Gypsies and Travellers - Wrexham County Borough Council

1. Who are Gypsies and Travellers?Gypsies and Irish Travellers are recognised in law as minority ethnic groupsand are protected under the Race Relations Amendment Act [2000].Discrimination against them, as with other racial groups is unlawful. The Counciland other public bodies have a duty to promote good race relations and developimpact assessments. The term ‘racial group’ refers to groups defined by race,colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origins.Although often referred to as such, Gypsies and Travellers are not a singleethnic group. The phrase includes amongst others Welsh and English Gypsies,Scottish and Irish Travellers.Gypsies are Romany ethnic groups believed to have migrated from India tomainland Europe in around AD1000, probably as craftsmen and entertainers.Romany Gypsies have been a part of British life since the early 16 th Century.Irish Travellers are a nomadic group with a distinctive way of life that has beenpart of Irish society for centuries.Each group will have its own distinctive characteristics and cultural traditions.The words Gypsy and Irish Traveller refer to distinct racial groups and aretherefore always written with a capital letter.There are also ‘New Travellers’ especially in parts of Pembrokeshire, Powysand rural North Wales. These are people from a settled background who haveadopted the travelling lifestyle more recently. These groups are not covered bythe requirements of the Race Relations [Amendment] Act 2000.Gypsies and Travellers in WrexhamRecent research suggest that there are about 2,000 – 3,000 Gypsies andTravellers in Wales, however anecdotal evidence suggests the figure may benearer 4,000.The figure in Wrexham can be more accurately calculated to 106 adults and 85children either on site or in housing.There is one authorised residential site in Wrexham County Borough ownedand managed by the Council, and no transit site or stopping areas.4