From The News
Violent clashes marred Wickham Horse Fair today as hundreds of Travellers took over the village for one of the biggest and most historic events in the travelling calendar.
In one terrifying attack, a man was shot in the head with a a missile fired from a catapult
Dramatic video broadcast by ITV Meridian showed him bleeding profusely from a wound on his forehead. Click here to go to the ITV Meridian video
The man was taken to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth after the incident.
Police said six people were arrested when a brawl broke out in the centre of the village.
Two men began to fight and others joined in before police restrained them
The violence erupted as the centre of Wickham was transformed today as Wickham annual horse fair took place.
Horses were being sold and a funfair took place on The Square.
Travellers had come from all over the UK and Ireland for the fair.
One of the best horses at yesterday’s fare was a black and white cob called Champ.
Owner Ronnie Moore had travelled down from London with three horses and was hoping to get around £20,000 for Champ.
Ronnie said: ‘I have been here for the last four years. I love it here. There’s a lot of police and RSPCA here today. we don’t mind them but they have been on our backs. I like it here, it’s my best one.’
Wickham C of E Primary School turned the dodgems into a step dancing stage and put on a performance.
Around 20 children performed and the school invited people at the fare to join in.
Headteacher Maria Ackland said: ‘The children have been learning at school with some local dance teachers. They have taught them the steps. It’s the first time that any dance has been at the fair.’
Funfair organiser Bernice Wall, of Walls Funfares, from Hook, said: ‘We were delighted that the school came down and performed because it is about learning the history of this fair.
‘The local travelling children joined in. It was really special to see the two cultures mixing.
‘We appreciate the tolerance of the local community for this event. It is a traditional event and so many come and enjoy it.’
There was a considerable police presence in Wickham, which had been stepped up after a fight broke out at lunchtime.
see also: ITV - Man shot in head at Wickham Horse Fair
Monday, 20 May 2013
Travellers leave - Cheshire
From the Macclesfield Gazette
Travellers were evicted from land next to the Alderley Edge bypass after being moved on from the Wilmslow High School site.
Cheshire East Council has been clearing up mess left by the Travellers who set up camp for five days on council land near the bypass, close to the roundabout at Alderley Road.
The group had previously been moved on from Wilmslow High School’s playing fields, on land between the railway line and A34 bypass the day before.
They broke into the field through a gate erected after the Travellers were evicted in 2011.
Council workmen removed two loads of waste and tree pruning at the Alderley Edge site at an estimated cost of £370.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “Last time Travellers stopped here they destroyed a lot of the new trees that had been planted along the new bypass and left piles of rubbish.”
The land off the bypass is the same field where 10 Travellers caravans parked up in 2011.
That year Travellers left a vast trail of rubbish, broken glass and human waste after spending two weeks camped on the site.
Travellers were evicted from land next to the Alderley Edge bypass after being moved on from the Wilmslow High School site.
Cheshire East Council has been clearing up mess left by the Travellers who set up camp for five days on council land near the bypass, close to the roundabout at Alderley Road.
The group had previously been moved on from Wilmslow High School’s playing fields, on land between the railway line and A34 bypass the day before.
They broke into the field through a gate erected after the Travellers were evicted in 2011.
Council workmen removed two loads of waste and tree pruning at the Alderley Edge site at an estimated cost of £370.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “Last time Travellers stopped here they destroyed a lot of the new trees that had been planted along the new bypass and left piles of rubbish.”
The land off the bypass is the same field where 10 Travellers caravans parked up in 2011.
That year Travellers left a vast trail of rubbish, broken glass and human waste after spending two weeks camped on the site.
Travellers set up camp on Mitcham Common after breaking through barrier - London
From the Wimbledon Guardian
A group of Travellers have broken through barriers to set up camp on Mitcham Common.
The encampment, made up of 14 caravans and about 7 further vehicles, appeared arrived on Sunday evening and follows the eviction of a group from Beddington Park in Sutton and Riddlesdown in Croydon.
One resident said: “A big group of Travellers broke the barrier by the Harvester and moved into the park.
“The police don’t seem to have done anything about it.
“Almost all the residents by the neighbouring apartment block reported the problem as soon as they started to move in.”
This morning Councillor Martin Whelton tweeted: “Unfortunately we've had a Traveller’s encampment on Mitcham Common - hopefully they'll be evicted off the Common swiftly.”
A spokesman for Merton Council said: "We have informed the Travellers that they will have to move on from the common and are working to ensure the site is vacated as soon as possible."
A group of Travellers have broken through barriers to set up camp on Mitcham Common.
The encampment, made up of 14 caravans and about 7 further vehicles, appeared arrived on Sunday evening and follows the eviction of a group from Beddington Park in Sutton and Riddlesdown in Croydon.
One resident said: “A big group of Travellers broke the barrier by the Harvester and moved into the park.
“The police don’t seem to have done anything about it.
“Almost all the residents by the neighbouring apartment block reported the problem as soon as they started to move in.”
This morning Councillor Martin Whelton tweeted: “Unfortunately we've had a Traveller’s encampment on Mitcham Common - hopefully they'll be evicted off the Common swiftly.”
A spokesman for Merton Council said: "We have informed the Travellers that they will have to move on from the common and are working to ensure the site is vacated as soon as possible."
Travellers back in Burnley - Lancashire
From the Burnley Express
A group of Travellers have again set up camp in Burnley.
Around eight caravans moved on to the car park of the Travelodge in Barracks Road overnight on Wednesday.
It is the latest in a number of visits from Travellers in recent months to Burnley.
The Burnley Express reported in February that a group had set up on land at the former Gardner Aerospace in Hargher Street.
Camp have previously been set up in Towneley Park and near the City Learning Centre.
see also: The Lancashire Telegraph - Travellers continue to occupy Burnley hotel car park
A group of Travellers have again set up camp in Burnley.
Around eight caravans moved on to the car park of the Travelodge in Barracks Road overnight on Wednesday.
It is the latest in a number of visits from Travellers in recent months to Burnley.
The Burnley Express reported in February that a group had set up on land at the former Gardner Aerospace in Hargher Street.
Camp have previously been set up in Towneley Park and near the City Learning Centre.
see also: The Lancashire Telegraph - Travellers continue to occupy Burnley hotel car park
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Firefighters tackle fire at Navestock Gypsy site - Essex
From This Is Essex
Firefighters tackled a blaze at a Gypsy caravan site for more than two hours today after struggling to access it.
Engines from Brentwood, Ongar and Romford all rushed to the fire in a single story timber-framed home in Curtis Mill Lane, Navestock, at about 10.11am.
Yet the path to the site is too narrow for a fire engine, and the incident, which was judged to be an accident, was not completely dealt with until 12.23pm.
Fire crews used one jet and two hose reels before working quickly to protect surrounding risks.
Fire and rescue phoned police shortly after 10.30am but they saw no reason to attend.
Firefighters tackled a blaze at a Gypsy caravan site for more than two hours today after struggling to access it.
Engines from Brentwood, Ongar and Romford all rushed to the fire in a single story timber-framed home in Curtis Mill Lane, Navestock, at about 10.11am.
Yet the path to the site is too narrow for a fire engine, and the incident, which was judged to be an accident, was not completely dealt with until 12.23pm.
Fire crews used one jet and two hose reels before working quickly to protect surrounding risks.
Fire and rescue phoned police shortly after 10.30am but they saw no reason to attend.
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Appleby Horse Fair goers urged to slow down - Cumbria
From the BBC
Visitors to a horse fair in Cumbria are urged to slow down by police.
Up to 10,000 Gypsies and Travellers are expected to attend the annual event, at Appleby, with many arriving in traditional horse drawn bow-top wagons.
A spokesperson from Cumbria Police said horses can be easily "spooked" by fast drivers and added they wanted to ensure visitors get to the fair safely.
Appleby Horse Fair, which will run from 6 - 11 June, can attract up to 50,000 visitors and cause travel problems.
Cumbria sees an influx of slow-moving horse-drawn trailers and caravans in the area as Gypsies and Travellers come from all across Europe to the fair.
Police have produced a map for people travelling to the fair which highlights the safest routes and locations for stopping.
Visitors to a horse fair in Cumbria are urged to slow down by police.
Up to 10,000 Gypsies and Travellers are expected to attend the annual event, at Appleby, with many arriving in traditional horse drawn bow-top wagons.
A spokesperson from Cumbria Police said horses can be easily "spooked" by fast drivers and added they wanted to ensure visitors get to the fair safely.
Appleby Horse Fair, which will run from 6 - 11 June, can attract up to 50,000 visitors and cause travel problems.
Cumbria sees an influx of slow-moving horse-drawn trailers and caravans in the area as Gypsies and Travellers come from all across Europe to the fair.
Police have produced a map for people travelling to the fair which highlights the safest routes and locations for stopping.
Travellers’ site issue ‘will not go away’ - Yorkshire
From the Press
THE York Travellers’ Trust claims City of York Council should be applauded for trying to find new sites for Gypsies and Travellers, because existing sites are becoming seriously overcrowded.
Chief Officer Christine Shepherd said pitches designed for one caravan often had two or even three sited there, because Traveller children who had grown up and wanted to live in their own caravan had nowhere else to put them.
The trust also claimed Travellers had been an integral part of York’s society for generations but had been isolated, ignored and marginalised for too long.
The voluntary organisation, which is largely funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and tries to work as a bridge between the Traveller and settled communities, also urged opponents of proposed new sites to think about the hurtful impact that some of their comments could have.
Trustee Stephen Pittam said: “When Travellers watch TV and see the whole of York seems to be saying ‘We don’t want you’, it has an impact on them. It can widen the gulf between the two communities when we should be trying to bring them together.”
The comments came as opposition grows to proposals in York’s draft Local Plan to allocate land at Dunnington for a new Travellers’ site, and at Knapton for a showpeople’s yard.
A series of packed public meetings at Dunnington have been held this week, revealing widespread concerns about the impact on the village.
Mr Pittam said neither the trust nor York’s Travellers had been consulted on the sites which had been identified.
The first he knew of the proposals was when he read about them in The Press and he could not say whether the locations were suitable for Travellers.
But he said: “The travelling community has long been ignored and dismissed to a huge degree, but we have an accommodation problem and it’s not going to go away by ignoring it.
“City of York Council should be applauded for at least trying to do something about it.”
THE York Travellers’ Trust claims City of York Council should be applauded for trying to find new sites for Gypsies and Travellers, because existing sites are becoming seriously overcrowded.
Chief Officer Christine Shepherd said pitches designed for one caravan often had two or even three sited there, because Traveller children who had grown up and wanted to live in their own caravan had nowhere else to put them.
The trust also claimed Travellers had been an integral part of York’s society for generations but had been isolated, ignored and marginalised for too long.
The voluntary organisation, which is largely funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and tries to work as a bridge between the Traveller and settled communities, also urged opponents of proposed new sites to think about the hurtful impact that some of their comments could have.
Trustee Stephen Pittam said: “When Travellers watch TV and see the whole of York seems to be saying ‘We don’t want you’, it has an impact on them. It can widen the gulf between the two communities when we should be trying to bring them together.”
The comments came as opposition grows to proposals in York’s draft Local Plan to allocate land at Dunnington for a new Travellers’ site, and at Knapton for a showpeople’s yard.
A series of packed public meetings at Dunnington have been held this week, revealing widespread concerns about the impact on the village.
Mr Pittam said neither the trust nor York’s Travellers had been consulted on the sites which had been identified.
The first he knew of the proposals was when he read about them in The Press and he could not say whether the locations were suitable for Travellers.
But he said: “The travelling community has long been ignored and dismissed to a huge degree, but we have an accommodation problem and it’s not going to go away by ignoring it.
“City of York Council should be applauded for at least trying to do something about it.”
Friday, 17 May 2013
Travellers arrive on West Park in Wellington - Somerset
From Yeovil Express
A GROUP of Travellers has arrived at the West Park business park in Wellington.
Neighbours have reported several caravans and vehicles at the site, which had a group of Travellers camp on it for several days earlier this month.
It is not clear if the group is the same people as those who left Hamilton Park in Taunton in a mess on Sunday.
A GROUP of Travellers has arrived at the West Park business park in Wellington.
Neighbours have reported several caravans and vehicles at the site, which had a group of Travellers camp on it for several days earlier this month.
It is not clear if the group is the same people as those who left Hamilton Park in Taunton in a mess on Sunday.
Stow Horse Fair 'quieter' - Gloucestershire
From the Hereford Times
STOW Horse Fair was “quieter” than normal according to some regulars who turned out for today's traditional event.
Stow Fair regulars: Susan Biggs and Abigail, Sonny, Leona and Tom. Stow Fair regulars: Susan Biggs and Abigail, Sonny, Leona and Tom.
Thousands of Gypsies and Travellers from all over the country converged on the site in the parish of Maugersbury, on the edge of Stow, for the twice-yearly fair, which is held every May and October.
But according to some punters, last week’s event was quieter than in previous years, with less trade stalls and horses.
Fred Green, aged 58, from Leicester, who has been coming to the fair all his life, said this year’s event felt quieter.
“We’ve been coming here all our lives,” he said. “It’s quieter. The police give us lots of hassle.”
Stow Horse Fair 'quieter' this year Stow Horse Fair 'quieter' this year
Hawthorne Prince, who was looking after three colts for his dad, said: “There are not as many horses. There should be twice as many.”
But mum-of-two, Susan Biggs, from Bedfordshire, said she was still enjoying it despite the smaller crowds.
“I come to see family more than anything,” she said. “People haven’t got the money. It’s the recession, it hits everybody.”
STOW Horse Fair was “quieter” than normal according to some regulars who turned out for today's traditional event.
Stow Fair regulars: Susan Biggs and Abigail, Sonny, Leona and Tom. Stow Fair regulars: Susan Biggs and Abigail, Sonny, Leona and Tom.
Thousands of Gypsies and Travellers from all over the country converged on the site in the parish of Maugersbury, on the edge of Stow, for the twice-yearly fair, which is held every May and October.
But according to some punters, last week’s event was quieter than in previous years, with less trade stalls and horses.
Fred Green, aged 58, from Leicester, who has been coming to the fair all his life, said this year’s event felt quieter.
“We’ve been coming here all our lives,” he said. “It’s quieter. The police give us lots of hassle.”
Stow Horse Fair 'quieter' this year Stow Horse Fair 'quieter' this year
Hawthorne Prince, who was looking after three colts for his dad, said: “There are not as many horses. There should be twice as many.”
But mum-of-two, Susan Biggs, from Bedfordshire, said she was still enjoying it despite the smaller crowds.
“I come to see family more than anything,” she said. “People haven’t got the money. It’s the recession, it hits everybody.”
DERBYSHIRE DALES: Travellers demand independent review
From the Derbyshire Times
A Gypsy family has demanded an independent review of a Rowsley Traveller site to assess whether it would be a suitable place for them to live.
Last month, Derbyshire Dales District Council offered the Gastram family a temporary Traveller site in Old Station Close car park, Rowsley, for a period of nine months after planning permission was granted in March.
The family were given four weeks to make a decision, but have instead requested an independent site review.
The cost of the review – believed to be in the hundreds of pounds – will be met by the district council.
A spokesman for the authority said: ““The Travellers have a statutory right to challenge our offer of a temporary site and have requested a review of the suitability of the site at Rowsley. An independent assessment will now be undertaken, the outcome of which is likely within four weeks.”
However, the request has sparked public outrage, with many believing the family are ungrateful for the offer.
Jon Habot said: “I’m not sure they are in a position to demand anything.”
A reader, who posted on the Mercury’s website said: “There’s a lot of take but not much give with these Traveller families.” Another added: “The cheek!”
But Siobhan Spencer, of the Derbyshire Gypsy Liason Group (DGLG), insisted that there were still questions that needed to be answered – despite planning permission already being approved.
“Ourselves and the family are concerned about the fire access and are also worried about soil contamination on the site,” said Siobhan.
The DGLG have further concerns with the Rowsley site, though. Siobhan believes that “in austere times” it would be better for local authorities to “tolerate” the family parking illegally, until a permanent site is found for them.
Siobhan said: “If this is the way the council are approaching the situation then it is vital that we guarantee the site is safe and suitable for the family to live.”
A Gypsy family has demanded an independent review of a Rowsley Traveller site to assess whether it would be a suitable place for them to live.
Last month, Derbyshire Dales District Council offered the Gastram family a temporary Traveller site in Old Station Close car park, Rowsley, for a period of nine months after planning permission was granted in March.
The family were given four weeks to make a decision, but have instead requested an independent site review.
The cost of the review – believed to be in the hundreds of pounds – will be met by the district council.
A spokesman for the authority said: ““The Travellers have a statutory right to challenge our offer of a temporary site and have requested a review of the suitability of the site at Rowsley. An independent assessment will now be undertaken, the outcome of which is likely within four weeks.”
However, the request has sparked public outrage, with many believing the family are ungrateful for the offer.
Jon Habot said: “I’m not sure they are in a position to demand anything.”
A reader, who posted on the Mercury’s website said: “There’s a lot of take but not much give with these Traveller families.” Another added: “The cheek!”
But Siobhan Spencer, of the Derbyshire Gypsy Liason Group (DGLG), insisted that there were still questions that needed to be answered – despite planning permission already being approved.
“Ourselves and the family are concerned about the fire access and are also worried about soil contamination on the site,” said Siobhan.
The DGLG have further concerns with the Rowsley site, though. Siobhan believes that “in austere times” it would be better for local authorities to “tolerate” the family parking illegally, until a permanent site is found for them.
Siobhan said: “If this is the way the council are approaching the situation then it is vital that we guarantee the site is safe and suitable for the family to live.”
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