Council chiefs are to run the rule over 300 sites across Leeds in their search for potential new Gypsy and Traveller camps.
The sites to be looked at are currently under wraps and a senior councillor is pressing for the list to be made available to all council members.
The council wants to provide 12 pitches for accommodation for 12 Leeds “roadside families” to try to reduce the number of unauthorised encampments, which between 2004-10 cost the authority £1.9m in clean-up and legal costs.
A set of criteria to guide the search were approved by the council’s Executive Board and they indicate that top priority will be given to available council-owned prospective residential brownfield sites around the city.
Government guidance that “where possible sites should be located near to housing for the settled community to promote better relations” will also be taken into account.
Coun Andrew Carter, the council’s Conservative group leader, told the board: “Three hundred sites are being looked at. Can that list be made available to all council members?
“I want to see the sites so that I can do my own work as set down by the criteria.”
He also argued that illegal encampments should be made a criminal rather than civil offence, saying: “This would allow the police to act more quickly.”
Coun Stewart Golton, Liberal Democrat group leader, said the vast majority of the 300 sites would not be suitable and would be dismissed,
He suggested a list need only be made available when the 300 had been “distilled down” to sites which, under the criteria, had the potential to be developed as Gypsy and Traveller pitches.
He added: “I appreciate this is a necessary policy to go into given we have all been affected by illegal camps but the process needs to be conducted slowly and transparently.”
Coun Peter Gruen, executive member for housing and neighbourhoods, said: “The work will be deliberate, thorough and transparent but this isn’t the right time to talk about sites that won’t make it onto a list of possible camps.
“When prioritised sites are available I will bring them to the Executive Board.”
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Friday, 16 December 2011
The Coopers of Colyton Common
Fond memories of Tommy and Priscilla have been shared with parish councillor and local historian Ken Clifford.
They were charismatic entrepreneurs of the countryside and were liked - and remembered - by everyone they met.
Gypsies Tommy and Priscilla Cooper were as synonymous with Colyton Common as the bleak landscape they called ‘home’.
Years after their deaths, stories about their remarkable lives have been collected by local historian and parish councillor Ken Clifford.
He received an overhwelming response after the Midweek Herald revealed Priscilla was a leading folk singer of her day - so admired, the great song collector Cecil Sharp twice travelled to her Romany caravan to record her voice at the turn of the 1900s. Those primitive recordings survive to this day, held in the vaults of the British Library.
“The big thing is that so many people have contacted me to say how happy it made them to read about Tommy and Priscilla in the Midweek Herald,” said Ken. “They remember Tommy and have been delighted to read about his wife.”
Ken hopes visitors, particularly those interested in folk singing, will be drawn to Colyton - to follow in the Coopers’ footsteps.
“The response to The Herald’s original story was so great, I couldn’t possibly thank everyone individually,” he said. “I want to say one big thank you, to everyone.”
Thanks to that massive response, we can now reveal...
Priscilla Cooper wore the trousers in her caravan, but it is Tommy who people remember the most.
Although daffodils were grown by Tommy Cooper, in fields on both sides of Colyton Hill, it was not a flower that drew him to Devon. It was ferns.
The Gypsy left his native Kent, together with Bill Cooper, William Packman and Vanny Low, and travelled by train in search of a plant that would protect fresh fish at London’s big markets from flies.
Three types of fern were sought after by traders in the capital, research by Ken Clifford has revealed.
Gyspy suppliers referred to them as Boreye, Angular and Polly. Tommy quickly discovered all three species were readily available in the Colyton area, so he put down roots and stayed. His companions moved on to South Devon and Cornwall. The ferns were bundled by species, dampened and sent by train to London.
Tommy’s daffodil business followed. He rented fields from the parish council, as well as local farmers.
“I’m told his fields of yellow flowers were hell of a sight,” says Ken.
He believes Tommy Cooper was a shrewd businessman, with a keen eye for a bargain and who was never short of a bob or two.
The Coopers had a sideline - collecting rags. Their horse and cart did the rounds and, in the run-up to Christmas, they were especially busy. The Coopers supplied holly wreaths and mistletoe.
“Everything came from nature, except the rags,” said Ken.
“After Tommy’s death, his daffodil bulbs were dug up and sold. People came from as far afield as Cornwall to buy them.”
On Colyton Common a dew pond acted like a magnet for Tommy Cooper’s horses. It was filled in following his death, but a shed he once lived in nearby survives. It was moved, bit by bit, to Manor Farm and, up until a few years ago, was still used. Although still standing, a storm has stoved in its front elevation.
Tommy was a great horseman and his knowledge of all things equestrian earned him the respect of farmers and huntsman. The late Martin Salter, a former master of Axe Vale Hunt, was among those to recognise his affinity with horses.
The legend that was Tommy Cooper is recorded in the diary of former Seaton businessman Harry Clapp.
According to records kept at Axe Valley Heritage Museum, the Clapps were undertakers and supplied a hearse and five mourning carriages for the funeral of the Queen of the Gypsies. It is not known for sure who the Queen was, but it was before Priscilla Cooper’s death. In Harry Clapp’s own words, the Queen lived at Colyton Hill and was buried at Salcombe Regis. Gypsies from all over England and Wales attended her funeral. The horses used for the mourning carriages were kept at Huntshayne. Mourners met on Colyton Hill, but, according to Harry’s written record, several were drunk and slept until funeral-goers returned for the traditional burning of the Romany caravan.
Then, he recorded, a “great fight” broke out and the following day Tommy was seen with two black eyes and a very swollen face.
(With grateful thanks to Ted Gosling, curator, Axe Valley Heritage Museum, Seaton.)
Although Tommy and Priscilla Cooper had no children of their own, they ‘adopted’ a neighbour’s son.
The boy was one of a large number of children belonging to Clinton Estate shepherd Albert Boyland and his wife, who lived at Stafford Cottages.
He regularly accompanied them on outings to collect rags and other business.
It is recorded by Colytonians that the boy “always went home wearing lovely clothes”.
One of the many stories to come out of our appeal for more information about Priscilla and Tommy Cooper has nothing to do with them at all. However, it is about a Gypsy - and a very lucky one at that!
Bernard and Betty Pearce recall that Tilly, who lived at Stockland, visited Colyton for a dance. When she left the event to go home, she realised what a long walk she faced. In a nearby field, she caught a pony and rode it home. It was found by a constable tied to a tree after being reported missing. When asked about the pony, Tilly freely admitted riding it home and asked: “Am I in trouble?” “No!” she was told. n fact, it transpired, the farmer had been trying to catch the pony for three weeks and was willing to pay her £10 the next time he saw her - for breaking it in!
They were charismatic entrepreneurs of the countryside and were liked - and remembered - by everyone they met.
Gypsies Tommy and Priscilla Cooper were as synonymous with Colyton Common as the bleak landscape they called ‘home’.
Years after their deaths, stories about their remarkable lives have been collected by local historian and parish councillor Ken Clifford.
He received an overhwelming response after the Midweek Herald revealed Priscilla was a leading folk singer of her day - so admired, the great song collector Cecil Sharp twice travelled to her Romany caravan to record her voice at the turn of the 1900s. Those primitive recordings survive to this day, held in the vaults of the British Library.
“The big thing is that so many people have contacted me to say how happy it made them to read about Tommy and Priscilla in the Midweek Herald,” said Ken. “They remember Tommy and have been delighted to read about his wife.”
Ken hopes visitors, particularly those interested in folk singing, will be drawn to Colyton - to follow in the Coopers’ footsteps.
“The response to The Herald’s original story was so great, I couldn’t possibly thank everyone individually,” he said. “I want to say one big thank you, to everyone.”
Thanks to that massive response, we can now reveal...
Priscilla Cooper wore the trousers in her caravan, but it is Tommy who people remember the most.
Although daffodils were grown by Tommy Cooper, in fields on both sides of Colyton Hill, it was not a flower that drew him to Devon. It was ferns.
The Gypsy left his native Kent, together with Bill Cooper, William Packman and Vanny Low, and travelled by train in search of a plant that would protect fresh fish at London’s big markets from flies.
Three types of fern were sought after by traders in the capital, research by Ken Clifford has revealed.
Gyspy suppliers referred to them as Boreye, Angular and Polly. Tommy quickly discovered all three species were readily available in the Colyton area, so he put down roots and stayed. His companions moved on to South Devon and Cornwall. The ferns were bundled by species, dampened and sent by train to London.
Tommy’s daffodil business followed. He rented fields from the parish council, as well as local farmers.
“I’m told his fields of yellow flowers were hell of a sight,” says Ken.
He believes Tommy Cooper was a shrewd businessman, with a keen eye for a bargain and who was never short of a bob or two.
The Coopers had a sideline - collecting rags. Their horse and cart did the rounds and, in the run-up to Christmas, they were especially busy. The Coopers supplied holly wreaths and mistletoe.
“Everything came from nature, except the rags,” said Ken.
“After Tommy’s death, his daffodil bulbs were dug up and sold. People came from as far afield as Cornwall to buy them.”
On Colyton Common a dew pond acted like a magnet for Tommy Cooper’s horses. It was filled in following his death, but a shed he once lived in nearby survives. It was moved, bit by bit, to Manor Farm and, up until a few years ago, was still used. Although still standing, a storm has stoved in its front elevation.
Tommy was a great horseman and his knowledge of all things equestrian earned him the respect of farmers and huntsman. The late Martin Salter, a former master of Axe Vale Hunt, was among those to recognise his affinity with horses.
The legend that was Tommy Cooper is recorded in the diary of former Seaton businessman Harry Clapp.
According to records kept at Axe Valley Heritage Museum, the Clapps were undertakers and supplied a hearse and five mourning carriages for the funeral of the Queen of the Gypsies. It is not known for sure who the Queen was, but it was before Priscilla Cooper’s death. In Harry Clapp’s own words, the Queen lived at Colyton Hill and was buried at Salcombe Regis. Gypsies from all over England and Wales attended her funeral. The horses used for the mourning carriages were kept at Huntshayne. Mourners met on Colyton Hill, but, according to Harry’s written record, several were drunk and slept until funeral-goers returned for the traditional burning of the Romany caravan.
Then, he recorded, a “great fight” broke out and the following day Tommy was seen with two black eyes and a very swollen face.
(With grateful thanks to Ted Gosling, curator, Axe Valley Heritage Museum, Seaton.)
Although Tommy and Priscilla Cooper had no children of their own, they ‘adopted’ a neighbour’s son.
The boy was one of a large number of children belonging to Clinton Estate shepherd Albert Boyland and his wife, who lived at Stafford Cottages.
He regularly accompanied them on outings to collect rags and other business.
It is recorded by Colytonians that the boy “always went home wearing lovely clothes”.
One of the many stories to come out of our appeal for more information about Priscilla and Tommy Cooper has nothing to do with them at all. However, it is about a Gypsy - and a very lucky one at that!
Bernard and Betty Pearce recall that Tilly, who lived at Stockland, visited Colyton for a dance. When she left the event to go home, she realised what a long walk she faced. In a nearby field, she caught a pony and rode it home. It was found by a constable tied to a tree after being reported missing. When asked about the pony, Tilly freely admitted riding it home and asked: “Am I in trouble?” “No!” she was told. n fact, it transpired, the farmer had been trying to catch the pony for three weeks and was willing to pay her £10 the next time he saw her - for breaking it in!
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Eighty comments on Titchfield Common Gypsy site plan - Fareham
Almost 80 people have commented on a controversial application for a permanent one-caravan Gypsy site in Segensworth
The deadline for comments on the planning application for the site next to the Segensworth roundabout at the end of Segensworth Road, is tomorrow (Friday December 16).
The application, which has been made to Fareham Borough Council, is for one caravan and stables to permanently reside on land to the west of Segensworth Road.
Phil Rowe, the agent for the applicant Matthew James, said the proposal for the 0.94 hectare site was to change the use from agricultural land to accommodate a family of four and their two cars as permanent residents in a caravan.
He said: “We’re happy to work with the local community. There’s often consternation towards Gypsies but they’re entitled to make applications like anyone else in accordance with the planning policies.”
Last year an ice rink was located on the site, which was owned by Mr James, owner of Ice Pad UK.
Mr Rowe said there were no plans to have another ice rink this year, but they hoped to work with Fareham Borough Council in the future to find a suitable location for one.
Councillor Keith Evans, who represents Titchfield Common and is a member of the planning committee, said: “It is an application for change of use for that site so it can be used for permanent Gypsy accommodation.”
He said the land is currently designated as countryside land and that changing it was “an important decision and would not be taken lightly”.
He said the council had to allocate a set number of locations in the borough for permanent accommodation for Travellers and there are currently two located in Peel Common near Gosport and two at Titchfield Hill.
The application will be heard by the planning committee in the next few months.
The deadline for comments on the planning application for the site next to the Segensworth roundabout at the end of Segensworth Road, is tomorrow (Friday December 16).
The application, which has been made to Fareham Borough Council, is for one caravan and stables to permanently reside on land to the west of Segensworth Road.
Phil Rowe, the agent for the applicant Matthew James, said the proposal for the 0.94 hectare site was to change the use from agricultural land to accommodate a family of four and their two cars as permanent residents in a caravan.
He said: “We’re happy to work with the local community. There’s often consternation towards Gypsies but they’re entitled to make applications like anyone else in accordance with the planning policies.”
Last year an ice rink was located on the site, which was owned by Mr James, owner of Ice Pad UK.
Mr Rowe said there were no plans to have another ice rink this year, but they hoped to work with Fareham Borough Council in the future to find a suitable location for one.
Councillor Keith Evans, who represents Titchfield Common and is a member of the planning committee, said: “It is an application for change of use for that site so it can be used for permanent Gypsy accommodation.”
He said the land is currently designated as countryside land and that changing it was “an important decision and would not be taken lightly”.
He said the council had to allocate a set number of locations in the borough for permanent accommodation for Travellers and there are currently two located in Peel Common near Gosport and two at Titchfield Hill.
The application will be heard by the planning committee in the next few months.
No debate on Newport Gypsy site - South Wales
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build Gipsy and Traveller sites in Newport will not go before full council as they are not exceptional and the debate would likely be a shambles, the authority’s leader says.
Applications for five sites in Bettws, Marshfield and Nash will instead be discussed by the planning committee in the new year after Matthew Evans rejected Labour councillors’ plea for all members to have their say about the plans, which have attracted opposition from thousands of residents.
He concluded that although the subject was an emotive one, it was not considered “exceptional”
enough to warrant all councillors’ involvement and such a full debate was likely to be “shambolic”.
He said the law stated only applications which would have an impact on the economy, development and environment of the whole city needed to be discussed by full council, and as the applications were for five relatively small sites, it was not needed.
He added: “If the planning committee can make discussion on multi-million pound planning applications, they are good enough to decide this.”
Labour councillors hit out at the decision branding it a “disgrace”.
Cllr John Richards said opposition to the plans was growing across the city and the refusal of a full council debate “suppressed democracy”.
He said: “I thought Matthew as leader you understood the feeling of people in this town but you have totally disregarded them on this issue.”
Cllr Ron Jones expressed concern that many members of the planning committee would not be allowed to take part in the decision- making process as many of them had already aired their views on the issue in public.
Nearly 2,000 people signed a petition against plans at Yew Tree Cottage, Bettws, while 400 people attended a public meeting opposing two proposed encampments at Pye Corner, Nash.
Another site is planned at Pound Hill, Marshfield. More than 200 sites were initially considered.
Applications for five sites in Bettws, Marshfield and Nash will instead be discussed by the planning committee in the new year after Matthew Evans rejected Labour councillors’ plea for all members to have their say about the plans, which have attracted opposition from thousands of residents.
He concluded that although the subject was an emotive one, it was not considered “exceptional”
enough to warrant all councillors’ involvement and such a full debate was likely to be “shambolic”.
He said the law stated only applications which would have an impact on the economy, development and environment of the whole city needed to be discussed by full council, and as the applications were for five relatively small sites, it was not needed.
He added: “If the planning committee can make discussion on multi-million pound planning applications, they are good enough to decide this.”
Labour councillors hit out at the decision branding it a “disgrace”.
Cllr John Richards said opposition to the plans was growing across the city and the refusal of a full council debate “suppressed democracy”.
He said: “I thought Matthew as leader you understood the feeling of people in this town but you have totally disregarded them on this issue.”
Cllr Ron Jones expressed concern that many members of the planning committee would not be allowed to take part in the decision- making process as many of them had already aired their views on the issue in public.
Nearly 2,000 people signed a petition against plans at Yew Tree Cottage, Bettws, while 400 people attended a public meeting opposing two proposed encampments at Pye Corner, Nash.
Another site is planned at Pound Hill, Marshfield. More than 200 sites were initially considered.
Gypsy campaigners new eviction battle - Meriden
FACT is often stranger than fiction - and that couldn't be more true in the case of the Meriden campaigners who have been holding a 24-hour vigil at an unauthorised Gypsy site in the village for almost 600 days.
Villagers set up a temporary shelter for their round-the-clock vigil base at the entrance to the Eaves Green lane site when the Travellers moved in over a year-and-a-half ago.
They have held vigil, led campaigns, urged legal action and made representations to local and national Government in what has been a successful bid to have the Travellers evicted.
But in an ironic twist, Solihull Council's Planning Committee is now being asked at its December 21 meeting to vote on whether or not to evict the protesters from their makeshift base - despite the Travellers still not being booted out.
David McGrath, leader of the protesters' group Meriden RAID has hit back at the council's push for their eviction saying it was adding insult to injury.
"The action is totally unnecessary as we have already signalled our intention to leave when they take enforcement action against the Travellers," he added.
"That is reasonable and fair.
"It seems that it is easier to pick on law abiding taxpayers who care about the environment rather than the Travellers.
#
"We have won our case and no-one wants to take action against the Travellers any time soon."
Mr McGrath is calling on the council to defer a decision to allow discussions to take place to agree a voluntary timescale for withdrawal 'just like they would do with the Travellers'.
He added: "We will not be wasting money on legal appeals.
"The money that we normally raise at this time of year as a community is for deserving Charities and we wont waste it fighting the council instead.
"They need to be realistic and work with us otherwise it will escalate."
He conceded that if the council ordered the protesters to remove their shelter then they would comply but would simply return and sit on the ground - and snow if necessary - to continue their protest.
"We do not want the taxpayers to spend any money evicting us – unlike the Travellers who string out legal appeals," he added.
If Councillors approve the action the protesters could be asked to move within 28 days or face the baliffs.
Villagers set up a temporary shelter for their round-the-clock vigil base at the entrance to the Eaves Green lane site when the Travellers moved in over a year-and-a-half ago.
They have held vigil, led campaigns, urged legal action and made representations to local and national Government in what has been a successful bid to have the Travellers evicted.
But in an ironic twist, Solihull Council's Planning Committee is now being asked at its December 21 meeting to vote on whether or not to evict the protesters from their makeshift base - despite the Travellers still not being booted out.
David McGrath, leader of the protesters' group Meriden RAID has hit back at the council's push for their eviction saying it was adding insult to injury.
"The action is totally unnecessary as we have already signalled our intention to leave when they take enforcement action against the Travellers," he added.
"That is reasonable and fair.
"It seems that it is easier to pick on law abiding taxpayers who care about the environment rather than the Travellers.
#
"We have won our case and no-one wants to take action against the Travellers any time soon."
Mr McGrath is calling on the council to defer a decision to allow discussions to take place to agree a voluntary timescale for withdrawal 'just like they would do with the Travellers'.
He added: "We will not be wasting money on legal appeals.
"The money that we normally raise at this time of year as a community is for deserving Charities and we wont waste it fighting the council instead.
"They need to be realistic and work with us otherwise it will escalate."
He conceded that if the council ordered the protesters to remove their shelter then they would comply but would simply return and sit on the ground - and snow if necessary - to continue their protest.
"We do not want the taxpayers to spend any money evicting us – unlike the Travellers who string out legal appeals," he added.
If Councillors approve the action the protesters could be asked to move within 28 days or face the baliffs.
River Lane Gypsies: 'Council has wrecked our futures' - Surrey
GYPSIES have vowed not to leave their homes after councillors refused permanent planning permission for their site in River Lane.
hree applications for "permanent use of the land as a gypsy and traveller caravan site" were submitted to Mole Valley District Council's (MVDC), but last week the planning committee voted 9 to 6 to reject all three.
Planning officers had earlier submitted a report detailing the eight-year history of the site, adding that "on balance" permission should be granted.
But the majority of councillors disagreed, saying that would "set a precedent" for more green belt sites in future.
The issue has been disputed since the Gypsies moved onto the Leatherhead land in 2003 – and the controversy looks set to continue.
Susan King, who lives on the site, said: "If they try and put an eviction notice on the site we will then go back to the High Court, and there's no judge who will come down and put us off the land when council officers have recommended to accept it (the planning application). It's ridiculous."
She added: "Those councillors have wrecked our Christmas and our futures and our children's futures. We were gobsmacked to be honest."
At the planning meeting last Wednesday, Councillor Rosemary Dickson (Conservative, Leatherhead South) said: "We all have to abide by the law whether we like it or not. They knew before they moved onto the land that it was green belt and should not have moved onto it.
"If you take away the emotion from this, and the names and the fact it involves Gypsies, and replaced those names with doctors and dentists, would we be considering their application? I do not think so."
Councillor Emile Aboud (Conservative, Fetcham West) said the site caused "substantial and significant harm to the green belt and its objectives".
The dispute began in 2003 when Gypsies bought and moved onto the land and built permanent structures, before seeking retrospective planning permission.
In 2007, a planning inspector granted four years' temporary permission to give MVDC time to find alternative sites, but none were identified by the council.
The Gypsy families living on the site have six months to appeal the latest decision.
hree applications for "permanent use of the land as a gypsy and traveller caravan site" were submitted to Mole Valley District Council's (MVDC), but last week the planning committee voted 9 to 6 to reject all three.
But the majority of councillors disagreed, saying that would "set a precedent" for more green belt sites in future.
The issue has been disputed since the Gypsies moved onto the Leatherhead land in 2003 – and the controversy looks set to continue.
Susan King, who lives on the site, said: "If they try and put an eviction notice on the site we will then go back to the High Court, and there's no judge who will come down and put us off the land when council officers have recommended to accept it (the planning application). It's ridiculous."
She added: "Those councillors have wrecked our Christmas and our futures and our children's futures. We were gobsmacked to be honest."
At the planning meeting last Wednesday, Councillor Rosemary Dickson (Conservative, Leatherhead South) said: "We all have to abide by the law whether we like it or not. They knew before they moved onto the land that it was green belt and should not have moved onto it.
"If you take away the emotion from this, and the names and the fact it involves Gypsies, and replaced those names with doctors and dentists, would we be considering their application? I do not think so."
Councillor Emile Aboud (Conservative, Fetcham West) said the site caused "substantial and significant harm to the green belt and its objectives".
The dispute began in 2003 when Gypsies bought and moved onto the land and built permanent structures, before seeking retrospective planning permission.
In 2007, a planning inspector granted four years' temporary permission to give MVDC time to find alternative sites, but none were identified by the council.
The Gypsy families living on the site have six months to appeal the latest decision.
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Gypsy Auschwitz short film premiere at Milford Haven
Members of the Priory Project, Monkton, visited the former Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps where 20,000 Roma Gypsies were killed during World War II.
Their seven minute film, Gypsies in Auschwitz, will be shown at Milford Haven's Torch Theatre at 17:30 GMT.
Partly animated, it will be included in a resource pack for Welsh schools.
Between 1941 and 1944, some 23,000 European Roma people were transported to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps by the Nazis. Only 2,000 survived.
Twelve young women involved with the Priory Project, which works with 204 children from the community who are integrated into 10 schools in the county, went on the trip to Poland in July.
Aged between 17 and 18, they visited both camps, obtaining special permission to film there.
The idea for the film came after members of Pembrokeshire's Gypsy and Traveller community were invited to Cardiff by First Minister Carwyn Jones to say a prayer on Holocaust Memorial Day last January.
Bev Stephens, head of the Gypsy and traveller education service in Pembrokeshire, explained: "Coming back in the car afterwards the girls came up with the idea of visiting Auschwitz."
The trip and film were made with funding from the Save The Children Fund and Film Agency Wales.
"We had to get special permission to film but we felt it was important that for all those young people who wouldn't be able to go to have some understanding of what it was about," said Ms Stephens.
"There is very little information on the Gypsy Roma story at Auschwitz."
For the group of 12 the experience proved "very harrowing," she said. "There were times when they were absolutely sobbing.
The group visited both Auschwitz and Birkenau camps.
"I questioned whether I had done the right thing in taking them but they felt that, although it was awful, it was something that everybody should do.
"They had had no real understanding of what had gone on."
The tour was in two parts - first a visit to Auschwitz and then, after a 20-minute journey, a tour of Birkenau.
"As soon as we got into the minibus to go to Birkenau the girls were wanting to phone home," said Ms Stephens. "The most poignant part of the film is those conversations with their families.
"The visit had a huge effect. Some of the girls told me afterwards it had been life-changing.
"For them there was the realisation that, if Britain had lost the war, they would have been the next to go to the camps."
After the trip younger members of the community who had not been on the trip worked on some animated sequences for the film with producer Gerald Conn.
"They created animated sequences, dealing with happened in a metaphorical way, that interact with the documentary footage," said Mr Conn.
Images used include the piles of crutches, spectacles and shoes which can still be found in rooms at Auschwitz.
Mr Conn, who previously worked with the Priory Project on another film, Travelling Harpists, said: "The Welsh government is developing a resource pack for schools on the subject of Gypsies and travellers.
"It's very likely that they will use the film for the resource pack."
Showmen and neighbours fear for future of site - Scunthorpe
Residents are concerned about council plans to fill the remaining plots on a Traveller site which is currently the home of a Traveller community.
Occupants of the Manifold Road Traveller site, Scunthorpe, and neighbouring residents have come to the Telegraph to express their fears over the future of the £500,000 development which was made a permanent mobile home site.
Residents say they have tried to get answers from North Lincolnshire Council on the future of the remaining eight empty plots but to no avail.
One habitant, who did not wish to be named, fears that if the council decides to fill up the remaining spots it will cause a clash of cultures.
He said: "We cannot get any answers from the council. I understand that people need somewhere to live but this is a Showman's caravan park for travelling Showmen – that's our culture. I've been here 23 years and my wife has been here for 40 years.
"I am not saying other Travellers are all vagabonds but we all read the papers and watch the news and saw what it did to the community at Dale Farm in and around the area."
The plots were made for any kind of mobile homes and currently the majority of residents work in the Showman industry. But although the current Showmen say they could find Travellers to fill the remaining plots, they say there isn't much room for the storage of showman equipment.
The wife of the Showman, who also did not wish to be named, said: "We know a lot of Showman travellers who want to live on here and we could get it filled for them [the council]."
The showman added: "But if any Showmen want to come and live down here and turn up with rides, they cannot get on because there is no room to store rides."
North Lincolnshire Council announced the £534,569 spend for the Travellers' site in Manifold Road, Scunthorpe, in January 2009. After delays, improvement work to install water supply, drainage, electricity and sanitation at the site got underway.
The Travellers say they are happy with the work that has been carried out so far but fear for its future.
A study by Salford University found 46 permanent and five temporary pitches would be needed for Travellers in North Lincolnshire by 2016.
A council spokesman said: "The council runs the Manifold Road Caravan Site as a licensed site under the Mobile Homes Act 1983.
"Anyone, regardless of race, religion, disability or other protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, can apply to live on the site but must go through stringent checks before being offered a pitch."
Occupants of the Manifold Road Traveller site, Scunthorpe, and neighbouring residents have come to the Telegraph to express their fears over the future of the £500,000 development which was made a permanent mobile home site.
There are currently eight families living on the site, some of whom have lived there for more than 40 years.
One habitant, who did not wish to be named, fears that if the council decides to fill up the remaining spots it will cause a clash of cultures.
He said: "We cannot get any answers from the council. I understand that people need somewhere to live but this is a Showman's caravan park for travelling Showmen – that's our culture. I've been here 23 years and my wife has been here for 40 years.
"I am not saying other Travellers are all vagabonds but we all read the papers and watch the news and saw what it did to the community at Dale Farm in and around the area."
The plots were made for any kind of mobile homes and currently the majority of residents work in the Showman industry. But although the current Showmen say they could find Travellers to fill the remaining plots, they say there isn't much room for the storage of showman equipment.
The wife of the Showman, who also did not wish to be named, said: "We know a lot of Showman travellers who want to live on here and we could get it filled for them [the council]."
The showman added: "But if any Showmen want to come and live down here and turn up with rides, they cannot get on because there is no room to store rides."
North Lincolnshire Council announced the £534,569 spend for the Travellers' site in Manifold Road, Scunthorpe, in January 2009. After delays, improvement work to install water supply, drainage, electricity and sanitation at the site got underway.
The Travellers say they are happy with the work that has been carried out so far but fear for its future.
A study by Salford University found 46 permanent and five temporary pitches would be needed for Travellers in North Lincolnshire by 2016.
A council spokesman said: "The council runs the Manifold Road Caravan Site as a licensed site under the Mobile Homes Act 1983.
"Anyone, regardless of race, religion, disability or other protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, can apply to live on the site but must go through stringent checks before being offered a pitch."
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Councillors want checks on Gypsy site proposal - Shropshire
A CONTROVERSIAL application to establish a new site for Gypsies and Travellers opposite Henlle Park Golf Club has been refused, with its applicants told they can resubmit once checks have been carried out.
The North Shropshire Planning Committee last week rejected the proposal put forward by Mr and Mrs J. Berry for a site opposite Henlle Golf club in Gobowen, seeking a change of use to allow the siting of four chalets and the erection of washroom and kitchen facilities as well as creation of, landscaping, carparking and drainage.
The North Shropshire planning committee refused the application in line with officers’ recommendations, but admitted the issues for refusal were ‘finely balanced.’ An initial application had been put before the committee in April 2010 when the first caravans entered the site and building work on the former waste site commenced despite a stop notice by Shropshire Council.
Addressing the meeting Councillor David Lloyd described the applicant’s actions as ‘a breathtakingly blatant disregard of the rules’ describing how excavators had moved in, a site office had been introduced, hedges ripped out and gates erected.
The planning officer’s appraisal noted: “This application is to establish a new site for Gypsies and Travellers. The development of such sites by their very nature are often contentious however local planning authorities are obliged to ensure that the accomodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers is assessed and addressed through a planning led process.”
Speaking at the meeting, Roy Jones Shropshire Council’s former counties Gypsy and Traveller liaison officer said the applicants had provided evidence of their local connection and that the other families proposed to live on the site were ‘known’ to the council’s current liaison officer.
The committee’s chairman Karen Calder however, pointed out that the names of the other proposed residents had only been submitted ‘at the eleventh hour’ leaving insufficient time to properly verify their local connection.
Councillors said it was for this reason that they were refusing the application but added there was no reason the applicants could not resubmit once the checks had been carried out.
The North Shropshire Planning Committee last week rejected the proposal put forward by Mr and Mrs J. Berry for a site opposite Henlle Golf club in Gobowen, seeking a change of use to allow the siting of four chalets and the erection of washroom and kitchen facilities as well as creation of, landscaping, carparking and drainage.
The North Shropshire planning committee refused the application in line with officers’ recommendations, but admitted the issues for refusal were ‘finely balanced.’ An initial application had been put before the committee in April 2010 when the first caravans entered the site and building work on the former waste site commenced despite a stop notice by Shropshire Council.
Addressing the meeting Councillor David Lloyd described the applicant’s actions as ‘a breathtakingly blatant disregard of the rules’ describing how excavators had moved in, a site office had been introduced, hedges ripped out and gates erected.
The planning officer’s appraisal noted: “This application is to establish a new site for Gypsies and Travellers. The development of such sites by their very nature are often contentious however local planning authorities are obliged to ensure that the accomodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers is assessed and addressed through a planning led process.”
Speaking at the meeting, Roy Jones Shropshire Council’s former counties Gypsy and Traveller liaison officer said the applicants had provided evidence of their local connection and that the other families proposed to live on the site were ‘known’ to the council’s current liaison officer.
The committee’s chairman Karen Calder however, pointed out that the names of the other proposed residents had only been submitted ‘at the eleventh hour’ leaving insufficient time to properly verify their local connection.
Councillors said it was for this reason that they were refusing the application but added there was no reason the applicants could not resubmit once the checks had been carried out.
Monday, 12 December 2011
Tales of Gypsies and Travellers from Merseyside-based Traveller Alexander J Thompson
Janet Tansley talks to the Merseyside man behind a new book about the travelling community
IT was the television series we couldn’t stop talking about that lifted the lid of on the lives of the travelling community.
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, which returns to our screens tomorrow for a festive special, introduced us to the extravagant traditions and rituals of an often maligned section of society.
Now Merseyside-based traveller Alexander J Thompson has decided to tell his own tales of Gypsy life in a new book. A feat made even more remarkable by the fact the 56-year-old admits he finds it difficult to read or write.
“I knew I had a story to tell, I just wasn’t sure how to explain it,” he says. “But as with anything else, I will always find a way.
“Several years ago it struck me that the comical and awkward situations which I, and my fellow Travellers, find ourselves in would make interesting and amusing reading. Shortly afterwards, we were approached by the TV people at Channel 4 who wanted to make the programme My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.
“Encouraged by seeing my children and grandchildren in the series, and the programme’s popularity, I decided to write the book.”
That book is Gypsy and Travellers Tales, a collection of stories as recounted to ghostwriter author James Devere.
“I couldn’t really read it,” admits Alexander. “But it was wonderful to finally see the book that I had written.”
Alexander spent much of his time in Liverpool after setting sail from Ireland in the 60s, mainly based in the official Travellers’ camp in city centre Oil Street.
He recalls: “I have travelled a lot. I have been to many places and I have seen some amazing things. Some of my earliest memories are of listening to the old tales of Ireland, how life was then and how things have changed.
“At the time I was stuck on a camp with caravans parked up any old way, on an old croft where houses had stood before being demolished.
“Our camp was in a vast open area...our caravans were mainly old but clean. Outside, the odd broken-down truck and scrap cars could be found lying around alongside an open fire and a black pot full of food was simmering away, while we youngsters played in the puddles, covered in dirt and freezing cold.
“I daydreamed that when I was older and it was my turn to go out in one of the trucks with the adults looking for scrap iron, or being on the hand roller doing a Tarmac job for my father, I would be in no rush to return.
“The children were free labour for the fathers when times were hard but, as a rule, you got ten bob for your efforts, which was fantastic.
“I was driving around the camps at the age of 12 or 13 and bought my first truck when I was 15, a BMC five tonner for £45.”
IT was the television series we couldn’t stop talking about that lifted the lid of on the lives of the travelling community.
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, which returns to our screens tomorrow for a festive special, introduced us to the extravagant traditions and rituals of an often maligned section of society.
Now Merseyside-based traveller Alexander J Thompson has decided to tell his own tales of Gypsy life in a new book. A feat made even more remarkable by the fact the 56-year-old admits he finds it difficult to read or write.
“I knew I had a story to tell, I just wasn’t sure how to explain it,” he says. “But as with anything else, I will always find a way.
“Several years ago it struck me that the comical and awkward situations which I, and my fellow Travellers, find ourselves in would make interesting and amusing reading. Shortly afterwards, we were approached by the TV people at Channel 4 who wanted to make the programme My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.
“Encouraged by seeing my children and grandchildren in the series, and the programme’s popularity, I decided to write the book.”
That book is Gypsy and Travellers Tales, a collection of stories as recounted to ghostwriter author James Devere.
“I couldn’t really read it,” admits Alexander. “But it was wonderful to finally see the book that I had written.”
Alexander spent much of his time in Liverpool after setting sail from Ireland in the 60s, mainly based in the official Travellers’ camp in city centre Oil Street.
He recalls: “I have travelled a lot. I have been to many places and I have seen some amazing things. Some of my earliest memories are of listening to the old tales of Ireland, how life was then and how things have changed.
“At the time I was stuck on a camp with caravans parked up any old way, on an old croft where houses had stood before being demolished.
“Our camp was in a vast open area...our caravans were mainly old but clean. Outside, the odd broken-down truck and scrap cars could be found lying around alongside an open fire and a black pot full of food was simmering away, while we youngsters played in the puddles, covered in dirt and freezing cold.
“I daydreamed that when I was older and it was my turn to go out in one of the trucks with the adults looking for scrap iron, or being on the hand roller doing a Tarmac job for my father, I would be in no rush to return.
“The children were free labour for the fathers when times were hard but, as a rule, you got ten bob for your efforts, which was fantastic.
“I was driving around the camps at the age of 12 or 13 and bought my first truck when I was 15, a BMC five tonner for £45.”
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