Friends, Families and Travellers

Working on behalf of all Gypsies and Travellers regardless of ethnicity, culture or background

Noticeboard

 

Welcome to the FFT noticeboard featuring events, campaigns, jobs, funding opportunities, resources and more……

Click here to send us your events and news.

Views expressed on this noticeboard are not necessarily those of FFT. Items for sale are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by FFT.

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Sign the Number Ten Petition

There is a petition on at number 10 and we must get at least 500 signatures in 8 weeks so please could you support Gypsies and Travellers by signing it. It says ‘We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Amend the Act of Parliament pertaining to security of tenure of Gypsies and Travellers on rented pitches to ensure that security of tenure is given.’  Could you support Gypsies and Travellers by signing the petion and asking friends and family to do the same.  Remember every person of the age of 18 or above can sign, its per person and so everyone in any given household with a individual email address can sign the petition.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Travellerrights/

Background

The European Court of Human Rights (in 2004) and the House of Lords (in 2008) stated that the situation regarding the lack of security of tenure for Gypsies and Travellers on rented pitches amounted to a breach of Human Rights. The Government said they would amend the law by including Council sites within the provisions of the Mobile Homes Act 1983.

The Government then released an e-mail to certain organisations on 10th February 2010 saying that they no longer had time to introduce the necessary amending powers. This is despite the fact that security of tenure could be introduced with a few simple sentences.  We call on the Government to take action now to resolve this breach of Human Rights by amending legislation to ensure Gypsies and Travellers on rented pitches have the same rights to security of tenure as other social housing tenants.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Travellerrights/

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Gypsy and Traveller Law Update

This course provides a comprehensive review of developments in Gypsy and Traveller law and policy covering England and Wales. It is designed for legal aid practitioners, Gypsy and Traveller advice and liaison workers and voluntary sector workers with a basic knowledge of Traveller issues. Local government housing, planning and education departments responsible for Gypsy and Traveller matters will also find this course particularly useful.

Content

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Gypsy and Traveller History Month, Brighton

On Saturday 12 June, from 10 am to 4pm Sussex Police Gypsy and Traveller Independent Advisory Group is organizing an event in the Brighthelm Centre, Brighton to celebrate Gypsy & Traveller History Month.

There will be music, food, stalls, competitions, crafts, exhibitions, films and other events.

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BBC Documentary

I am working on a new documentary for BBC3 about marriage and I am looking for people to take part; I was wondering if you could help.

The programme is called ‘The 7 Ages of Marriage’ (this could change as there is a programme on BBC2 called ‘the seven ages of’!) and it is being presented by Cherry Healey who is herself getting married this year.  We’re looking for women of all ages, locations and cultures who are planning their big day.  It will be a gentle and warm hearted documentary which looks into marriage in the 21st century (not as in depth as a cutting edge!).  As part of the series we feel that younger as well as older ladies should be involved, marriage isn’t restricted to people in their 20’s and 30’s afterall!  I am struggling to find the younger age range getting married, it is legal from the age of 16 and we would love to talk to someone who is 16/17 and getting married this year or someone younger proposing.  It is not about whether the individual is considered Traveller etc, it’s about their age only and why they have chosen to marry, if this is tied in to their culture then no problems but primarily it is about the woman’s choice to get married.

I hoped it might be possible for you to ask around to see if anybody might be interested.  At this stage there is no commitment to be involved, just a chat.  The filming would be about two days worth between March and June with one camera, one sound person and Cherry, the presenter.  We would like the ladies to chat to Cherry whilst doing something wedding related, like choosing a dress for example.

I have attached and application form; if anyone is interested then please could they send it back to kerry.western@renegadepictures.co.uk. We begin casting now and will be looking for people ASAP.

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Filming Proposal

I am looking to make an observational documentary about the housing problem faced by the gypsy and traveller community. I hope to raise awareness by following the lives of three different children and their families, in three different locations. I would be so grateful if people from the following situations would be interested in talking to me about the project to see if they would potentially like to be involved with the filming. This is what I am looking for:

One family that have been rehoused in a bricks and mortar situation – and are very distressed / anxious about it. I understand that lots of people who have been rehoused would much prefer to be able to live on a caravan pitch, and be close to family and support systems. I also understand that the four walls can often be very claustrophobic for people not used to living that way.

One family that are on a illegal caravan pitch, as they have not had any alternative since laws passed in 1994 that have essentially made many travllers homeless. I am looking to tell their side of the story – as they fight for basic rights – a place with running water and access to health care and free from the constant threat of eviction / homes destroyed by the council and bailiffs.

One family that is living on a council approved caravan pitch. How is that going for them? What has worked and what hasn’t worked? Do they feel that they have been allowed to set up a decent home and this is a model for how things could work for others? Or do they feel that the council has plonked them in an unsuitable area and is only interested in creating ghettos, hidden from the settled community?

More than ever, now is the time for the Gypsy and traveller story to be heard. For too long racism, homelessness and inequality in the education and health care system has been a fact of their every day life. With an open heart and a pensive, reflective approach, this film will give a voice to the voiceless – allowing real life family stories to be told via actuality and revealing interview. The housing struggles faced by travellers is far from being resolved – and it never will be until a dialogue of respect and understanding happens between Gypsies and the wider community. This will not just be a political tale of the problems faced by one of Britain’s minority groups. Through different generations the film will take an honest look at how the traveller community live – a chance for them to share their world, hopes and dreams to a society that knows little about them.

An important concern of the film is to take a serious look at the problem of finding a sense of self in modern times. Alongside their parents fight for a safe and stable home, we will also follow the children’s first steps in understanding their own identity and relationship to the world around them. What are these children’s dreams and aspirations? And how will they go about tackling their future now that a nomadic way of life has been lost? How would they like to be viewed by the world around them? What do they feel needs to change?

If anyone is interested in a non-obligation chat to find about more about myself and what I hope to achieve with the film, please feel free to contact me on:

07747462961

Rebecca.Mills.2009@live.rhul.ac.uk

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Travellers plot of land with full consent for any traveller family occupancy for life.

This plot is on the outskirts of March in Cambridgeshire and consists of 3.5 acres mainly to grazing, with post and rail fencing on the roadsides.

Mains electric, water and phone, propane gas tank on site and a septic tank. 40ft by 30ft mobile home, four bedroomed, two double and two single, full size bathroom, kitchen diner and large lounge. To the rear is a veranda, patio area and large garden laid to lawn with flower beds, all is enclosed with a timber fence.

Outside in the yard there are two plots for static caravans all with sewer, electric and water in place. In the yard itself there are four stables, four dog runs and a tack room all with electric.  A 40ft by 25ft barn also with electric. The property can be accessed by two driveways both of which are gated.  Contact 01354 740 959 or0759599471

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BBC Children in Need launches a Small Grants programme

Apply for a small grant and make a big difference

BBC Children in Need’s experience shows that significant and valuable work can be achieved with a small grant (£10,000 or less p.a. for a maximum of three years) and that these are amongst the most imaginative and meaningful grants it makes.  The programme is designed to encourage those who may never have considered applying to BBC Children in Need to send in an application.

Organisations can apply at any time.

There are four deadlines in the year, each with a 14 week turnaround:

15 January; 15 April, 15 July and 15 October.

Further information and application forms are available online at www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants. The Small Grants programme is in addition to BBC Children in Need’s Main Grants programme.

BBC Children in Need has redesigned its processes to make sure that applying for a small grant is as straightforward as possible. It offers support throughout the application process via its website, dedicated helpdesk and local staff who are keen to hear from projects before they apply. The aim is to encourage both new and previous applicants, so that BBC Children in Need can make even more small grants across the UK.

For more information, please go to bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/apply_smallgrant.shtml or email pudsey@bbc.co.uk

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New Resource: Romani mobilities in Europe, Oxford University Conference. Facilitating the Gypsy and Traveller way of life in England and Wales through the courts

By Marc Willers, Garden Court Chambers London; Andrew Ryder, independent researcher; & Chris Johnson, Community Law Partnership solicitors, Birmingham.

Download the full PDF here

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View Point, Europe’s first human rights talkshow

Viewpoint is a web video of a talk show produced by the Council of Europe during which an international panel of experts discussed ‘Roma phobia’ in Europe.

The experts agreed that anti-Gypsyism is now so widespread that Roma communities have become the outcast victims of an “undeclared Apartheid” system.

Here is a link to the online video: http://tinyurl.com/y9d42r2

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The Children’s Society is making an exhibition about festivals and New Travellers. We are looking for YOUNG PEOPLE to get involved in creating this exhibition. We want your memories, photos, poems, drawings – anything to do with festivals.

•    What’s your favourite festival and why?

•    Are festivals too commercial these days?

We want to hear what you think and feel about festivals. Perhaps you work at festivals during the summer, litter-picking, doing workshops, selling things you’ve made? Perhaps you’ve got a funny story to share about a festival you’ve been to?

•    What would your perfect festival be like?

•    Is it still worth going to Stonehenge for the Summer solstice?

If you want to get involved please call Rosie Wild on 01761 479368 or 07740 038725 or email her on rosie.wild@childrenssociety.org.uk

Download the festival exhibition leaflet here.

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The Children’s Society’s exhibitions: ‘Why I Became A New Traveller’ and ‘Short history of New Travellers’.

Why I Became a New Traveller exhibition

Jan 4 - Jan 18 - Nether Stowey Library, Nether Stowey

Jan 18 - Jan 26 - Holway Centre, Taunton

Jan 27 - Shaftesbury School (as part if Holocaust Memorial Day - not open to the general public)

Feb 2 - Voluntary Sector Furum Annual Conference, Sturminster Newton (not open to public)

Feb 8 - Feb 12 - Children’s Society Headquarters, London (not open to the public)

Feb 15 - Feb 26 - Bridgwater Library, Bridgwater

March 1 - March 12 - Bristol Central Library, Bristol

Mar 15 - Mar 26 - West Dorset District Council, Dorchester

Mar 29 - Mar 31 - Weymouth College, Weymouth

April 6 - April 23 - Blandford Children’s Centre, Blandford Forum

June - Devon, venues are being aranged by Devon REC

A Short History of New Travellers exhibition

Jan 4 - Jan 18 - Glastonbury Library, Glastonbury

Jan 27 - Shaftesbury School (as part if Holocaust Memorial Day - not open to the general public)

Feb 2 - Voluntary Sector Furum Annual Conference, Sturminster Newton (not open to public)

Feb 3 - Feb 12 - Mendip District Council Offices, Shepton Mallet

Feb 15 - Feb 26 - Bridgwater Library, Bridgwater

March 1 - March 12 - Bristol Central Library, Bristol

Mar 15 - Mar 26 - West Dorset District Council, Dorchester

Mar 29 - Mar 31 - Weymouth College, Weymouth

April 6 - April 16 - Blandford Children’s Centre, Blandford Forum

April 19 - April 31 - Burnham Library

June - Devon, venues are being aranged by Devon REC

We invite other venues across the South West to contact Rosie Wild (rosie.wild@childrenssociety.org.uk) if they would like to host the exhibition.

Titled,  ‘Why I Became A New Traveller’, the exhibition is a combination of photos, interview extracts and oral histories. It explores the reasons formerly housed people with no travelling background have taken to the road in the South West over the last 30 years. It is based on interviews with both current and former New Travellers in Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Wales, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. We hope that by educating the general public about the New Traveller lifestyle it will break down prejudices and misconceptions they may hold about New Travellers and help them empathise with the reasons people choose this lifestyle.

The exhibition has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, as part of a year-long, project administered by The Children’s Society, researching and recording the history of New Travellers in the South West. Other outcomes in this project will include another exhibition on Festivals and a schools heritage pack exploring issues of prejudice and discrimination through looking at the New Traveller lifestyle and reactions to it.

With best wishes,

Rosie Wild

Project Worker

Children’s Participation Project - Wessex

The Children’s Society

01761 479368

07740 038725

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Grants

Crisis, a national homeless charity, is providing grants for homeless people to help them move towards work.

For more details on the Changing Lives Awards check out the Crisis website: http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/crisis-changing-lives.html

or call them on 0844 251 0111.

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