Ginny Harrison-White

We have just heard that Ginny Harrison-White died unexpectedly yesterday. Ginny was head of Cornwall Council's Equality and Diversity Service and a long time supporter of Gypsies and Travellers and of TravellerSpace.

 Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

TravellerSpace on Radio Cornwall

TravellerSpace Radio Cornwall 24th October

Radio Cornwall are running a short feature about St.Day Gypsy and Traveller Women's Group and literacy project

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/

Job Advert

Friends, Families and Travellers

 We can offer an exciting new job opportunity for people wanting to help strengthen the voice of Gypsies and Travellers in the South West.

We are looking to recruit to a new 21 hour per week (flexible working) post of Community Development Worker, based in Somerset or Devon, to support and develop grass roots Gypsy and Traveller groups and to help provide an effective and coherent voice for Gypsies and Travellers in the South West.

The post, which will run for an initial period of one year, carries a full-time equivalent salary of £21, 937 (£13,162 pro rata) and a copy of the application form, job description and person specification is downloadable from our website at www.gypsy-traveller.org  

Ideally you will have an extensive knowledge of Gypsy and Traveller communities in the South West Region and considerable experience of working with and supporting Gypsy and Traveller groups. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Interviews will be held in Devon on the afternoon of Thursday 12 November. Completed applications should be emailed to chris@gypsy-traveller.org or posted to Chris Whitwell, Friends, Families and Travellers, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG to arrive by 5.00 pm on Monday  2 November.

TravellerSpace on Facebook

We now have a Facebook group where we post any interesting news and links we come across.

Shelter Gypsy and Traveller Law: Introductory Training. Devon, 14th & 15th November 2009. £20

Two day course for Gypsies and Travellers led by Marc Willers, covering the planning process, official sites,   homelessness and evictions.

As the course is being supported by the Community Council of Devon attendance will be prioritised to those currently in or usually in Devon. This should not necessarily discourage other applicants, as places may be available for those from other counties.

To book a place contact Theresa on 01392 383443 or theresa AT devonrcc.org.uk.

 Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month, June 2009

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across Britain will be celebrating the second GRTHM in June 2009 following the successful event of last year.

Patricia Knight, the national coordinator of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month says: "Britain's 300,000 Gypsies, Roma and Travellers have lived, worked and travelled throughout Britain for over 500 years, yet we have been almost entirely written out of British history. Go to most museums, libraries and schools and nothing about our history and culture is kept or taught. The result is a widespread ignorance about who we are, which sometimes turns to hatred, fear and misunderstanding, but always has an impact on Gypsy and Traveller lives."

"So this June, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are coming together, with central government backing, to continue the long overdue task of educating the British public about who we are and where we come from. We're doing it for one simple reason: If people do not realise that we were an important part of Britain's past, they will never accept us as a crucial part of Britain's future."

Events in Cornwall and the South West

All of June: Story telling in libraries across Cornwall from Torpoint to Penzance.

6th June: The Richard O'Neill Story Telling Show. Acorn Arts Centre, Penzance.

2 pm Adults £5, children £3 (there is a £1 booking fee per transaction) .

Richard O'Neill is a traditional Romany Gypsy storyteller. His fascinating tales, including The Kung Fu Cat, the Horrible Headteacher, and the Hidden Romany Gold, will keep even the youngest members of the audience enthralled.

1st - 12th June: GRTHM display, The Fal Building , Truro College - further information from Cornwall Council Equality and Diversity Service

17th June: St.Day Gypsy and Traveller Women's Group Open Morning.

10.30am at Teyluva Children's Centre, St.Day

Meet the group members, watch a short film, learn more about Gypsy & Traveller culture, eat cake and admire our displays of photos and artwork - for further information contact TravellerSpace

16th - 19th June  Exhibition at Pool Business and Enterprise College 10 am - 3 pm

The exhibits this year will give the children the chance to show how much they have achieved at school.  Also included will be history, Interactive DVDs, Recipe booklets, Language booklets, Music and Dance.  On the last day the children are going to do a concert for their parents and members of the public.

30th June Equality & Diversity Service Children, Schools and Families Open Day

10.30-4.00 The Stable Block, Pondhu House, St Austell PL25 5DP

All day Gypsies and Travellers Photographic Display - This exhibition is intended to demystify

and raise awareness of this little understood minority group. During the day we will be showing films to celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture. Please book a seat as space will be limited. Our resource base will be open to view resources available to loan and copies of Fowey Fair  and Here today & Gone tomorrow will be on sale.

11am The First Traveller DVD: Stories, poems, songs, music and drama from the Travelling Communities

12 noon  Coming & Going DVD:  Filmed in and around the 2008 GRTHM Coming and going

takes abroad view, going back to India and forward through history. The centuries of hardship

and persecution have forged an iron resolve to protect and celebrate the culture through music,

storytelling, art and song.

1pm Gypsy Cornwall a collection of photographs by Neal Johnston

2pm Romani Tales CD: stories told that help to understand the Gypsy and Traveller Culture

and way of life

 Further information from cypf.equalityanddiversity@cornwall.gov.uk  01726 77113

25th June: South West Regional Conference - GRTHM 09

Changing the Outcomes for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in the South West

Venue: Somerset College of Art and Technology (SCAT), Taunton, Somerset College of Arts, Wellington Road, Taunton, TA1 5AX

Aim: To consider the key issues and actions needed to change the outcomes for Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Communities in the region.

email: jack.horwood@equalitysouthwest.org.uk

Telephone: 01823 250 832