Newport's shame - Travellers' Times

LETTERS& EMAILS
Letters & emails
Flood alert
Stop and Protest
I was interested in the Minister’s comments (Issue 33) regarding
the last bastions of racial hatred focused upon Travellers.
I am fortunate to have a top-class education thanks to my parents, and
fortunate to marry a fine woman who holds a Masters degree. We are both
from good Romany stock, have never forgotten our upbringing, and have
never lived in anything else but a trailer.
But looking at the facts I think we are still no closer to our objectives of
trying to explain to Government, county councils, district councils, parish
councils, ministers and lobbyists that our needs are great and at crisis point.
For God’s sake, we are living in the year 2008 and still being put down as
our ancestors were 100 years ago.
It would be interesting to see if Travellers were prepared to make a stand
and fight for our rights. I admired that truck driver who blocked the
motorway over fuel pricing policies.
I wonder if Travellers would be prepared to do
this? Imagine three to five thousand cars and
caravans together at one time in one place.
It would cause pandemonium. Cushty Bok.
Don't loose heart: we are on the right side.
James Adams and Family
Can we say thanks to the staff, site
manager, Laurie Rooney, and residents
of Gapton Hall Traveller site in Great
Yarmouth, Norfolk in the wake of severe flood
warnings last November? The site had to be
evacuated, but, despite the upheaval, the
families were pleased to be safe. And a special
thank you to them all: their temporary site was
left in an immaculate state, residents even
clearing away rubbish left by others as they
didn’t want their reputation besmirched.
Jonathan, NORFOLK
Tasty dishes
Riding Out
Traveller trades
Visiting relatives at Dale Farm, Essex recently I was
disappointed to hear the usual stories of tradesmen
not coming onto site to repair washing machines, cookers and all
those things that eventually go wrong. Do other sites suffer from
this predjudice? How have others got round it? Can this be
challenged? We are in grave danger of slipping back to the overt
racism that my parents suffered in the 1960s and 1970s. I’d urge
any parents to try and train their son’s in these trades: imagine
the workload from these sites alone. And how comforting to be
helped by a Traveller, as many women have found for themselves.
Candy Sheridan, NORFOLK
Kent Traveller John Vine had to prove planning
permission before EDF would provide him with power –
read all about it at www.travellerstimes.org.uk
Follow your dream
My husband agreed with Dominic Reeves’ comment
on the Sexiest men at Stow. There is so much more
going on at the fairs that would be of more interest! And I’d like
to say to Marylou Crawt (‘Will I be accepted?’ Issue 33): Keep
on going, follow your dream and don’t give up! What fantastic
information and knowledge you are going to be giving them.
Hold on to your heritage and keep it alive.
Lori
Don’t forget Sheffield!
I think you should write more things about Sheffield. We get
nothing written about us. Us young ‘ens don’t get no help 2 get
a job or nothing, not like all the other places.
Bonnie, SHEFFIELD
In August Jimmy Smith, (my Dad), organised a drive out round
the New Forest. Travellers came from all over Hampshire with
their horse and carts. We are having another drive in June 2008.
Rosemarie Smith, NEW FOREST
Tasty dishes: there’s nothing like home cooking, say the women from the Sussex
Traveller Women’s Health Project. They produced their own recipe book full of tasty
meals like rabbit stew and shackles. The group (left) was set up by Brighton-based Friends,
Families and Travellers (www.gypsy-traveller.org) who believe that “all members of society
should have the right to travel and to stop without constant fear of persecution because of their
lifestyle.” Buy the book (£4.95 plus p&p) from Susanna King on ✆ 01273 234796.
Reading the signs
Where does a Gypsy or Traveller who
is deaf or hard of hearing go for help?
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO DELIVER
SUPPORTING PEOPLE SERVICES
Nottinghamshire County Council on behalf of the
Nottinghamshire Supporting People Partnership and Nottingham
City Supporting People is seeking expressions
of interest from suitably qualified and experienced service
providers to tender for the following support contract:
GYPSY AND TRAVELLER
FLOATING SUPPORT SERVICE
PEOPLE& PLACES
Ref 0616
Housing Related Support service providers are required to
offer floating support services to people from the Gypsy and
Traveller community throughout Nottinghamshire County and
Nottingham City. 48 units of support averaging approximately
2.5 hours of direct support time per person are required.
It is anticipated the service will commence in June/July 2008.
The closing date for submission of tender (0616) is 03/03/08
Tender documentation can be obtained from
Nottinghamshire Supporting People Partnership by emailing:
nottssupportingpeople.org.uk
www.nottssupportingpeople.org.uk
Diane signs the
word for Gypsy
PHOTO: Hilary Smallwood
Diane’s interest started when she learned sign
language – “Because you use your hands and
face when signing you have to show your
emotions: it’s a beautiful language.
At first she had no one to practise on, “but
then we got a deaf postman visiting our site:
at last I had someone to talk to.”
If you know someone who needs help and
support, get in touch with Diane ✆ 07800
Are you in Trees,
Drives or Plastics?
Create a professional image,
and increase your business –
order your 0800 number today!
Get an
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0800 007 6000
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Joining forces
Traveller Stephen Thomas is serving as
a Police Community Support Officer
(CSO) with West Mercia Police in
Kidderminster. “I come from a settled
Traveller family who moved into a house when I
was born. I passed nine GCSEs at school then
left to start employment.
“I’ve worked for the police for two years as a
CSO and I am currently applying to become a
police officer,” says Stephen. “I have been open
about my background and accepted well within
the force, sometimes being asked for advice by
fellow officers and partner agencies.”
Diane Jones, a Traveller who has been working
with the Worcester charity Deaf Direct, wants to
West Mercia Police have a Gypsy and Traveller
find out. “There’s just nothing around on the
advisor, Sergeant Allie Webster. “The
problems deaf Gypsies and Travellers face. We
relationship between police forces and the
don’t even know the extent of the problem.”
Gypsy and Traveller communities has not
always been an easy one, but many police
Yet, she says, being deaf can be isolating.
forces are helping to break down the barriers
“People often cover up their deafness and just
between these communities and the police, by
try to get by. They don’t realise there’s often 710 870 destiny-di1@yahoo.co.uk
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people
15:10
to carry
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role similar to
help available.”
mine,” says Allie. He’s on ✆ 01905 747077
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