From the Plymouth Herald
A PUBLIC consultation has been launched over a proposed Gypsy and Traveller site.
Fifteen transit pitches could be built on land owned by the council at Broadley Park, near Roborough, under the controversial plans.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, cabinet member for co-operatives and community development, said: "I know that this is a sensitive issue but we do need a proactive approach to dealing with unauthorised encampments. These are affecting more and more neighbourhoods and we can't ignore the problems they cause. Providing a transit site would mean we expect to see a reduction in the number of unauthorised encampments and subsequently we hope to ease community tension."
Residents and businesses are being asked for their views on the site designs and management arrangements.
Unauthorised encampments in Plymouth cost the council up to £300,000 a year in clean-up costs. Last year there were 40.
The six-week consultation will include two public events at Woolwell Community Centre, on September 25 and October 2, from 2pm to 6.30pm. There will also be an exhibition at the George Park and Ride between September 24 and October 12. Further events will be held for businesses and Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Monday, 3 September 2012
Harlow Council targets Travellers' ponies with passports scheme - Essex
From Horse and Hound
Thirty-four more Travellers’ ponies have passports and microchips after a day-long welfare event in Harlow on 6 July.
The RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, Redwings, the Ada Cole Rescue Centre and the British Horse Society, joined forces with Harlow Council and veterinary drugs company Merial to target Travellers’ horses in the Essex town.
Owners of horses tethered on common land at Latton Common, Harlow Common and Collins Meadow were invited to get their animals passported, wormed and microchipped and were advised how to ensure they complied with the Animal Welfare Act.
RSPCA inspector Stephen Reeves said: “The way the majority of owners tether and look after their horses here is acceptable.”
But of the 36 horses and ponies found in Harlow, only two had passports and one was chipped.
Claire Gordon, World Horse Welfare field officer for the area, said Travellers’ ponies sometimes “slipped through the net”.
Harlow Council insists all horses on council land are chipped or wear a tag so owners can be identified. It hopes to repeat the scheme.
Thirty-four more Travellers’ ponies have passports and microchips after a day-long welfare event in Harlow on 6 July.
The RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, Redwings, the Ada Cole Rescue Centre and the British Horse Society, joined forces with Harlow Council and veterinary drugs company Merial to target Travellers’ horses in the Essex town.
Owners of horses tethered on common land at Latton Common, Harlow Common and Collins Meadow were invited to get their animals passported, wormed and microchipped and were advised how to ensure they complied with the Animal Welfare Act.
RSPCA inspector Stephen Reeves said: “The way the majority of owners tether and look after their horses here is acceptable.”
But of the 36 horses and ponies found in Harlow, only two had passports and one was chipped.
Claire Gordon, World Horse Welfare field officer for the area, said Travellers’ ponies sometimes “slipped through the net”.
Harlow Council insists all horses on council land are chipped or wear a tag so owners can be identified. It hopes to repeat the scheme.
Travellers set up camp at former Aberdeen sports centre
From the Evening Express
A GROUP of Travellers have set up camp at an abandoned sports centre in Aberdeen.
About 10 caravans have stopped at the One Sports building car park in Bridge of Don.
Earlier this summer the Balgownie Road site – which is privately owned – was also occupied by an illicit camp.
A GROUP of Travellers have set up camp at an abandoned sports centre in Aberdeen.
About 10 caravans have stopped at the One Sports building car park in Bridge of Don.
Earlier this summer the Balgownie Road site – which is privately owned – was also occupied by an illicit camp.
Sevenoaks residents complain about plans for more Gypsy and Traveller sites - Kent
From the Sevenoaks Chronicle
RESIDENTS have slammed plans to locate Gypsy and Traveller sites in the Sevenoaks area.
Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) has launched an appeal to find suitable pitches following a Government directive to address the increasing Traveller population.
Parish and town councils are being asked to contribute ideas for possible pitches while land bosses prepare a draft Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Plan to identify and allocate sites to meet the existing and future (to 2026) accommodation needs of the travelling community.
But residents have criticised SDC for seemingly prioritising Gypsies' and Travellers' needs above their own.
Writing on the Chronicle's Facebook page, Francesca Paige suggested SDC "concentrate on social housing" first, pointing out she has been on the waiting list for a residence for eight years with no success.
Keirrie Parsons echoed her thoughts, noting: "I'd love to move back to the town I grew up in, where my children are still at school and where my partner works, but unfortunately due to high private rental costs we are now living 12 miles away.
"Without sounding like I'm being rude, maybe start helping locals with their housing issues first."
Paula Hobbs advised SDC to "help tax-paying individuals" before taking on the Traveller community, while Inga Heath said: "I do wonder what this council is up to – are they intent on ruining Sevenoaks?
"Have they ever seen some of these sites and the effect on the surrounding areas? Sorry to generalise and I am aware not all Travellers may be like this."
Meanwhile, parish councils told the Chronicle they were awaiting a full discussion of the issue before volunteering sites.
Philip McGarvey, chairman of Farningham Parish Council, said: "Farningham has been consulted about this, as have all the parishes in the area. We already have five pitches with ten caravans.
"They are there on a three-year temporary permission. The parish council is discussing the consultation and cannot speculate about what may happen."
And Julie Hoad, clerk to Hartley Parish Council, said they were full.
"The planning committee will be recommending that SDC be informed that this council consider there is sufficient provision of sites for Gypsies, Travellers and travelling Showpeople in the area and that it does not consider there are any sites in the parish of Hartley which would be suitable as a new site," she said.
RESIDENTS have slammed plans to locate Gypsy and Traveller sites in the Sevenoaks area.
Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) has launched an appeal to find suitable pitches following a Government directive to address the increasing Traveller population.
Parish and town councils are being asked to contribute ideas for possible pitches while land bosses prepare a draft Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Plan to identify and allocate sites to meet the existing and future (to 2026) accommodation needs of the travelling community.
But residents have criticised SDC for seemingly prioritising Gypsies' and Travellers' needs above their own.
Writing on the Chronicle's Facebook page, Francesca Paige suggested SDC "concentrate on social housing" first, pointing out she has been on the waiting list for a residence for eight years with no success.
Keirrie Parsons echoed her thoughts, noting: "I'd love to move back to the town I grew up in, where my children are still at school and where my partner works, but unfortunately due to high private rental costs we are now living 12 miles away.
"Without sounding like I'm being rude, maybe start helping locals with their housing issues first."
Paula Hobbs advised SDC to "help tax-paying individuals" before taking on the Traveller community, while Inga Heath said: "I do wonder what this council is up to – are they intent on ruining Sevenoaks?
"Have they ever seen some of these sites and the effect on the surrounding areas? Sorry to generalise and I am aware not all Travellers may be like this."
Meanwhile, parish councils told the Chronicle they were awaiting a full discussion of the issue before volunteering sites.
Philip McGarvey, chairman of Farningham Parish Council, said: "Farningham has been consulted about this, as have all the parishes in the area. We already have five pitches with ten caravans.
"They are there on a three-year temporary permission. The parish council is discussing the consultation and cannot speculate about what may happen."
And Julie Hoad, clerk to Hartley Parish Council, said they were full.
"The planning committee will be recommending that SDC be informed that this council consider there is sufficient provision of sites for Gypsies, Travellers and travelling Showpeople in the area and that it does not consider there are any sites in the parish of Hartley which would be suitable as a new site," she said.
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Legal action to be taken over Bradford Gypsies - Yorkshire
From the Bradford Telegraph and Argus
Bradford Council is taking legal action to evict a group of Travellers from land in Bradford.
The Travellers are occupying a car park off Burnett Street, Little Germany, and businesses located nearby have spoken of the mixed experiences they have had with them.
A spokesman for City Training Services on Chapel Street said: “They are the same group that came last year. The car park is out of action for staff here. No one can park in there while they are in there.
“People have been seen urinating in the alleys and litter is accumulating.
“Traffic wardens have been told they can’t put tickets on their vehicles. Why is it that Travellers seem completely above the law?”
It is believed the Travellers arrived on Tuesday. Police said they had not had any incidents reported to them.
They said they will continue to carry out their regular patrols in that area.
John Major, Bradford Council’s assistant director environmental health and regulatory services, said: “We are aware of the Travellers on the land at Burnett Street and have started legal proceedings to get them to move on as soon as possible.”
Steven Mawson, a chef at The Oasis Sandwich Shop, Newcastle House, said: “They haven’t been there that long and they only stay for a week.
“They are the same people who came last year and they’ve been no bother at all.”
Joanne and Robin Smith, of Texere Yarn, on Barkerend Road, said they did did not believe the travellers had affected their business although they were aware of them.
Mr Smith said: “I don’t know what the answer is. Maybe the Council should relax parking around the streets to give us all a chance to park.”
Bradford Council is taking legal action to evict a group of Travellers from land in Bradford.
The Travellers are occupying a car park off Burnett Street, Little Germany, and businesses located nearby have spoken of the mixed experiences they have had with them.
A spokesman for City Training Services on Chapel Street said: “They are the same group that came last year. The car park is out of action for staff here. No one can park in there while they are in there.
“People have been seen urinating in the alleys and litter is accumulating.
“Traffic wardens have been told they can’t put tickets on their vehicles. Why is it that Travellers seem completely above the law?”
It is believed the Travellers arrived on Tuesday. Police said they had not had any incidents reported to them.
They said they will continue to carry out their regular patrols in that area.
John Major, Bradford Council’s assistant director environmental health and regulatory services, said: “We are aware of the Travellers on the land at Burnett Street and have started legal proceedings to get them to move on as soon as possible.”
Steven Mawson, a chef at The Oasis Sandwich Shop, Newcastle House, said: “They haven’t been there that long and they only stay for a week.
“They are the same people who came last year and they’ve been no bother at all.”
Joanne and Robin Smith, of Texere Yarn, on Barkerend Road, said they did did not believe the travellers had affected their business although they were aware of them.
Mr Smith said: “I don’t know what the answer is. Maybe the Council should relax parking around the streets to give us all a chance to park.”
Lower Kingswood man applies to have three caravans in garden - Surrey
From the Surrey Mirror
PLANS for a Gypsy caravan site have attracted a storm of opposition with more than 250 objections lodged with council planners.
The application for three caravans in the garden of Highlands, a large detached house in Black Horse Lane, Lower Kingswood, is in the green belt.
The applicant, an Irish Gypsy, wants to accommodate his mother and three siblings and their families – around eight people – on the site where he also lives.
But the application has raised fears among some locals of another "Dale Farm" – Europe's largest illegal Travellers site in Essex which was cleared of most of its occupants last autumn.
Lower Kingswood Residents' Association has sent a pro-forma objection letter to every household in the village and an unusually high number of responses have been sent to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, mostly using the set letter.
While the reason given is fundamentally objection to development of the green belt, residents told the Mirror they feared a Gypsy site would lower the tone of their neighbourhood.
A mum of two young children from Lower Kingswood, who didn't want to be identified, said: "People are worried. The whole Dale Farm situation is at the back of everyone's mind. We bought here because it is such a beautiful area and we don't want this affecting that. There is a concern it will get out of hand with more families moving in."
A Babylon Lane resident added: "Without being racist, people just don't like the idea of having Gypsies living here, they fear it is going to bring the neighbourhood down."
He said the green belt issue was not the reason for the wave of opposition. "We all try to protect the green belt but I don't think that's the big problem here," he added. "We don't want Gypsies living next to us. People are scared of that."
But David Patel, chairman of the Lower Kingswood Residents' Association, said: "We are concerned about any application which encroaches on the green belt, irrespective of whoever does it. The residents' association felt that villagers needed to know about it and that is all it was.
"We distributed a letter to every household in the village, then it is up to the individual to decide how they feel."
He said it was the first time he could recall a letter going round the entire village about a planning application.
The Kingswood Residents' Association has also objected, on the grounds that the development could set a precedent, and the Chipstead Residents' Association is also opposed to the scheme.
Applicant Miley Connors, 47, a landscaper, has lived on the site for two years with his wife and three children.
He said: "I am very shocked. I can't believe 250 people have opposed it. It's green belt behind me too but there are six caravans there. It won't be a builders yard. It's for my family to be together.
"People are lovely here," he added, "but maybe they are nice to your face and saying other things behind your back."
His wife Bridget was also shocked by the level of opposition. "We have never had any hostility," she said.
The council is set to determine the application by September 14.
PLANS for a Gypsy caravan site have attracted a storm of opposition with more than 250 objections lodged with council planners.
The application for three caravans in the garden of Highlands, a large detached house in Black Horse Lane, Lower Kingswood, is in the green belt.
The applicant, an Irish Gypsy, wants to accommodate his mother and three siblings and their families – around eight people – on the site where he also lives.
But the application has raised fears among some locals of another "Dale Farm" – Europe's largest illegal Travellers site in Essex which was cleared of most of its occupants last autumn.
Lower Kingswood Residents' Association has sent a pro-forma objection letter to every household in the village and an unusually high number of responses have been sent to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, mostly using the set letter.
While the reason given is fundamentally objection to development of the green belt, residents told the Mirror they feared a Gypsy site would lower the tone of their neighbourhood.
A mum of two young children from Lower Kingswood, who didn't want to be identified, said: "People are worried. The whole Dale Farm situation is at the back of everyone's mind. We bought here because it is such a beautiful area and we don't want this affecting that. There is a concern it will get out of hand with more families moving in."
A Babylon Lane resident added: "Without being racist, people just don't like the idea of having Gypsies living here, they fear it is going to bring the neighbourhood down."
He said the green belt issue was not the reason for the wave of opposition. "We all try to protect the green belt but I don't think that's the big problem here," he added. "We don't want Gypsies living next to us. People are scared of that."
But David Patel, chairman of the Lower Kingswood Residents' Association, said: "We are concerned about any application which encroaches on the green belt, irrespective of whoever does it. The residents' association felt that villagers needed to know about it and that is all it was.
"We distributed a letter to every household in the village, then it is up to the individual to decide how they feel."
He said it was the first time he could recall a letter going round the entire village about a planning application.
The Kingswood Residents' Association has also objected, on the grounds that the development could set a precedent, and the Chipstead Residents' Association is also opposed to the scheme.
Applicant Miley Connors, 47, a landscaper, has lived on the site for two years with his wife and three children.
He said: "I am very shocked. I can't believe 250 people have opposed it. It's green belt behind me too but there are six caravans there. It won't be a builders yard. It's for my family to be together.
"People are lovely here," he added, "but maybe they are nice to your face and saying other things behind your back."
His wife Bridget was also shocked by the level of opposition. "We have never had any hostility," she said.
The council is set to determine the application by September 14.
Batman's new movie villain is a Gypsy king from Staffordshire
From the Sunday Mercury
THE secret identity of Batman’s arch-enemy has been revealed – he’s a Midland Irish Traveller dubbed the “King of the Gypsies”.
Hollywood star Tom Hardy has told how the voice he used as back-breaking Bane in batbuster The Dark Knight Rises was modelled on Bartley Gorman, an infamous bare-knuckle boxer from Uttoxeter in Staffordshire.
Batfans were captivated by the sinister tones of the movie villain who plots to destroy Gotham City with a nuclear bomb, and leaves the caped crusader crippled in a prison cell bed, his spine shattered.
Now Hardy, 34, who made his TV acting debut in the Band Of Brothers wartime TV series, has revealed Bane’s secret.
“We had two doors we could open,” he says. “One of them was to go down the line and have Bane be a straight villain.
“The other one was the silly door. Director Chris Nolan opened the silly door, so we used Bartley Gorman’s voice. He’s the king of the Gypsies, and he’s a boxer, a bare-knuckle boxer, an Irish Traveller, a Gypsy.”
Gorman featured in a 1995 documentary by Shane Meadows – creator of the This Is England series – which chronicled his violent life.
In King Of The Gypsies, Gorman told how he beat every challenger for his crown in brutal bare knuckle boxing matches.
Speaking in the film, he said: “It’s so violent I can’t explain it to you. When I get men in front of me, they try to kill me.
“And the men behind them are shouting: ‘Kill him! kill him!’.
“They ain’t no referee going to jump in because you’ve got a cut on your eye.”
Gorman, who started fighting at the age of 10, added: “My father took me to the gym where I would fight the big boys there. They would hurt me and make me cry, but all the time I was crying I was still fighting.”
He moved to Uttoxeter when he was 20 and succeeded as “King” at the age of 28 in 1972, on the death of the previous king Uriah Burton, and after a bare knuckle fight with a man named Fletcher.
He was undefeated over the next 25 years of bare-fisted bouts, which took place down a mine shaft, in a quarry, at horse fairs, on camp sites, in bars and on the street. But he died from cancer in 2002.
Filmgoer David Lambert, from Stourbridge, said: “I have no idea how Hardy came into contact with Gorman, or even how he heard his voice unless, of course, he saw the documentary.
“But The Dark Knight Rises could end up the biggest box office hit of all time – and Bartley will forever be a part of that.”
In the US, the movie notched up the third biggest opening weekend ever, and has now grossed more than £630 million worldwide.
THE secret identity of Batman’s arch-enemy has been revealed – he’s a Midland Irish Traveller dubbed the “King of the Gypsies”.
Hollywood star Tom Hardy has told how the voice he used as back-breaking Bane in batbuster The Dark Knight Rises was modelled on Bartley Gorman, an infamous bare-knuckle boxer from Uttoxeter in Staffordshire.
Batfans were captivated by the sinister tones of the movie villain who plots to destroy Gotham City with a nuclear bomb, and leaves the caped crusader crippled in a prison cell bed, his spine shattered.
Now Hardy, 34, who made his TV acting debut in the Band Of Brothers wartime TV series, has revealed Bane’s secret.
“We had two doors we could open,” he says. “One of them was to go down the line and have Bane be a straight villain.
“The other one was the silly door. Director Chris Nolan opened the silly door, so we used Bartley Gorman’s voice. He’s the king of the Gypsies, and he’s a boxer, a bare-knuckle boxer, an Irish Traveller, a Gypsy.”
Gorman featured in a 1995 documentary by Shane Meadows – creator of the This Is England series – which chronicled his violent life.
In King Of The Gypsies, Gorman told how he beat every challenger for his crown in brutal bare knuckle boxing matches.
Speaking in the film, he said: “It’s so violent I can’t explain it to you. When I get men in front of me, they try to kill me.
“And the men behind them are shouting: ‘Kill him! kill him!’.
“They ain’t no referee going to jump in because you’ve got a cut on your eye.”
Gorman, who started fighting at the age of 10, added: “My father took me to the gym where I would fight the big boys there. They would hurt me and make me cry, but all the time I was crying I was still fighting.”
He moved to Uttoxeter when he was 20 and succeeded as “King” at the age of 28 in 1972, on the death of the previous king Uriah Burton, and after a bare knuckle fight with a man named Fletcher.
He was undefeated over the next 25 years of bare-fisted bouts, which took place down a mine shaft, in a quarry, at horse fairs, on camp sites, in bars and on the street. But he died from cancer in 2002.
Filmgoer David Lambert, from Stourbridge, said: “I have no idea how Hardy came into contact with Gorman, or even how he heard his voice unless, of course, he saw the documentary.
“But The Dark Knight Rises could end up the biggest box office hit of all time – and Bartley will forever be a part of that.”
In the US, the movie notched up the third biggest opening weekend ever, and has now grossed more than £630 million worldwide.
Saturday, 1 September 2012
Report reveals Leeds sites considered for Gypsy camps - Yorkshire
From the Yorkshire Evening Post
Sites across Leeds that were investigated by council officials as potential Gypsy and Traveller camps are revealed in a report to be presented councillors.
The council – awarded £1m to develop new officials pitches to combat the number of unauthorised encampments taking place in the city – last year launched a search for potential sites.
As recently in the YEP, extending the current official site at Cottingley Springs has emerged as the preferred option.
But the report to be discussed by the council’s executive board sets out the scale of the search and lists 35 locations that were given serious consideration.
An initial list of 224 sites and properties was whittled down to 87 that were analysed as part of a “desk top” exercise.
This reduced the list to 65 all of which were visited by officers. Following this around 30 were rated as potential sites and subject to detailed consideration.
Those on the final list were:
Ralph Thorseby, Holt Park; West Leeds Family Learning Centre, Whingate Road; Gassy Fields, New Wortley; Mistress Lane, Armley; the former Liberal Club, New Wortley; Park Lees, St Anthony’s Road, Beeston; the former Matthew Murray School, Holbeck.
Barkley Road, Beeston; Hillside Reception Centre, Leeds and Bradford Road, Bramley; former Copperfields College, Cross Green; former St Gregory’s School, Stanks Gardens; Swarcliffe Avenue, Swarcliffe; former Wortley High School, Swallow Crescent; former Primrose High School, Burmantofts; Asket Drive North, Seacroft; Baileys House, Baileys Hill, Seacroft; Ramshead Approach, Seacroft; Broom Court, Middleton; former Merlyn Rees School, Belle Isle; Middleton Road, between Middleton and the New Forest development.
Ilkley Road, Otley; Intake Road, Pudsey; Swinnow Green, Swinnow Road, Pudsey; Butcher Lane, Barraclough Yard, Rothwell; Brooksbank, Brooksbank Drive, Halton; former Osmondthorpe Primary School, Wykebeck Avenue, Osmondthorpe; Wykebeck Mount, Osmondthorpe; former Whitebridge Primary School, Halton Moor; Halton Moor South (site 10), Halton Moor and Rathmell Road, Halton Moor. All those on the final list were rejected as unsuitable.
Sites across Leeds that were investigated by council officials as potential Gypsy and Traveller camps are revealed in a report to be presented councillors.
The council – awarded £1m to develop new officials pitches to combat the number of unauthorised encampments taking place in the city – last year launched a search for potential sites.
As recently in the YEP, extending the current official site at Cottingley Springs has emerged as the preferred option.
But the report to be discussed by the council’s executive board sets out the scale of the search and lists 35 locations that were given serious consideration.
An initial list of 224 sites and properties was whittled down to 87 that were analysed as part of a “desk top” exercise.
This reduced the list to 65 all of which were visited by officers. Following this around 30 were rated as potential sites and subject to detailed consideration.
Those on the final list were:
Ralph Thorseby, Holt Park; West Leeds Family Learning Centre, Whingate Road; Gassy Fields, New Wortley; Mistress Lane, Armley; the former Liberal Club, New Wortley; Park Lees, St Anthony’s Road, Beeston; the former Matthew Murray School, Holbeck.
Barkley Road, Beeston; Hillside Reception Centre, Leeds and Bradford Road, Bramley; former Copperfields College, Cross Green; former St Gregory’s School, Stanks Gardens; Swarcliffe Avenue, Swarcliffe; former Wortley High School, Swallow Crescent; former Primrose High School, Burmantofts; Asket Drive North, Seacroft; Baileys House, Baileys Hill, Seacroft; Ramshead Approach, Seacroft; Broom Court, Middleton; former Merlyn Rees School, Belle Isle; Middleton Road, between Middleton and the New Forest development.
Ilkley Road, Otley; Intake Road, Pudsey; Swinnow Green, Swinnow Road, Pudsey; Butcher Lane, Barraclough Yard, Rothwell; Brooksbank, Brooksbank Drive, Halton; former Osmondthorpe Primary School, Wykebeck Avenue, Osmondthorpe; Wykebeck Mount, Osmondthorpe; former Whitebridge Primary School, Halton Moor; Halton Moor South (site 10), Halton Moor and Rathmell Road, Halton Moor. All those on the final list were rejected as unsuitable.
Travellers' feud led to kidnap - Essex
From the Chelmsford Weekly News
A FEUD between travelling families boiled over the night two young children were kidnapped.
A court heard a boy aged four and his two-year-old sister had disappeared with their mother when she split up with her partner two months earlier.
Kerry Anne Mitchell was living with her children in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, when they were snatched by her former partner, Albert Buckley junior, known as Quincy, on March 26, 2011.
That same night Quincy’s brother, Shane Buckley, 23, of Woodham Road, Stow Maries, allegedly armed himself with an axe and went to Kerry Anne’s aunt’s house in Clark’s Rise, Cold Norton.
He demanded Kerry Anne’s uncle, Anthony Loveridge, come outside to sort things out, but went away when he was ignored.
At 6am he and other members of the Buckley family descended on the house where Shane Buckley kicked open the front door and property inside was damaged by various individuals, the court heard.
Shane Buckley denied he had turned up with an axe, but giving evidence, Susan Barton, 34, said she talked to him from her bedroom window.
She said: “He was swinging what I later realised was an axe. I could see the sparks flying as it hit the concrete path.”
She agreed a feud had developed between the families.
The trial on kidnap and perverting justice for all ten people involved was expected to last four weeks.
But at the start of the case, Albert Buckley junior – Quincy – 25, of Woodham Road, Chelmsford, and Tom Johnson, 19, of Cranham Hall caravan site, Little Waltham, both changed their pleas to guilty to kidnap.
The judge adjourned sentence until September 19 on Quincy and Johnson and released them on bail.
A FEUD between travelling families boiled over the night two young children were kidnapped.
A court heard a boy aged four and his two-year-old sister had disappeared with their mother when she split up with her partner two months earlier.
Kerry Anne Mitchell was living with her children in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, when they were snatched by her former partner, Albert Buckley junior, known as Quincy, on March 26, 2011.
That same night Quincy’s brother, Shane Buckley, 23, of Woodham Road, Stow Maries, allegedly armed himself with an axe and went to Kerry Anne’s aunt’s house in Clark’s Rise, Cold Norton.
He demanded Kerry Anne’s uncle, Anthony Loveridge, come outside to sort things out, but went away when he was ignored.
At 6am he and other members of the Buckley family descended on the house where Shane Buckley kicked open the front door and property inside was damaged by various individuals, the court heard.
Shane Buckley denied he had turned up with an axe, but giving evidence, Susan Barton, 34, said she talked to him from her bedroom window.
She said: “He was swinging what I later realised was an axe. I could see the sparks flying as it hit the concrete path.”
She agreed a feud had developed between the families.
The trial on kidnap and perverting justice for all ten people involved was expected to last four weeks.
But at the start of the case, Albert Buckley junior – Quincy – 25, of Woodham Road, Chelmsford, and Tom Johnson, 19, of Cranham Hall caravan site, Little Waltham, both changed their pleas to guilty to kidnap.
The judge adjourned sentence until September 19 on Quincy and Johnson and released them on bail.
Fight to stop 14 pitch Travellers’ site between two two East Cambs villages may have scored decisive victory - Cambridgeshire
From the Ely Standard
A BATTLE against plans that could see a new Gypsy and Traveller site built between Fordham and Isleham looks to have scored a decisive victory.
Hundreds of residents across the two villagers petitioned East Cambridgeshire District Council after it emerged that the authority was considering earmarking land along Isleham Road for a new 14-pitch Gypsy and Traveller site.
The council has been looking at land across East Cambridgeshire which could potentially be included in its 20-year Local Plan as suitable for Gypsy and Travellers, with two sites in Fordham highlighted.
A series of public meetings were hastily convened in a bid to fight the plans however, and, at Victoria Hall in Fordham on Wednesday, more than 250 people turned out to have their say.
Now, with the support of Fordham councillors Joshua Schumann and Michael Allan, as well as backing from SE Cambs MP James Paice, the district council has announced it plans to look again at the proposal for the Fordham site.
Katie Child, principal forward planning officer at the district council, said: “Since the consultation on the proposed Traveller sites was concluded, we have received significant correspondence from residents in the Fordham area.
“In recent days we have learnt that the owner of one of the proposed sites has indicated they are no longer willing to have their land - we are awaiting confirmation of this in writing.
“The other site earmarked in the area may not meet the specifications which we require. All these issues will be taken into account and debated by councillors at the development and transport committee in November.”
MP James Paice, who attended the meeting in Fordham, said: “I am concerned that this site is not a suitable location as defined by the new Government guidelines. It is within open countryside and would be highly visible and, in addition, the primary schools in both Fordham and Isleham are full and could not offer places to any children who lived on the site.
Mr Paice added that he would be writing to the council to object to the plans.
A Fordham resident who also attended the meeting, but asked not to be identified, said: “This was all carried out very quietly by the council who hardly made anyone in the villages aware of what they were planning which upset a lot of people.
“The site is simply just not suitable, it has no drainage, no electricity and opens on to a 60mph road, it would cost thousands just to bring it up to scratch and there aren’t enough facilities in the villages to cope.”
A BATTLE against plans that could see a new Gypsy and Traveller site built between Fordham and Isleham looks to have scored a decisive victory.
Hundreds of residents across the two villagers petitioned East Cambridgeshire District Council after it emerged that the authority was considering earmarking land along Isleham Road for a new 14-pitch Gypsy and Traveller site.
The council has been looking at land across East Cambridgeshire which could potentially be included in its 20-year Local Plan as suitable for Gypsy and Travellers, with two sites in Fordham highlighted.
A series of public meetings were hastily convened in a bid to fight the plans however, and, at Victoria Hall in Fordham on Wednesday, more than 250 people turned out to have their say.
Now, with the support of Fordham councillors Joshua Schumann and Michael Allan, as well as backing from SE Cambs MP James Paice, the district council has announced it plans to look again at the proposal for the Fordham site.
Katie Child, principal forward planning officer at the district council, said: “Since the consultation on the proposed Traveller sites was concluded, we have received significant correspondence from residents in the Fordham area.
“In recent days we have learnt that the owner of one of the proposed sites has indicated they are no longer willing to have their land - we are awaiting confirmation of this in writing.
“The other site earmarked in the area may not meet the specifications which we require. All these issues will be taken into account and debated by councillors at the development and transport committee in November.”
MP James Paice, who attended the meeting in Fordham, said: “I am concerned that this site is not a suitable location as defined by the new Government guidelines. It is within open countryside and would be highly visible and, in addition, the primary schools in both Fordham and Isleham are full and could not offer places to any children who lived on the site.
Mr Paice added that he would be writing to the council to object to the plans.
A Fordham resident who also attended the meeting, but asked not to be identified, said: “This was all carried out very quietly by the council who hardly made anyone in the villages aware of what they were planning which upset a lot of people.
“The site is simply just not suitable, it has no drainage, no electricity and opens on to a 60mph road, it would cost thousands just to bring it up to scratch and there aren’t enough facilities in the villages to cope.”
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