were expecting; we weren’t expecting them to show us any compassion.
"We have no rights. At the moment we haven’t been given notice but when we find out the day they want us out by then we will probably just go."
Another Traveller, who only wanted to be referred to as Mike, said they would have liked to stay a bit longer on the site.
He said: "We don’t have enough sites, that’s the reason we get on the road and why we have to stay here.
"We would prefer a real site. We don’t like taking other people's parks and annoying other people."
The Travellers had their stay extended for health checks on a pregnant woman and children believed to have measles.
Council security officers have manned the entrance into the Fairfield since the Travellers arrived, to stop more caravans arriving.
Monday, 25 June 2012
Football cancelled after Travellers set up camp in Sinfin - Derbyshire
From This Is Derbyshire
A GROUP of Travellers has parked up on land in Sinfin.
Around a dozen vehicles arrived on the grounds, off Arleston Lane, at 12.30pm today.
Kully Tatla runs Sinfin Moor Social Club and leases the land off Derby City Council.
He said: “Around 12 vehicles arrived at about 12.30pm and parked up.
“They have churned up some of the grass which was due to host a football session tonight for 200 kids which I have now had to cancel.”
A GROUP of Travellers has parked up on land in Sinfin.
Around a dozen vehicles arrived on the grounds, off Arleston Lane, at 12.30pm today.
Kully Tatla runs Sinfin Moor Social Club and leases the land off Derby City Council.
He said: “Around 12 vehicles arrived at about 12.30pm and parked up.
“They have churned up some of the grass which was due to host a football session tonight for 200 kids which I have now had to cancel.”
Travellers to find out if they will be evicted tomorrow - Surrey
From
Travellers who pitched their caravans on a recreation ground will find out if they will be evicted when they attend a court hearing tomorrow.
The five caravans arrived on the Fairfield in Kingston after driving in through a gap in fencing on Monday, June 18 at about 2.45pm.
Kingston County Court will consider whether or not the Travellers will have to leave the site or be permitted to stay at a hearing on Tuesday, June 26.
The travellers' stay was extended for health checks on a pregnant woman and children believed to have measles.
A van owned by Quadron, Kingston Council’s parks contractor, blocked the entrance into the Fairfield to stop more caravans arriving.
This has now been replaced by a car and two security guards, who are manning the gate.
Travellers who pitched their caravans on a recreation ground will find out if they will be evicted when they attend a court hearing tomorrow.
The five caravans arrived on the Fairfield in Kingston after driving in through a gap in fencing on Monday, June 18 at about 2.45pm.
Kingston County Court will consider whether or not the Travellers will have to leave the site or be permitted to stay at a hearing on Tuesday, June 26.
The travellers' stay was extended for health checks on a pregnant woman and children believed to have measles.
A van owned by Quadron, Kingston Council’s parks contractor, blocked the entrance into the Fairfield to stop more caravans arriving.
This has now been replaced by a car and two security guards, who are manning the gate.
Portsmouth councillor calls for change in law over Travellers
From the News
A COUNCILLOR has called for a change in the trespass laws after two sets of Travellers arrived in Portsmouth.
Simon Bosher, ward city councillor for Drayton and Farlington, says it’s not fair that taxpayers are left to foot the bill for removing Travellers when they set up camp.
He spoke out as a group turned up on council-owned land in Farlington.
They arrived in the area on Friday night.
Six caravans and six vehicles parked on the fields of Zetland Park, close to the Sainsbury’s superstore in Fitzherbert Road.
And up to five caravans were seen on private land in Nevil Shute Road, on the old MFI car park in Anchorage Park.
Cllr Bosher said: ‘They arrived late on Friday. I went down there first thing on Saturday and had a look. It appears that they have broken their way in.
‘The council is fully aware of it.
‘The police are stepping up their profile in the area.
‘It’s near an industrial estate which, generally speaking, isn’t open at the weekend.
‘They have done it late on a Friday night knowing full well that they have got at least two clear days before the council starts the eviction process.
‘They have broken on to public land and yet again it’s the council taxpayer that will bear the brunt of it.
‘My advice to residents would be “please keep on your guard”.’
An officer from the council was told by the Travellers that they were in the area for a wedding.
Cllr Bosher said he feels something needs to be done to prevent Travellers from turning up in the future.
‘Local authorities are always at a disadvantage when we get Traveller encampments,’ he said.
‘They cost the taxpayer an awful lot of money in legal fees to remove them and then on clean-up costs and any damage that might have been created.
‘We seriously need to look at the law being changed to make trespassing a criminal offence.
‘The law-abiding citizens are going to find themselves with additional costs to their council tax.
‘Why should people who want to enjoy their amenities be blighted by Traveller communities that have no regard for the law?’
A COUNCILLOR has called for a change in the trespass laws after two sets of Travellers arrived in Portsmouth.
Simon Bosher, ward city councillor for Drayton and Farlington, says it’s not fair that taxpayers are left to foot the bill for removing Travellers when they set up camp.
He spoke out as a group turned up on council-owned land in Farlington.
They arrived in the area on Friday night.
Six caravans and six vehicles parked on the fields of Zetland Park, close to the Sainsbury’s superstore in Fitzherbert Road.
And up to five caravans were seen on private land in Nevil Shute Road, on the old MFI car park in Anchorage Park.
Cllr Bosher said: ‘They arrived late on Friday. I went down there first thing on Saturday and had a look. It appears that they have broken their way in.
‘The council is fully aware of it.
‘The police are stepping up their profile in the area.
‘It’s near an industrial estate which, generally speaking, isn’t open at the weekend.
‘They have done it late on a Friday night knowing full well that they have got at least two clear days before the council starts the eviction process.
‘They have broken on to public land and yet again it’s the council taxpayer that will bear the brunt of it.
‘My advice to residents would be “please keep on your guard”.’
An officer from the council was told by the Travellers that they were in the area for a wedding.
Cllr Bosher said he feels something needs to be done to prevent Travellers from turning up in the future.
‘Local authorities are always at a disadvantage when we get Traveller encampments,’ he said.
‘They cost the taxpayer an awful lot of money in legal fees to remove them and then on clean-up costs and any damage that might have been created.
‘We seriously need to look at the law being changed to make trespassing a criminal offence.
‘The law-abiding citizens are going to find themselves with additional costs to their council tax.
‘Why should people who want to enjoy their amenities be blighted by Traveller communities that have no regard for the law?’
Why education is such a difficult path for Travellers to follow?
From the TES
Lisa Marie Vine is sitting in a gleaming kitchen in her in-laws’ newly built house, bouncing her baby, Henry Joe, on her knee.
“Students used to call me a ‘dirty pikey’,” she tells me. “But the teachers didn’t believe me. I was only 12 and I used to cry when I was blamed for things I didn’t do.
“My mum wanted us to go to school. She used to go and complain. The school said they would sort things out, but they didn’t.”
Vine’s solution was to effectively leave when she was 13; she then spent most of her time working in a cafe. But the decision was not without major consequences. For Vine, now 21, can read and write only “a little”. She claims she is dyslexic and admits she needs help filling in official forms and often has to ask what “long” words mean.
Such stories are not uncommon, and they go some way to explaining why Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils are the lowest-achieving ethnic group in schools in England. They are more likely than any other demographic group to be identified as having special educational needs and are more likely to be excluded from school, according to the Department for Education (DfE).
When children from Traveller backgrounds do go to secondary school, they usually stop turning up after the age of 14. Unsurprisingly, the results of this sporadic relationship with schooling are dire. The DfE records just 17 per cent of Irish Travellers and 11 per cent of Gypsy and Roma pupils achieving five A*-C GCSEs, including English and maths, in 2010-11, compared with a national average of 58 per cent.
The picture at primary level - where full-time pupils from these communities are more likely to be found - is not much better. Just 40 per cent of Irish Travellers and 35 per cent of Gypsy and Roma pupils were awarded the expected level 2 in key stage 1 reading assessments, according to 2008 government figures, compared with 85 per cent of all pupils.
The statistics are depressing in themselves, but they also hint at children struggling to cope with lessons, with teachers and with what they say is repeated racial abuse from other pupils. But it is not just a story about bullying. These young people are brought up in private communities with strong traditions. When they go to schools there is an inevitable culture clash.
“I went to school to learn, but I just got sarcasm from teachers. Honest to God, I never got out of the punishment block (a time-out room),” says Angela, a 15-year-old Irish Traveller who hasn’t attended school since Year 7.
“I would turn round and smile at a girl and they would say that I was having a chat. That was it, I had to spend the rest of the time in the block.”
The teenager, who is officially home educated, now spends her days helping in the family home, an immaculate caravan on a private site in Kent. The carpet is covered with protective plastic, and there are lovingly dusted statuettes and gleaming figurines in a polished cabinet. Angela also spends a lot of time abroad visiting her sisters across Europe.
Her father, John, claims that every one of his eight children was singled out by secondary school teachers for unfair treatment. Only a month ago, his 13-year-old son Tony - a confident boy with a cheeky smile and the habit of smoothing his neat dark brown hair - left school. He hopes to have a home tutor.
“I don’t think some teachers have got the patience with Travelling children and my children didn’t seem to mix,” says John, who doesn’t want his full name used in case his family receives abuse.
“They seemed to be in the punishment block most of the time. It felt like we were going round in circles. I’m not saying Tony was a saint, but there was a lot of petty stuff that could have been overlooked. It didn’t strike me that they wanted Travellers in their school.”
According to Tony, he was always put in the punishment block for a simple reason, such as “I forgot equipment like a pencil”. His older brother Barney, now 17, says he had the same experience. “Most of the time, 70 per cent of the people in the punishment block were Travellers. We were having a laugh in there,” he says.
Children from Travelling backgrounds are far more likely to be excluded from school than pupils from any other ethnic group. A total of 0.47 per cent of Irish Traveller children and 0.33 per cent of Gypsy or Roma children were expelled in 2009-10, compared with 0.09 per cent of the total population of state schools including all ethnicities.
Indeed, a total of 17 per cent of Irish Travellers and 15 per cent of Gypsy or Roma children were suspended from school in the same year, according to a report from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, compared with 4 per cent of all pupils. Many Irish Traveller children also left school earlier than other groups, with only 38 per cent reaching the statutory leaving age in 2009-10.
So are these children more likely to be punished by teachers? And why are they more likely to give up on education?
Cultural chasm
Although it is now common knowledge that Gypsy children are likely to abandon their secondary education before it has even started - thanks to the populist, fly-on-the-wall Channel 4 documentary My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding - it remains rare for people to ask why. But if anything is to be done about the shocking underperformance of these children, the first hurdle to overcome is the vast cultural chasm.
Angela is convinced that the teachers who taught her and her siblings had judged them before they met, expecting them to have behavioural problems and disobey their authority.
She may be right: there may be prejudice in the system. Clearly, the families interviewed by TES would wholeheartedly agree with Trevor Phillips, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who has said that discrimination against these communities appears to be the “last ‘respectable’ form of racism”.
According to one headteacher, who runs a pupil referral unit in Kent, some schools still “stigmatise” children from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller backgrounds.
“It is assumed that schools feel their parents will be badly behaved, therefore the child will be badly behaved and they are not going to do well in school, which is nonsense,” says the head, who asked not to be named.
Brian Foster, chair of the Advisory Council for the Education of Romany and other Travellers, supports this view, and says schools fall into two categories: either unwilling to yield to the demands of Traveller families or too eager to respond to their different needs.
He says that the first situation leaves children with three options: “fight, flight or playing white”. “Playing white” is a telling reference to how Traveller communities view their mainstream neighbours.
“Most schools want to include children, but sometimes they send out a message about the kind of pupil they want,” Foster says. “They might not want to lose children from the Travelling community who are pulled out of school, but they also do not want to give up their overall ethos. Schools take themselves seriously and they expect others to take them seriously. The problem is that some Traveller parents don’t.”
Izaak, 21, an Irish Romany Traveller from Kent who also does not want his full name to be used, recalls that “everyone wanted to fight” with his sister when other pupils found out about his family’s background. “People hear things in the media and think we are violent. That’s not always true,” he says.
Izaak was excluded from school in Year 10 after a teacher accused him of threatening to hit her. But he and his family successfully fought a battle to quash this allegation and he was allowed to return. He claims the trouble arose only because he had been trying to protect his sister. He persuaded fellow pupils to provide witness statements to support his case and asked teachers to act as character witnesses.
“They knew I was polite and only occasionally rude if upset. There were a few Travelling children in my school and we just wanted to keep our heads down. Once a family is known, that’s it,” says Izaak.
“I never got an apology. When I went back to school I didn’t make a big thing about it. They messed up my education, but you just have to get on with it.”
Izaak now works for Kent County Council’s Minority Communities Achievement Service in schools as a mentor, counsellor and role model liaising with parents and teachers to get children back into education. But he sees children suffering the same discrimination that he says he experienced in his youth.
“I have come across children who were getting called ‘pikeys’, ‘wheels’ and ‘dirty scum’,” says Izaak, who does manual work at the weekends and cage fights “for fun” because he does not want to be disconnected from his culture. “I want to help them so that they don’t have to go through the same things in life as I have. Racism still goes on in schools.”
Izaak claims he is dyslexic and says he “failed every exam” in Year 11. When he left school, he had a reading age of 4 to 6. Then one day he decided, out of boredom, to buy a Harry Potter book. It took him a year to complete, but finishing it coincided with his old school offering him a place to return and get qualifications.
A year later, he was awarded a BTEC in business and passed level 2 exams in maths, English and IT. He went on to get NVQ qualifications in electronics. He joined his father’s scrap metal business, but when work slowed down he applied for an apprenticeship with Kent County Council, where his mentoring role evolved.
Recurring problem
Discrimination isn’t a new problem for Travelling communities. Henry Stanford, 65, grandfather of Lisa Marie Vine, remembers that teachers had an “attitude” towards him when he was at school in the 1950s.
“I had to go to the back of the class and was sent to the headmaster for the slightest thing,” he recalls. “But I was always one for capering about, messing about. I used to walk the fields instead of going to school so my father didn’t know. Later, my children were picked on. But I used to make them stand up for themselves. You can’t do that nowadays.”
It is a story that still has resonance today. Catherine, 16, spent just three weeks at secondary school. During that time she says she was called names, pushed and kicked by a boy.
“She sat on the floor crying and said she was not going back,” says her mother, Mary Ellen Kindon, 36.
Catherine’s family, who are Gypsies, were deeply disappointed by the teachers’ reactions, and claim that they did not punish her attackers. But unlike Izaak and his family, they chose not to challenge the teachers.
Kindon has four other children: Nikita, 13, Mary Ellen, 14, and twin sons Manilitho and Thomas James (TJ), who are 12. The boys attend secondary school in Leeds.
“My boys have been called ‘Gypsy bastard’ by other pupils,” Kindon says. “Some are from different cultures themselves, so they should understand that this is racism. But we are used to it. This has been going on for donkey’s years.”
But there is more to this story of educational failure than prejudice against these minority communities. These are communities with very real issues about schooling. Many simply don’t approve of it, particularly for girls, who they don’t trust schools to keep safe.
“We know what we want: to read and write,” says Frank Brazil, 63, a Romany Gypsy, who runs the South East Romany Museum in Kent with his family. “We don’t want to be professors. The rest of it, our own ways, children can learn from their parents. They need to learn about their culture.”
Although this may not be a universal truth in these communities, the statistics suggest a resolute rejection of classroom excellence. Just 2.5 per cent of Irish Travellers and 2.7 per cent of Gypsy or Roma children at primary schools in England were recorded as being gifted and talented on the January 2011 schools census. In comparison, 10 per cent of Asian and black pupils were on the gifted and talented register.
In many ways, attitudes have not changed through the generations. Brazil started working when he was 10, but also managed to attend school on and off until he was 16. He and his family moved around the East and South East of the country picking fruit and vegetables. In winter he went to lessons, but in spring and summer he did not.
Similarly, when his children were young, the family travelled around Kent, doing the same work. They went back to school only when they were not needed in the fields.
Some things have changed, however, because Brazil’s grandchildren - Frank, 13, Archie, 11, Tilly, 7, and Lois, 3 - live in a house with their parents and go to school full-time. Brazil seems content with this, but he wants all children from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller backgrounds to be able to learn about their culture.
Indeed, it seems that he wants to combine the best of both worlds, but he has no suggestion as to how it would work in reality. All he says is that children from Traveller and Gypsy families should be treated as “a special case”.
“Children need an education; times have moved on. But if families want to travel around they shouldn’t be persecuted.”
Like Brazil, Stanford went to school between hop-picking duties. His father gave him the choice of going to lessons or working with him - the latter was usually more attractive.
“I’m good at reckoning up and reading, and I liked art at secondary school. I used to like school to a certain degree - subjects like woodwork. But I wasn’t so keen on religious instruction,” he adds.
He says other people outside the classroom were just as important in his education, such as the sweet shop owner who helped him to read by promising treats if he could read the names on the labels.
In the past, Travelling communities were more mobile, taking seasonal jobs such as fruit- or crop-picking in the warmer months. Now, many families have a very different way of life; most live in houses or on a permanent site, not in highly decorated, horse-drawn caravans.
Yet these communities remain immensely proud of their heritage and try to live according to the same code of conduct as their ancestors. They want to keep their children safe and under their control. But it is this flexible attitude towards schooling that often leaves the children without qualifications.
Joan McVittie, headteacher of Woodside High School in North London, recently tried to persuade a 16-year-old girl from a Travelling family - who left school in the middle of taking her GCSEs to get married - to come back and sit exams.
“It was so incredibly sad. We knew she had scored a C in English language, she just needed to sit the other exam,” says McVittie, who is also president of the Association of School and College Leaders. “In my experience, most children from the Travelling community are extremely bright and do well even when their attendance is low. The problem is getting them to school on exam day.
“Sadly, a number withdraw partway through their GCSEs. We recently had a boy who was getting very high marks in maths, who got sent back to Ireland after taking one paper. We pleaded with the family to send him back. At times, I could weep.”
Fear of daughters’ safety
Catherine has been taught privately from the age of 11 by a tutor her parents found on the internet. She studies, together with her two sisters, but does not want to take GCSEs. Each girl gets just two hours of teaching a week. The rest of the time is spent helping their mother and doing homework. The family live in spotless caravans, carpeted with fluffy, cream rugs, on an official Leeds City Council Traveller site, squeezed in among industrial estates on the outskirts of the city.
One of the main reasons for the high drop-out rate for Traveller girls in secondary education is because their parents refuse to believe that secondary schools can protect them from the dangers of the wider world.
“They fear their daughters meeting boys without the kind of supervision you get in primary schools, while they are going through puberty. A lot of parents are concerned about their children being exposed to drugs in secondary schools,” says Gillie Heath, “virtual” headteacher for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils at Kent County Council.
Certainly, Kindon “doesn’t worry” about her sons at school. “They can fend for themselves,” she says. “Nobody will bully them. If anyone wants to have a fight with my boys they can do it. They train in the gym every day. I know people have tried. But the girls can’t (protect themselves).”
“Mums who have not had experience of secondary education can be fearful,” says Claire Lockwood, manager of Leeds City Council’s Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service. “They are very, very protective of their children, particularly girls.”
Sue Itzinger, a teacher who works with Lockwood, highlights the stark differences between the way boys and girls are treated in Travelling communities.
“Boys often leave school early so that they can learn a trade. But I have met some families who keep girls at home to look after younger siblings. This is what their mother did.”
Itzinger also knows families who do not want their children to go on residential or educational trips because they do not feel teachers can keep them safe. It is not unusual for teenage girls to not be allowed to take public transport or travel anywhere on their own.
How can schools break down this parental suspicion? Those who run Traveller education services say building up trust is essential.
“Some schools have a really good awareness of Traveller culture, and parents want their children to go to them,” says Heath. “Teachers should treat families with trust and respect: this, along with a due regard for safety, is of paramount importance to the Traveller community.”
Finding role models for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils can also work wonders. But this is not always easy. In Kent, new mother Lisa Marie Vine is so far content to care for her new baby. But she is increasingly aware of the consequences of her brief time at school. She can’t read to him. Nor will she be able to help him learn in the way that most parents find so rewarding.
Adult education courses are an option, of course. But despite her frustrations, she says the memory of school is still too painful for her to want to set foot in another classroom.
But she does want an education for her son, who is 10 months old. “I hope Henry Joe doesn’t go through what I did,” she says. “But he will have to stick it out and go to school. I wish I had stayed on, gone to college and got a proper job.”
Lisa Marie Vine is sitting in a gleaming kitchen in her in-laws’ newly built house, bouncing her baby, Henry Joe, on her knee.
“Students used to call me a ‘dirty pikey’,” she tells me. “But the teachers didn’t believe me. I was only 12 and I used to cry when I was blamed for things I didn’t do.
“My mum wanted us to go to school. She used to go and complain. The school said they would sort things out, but they didn’t.”
Vine’s solution was to effectively leave when she was 13; she then spent most of her time working in a cafe. But the decision was not without major consequences. For Vine, now 21, can read and write only “a little”. She claims she is dyslexic and admits she needs help filling in official forms and often has to ask what “long” words mean.
Such stories are not uncommon, and they go some way to explaining why Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils are the lowest-achieving ethnic group in schools in England. They are more likely than any other demographic group to be identified as having special educational needs and are more likely to be excluded from school, according to the Department for Education (DfE).
When children from Traveller backgrounds do go to secondary school, they usually stop turning up after the age of 14. Unsurprisingly, the results of this sporadic relationship with schooling are dire. The DfE records just 17 per cent of Irish Travellers and 11 per cent of Gypsy and Roma pupils achieving five A*-C GCSEs, including English and maths, in 2010-11, compared with a national average of 58 per cent.
The picture at primary level - where full-time pupils from these communities are more likely to be found - is not much better. Just 40 per cent of Irish Travellers and 35 per cent of Gypsy and Roma pupils were awarded the expected level 2 in key stage 1 reading assessments, according to 2008 government figures, compared with 85 per cent of all pupils.
The statistics are depressing in themselves, but they also hint at children struggling to cope with lessons, with teachers and with what they say is repeated racial abuse from other pupils. But it is not just a story about bullying. These young people are brought up in private communities with strong traditions. When they go to schools there is an inevitable culture clash.
“I went to school to learn, but I just got sarcasm from teachers. Honest to God, I never got out of the punishment block (a time-out room),” says Angela, a 15-year-old Irish Traveller who hasn’t attended school since Year 7.
“I would turn round and smile at a girl and they would say that I was having a chat. That was it, I had to spend the rest of the time in the block.”
The teenager, who is officially home educated, now spends her days helping in the family home, an immaculate caravan on a private site in Kent. The carpet is covered with protective plastic, and there are lovingly dusted statuettes and gleaming figurines in a polished cabinet. Angela also spends a lot of time abroad visiting her sisters across Europe.
Her father, John, claims that every one of his eight children was singled out by secondary school teachers for unfair treatment. Only a month ago, his 13-year-old son Tony - a confident boy with a cheeky smile and the habit of smoothing his neat dark brown hair - left school. He hopes to have a home tutor.
“I don’t think some teachers have got the patience with Travelling children and my children didn’t seem to mix,” says John, who doesn’t want his full name used in case his family receives abuse.
“They seemed to be in the punishment block most of the time. It felt like we were going round in circles. I’m not saying Tony was a saint, but there was a lot of petty stuff that could have been overlooked. It didn’t strike me that they wanted Travellers in their school.”
According to Tony, he was always put in the punishment block for a simple reason, such as “I forgot equipment like a pencil”. His older brother Barney, now 17, says he had the same experience. “Most of the time, 70 per cent of the people in the punishment block were Travellers. We were having a laugh in there,” he says.
Children from Travelling backgrounds are far more likely to be excluded from school than pupils from any other ethnic group. A total of 0.47 per cent of Irish Traveller children and 0.33 per cent of Gypsy or Roma children were expelled in 2009-10, compared with 0.09 per cent of the total population of state schools including all ethnicities.
Indeed, a total of 17 per cent of Irish Travellers and 15 per cent of Gypsy or Roma children were suspended from school in the same year, according to a report from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, compared with 4 per cent of all pupils. Many Irish Traveller children also left school earlier than other groups, with only 38 per cent reaching the statutory leaving age in 2009-10.
So are these children more likely to be punished by teachers? And why are they more likely to give up on education?
Cultural chasm
Although it is now common knowledge that Gypsy children are likely to abandon their secondary education before it has even started - thanks to the populist, fly-on-the-wall Channel 4 documentary My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding - it remains rare for people to ask why. But if anything is to be done about the shocking underperformance of these children, the first hurdle to overcome is the vast cultural chasm.
Angela is convinced that the teachers who taught her and her siblings had judged them before they met, expecting them to have behavioural problems and disobey their authority.
She may be right: there may be prejudice in the system. Clearly, the families interviewed by TES would wholeheartedly agree with Trevor Phillips, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who has said that discrimination against these communities appears to be the “last ‘respectable’ form of racism”.
According to one headteacher, who runs a pupil referral unit in Kent, some schools still “stigmatise” children from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller backgrounds.
“It is assumed that schools feel their parents will be badly behaved, therefore the child will be badly behaved and they are not going to do well in school, which is nonsense,” says the head, who asked not to be named.
Brian Foster, chair of the Advisory Council for the Education of Romany and other Travellers, supports this view, and says schools fall into two categories: either unwilling to yield to the demands of Traveller families or too eager to respond to their different needs.
He says that the first situation leaves children with three options: “fight, flight or playing white”. “Playing white” is a telling reference to how Traveller communities view their mainstream neighbours.
“Most schools want to include children, but sometimes they send out a message about the kind of pupil they want,” Foster says. “They might not want to lose children from the Travelling community who are pulled out of school, but they also do not want to give up their overall ethos. Schools take themselves seriously and they expect others to take them seriously. The problem is that some Traveller parents don’t.”
Izaak, 21, an Irish Romany Traveller from Kent who also does not want his full name to be used, recalls that “everyone wanted to fight” with his sister when other pupils found out about his family’s background. “People hear things in the media and think we are violent. That’s not always true,” he says.
Izaak was excluded from school in Year 10 after a teacher accused him of threatening to hit her. But he and his family successfully fought a battle to quash this allegation and he was allowed to return. He claims the trouble arose only because he had been trying to protect his sister. He persuaded fellow pupils to provide witness statements to support his case and asked teachers to act as character witnesses.
“They knew I was polite and only occasionally rude if upset. There were a few Travelling children in my school and we just wanted to keep our heads down. Once a family is known, that’s it,” says Izaak.
“I never got an apology. When I went back to school I didn’t make a big thing about it. They messed up my education, but you just have to get on with it.”
Izaak now works for Kent County Council’s Minority Communities Achievement Service in schools as a mentor, counsellor and role model liaising with parents and teachers to get children back into education. But he sees children suffering the same discrimination that he says he experienced in his youth.
“I have come across children who were getting called ‘pikeys’, ‘wheels’ and ‘dirty scum’,” says Izaak, who does manual work at the weekends and cage fights “for fun” because he does not want to be disconnected from his culture. “I want to help them so that they don’t have to go through the same things in life as I have. Racism still goes on in schools.”
Izaak claims he is dyslexic and says he “failed every exam” in Year 11. When he left school, he had a reading age of 4 to 6. Then one day he decided, out of boredom, to buy a Harry Potter book. It took him a year to complete, but finishing it coincided with his old school offering him a place to return and get qualifications.
A year later, he was awarded a BTEC in business and passed level 2 exams in maths, English and IT. He went on to get NVQ qualifications in electronics. He joined his father’s scrap metal business, but when work slowed down he applied for an apprenticeship with Kent County Council, where his mentoring role evolved.
Recurring problem
Discrimination isn’t a new problem for Travelling communities. Henry Stanford, 65, grandfather of Lisa Marie Vine, remembers that teachers had an “attitude” towards him when he was at school in the 1950s.
“I had to go to the back of the class and was sent to the headmaster for the slightest thing,” he recalls. “But I was always one for capering about, messing about. I used to walk the fields instead of going to school so my father didn’t know. Later, my children were picked on. But I used to make them stand up for themselves. You can’t do that nowadays.”
It is a story that still has resonance today. Catherine, 16, spent just three weeks at secondary school. During that time she says she was called names, pushed and kicked by a boy.
“She sat on the floor crying and said she was not going back,” says her mother, Mary Ellen Kindon, 36.
Catherine’s family, who are Gypsies, were deeply disappointed by the teachers’ reactions, and claim that they did not punish her attackers. But unlike Izaak and his family, they chose not to challenge the teachers.
Kindon has four other children: Nikita, 13, Mary Ellen, 14, and twin sons Manilitho and Thomas James (TJ), who are 12. The boys attend secondary school in Leeds.
“My boys have been called ‘Gypsy bastard’ by other pupils,” Kindon says. “Some are from different cultures themselves, so they should understand that this is racism. But we are used to it. This has been going on for donkey’s years.”
But there is more to this story of educational failure than prejudice against these minority communities. These are communities with very real issues about schooling. Many simply don’t approve of it, particularly for girls, who they don’t trust schools to keep safe.
“We know what we want: to read and write,” says Frank Brazil, 63, a Romany Gypsy, who runs the South East Romany Museum in Kent with his family. “We don’t want to be professors. The rest of it, our own ways, children can learn from their parents. They need to learn about their culture.”
Although this may not be a universal truth in these communities, the statistics suggest a resolute rejection of classroom excellence. Just 2.5 per cent of Irish Travellers and 2.7 per cent of Gypsy or Roma children at primary schools in England were recorded as being gifted and talented on the January 2011 schools census. In comparison, 10 per cent of Asian and black pupils were on the gifted and talented register.
In many ways, attitudes have not changed through the generations. Brazil started working when he was 10, but also managed to attend school on and off until he was 16. He and his family moved around the East and South East of the country picking fruit and vegetables. In winter he went to lessons, but in spring and summer he did not.
Similarly, when his children were young, the family travelled around Kent, doing the same work. They went back to school only when they were not needed in the fields.
Some things have changed, however, because Brazil’s grandchildren - Frank, 13, Archie, 11, Tilly, 7, and Lois, 3 - live in a house with their parents and go to school full-time. Brazil seems content with this, but he wants all children from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller backgrounds to be able to learn about their culture.
Indeed, it seems that he wants to combine the best of both worlds, but he has no suggestion as to how it would work in reality. All he says is that children from Traveller and Gypsy families should be treated as “a special case”.
“Children need an education; times have moved on. But if families want to travel around they shouldn’t be persecuted.”
Like Brazil, Stanford went to school between hop-picking duties. His father gave him the choice of going to lessons or working with him - the latter was usually more attractive.
“I’m good at reckoning up and reading, and I liked art at secondary school. I used to like school to a certain degree - subjects like woodwork. But I wasn’t so keen on religious instruction,” he adds.
He says other people outside the classroom were just as important in his education, such as the sweet shop owner who helped him to read by promising treats if he could read the names on the labels.
In the past, Travelling communities were more mobile, taking seasonal jobs such as fruit- or crop-picking in the warmer months. Now, many families have a very different way of life; most live in houses or on a permanent site, not in highly decorated, horse-drawn caravans.
Yet these communities remain immensely proud of their heritage and try to live according to the same code of conduct as their ancestors. They want to keep their children safe and under their control. But it is this flexible attitude towards schooling that often leaves the children without qualifications.
Joan McVittie, headteacher of Woodside High School in North London, recently tried to persuade a 16-year-old girl from a Travelling family - who left school in the middle of taking her GCSEs to get married - to come back and sit exams.
“It was so incredibly sad. We knew she had scored a C in English language, she just needed to sit the other exam,” says McVittie, who is also president of the Association of School and College Leaders. “In my experience, most children from the Travelling community are extremely bright and do well even when their attendance is low. The problem is getting them to school on exam day.
“Sadly, a number withdraw partway through their GCSEs. We recently had a boy who was getting very high marks in maths, who got sent back to Ireland after taking one paper. We pleaded with the family to send him back. At times, I could weep.”
Fear of daughters’ safety
Catherine has been taught privately from the age of 11 by a tutor her parents found on the internet. She studies, together with her two sisters, but does not want to take GCSEs. Each girl gets just two hours of teaching a week. The rest of the time is spent helping their mother and doing homework. The family live in spotless caravans, carpeted with fluffy, cream rugs, on an official Leeds City Council Traveller site, squeezed in among industrial estates on the outskirts of the city.
One of the main reasons for the high drop-out rate for Traveller girls in secondary education is because their parents refuse to believe that secondary schools can protect them from the dangers of the wider world.
“They fear their daughters meeting boys without the kind of supervision you get in primary schools, while they are going through puberty. A lot of parents are concerned about their children being exposed to drugs in secondary schools,” says Gillie Heath, “virtual” headteacher for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils at Kent County Council.
Certainly, Kindon “doesn’t worry” about her sons at school. “They can fend for themselves,” she says. “Nobody will bully them. If anyone wants to have a fight with my boys they can do it. They train in the gym every day. I know people have tried. But the girls can’t (protect themselves).”
“Mums who have not had experience of secondary education can be fearful,” says Claire Lockwood, manager of Leeds City Council’s Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service. “They are very, very protective of their children, particularly girls.”
Sue Itzinger, a teacher who works with Lockwood, highlights the stark differences between the way boys and girls are treated in Travelling communities.
“Boys often leave school early so that they can learn a trade. But I have met some families who keep girls at home to look after younger siblings. This is what their mother did.”
Itzinger also knows families who do not want their children to go on residential or educational trips because they do not feel teachers can keep them safe. It is not unusual for teenage girls to not be allowed to take public transport or travel anywhere on their own.
How can schools break down this parental suspicion? Those who run Traveller education services say building up trust is essential.
“Some schools have a really good awareness of Traveller culture, and parents want their children to go to them,” says Heath. “Teachers should treat families with trust and respect: this, along with a due regard for safety, is of paramount importance to the Traveller community.”
Finding role models for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils can also work wonders. But this is not always easy. In Kent, new mother Lisa Marie Vine is so far content to care for her new baby. But she is increasingly aware of the consequences of her brief time at school. She can’t read to him. Nor will she be able to help him learn in the way that most parents find so rewarding.
Adult education courses are an option, of course. But despite her frustrations, she says the memory of school is still too painful for her to want to set foot in another classroom.
But she does want an education for her son, who is 10 months old. “I hope Henry Joe doesn’t go through what I did,” she says. “But he will have to stick it out and go to school. I wish I had stayed on, gone to college and got a proper job.”
Is it really a debate if the powerful don’t listen?
From the Travellers' Solidarity Network
Last week, a few TSNers attended a seminar in Parliament organised by the Irish Traveller Movement of Britain [LINK], and chaired by Andrew George MP of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gypsy Roma and Travellers*. The event aimed at bringing journalists as well as ‘media execs’ into conversation with representatives of different Traveller communities. This is something that is all too rarely done, as the pervasiveness of racism in the media illustrates and the ITMB should be praised for holding such an event. Indeed the turnout was good. Unfortunately many who came from the Media didn’t seem to be particularly receptive to the idea.
But lets start at the beginning, Mike Doherty, the press officer for ITMB spoke about the submission they made to the Leveson inquiry here:
Doherty outlined six main points in which the Media are routinely racist in their reporting of Traveller, Roma and Romani Gypsies:
1. The linking of the Traveller ethnicity to crime.
2. The fact that the word ‘Gypsy’ seems to be news-worthy in itself- note the amount of inane stories in the Daily Mail simply because of ‘Gypsy’ involvement.
3. Incitement to racial hatred.
4. The failure to sanction offensive online posts in response to articles. The Basildon Echo comments section, as well as most others are full of bile, hatred and in many cases illegal incitements of racial hatred.
5. Capitalisation – Gypsy, Roma and Travellers are legally recognised ethnic minorities, and therefore should have capital letters as standard;
6. Complaints – under current laws, there is a right to pursue complaints about racism in terms of their effect on individuals, but not with regard to their effect on groups. This fails to recognise the collective and cumulative damage done to whole communities.
Also speaking were Tina and Bridy, Irish Travellers living in London, who highlighted the direct effects of the racist portrayal of Travellers in Channel 4’s Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. After years of gradually increasing respect for Travellers from the settled community, the audience were told how the series had “turned back the clock” resulting in abuse, name-calling and endless questions about dresses. More seriously, ITMB has received news from many Headteachers concerned with the increase in bullying and levels of sexual assault against Traveller girls in schools. This is a direct result of BFGW’s sexualisation of Traveller girls, showing them as promiscuous objects of sexual desire, in complete contrast with Traveller culture. Even worse is the idea of ‘grabbing’, the completely made-up idea that ‘Gypsy’ men choose their partners by physically grabbing them.
Speakers Mike Jempson of MediaWise and solicitor David Enright also gave interesting presentations, on tackling racism in the press, and on the Big Fat Gypsy Wedding Billboards.
Then came the turn of Nick Hornby, Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor and the man responsible for BFGW to speak. Having heard from several speakers of the direct results of the show’s racism, Hornby brazenly defended the show and made no attempt to apologise or take on board the criticisms. It seemed he did not want to recognise the power or responsibility he held. I couldn’t help asking myself whether it was really a debate if those with the power don’t listen? Representatives of OFCOM and the Press Complaints Committee were also present, but were keen to point out that they worked to specific codes, which as other speakers pointed out, are not sufficient.
Where does this leave us? Fighting racism in the Media is undoubtedly a key battle, as it impacts attitudes and treatment of Travellers directly. We were told just as much at the seminar, even if the Media execs want to pretend otherwise. It seems that much more pressure on the Media at all levels is needed, from complaints, actions and legal cases against individual newspapers, to changes on a wider scale.
* A Big Fat Public Debate? Gypsies, Roma and Irish Travellers in the Media, Houses of Parliament, 19th June 2012.
Last week, a few TSNers attended a seminar in Parliament organised by the Irish Traveller Movement of Britain [LINK], and chaired by Andrew George MP of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gypsy Roma and Travellers*. The event aimed at bringing journalists as well as ‘media execs’ into conversation with representatives of different Traveller communities. This is something that is all too rarely done, as the pervasiveness of racism in the media illustrates and the ITMB should be praised for holding such an event. Indeed the turnout was good. Unfortunately many who came from the Media didn’t seem to be particularly receptive to the idea.
But lets start at the beginning, Mike Doherty, the press officer for ITMB spoke about the submission they made to the Leveson inquiry here:
Doherty outlined six main points in which the Media are routinely racist in their reporting of Traveller, Roma and Romani Gypsies:
1. The linking of the Traveller ethnicity to crime.
2. The fact that the word ‘Gypsy’ seems to be news-worthy in itself- note the amount of inane stories in the Daily Mail simply because of ‘Gypsy’ involvement.
3. Incitement to racial hatred.
4. The failure to sanction offensive online posts in response to articles. The Basildon Echo comments section, as well as most others are full of bile, hatred and in many cases illegal incitements of racial hatred.
5. Capitalisation – Gypsy, Roma and Travellers are legally recognised ethnic minorities, and therefore should have capital letters as standard;
6. Complaints – under current laws, there is a right to pursue complaints about racism in terms of their effect on individuals, but not with regard to their effect on groups. This fails to recognise the collective and cumulative damage done to whole communities.
Also speaking were Tina and Bridy, Irish Travellers living in London, who highlighted the direct effects of the racist portrayal of Travellers in Channel 4’s Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. After years of gradually increasing respect for Travellers from the settled community, the audience were told how the series had “turned back the clock” resulting in abuse, name-calling and endless questions about dresses. More seriously, ITMB has received news from many Headteachers concerned with the increase in bullying and levels of sexual assault against Traveller girls in schools. This is a direct result of BFGW’s sexualisation of Traveller girls, showing them as promiscuous objects of sexual desire, in complete contrast with Traveller culture. Even worse is the idea of ‘grabbing’, the completely made-up idea that ‘Gypsy’ men choose their partners by physically grabbing them.
Speakers Mike Jempson of MediaWise and solicitor David Enright also gave interesting presentations, on tackling racism in the press, and on the Big Fat Gypsy Wedding Billboards.
Then came the turn of Nick Hornby, Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor and the man responsible for BFGW to speak. Having heard from several speakers of the direct results of the show’s racism, Hornby brazenly defended the show and made no attempt to apologise or take on board the criticisms. It seemed he did not want to recognise the power or responsibility he held. I couldn’t help asking myself whether it was really a debate if those with the power don’t listen? Representatives of OFCOM and the Press Complaints Committee were also present, but were keen to point out that they worked to specific codes, which as other speakers pointed out, are not sufficient.
Where does this leave us? Fighting racism in the Media is undoubtedly a key battle, as it impacts attitudes and treatment of Travellers directly. We were told just as much at the seminar, even if the Media execs want to pretend otherwise. It seems that much more pressure on the Media at all levels is needed, from complaints, actions and legal cases against individual newspapers, to changes on a wider scale.
* A Big Fat Public Debate? Gypsies, Roma and Irish Travellers in the Media, Houses of Parliament, 19th June 2012.
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