Gypsies and Travellers - Wrexham County Borough Council

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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
2. Why do Gypsies and Travellers travel?The courts have recognised that travelling and living in a caravan is a reflectionof Gypsy and Traveller culture and traditions. It is not simply a lifestyle choice.While not all Gypsies and Travellers travel on a regular basis the ability to travelremains a very important part of Gypsy and Traveller culture. Travelling is oftenlinked to important family events such as weddings and funerals and it may becyclical in line with seasonal employment such as fruit picking and fairs.Travellers have a fondness for the traditional way of life, being outdoors andopen country side.3. Gypsy and Traveller languages, culture and traditionsGypsies and Traveller communities have their own languages, culture andtraditions. It is important that these strongly held values are passed on from onegeneration to the next.4. LanguagesThe Romany language is spoken by Romany Gypsies in different formsthroughout the world. Irish Travellers have their own language called Cant orGammon. Keeping these languages alive is an important part of maintaining theGypsy and Traveller culture and traditions.Most Gypsies and Travellers also speak English.5. HygieneThere are many important customs relating to cleanliness which also functionas principles for living. They include all activities from handling the dishes,cutlery and food to washing clothes and the relationship between differentgenerations. For example, food, dishes and cutlery are never placed anywherewhere people sit, stand or walk. The table rag will not be used to wipe the chairsor the floor. There are different rags for that purpose. The dishcloths, kitchentowels and tablecloths are never washed with other items. Many families washunderwear and clothes separately.6. ReligionMany Gypsies and Irish Travellers have traditionally adopted the religion of theircountry of residence and express a belief in Christianity. More recently manyhave joined the Born Again Christian Church (Gypsies) Irish Travellers aretraditionally Roman Catholic.5
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Gypsies and Travellers - Wrexham County Borough Council

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