Gypsies and Travellers:

Frequently asked questions l

Myths l

... and the facts l

This booklet was produced in

conjunction with members of the Gypsy

and Traveller community, without whose

help this booklet would not have been

possible.

Thank you to all who contributed.

Summary 2

Who are the Gypsies and Travellers of Britain? 3–4

Why do Gypsies and Travellers have a different way of life from that of the settled population? 5–8

Where do Gypsies and Travellers live? 9–12

Do Gypsies and Travellers have greater rights than other people? 13

Are Gypsies and Travellers living outside the laws and rules of society? 14–15

Do Gypsies and Travellers care about the development of civil society? 15–17

Contact list 18

Further information 18

References 19–21

Contents 1

If you would like this information in a different format, forexample Braille, audiotape, large print or computer disk, orcommunity languages, please contact. 0117 922 2664, or

email equalities_team@bristol-city.gov.uk

2

Gypsies and Travellers contribute tosociety through involvement in manyspheres of activity, and live by the samerules as everyone else. However there aremany “myths” about them in the media.This booklet has been prepared inpartnership with a group of Gypsies andTravellers to provide a more accuratepicture of their lives and to promotebetter relationships with settled people.

The term “Gypsies and Travellers”includes different groups, some of whomhave been in Britain and Bristol forcenturies. Gypsies and Travellers havetheir own strong traditions and customsbut these are widely misunderstood.

Gypsies and Travellers are minorityethnic groups and legally protectedunder the Race Relations Act, so

discrimination against them is unlawful.Public bodies have a duty to promotetheir racial equality, but manyinequalities still exist. They experiencehigh levels of discrimination andprejudice.

For example 25% of those living incaravans are homeless because they havenowhere legal to park and face frequentevictions. Gypsies and Travellers havebeen encouraged to set up their ownsites but only 10% have their initialplanning applications accepted. Theyalso experience severe inequalities ineducation, health and other services.

This booklet looks at the real lives behindthe myths.

Summary

3

Gypsies are Romany ethnic groupswhose ancestors migrated from Indiafrom the tenth century and then mixedwith European and other groups(Liégeois and Gheorghe 1995, Acton andGallant 1997). Irish Travellers are anomadic group with a distinctive way oflife who have been part of Irish societyfor centuries (Irish Traveller Movement2004).

“Roma” is used to describe EuropeanRomany speaking groups who havecome to England from Eastern andCentral Europe, and is sometimes usedto refer more generally to Gypsies andTravellers. New Travellers are people ofsettled background who adopted atravelling lifestyle in the more recentpast, although some are now in theirthird or fourth generation of travelling(Earle et al 1994). Circus and fairgroundfamilies are another group who travel fortheir work.

Definitions which draw on the history,traditions and culture of groups are

known as “ethnic definitions” and areimportant in race equality law. RomanyGypsies and Irish Travellers are legallyprotected from discrimination asminority ethnic groups under the RaceRelations Acts.

There is also a non-ethnic definition of a“Gypsy” in planning law, which isapplicable to all Travelling people.Because it refers to people of nomadichabit of life this definition causedproblems for Gypsies and Travellers whohad stopped travelling for healthreasons. So the government recentlyintroduced a new definition for planningguidance purposes: “Persons of nomadichabit of life whatever their race or origin,including such persons who on groundsonly of their own or their family’s ordependents educational or health needsor old age have ceased to traveltemporarily or permanently, butexcluding members of an organisedgroup of travelling show people or circuspeople travelling together as such”….

Myth

A former Home Secretary, said on BBCRadio Midlands on 22 July 1999:

“There are relatively few real RomanyGypsies left, who seem to mind theirown business and do not causetrouble to other people, and thenthere are a lot more people whomasquerade as Travellers or Gypsies,who trade on the sentiment of people,but who seem to think because theylabel themselves as Travellers thattherefore they’ve got a license tocommit crimes and act in an unlawfulway that other people don’t have.”

(The Times 19.8.99)

Who are the Gypsies and Travellers of Britain?

4 Who are the Gypsies and Travellers of Britain?

It is also important that individual Gypsyand Traveller families are able to decidethemselves whether they self-define as“Gypsy”, “Traveller” or some otherdefinition.

Although the groups have differenthistories and traditions, there are somecommon customs, and all facediscrimination and prejudice.

How long have there been Gypsies and Travellers in Britain and in Bristol?

“Gypsies and Travellers have lived inBristol for generations” “My family hasalways lived round here” “I was born,grew up and went to school in Bristol”(Gypsies and Travellers speaking)

Gypsy and Traveller groups have been inBritain for at least 500 years andprobably much longer. The first writtenrecord of Romany Gypsies is at theScottish court of King James in 1505(Fraser 1995, Liegeois 1994).

Irish Travellers have been migrating toBritain alongside other Irish people sincethe early nineteenth century (Johnsonand Willers 2004).

For centuries, thousands of cultures werenomadic. Being settled is a relatively newconcept that developed with nationstates. Many communities travelled fortheir livelihood in all the countries of theUK (McVeigh 1997).

Gypsies and Travellers have lived in andaround Bristol for hundreds of years, onformer commons and open areas such asat Emerson’s Green, Bradley Stoke,Patchway and Lawrence Weston, as canbe seen in street names such as “GypsyLane” and “Gipsy Patch Lane”. Currentlythere are many Gypsies and Travellerswho were born in Bristol and spent theirchildhoods here, for example on sites inSpeedwell, Redfield, Newtown andBrislington, and attended local schools.Small groups of New Travellers havefrequented Bristol in the last threedecades.

5Why do Gypsies and Travellers have a differentway of life from that of the settled population?

What is Gypsy and Traveller culture?

“We have our own culture and we wantto be recognised as an ethnic group”“Being a Gypsy is in your blood, it’s partof your heritage” “People want Gypsiesand Travellers to disappear, they want towipe out our lifestyle” (Gypsies andTravellers speaking)

Like other minority ethnic groups,Gypsies and Travellers have their ownlanguages, traditions and customs thatguide their way of life. These are passeddown through the generations, but arealso adapted to new conditions. Culturalvalues are very strong, though like othergroups, each family and individual mayhave their own special ways of puttingthem into practice.

The family is extremely important toGypsies and Travellers and a source ofgreat pride. Extended families supportand look after one another. “Travellersare lucky to have one another, we don’tsplit up as a lot of people do these days.We need each other for support andcomfort and we always know, if we need

someone, that they’re there” (Gaffey, B.1992: 36) “We would never put ourparents in a home” (Traveller).

Children are central to the lives of Gypsyand Traveller families. The publicperception of Gypsies and Travellers canbe the opposite of the real situation. Forexample there are myths and rhymesabout Gypsies stealing children (Hancock2002), but in fact there are manyexamples in Europe of Gypsies havingtheir own children taken away to try andstop them being Gypsies (Cemlyn andBriskman 2002). In a poem about herpeople, Irish Traveller Kit Gaffey wrote:

Yet so often they’re talked of As ruffians and rogues,Thieves and stealers,Child beaters and hogs.Yet they’re so close to each otherIt’s hard to believe That their love exists to all their creed.They watch other children as if watchingtheir ownWith love and attention, kindness fromthe soul. (Gaffey, K. 1992: 80)

Older members of the community arealso respected and cared for within thefamily.

Myths

“…Travellers...live on the fringe ofsociety, shun convention and oftendisregard the rights of others”

“It’s just that the Travellers’ culture andbehaviour is almost incompatible withthe way most of us live”

(Bristol Evening Post editorial 29.9.98)

“Travellers are their own worstenemies. It seems as though the vastmajority of them have turned the artof being squalid and scruffy into ascience”

(Bristol Evening Post editorial 16.7.97)

6 Why do Gypsies and Travellers have a differentway of life from that of the settled population?

The Romany language is spoken byRomany Gypsies in different formsthroughout the world. Irish Travellershave their own language called Cant orGammon. It is important for families andchildren to keep their language alive andfor it to be valued and supported, asother languages like Urdu or Welsh havebeen.

Gypsies and Travellers have specialhygiene rules, which are in some waysstricter than those of settled people butare not well understood by peopleoutside their community (Okely 1983).Gypsy Anna Lee explains: “We neverwash in a sink. If we have a sink in thetrailer it’s always got a dish inside, ’coswe have separate bowls for everything...for washing up...for washing our handsand face...and for wiping around. Wenever get ’em mixed up. When we aredoing our laundry we won’t wash ourtea towels in with all the rest of ourclothes, ’cos we think that’s veryunclean.” (Lee 2000: 81).

They take great pride in cleaning theircaravans daily, even when getting moved

on, and have gleaming displays of chinaand glass. “It’s very important to keepyour trailer clean but when you’retravelling it can be very awkward...Sometimes you haven’t got enoughwater...And it’s getting the water,because they won’t let you have it. Soyou learn to use maybe one dish ofwater to clean your trailer – you’ll wipeall around first, and then do your floorwith it. I clean my trailer every day”(James 2000: 36). Again the publicperception can be the opposite. They areoften assumed to be dirty and callednames like “stinking Gypo”, which is veryhurtful and constitutes harassment.

Homeless Gypsies and Travellers whohave to stop on unauthorised sites mayhave uncollected rubbish because publicrefuse collection does not cover thesesites. If rubbish is not collected fromsettled residents, the press may be verysupportive of their difficulties. Very oftenthe presence of Gypsies and Travellers onan unauthorised site is used as anexcuse for fly-tipping by other people inthe area, but the Travellers will get theblame.

Another important aspect of Gypsy andTraveller culture is the ability to earn aliving in many different ways. As self-employed small businesses they fill gapsin the British economy by providing awide variety of goods and services andadapting to new economic needs (Okely1983).

The tradition of nomadism or travellingis significant, and allows Gypsies andTravellers to travel to take up workopportunities, and to meet with familyon special occasions such aschristenings, weddings, illness andfunerals. These “rites of passage” arevery important events which all familymembers join. Communities also meetup at Gypsy horse fairs such as at Stowon the Wold and Appleby. Althoughopportunities for travelling are nowmore restricted, nomadism is as muchabout the possibility of travelling asabout travelling itself: “more a state ofmind than an actual situation” (Liegeois,1987: 53). Irish Traveller MichaelMcDonagh (1994: 95) sums it up:“Nomadism entails a way of looking atthe world, a different way of perceiving

7Why do Gypsies and Travellers have a differentway of life from that of the settled population?

things, a different attitude toaccommodation, to work and to life ingeneral.”

Religion is of great importance to manyGypsies and Travellers, in terms of theirdaily lives and through rituals andgatherings. Irish Travellers are oftendevout Roman Catholics and theirchildren attend Catholic schools. Manygo on pilgrimages to Lourdes or inIreland. Large numbers of RomanyGypsies are now Born-again Christians.They find love and solidarity in theChurch and in meeting up with othersfrom across Europe at large Christianconventions.

Do Gypsies and Travellers in housing stop being Gypsies/Travellers?

Gypsies and Travellers who have movedinto housing do not lose their culture ortheir ethnic status. For many thetradition of nomadism remains key totheir cultural identity, and many stillhope that they or their children orgrandchildren will be able to travel in thefuture (Parry et al 2004a). Other culturalcharacteristics, such as strong links with

extended family, are maintainedwherever Gypsies or Travellers live.

How well does the general public understand the cultural traditions and experiences of Gypsies and Travellers?

Despite this strong culture, Gypsies,Travellers and Roma are amongst themost misunderstood groups (NiShuinear 1997). Theories have even beenput forward that their culture does notreally exist, for example in Ireland in the1970s (Collins 1994; DTEDG 1994).Prejudice and hatred are openlyexpressed. “Roma remain to date themost persecuted people of Europe”(ERRC 2001 quoted in Hancock 2002:53). Half a million were killed in the NaziHolocaust, “but their plight is oftenforgotten and they remain ‘demonised’.If we don't learn from the past, we runthe risk of repeating its mistakes in thefuture.” (Dr James Smith of the NationalHolocaust Centre) (BBC News 26.5.05.www.news.bbc.co.uk).

A MORI poll in 2003 found that 35% ofthe population admit to prejudice

against Gypsies and Travellers, while38% believe such prejudice exists(Stonewall 2003). 32% cited newspapers,and 42% cited television as among themost important influences. “Extremelevels of public hostility...(are) fuelled inpart by irresponsible media reporting ofthe kind that would be met with outrageif it was targeted at any other ethnicgroup” (CRE 2003). The MORI pollconcluded that: “Overall, the findings ofthe poll indicate that personal contactand familiarity with difference are keysthat unlock the shackles of prejudice”.

We discuss later in this booklet some ofthe ways in which Gypsies and Travellersare developing contacts with the generalpublic and working to promoteunderstanding of their culture andreduce prejudice.

What are Gypsies and Travellers’experiences of discrimination, disadvantage and harassment?

There is much evidence of severe andcontinuing discrimination in education,health, employment and contact with

8

the criminal justice system (CRE 2003).This undermines Gypsies and Travellersability to live ordinary lives and to accessservices equally (CRE 2004). "Great Britainis still like the American deep south forblack people was in the 1950s.Discrimination against Gypsies andTravellers appears to be the last“respectable” form of racism.” (Chairmanof the Commission for Racial Equality)(BBC News 17.10.04.www.news.bbc.co.uk)

In education Gypsy and Traveller childrenexperience many disadvantages, not leasttheir difficulties in accessing a stableeducation when they are moved on. Theyhave been seen as the “group most at riskin the education system” (DfES 2003).Good work has been done by someschools and Traveller Education Services toprovide an equal and inclusive education.However children can still find that theirculture is ignored, their needs are not met,there is bullying from other children, anda hostile reception in the neighbourhood(Bhopal 2004, O’Hanlon and Holmes 2004,Save the Children 2001). One school in

Essex closed recently when Travellers wereenrolled because other local parentsmounted a campaign against them andwithdrew their children.

A major study by the Department ofHealth found many health problems forGypsies and Travellers. They have“significantly poorer health status andsignificantly more self-reported symptomsof ill-health” than other people in thepopulation of a similar age, gender andeconomic status (Parry et al, 2004b: 5).Poor living conditions are known to have anegative effect on health. This is madeworse because they have less access tohealth services. Prejudice, communicationdifficulties with health staff, and beingmoved on even when family members areill mean that “the health needs of Gypsiesand Travellers are not being met throughcurrent plans and provision” (Parry et al,2004a: 8).

Gypsies and Travellers can experienceunequal treatment from the police. Theycite stories of being arrested without duecause, unfairly barred from public venues,

or repeatedly stopped and questioned.Some forces are working to improve theirequality strategies and practices (CRE2004), but in many areas there is a longway to go.

There are still “No Travellers” signs insome pubs and shops, where Gypsies andTravellers face suspicion and extra scrutinyby security guards. They can meet outrightpublic hostility and racism. A racistincident is “any incident which isperceived to be racially motivated by thevictim or any other person”. Gypsies andTravellers are often the target of suchincidents, which can include verbal abuse,inappropriate jokes, damage to property,physical assault and even murder, like themurder of 13-year-old Johnny Delaney inLiverpool in 2003. The police, localauthorities and other agencies have aresponsibility to resolve racist incidentsand protect victims. Public education isimportant in encouraging people to reportharassment so it can be tackled.

Why do Gypsies and Travellers have a differentway of life from that of the settled population?

9

“We just want somewhere to live inpeace” “We get moved on wherever wego” “We fought for our country and wehave a right to live in it” (Gypsies andTravellers speaking).

For many Gypsies and Travellers a keyarea of cultural difference from thesettled population is where they live.However public policy has significantlyfailed to meet their accommodationneeds. Twice-yearly government countsshow consistently that a quarter ofGypsies and Travellers in caravans are onunauthorised sites, because they havenowhere else to stop. This means thatthey are legally homeless under theHousing Act 1996.

Between 1970 and 1994 under theCaravan Sites Act 1968 local authorities

had a duty to provide sites for people “ofnomadic habit of life, regardless of theirrace or origin”, “residing in or resortingto” their areas. Many did not providesufficient sites, or put them inunsuitable locations far from localfacilities, by motorways, rubbish tips orindustrial activities. In 1994 thegovernment repealed this duty andwithdrew grant aid for sites. With fewersites Gypsies and Travellers were forcedonto increasingly problematic stoppingplaces or into conventional housingunsuited to their cultural needs.Government research has calculated thatup to 4,500 additional pitches areneeded (Niner 2002).

Those without sites face many problemsbeyond their control; dangerous andpolluting conditions; lack of basicservices such as water, sanitation andrubbish collection; no safe play space forchildren (CIEH 1995); never knowingwhen they will be moved on; and facingharassment and vigilante attacks.Eviction can be frightening andtraumatic, and families are likely to berepeatedly evicted. This means theycannot go to school, get

Myths

“...Travellers...invade other people’s landand can’t be removed”(Bristol Evening Post 21.3.05)

“Another village at war as moreGypsies muscle in”(Western Daily Press 21.1.05)

“Basically, the Gypsies have driven ahorse and caravan through theplanning laws”(Daily Express 3.8.04)

“We don’t want Travellers here”(Bristol Evening Post 1.12.99).

“Invasion of the Travellers...Brazenlyflouting planning laws and exploitingthe Human Rights Act, Gypsies acrossBritain are buying fields and settingup their homes”. (Daily Mail 6.5.04)

"...Travellers...tend to cause trouble andwherever they go they're not wanted."www.hertsessexnews.co.uk

“March of the Gipsy camps...”(Daily Mail front page 15.11.04)

Where do Gypsies and Travellers live?

Count of caravans in EnglandJuly 2005

Unauthorised sites 4,067

Authorised public sites 6,458

Authorised private sites 5,186

Total 15,711

Source: ODPM 2006

10 Where do Gypsies and Travellers live?

health care or other essential services(Kenrick and Clark 1999, Hyman 1989).Local authorities and police are spendingmoney on evicting Gypsies and Travellersrather than providing sites to solve theproblem for everybody (Morris andClements 2002).

“They knock you up at three in themorning and you have to wake the littleones and tell them it’s time to move onagain. And on the road, there are verbalattacks all the while….They prevent youhaving fresh water and electricity.”(Scottish-Irish Traveller) (The Independent21.3.05)

In 1994 the government argued thatGypsies and Travellers should set up theirown sites. However planning guidanceactually made it much harder to obtainplanning permission. Although localauthorities were expected to makeprovision for sites in development plans,positive action was rare, and there werevery restrictive criteria for site proposals(ACERT 1998, Morris and Clements 1999).Only 10% of initial planning applicationsby Gypsies and Travellers succeedcompared to 80% of applications from the

settled population. For those who, despitethese odds, have achieved a family site,the process has been very protracted withnumerous different hearings (Johnson andWillers 2004). This greatly increases thestress for families who may need a stableplace to live because of serious healthproblems or to access education.

Why do Gypsies and Travellers sometimes set up sites without permission?

The lack of public sites and the greatbarriers they encounter in trying to set uptheir own have left many Gypsies andTravellers without the basic right toaccommodation. If they camp on otherpeople’s land, private owners, localauthorities and the police have a range ofdifferent powers to move them on (ODPM2006b).

In order just to have somewhere to live,some Gypsies and Travellers thereforepurchase their own land and apply forretrospective planning permission. Thisprocess is used regularly by members ofthe settled community, who may indeedattract sympathy is they have to demolisha building constructed without

permission. The planning application stillhas to go through the due process. Itaccords with the policy of successivegovernments who have expected Gypsiesand Travellers to provide their ownaccommodation.

The conflicts that can be generated are innobody’s long-term interest. Sometimespublic meetings are held and hostile anddiscriminatory statements are madeabout Gypsies and Travellers. What isneeded is to establish more public sites, tomake the planning process moreequitable, and to welcome Gypsies andTravellers as part of the community.

Why do Gypsies and Travellers live in urban neighbourhoods or near other people?

Gypsies and Travellers need to live nearbuilt-up areas for the same reasons asother people, to access economicopportunities, health care, schools andshops. Increasing development and urbanexpansion means that many traditional

11Where do Gypsies and Travellers live?

stopping places are no longer available.Gypsies and Travellers are often seen as“invading” neighbourhoods, but theirtravel patterns reflect long historicaltraditions. Instead it is the Travellers whohave been pushed out. Around Bristolthere are countless areas of land that havebeen developed, ditched, mounded orbouldered, preventing camping inprevious traditional locations (Bancroft2000, Sibley 1981). “No room here for thenomads” (Bristol Evening Post 10.7.98) hassadly been true for many Travellers.

Would conventional housing solve the problem of accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers?

There are no accurate figures aboutGypsies and Travellers living in housing.Another way they are excluded is notbeing counted as a separate ethnic groupin official statistics such as the nationalcensus (Morris 1999). However it isestimated that maybe half now live inhouses.

In the past authorities have oftenassumed that problems ofaccommodation for Gypsies and Travellers

could be solved by housing. They mayaccept a housing offer in desperation athaving nowhere else safe and stable toraise children or for health reasons, but itmay prove a difficult and stressfulexperience. They can feel isolated fromtheir extended family, trapped andenclosed. “I have lived a few years in ahouse. Can’t bear to be closed in. It’s OKfor a while but then you can’t stand it nomore. I feel the same about a house as ahouse-dweller would feel about living in acaravan permanently” (Cardiff Gypsy inThomas and Campbell 1992: ix).“Travellers are ordinary people, that wantthe same rights, the same things as non-Travellers, but we live in trailers, we don’tlike closed spaces, we love the openness,its sense of freedom” (Gypsy 2006).

Gypsies and Travellers in housing may beexposed to increased hostility and racism.“It creates enormous pressures on allmembers of the family….I think it allowsfor far more racism” (Education staff inCemlyn 2000: 336). “Once you tell yourneighbours that you are a Gypsy, they areno longer friendly, they think that Gypsiescannot be trusted” (Gypsy 2006).

The courts have confirmed that homelessGypsies and Travellers should not beforced to accept conventional housing. Ina high court case in 2003 drawing onEuropean case law, the judge stated “Inorder to meet the requirements andaccord respect, something more thantaking account of an applicant’s Gypsyculture is required.…Respect includes thepositive obligation to act so as to facilitatethe Gypsy way of life” (Willers andJohnson 2004: 188).

For other Gypsies and Travellers housingcan be a satisfactory solution either for aperiod or more permanently. It is

12 Where do Gypsies and Travellers live?

important that each individual andfamily can decide what meets theirneeds, and that their culture continuesto be recognised, but this is very far fromthe case at present.

How are the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers to be decided and met in future?

The government is currently seeking toaddress some of the accommodationdifficulties of Gypsies and Travellers. Aseries of measures since 2004 is aimed atbringing Gypsy and Traveller siteaccommodation within mainstreamhousing policies, albeit as a specialisedform of provision. The Housing Act 2004section 225 obliges local housingauthorities to include theaccommodation needs of Gypsies andTravellers residing in or resorting to theirdistrict when assessing local housingneeds, and include these needs in theirhousing strategy.

The Planning and Compensation Act2004 requires Development PlanDocuments to set out how the landrequired for sites is to be made available.Revised planning guidance on thesematters aims to create inclusivecommunities, increase the number ofGypsy and Traveller sites while reducingunauthorised encampments, protect andfacilitate the traditional travelling way oflife and respect the interests of thesettled community (ODPM 2006c). Localauthorities are required to involveGypsies and Travellers in developing theirpolicies and programmes.

13Do Gypsies and Travellers have greater rightsthan other people?

What basic rights do Gypsies and Travellers have?

“We are human beings like everyoneelse” “We just want to be treated fairly”“We have lived on our own place for twoyears. We often greet local people butthey turn their heads away and ignoreus” (Gypsies and Travellers speaking)

“Any person, whether a traditional gypsy,a statutory, that is nomadic gypsy, or onewho is neither, is entitled to the Article 8right to respect for his private and familylife and home...” (Auld, LJ WrexhamCounty Borough Council v (1) NationalAssembly of Wales (2) Michael Berry (3)Florence Berry, 2003)

Gypsies and Travellers have the samerights as other members of thecommunity under national andinternational law, and are entitled toprotection as minority ethnic groups.They have needs for basicaccommodation, security and belonging.Rather than Gypsies and Travellershaving more rights implemented than

other people, they have insteadexperienced a lack of very basic safety,life opportunities and services thatothers take for granted. Even assistancesuch as help with heating their homes,widely available for house-dwellers, canmeet with outraged headlines whenrequested for Gypsies and Travellers.

Why is the Human Rights Act used in planning cases?

Gypsies and Travellers have used theHuman Rights Act because the planningsystem has not treated them fairly andtheir rights to a home and family lifehave been denied. The use of the HumanRights Act has therefore encouraged theplanning system to take their needs intoaccount. Government guidance statesthat “the provisions of the EuropeanConvention on Human Rights should beconsidered as an integral part of localauthorities’ decision-making” (ODPM2006c: 16).

Myths

‘‘What Gypsies are getting away within some parts of the country is totallywrong and must be stopped (RobertKilroy-Silk)” (Guardian 25.3.05)

“I do understand they have to haverights but there just seems to be twodifferent laws for different people”(Western Daily Press 21.1.05)

Gypsies heat treat.“Gypsy bosses are demanding cashfrom the (Scottish) Executive – soGypsies can install CENTRAL HEATINGin their caravans” (original emphasis)(Sun newspaper 21.9.04

The Sun Petition. “Dear Mr Prescott1. We demand an end to retrospectiveplanning consent given by councils toGipsy camps2. We demand that planning lawsapply equally to everyone and not bewaived to benefit a minority ofTravellers”.

14 Are Gypsies and Travellers living outside the laws and rules of Society?

Living as part of the wider community

“We work and pay our taxes”. “We havestrong morals and look after each other”(Gypsies and Travellers speaking).

Gypsies and Travellers are bound by thesame rules as everyone else. They paytaxes and license fees. They meet mutualobligations in day-to-day businessdealings with the general population(Clark 2002). They also engage in a rangeof occupations as teachers, probationofficers, police officers, nurserymanagers, community workers,shopworkers. And this will increase asmore Gypsies and Travellers are able toaccess education.

There are often fears that establishing asite in an area will lead to increasedcrime. However research has found thatGypsies and Travellers and settledneighbours built up effectiverelationships once a site is established(Joseph Rowntree Foundation 1996) and“many have good relationships withneighbouring communities” (ODPM2006d). In some areas local residentshave actively supported the efforts to

achieve an established site andwelcomed them to the area (e.g. Niner etal 2005). Even where there areconsiderable difficulties, the way forwardis through talking and working together.

“...Reverend Hore...said the experience ofhis Cambridgeshire village was both awarning and a sign of hope. Tensionsrose in 2003 after a nearby caravan siteexpanded…Reverend Hore said there hadbeen new dialogue between villagersand the Travellers which was improvingthe situation….This is what can breakdown barriers....If you are journeyingtogether, at least you can create adialogue” (BBC news 17.11.05.www.news.bbc.co.uk)

Like all other groups, Gypsy Travellergroups include a few people who engagein anti-social or criminal behaviour. Thevast majority of Gypsies and Travellersare law-abiding and want criminalbehaviour dealt with by the law in theusual way. The high media profile canresult in all Gypsies and Travellers beinglabelled as blameworthy and criminal.

Myths

“…Gypsies ..are granted immunity andeven given privileges. The rule of lawis flouted daily by people who don’tpay taxes, give nothing to society andyet expect to be treated asuntouchables” (Sun newspaper10.3.05)

“In effect they are sticking two fingersup to the rest of society…People..feelresentful...because the majority of ushave to conform to society’s rules.”(Bristol Evening Post Editorial IssueNo21,966)

“Gypsies are told: You don’t have toobey the law” (Daily Express 3.8.04)

“(On BBC Radio West Midlands) theHome Secretary said that it was timeto end sentimentality about Travellersas they were often involved inburgling, thieving, breaking into carsand urinating in the street” (The Times19.8.99)

“...You can’t control Travellers, they are alaw unto themselves” (Bristol EveningPost 1.12.99)

15rules of Society? Do Gypsies and Travellers care about the developmentof Civil Society?

It can be assumed that all criminalactivity in a neighbourhood is due toGypsies and Travellers, without anyevidence.

Moreover media reports maymisleadingly headline police arrests butfail to report subsequently if charges arenot brought against those arrested. Thishappened in Fishponds, Bristol, in theearly 1990s with a front page report of24 Travellers being arrested from anunauthorised site that was opposed bylocal residents. There was minimalreporting when none of these Travellerswas later charged. Because some settledpeople engage in criminal activity, it isnot assumed that this is a characteristicof all settled people.

Contributions to society

“When Gypsies and Travellers do goodthings these are never mentioned”,“Wehave raised a significant amount ofmoney for children’s and hospitalcharities, but this is not mentionedbecause we are Travellers” (Gypsies andTravellers speaking).

Because Gypsies and Travellers have beenthe object of so much suspicion andhatred, it has sometimes been hard forthem to engage in ordinary community,social and political activities. Howeverthey show determination in overcomingthese barriers and there are many waysin which they make a very significantcontribution to a harmoniouscommunity, and to enriching the nation’scultural and political life.

In politics Gypsies and Travellers serve atlocal and national level as councillors andon committees and have stood for

Myths

“Travellers have rejected a conventionallifestyle, they don’t want to be part ofestablished communities and certainlywant nothing to do with councils”(Bristol Evening Post 28.05.02)

“The vast majority of people don’t careif life is made unpleasant for thesepeople. They have contributed nothingto society. They just take.”(Bristol Evening Post editorial. 1.2.94)

16 Do Gypsies and Travellers care about thedevelopment of civil society?

election to Parliament. There are GypsyMPs and councillors throughout Europe.The following obituary of a leadingGypsy politician appeared in The Times14.11.05.

“Charles Smith Gypsy activist, poet, andfilm-maker, he once ran a successfulantiques business. Charles Smith, whohas died of cancer aged 49, was one ofthe leading English Romani communityactivists of his generation, chair of theGypsy Council and, since April 2004, acommissioner of the Commission forRacial Equality. An activist in his ownethnic community, he was also a tough,pragmatic local politician. Living on aresidential caravan site in Essex, whichincluded both Gypsies and non-Gypsies,he fought Castle Point borough's claimsthat they had no Gypsies, and then washimself elected a Labour councillor foreight years. He served as mayor in 2002-03.”

Gypsies and Travellers are engaged withMPs and ministers in all-partyparliamentary groups, meetings andconferences to try and resolve the

difficulties over accommodation, topromote an improved code of practicefor the media, and good practice inservices for Gypsies and Travellers. TheGypsy and Traveller Law Reform Coalitionbrings together in this endeavour manyGypsy and Traveller groups such as theGypsy Council, the Irish TravellerMovement, the National Romani RightsAssociation and Friends, Families andTravellers. The Coalition won the LibertyHuman Rights Award in 2004.

Coalition spokesman Mr Len Smith said“now more than ever” Travellers neededto speak out on these issues….”We canshow the rest of society the greatcontribution that Gypsies and Travellersare capable of making, want to make,and are already doing,” (BBC News6.5.05. www.news.bbc.co.uk)

There have been many Gypsies over theyears who have been famous for theirremarkable contribution to society,although their Gypsy background is notalways known. These include the actorsSir Charles Chaplin, Sir Michael Caineand Bob Hoskins, Nobel Prize winner

Mother Theresa, footballer Eric Cantona,and singer David Essex. Elvis Presley alsohad Romanichel origins (Romanestan2006).

Those who are less famous have alsomade outstanding contributions andsacrifices. Many Gypsies served in theBritish Army in both World Wars. Twowere awarded the Victoria Cross for theirbravery. In today’s world Gypsies andTravellers are active members ofchurches. They are involved in charitywork in the community and raisingmoney for good causes. They undertakevoluntary work with services likeeducation, police and health to providepublic education through exhibitions,videos, meetings, training events andpublications.

17Do Gypsies and Travellers care about thedevelopment of Civil Society?

“Event honours Gypsy volunteers AGypsy from Liverpool who is helping tocreate an information pack about hisculture following the death of his son ina racist attack was today being honouredat the House of Lords. Patrick Delaneywas joining more than a dozen Gypsiesat the event [“Playing a Part inCommunities”] in London which aimedto recognise the voluntary work carriedout by Gypsies and Travellers around theUK. Mr Delaney…joined a team who aretrying to diffuse inter-racial tensions byproducing an information guide aboutthe Gypsy culture…

At the event Mr Delaney was beingjoined by a number of fellow Gypsiesincluding Richard O’Neill, fromManchester, who performs importantwork for health, including founding theNational Men’s Health Week and BridieJones, from Canterbury, who works withlocal schools and police to improverelations with the Gypsy community andprevent bullying...also…Siobhan Spencer,from Matlock, Derbyshire, who helped

create “Pride not Prejudice”, an annualforum helping to break down barriersbetween Travellers and the police.”(Community Newswire 18.10.05)

Gypsies and Travellers are involved in allwalks of life. They are particularlyconcerned to promote improvedknowledge and understanding. They areinvolved with research in universitiesinto health and accommodation needs,and work in schools developing culturalresources for all children. In BristolGypsies have served as school governorsand on council working groups. LocalGypsy and Traveller children are helpingto create an exhibition of Gypsy andTraveller culture to be shown at theBristol Museum in 2007 (?).

Gypsies and Travellers have long cultural,artistic and humanitarian traditions.They have been vilified as “outsiders”but they need to be included andwelcomed so that their contributionscan enrich and develop society alongsideall the other groups that make up ourcommunities, without having to hidetheir identity for fear of harassment. An

important starting point will be theabolition of homelessness amongGypsies and Travellers by providing orenabling sites to be provided. But we allhave a part to play in overcoming the“myths” and prejudices which damagetheir lives. e Sun newspaper 29.3.05)

18 Contact list Further informationTraveller Co-ordination Team,Bristol City CouncilTel 0117 922 3371

Avon Consortium Traveller Education ServiceTel 01454 862620

Avon Travellers Health ProjectTel 0117 922 7570

Travellers Advice TeamTel 0845 120 2980emailwww.gypsy-traveller.org/law.tat.htm

Equalities and Community Cohesion TeamTel 0117 922 2664emailequalities_team@bristol-city.gov.uk

The Gypsy and Traveller Law reform Coalition,emailwww.travellerslaw.org.uk

The Gypsy Council emailwww.thegypsycouncil.org

The Irish Traveller Movementemailwww.itmtrav.com

Friends, Families and Travellersemailwww.gypsy-traveller.org

Commission for Racial Equalityemailwww.cre.org.uk

TravellersinLeedsemailwww.travellesrinleeds.co.uk

Travellers Tairingemailwww.Imu.livjm.ac.uk/traveller

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Bhopal, K (2004) Gypsy Travellers andEducation: Changing Needs and ChangingPerceptions. British Journal of EducationalStudies 52 (1): 47-64.

Cemlyn, S (2000a) “Assimilation, control,mediation or advocacy? Social workdilemmas in providing anti-oppressiveservices for Traveller children and families”Child and Family Social Work, 5 (4), 327-341.

Cemlyn, S and Clark, C (2005) “The SocialExclusion of Gypsy and Traveller Children”,in Preston, G (ed), At Greatest Risk. Thechildren most likely to be poor. London,CPAG: 150–165.

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20 ReferencesKenrick, D & Clark, C (1999) Moving On.The Gypsies and Travellers of BritainHatfield, University of Hertfordshire Press.

Lee, A (2000) Anna Lee…telling about herlife. In P Saunders, J Clarke, S Kendall, A Lee, S Lee, F Matthews (eds) Gypsies andTravellers in their own words. LeedsTraveller Education Service: Leeds: 80–91.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation (1996)Neighbours’ views of official sites fortravelling people. JRF Findings HousingResearch 201. www.jrf.org.uk

Johnson, C and Willers, M (2004) Gypsyand Traveller Law London: Legal ActionGroup

Liegeois, J-P (1994) Roma, Gypsies,Travellers Strasbourg: Council of Europe,Publishing and Documentation Service

McDonagh, M (1994) Nomadism in IrishTravellers’ Identity. In McCann, M, OSiochain, S and Ruane, J (Eds) (1994) IrishTravellers Culture and Ethnicity Belfast:Institute of Irish Studies: 95–109

Morris, R (1999) The invisibility of Gypsiesand other Travellers. Journal of SocialWelfare Law 21 (4): 397–404.

Morris, R and Clements, L (Eds) (1999)Gaining Ground: Law Reform for Gypsiesand Travellers. Hatfield, University ofHertfordshire Press.

Morris, R and Clements, L (2002) At WhatCost? The economics of Gypsy andTraveller encampments. Bristol, PolicyPress.

Ni Shuinear, S (1997) Why do Gaujos hateGypsies so much, anyway? A case study in:T Acton (Ed) Gypsy politics and Travelleridentity. Hatfield: University ofHertfordshire Press: 26–53.

Niner, P (2002) The Provision andCondition of Local AuthorityGypsy/Traveller Sites in England. London:ODPM.

Niner, P Cemlyn.S Goodson, L and Porter, L.(2005) Provision of Services to Travellers.Report for Hackney Council 2005

ODPM (Office of the Deputy PrimeMinister) (2006a) Count of GypsyCaravans. www.odpm.gov.uk

ODPM (2006b) Guide to effective use ofenforcement powers. Part 1: Unauthorisedencampments www.odpm.gov.uk

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Parry, G; Van Cleemput, P; Peters, J; Moore, J; Walters, S; Thomas, K; and Cooper, C.(2004a) The Health Status of Gypsies andTravellers in England. Report ofDepartment of Health Inequalities inHealth Research Initiative Project121/7500. Sheffield: University ofSheffield.

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Cooper, C (2004b) The Health Status ofGypsies and Travellers in England.Summary of Report to the Department ofHealth 2004. Sheffield: University ofSheffield.

References 21

Playbus (The National Playbus Association)Working With Travellers: A practical guidefor play, youth and community groups.Bristol: Playbus

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Save the Children (2001) Denied a Future?The right to education of Roma/Gypsy andTraveller children, (4 volumes) London:SCF.

Sibley, D. (1981) Outsiders in UrbanSociety Basingstoke: Palgrave.

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