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Welcome to the national Federation of gypsy liaison groups
Please note the new e-mail address for NFGLG is natglg@outlook.com
Combating Institutional Anti-Gypsyism: Responses and promising practices in the EU and selected Member States
NFGLG contributed, alongside partner organisations in Europe, to an action-focused report produced by CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies). To find out more about the report (andfind a link so that you can download a copy) please go to the "Europe" page on this website.
NFGLG contributed, alongside partner organisations in Europe, to an action-focused report produced by CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies). To find out more about the report (andfind a link so that you can download a copy) please go to the "Europe" page on this website.
Health on the margins: emerging practice in health access for excluded people 27 June 2017, Leeds
The urgent need to improve the health of marginalised people lies behind this Emerging practice conference. The vast disparity in outcomes between the relatively affluent and the marginalised is clearly evident in indicators for life expectancy, long term and life limiting conditions, and infant mortality. Gypsies and Travellers continue to experience difficulties in navigating health services, and health and social care professionals often find these communities ‘hard to reach.’ The theme of the conference is about finding common ground between marginalised groups and using that common ground to make healthcare more accessible. Research and practice examples will be key to the conference. The conference is hosted by Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange. Check out further details, and on-line booking, at www.ccclimited.org.uk. There are discounts for team bookings and for small charities, as well as opportunities to exhibit and sponsor. If you have any questions, call Central Conference Consultants Ltd on 0115 916 3104 or email conferences@ccclimited.org.uk.
I look forward to seeing you at the conference.
Yours sincerely Helen Jones Chief Executive, Leeds Gypsy & Traveller Exchange
The urgent need to improve the health of marginalised people lies behind this Emerging practice conference. The vast disparity in outcomes between the relatively affluent and the marginalised is clearly evident in indicators for life expectancy, long term and life limiting conditions, and infant mortality. Gypsies and Travellers continue to experience difficulties in navigating health services, and health and social care professionals often find these communities ‘hard to reach.’ The theme of the conference is about finding common ground between marginalised groups and using that common ground to make healthcare more accessible. Research and practice examples will be key to the conference. The conference is hosted by Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange. Check out further details, and on-line booking, at www.ccclimited.org.uk. There are discounts for team bookings and for small charities, as well as opportunities to exhibit and sponsor. If you have any questions, call Central Conference Consultants Ltd on 0115 916 3104 or email conferences@ccclimited.org.uk.
I look forward to seeing you at the conference.
Yours sincerely Helen Jones Chief Executive, Leeds Gypsy & Traveller Exchange
The National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups -Gypsy & Traveller Legal Update Course March 9 th 9.30- 4.30 Friends Meeting House, 173-177 Euston Road, London
This course (funded by the Law Society Charity) aims to bring delegates up to date with the law concerning: planning; rented sites; unauthorised encampments; homelessness; legal aid and other issues. It will explain the increasing differences between the situation in England and in Wales. There will be a discussion of the controversial new definition of Gypsy and Traveller for planning purposes.
The trainers:
Marc Willers QC of Garden Court Chambers
Tim Jones of No 5 Chambers
Chris Johnson of Community Law Partnership
The trainers are 3 of the leading experts in this area of the law and are co-authors (with others) of the Legal Action book Gypsy and Traveller Law. They and their colleagues are working on a third edition of the book.
Please note that availability is limited to 2 people per organisation. (Registered members with NFGLG obtain one place free). Places are limited so please follow the link here to download a booking form. Please complete the form in block capitals and return it to natglg@outlook.com by 3rd March 2017
Notes from the training day can be found on the planning page
This course (funded by the Law Society Charity) aims to bring delegates up to date with the law concerning: planning; rented sites; unauthorised encampments; homelessness; legal aid and other issues. It will explain the increasing differences between the situation in England and in Wales. There will be a discussion of the controversial new definition of Gypsy and Traveller for planning purposes.
The trainers:
Marc Willers QC of Garden Court Chambers
Tim Jones of No 5 Chambers
Chris Johnson of Community Law Partnership
The trainers are 3 of the leading experts in this area of the law and are co-authors (with others) of the Legal Action book Gypsy and Traveller Law. They and their colleagues are working on a third edition of the book.
Please note that availability is limited to 2 people per organisation. (Registered members with NFGLG obtain one place free). Places are limited so please follow the link here to download a booking form. Please complete the form in block capitals and return it to natglg@outlook.com by 3rd March 2017
Notes from the training day can be found on the planning page
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Obituary: President of NFGLG. Peter Mercer MBE:
(22.1. 1934 - 17.1.2017) I am sure that Peter Mercer will be remembered and loved by his family and many friends because of his stature and dignity as a wonderful person and human being. To a much wider world Peter will be remembered for being a leading civil rights activist for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities of the United Kingdom and all of Europe. Being of Romany Gypsy heritage himself gave him a natural authority and creditability with his communities and indeed the wider world. Peter often spoke of his challenging experiences as a child when he was placed in a boarding home run by Catholic nuns. He described the harsh treatment he and his peers frequently received but in later life he was able to overcome the disadvantages and trauma of some of his early childhood years as witnessed by his stories shared with much laughter on how he and his friends would get their own back on the nuns with pranks and deceptions. In similar relaxed social settings Peter would also talk of his time in the army and his posting to Gibraltar and Cyprus. His reflections again told of his wonderful sense of humour and generosity of spirit. As a young Romany person these intense experiences in the Gaujo (non-Gypsy) world taught him rudely about the ubiquitous race prejudice towards his cultural and ethnic status, but at the same time, provided him with the enviable skill of knowing and understanding both sides of a situation or argument. This stood him in good stead for all the subsequent years when he had to deal with so many conflict situations to seek resolution and peaceful outcomes. This skill, together with his diplomatic style and ambassadorial confidence, was to be seen in effective operation when Peter worked as a Traveller Community Liaison |
Officer for the Peterborough City Council, as well as when challenging government ministers over sites as the leader of the East Anglia Gypsy Council, which he established, and in many foreign capitals across Central and Eastern Europe. The same skills came to the fore when Peter was acting on behalf of community members in the courts of law or when providing expert testimony before judges when major decisions were being taking related to Gypsy ethnic status and human rights. In the case of the Commission for Racial Equality v. Dutton in 1989, in which Peter’s evidence was critical to the judgement, Gypsy ethnic minority status was legitimised which gave this marginalised community protection under the Race Relations Acts.
When many men would wisely be seeking retirement, Peter became fully involved in the civil and human rights work for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers across Europe. He attended literally hundreds of conferences, seminars and trainings together with organising study visits for young activists to places like Italy, Spain and Bulgaria. As chairperson of European Dialogue he worked tirelessly for ten or more years on projects across Europe concerned with Roma inclusion, human rights and education. These projects were frequently funded by the UK government, the EU and the National Lottery community programme.
Peter was always asked to sit on committees to represent the interests of his communities and always helped by bringing his vast in-depth and informed knowledge and understanding to the decisions that mattered. Such consultation groups were frequently set up by central government ministries including the Home Office, the Department of the Environment and the Department for Education. Peter was always keen on ensuring that members of his community had the right to a good education. He fought tirelessly for the education of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people. One of his contributions in this important area of rights was to be seen with his active participation in the Stakeholders Group in the Department of Education chaired by Lord Avebury in the period before that department lost interest in 2010 in the education of these vulnerable communities.
His personal achievements were phenomenal and I am sure he will be remembered for his monumental efforts and commitment over decades for justice and human rights for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. The royal award of an MBE could not have been a more fitting tribute to his enormous contribution to public service in the broadest possible sense. I am still meeting people across Europe who remember him with such warmth and respect. He was known and loved by so many activists in this small world which has had to fight for so long and so hard against the mean distribution of justice by governments, public bodies and the media. But his advocacy was always so well judged, dignified and influential. I worked with Peter for many years and I will have nothing but respect and affection for him and his family and the warmest of happy memories. I still remind myself of the anecdote that when Peter ever arrived for a meeting a little late, which was frequently, he would always say, “I am sorry, but I was working on Gypsy time!”. He will be greatly missed.
Arthur Ivatts OBE
When many men would wisely be seeking retirement, Peter became fully involved in the civil and human rights work for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers across Europe. He attended literally hundreds of conferences, seminars and trainings together with organising study visits for young activists to places like Italy, Spain and Bulgaria. As chairperson of European Dialogue he worked tirelessly for ten or more years on projects across Europe concerned with Roma inclusion, human rights and education. These projects were frequently funded by the UK government, the EU and the National Lottery community programme.
Peter was always asked to sit on committees to represent the interests of his communities and always helped by bringing his vast in-depth and informed knowledge and understanding to the decisions that mattered. Such consultation groups were frequently set up by central government ministries including the Home Office, the Department of the Environment and the Department for Education. Peter was always keen on ensuring that members of his community had the right to a good education. He fought tirelessly for the education of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people. One of his contributions in this important area of rights was to be seen with his active participation in the Stakeholders Group in the Department of Education chaired by Lord Avebury in the period before that department lost interest in 2010 in the education of these vulnerable communities.
His personal achievements were phenomenal and I am sure he will be remembered for his monumental efforts and commitment over decades for justice and human rights for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. The royal award of an MBE could not have been a more fitting tribute to his enormous contribution to public service in the broadest possible sense. I am still meeting people across Europe who remember him with such warmth and respect. He was known and loved by so many activists in this small world which has had to fight for so long and so hard against the mean distribution of justice by governments, public bodies and the media. But his advocacy was always so well judged, dignified and influential. I worked with Peter for many years and I will have nothing but respect and affection for him and his family and the warmest of happy memories. I still remind myself of the anecdote that when Peter ever arrived for a meeting a little late, which was frequently, he would always say, “I am sorry, but I was working on Gypsy time!”. He will be greatly missed.
Arthur Ivatts OBE
For me one of Peter’s greatest achievements was the Dutton case, 1989. This case proved that Romany Gypsy people should be classed as a minority group using the Mandla criteria. I feel that his involvement in this case has been little understood and overlooked at times by many and yet it is so important.
In 1994 I attended the first Roma and Gypsy Congress in Seville alongside Peter, we were proud to meet and speak with the Queen of Spain. It was a very memorable occasion, for the first time in Spain’s history the castle was open to Gypsy people and whilst the king and queen were in Seville. Peter was ecstatic.
Peter, Arthur, Sylvia Dunn and I insisted on visiting the people on sites in the city suburbs, they had not had an invite to the congress and there was a protest. The English contingent refused to ride in the luxury coach, quickly put on by the town council (we felt the money could have been more wisely spent) but made our own way to the site called La Paz. The taxi driver was agitated and said for us not to ring him to fetch us back. He promptly dropped us off at the end of a road and wouldn’t go close to the camp, never the less we persevered. Peter had been to many places like this across Eastern Europe, he carefully would work in his own way to make changes.
In 2000 Peter Received an MBE for his civil rights work, something of which he was extremely proud. Peter was still undertaking work and was advisor to many bodies. In 2005 Peter agreed to become chair of the National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups and continued to work towards improvement for the Gypsy community. Many Roma people who came to Britain in more recent years knew of Pete and remembered his work in their home countries. He would never undertake anything in a confrontational manner and achieved much by working in this way
Peter attended meetings in Brussels, even later on in years. His great love was mussels in a big dish. We would grab a larger table so I could sit far enough away from him so I wouldn’t be affected by the smell being highly allergic to shell fish, but it was the only thing that he demanded after a day full of meetings.
We made Peter president of NFGLG in 2014 and we shall all miss him greatly. We are thinking of his wife, Ruth and all of Peter’s children.
Siobhan Spencer MBE
Please also read Ryalla Duffy’s Obituary to Peter in Travellers Times here.
In 1994 I attended the first Roma and Gypsy Congress in Seville alongside Peter, we were proud to meet and speak with the Queen of Spain. It was a very memorable occasion, for the first time in Spain’s history the castle was open to Gypsy people and whilst the king and queen were in Seville. Peter was ecstatic.
Peter, Arthur, Sylvia Dunn and I insisted on visiting the people on sites in the city suburbs, they had not had an invite to the congress and there was a protest. The English contingent refused to ride in the luxury coach, quickly put on by the town council (we felt the money could have been more wisely spent) but made our own way to the site called La Paz. The taxi driver was agitated and said for us not to ring him to fetch us back. He promptly dropped us off at the end of a road and wouldn’t go close to the camp, never the less we persevered. Peter had been to many places like this across Eastern Europe, he carefully would work in his own way to make changes.
In 2000 Peter Received an MBE for his civil rights work, something of which he was extremely proud. Peter was still undertaking work and was advisor to many bodies. In 2005 Peter agreed to become chair of the National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups and continued to work towards improvement for the Gypsy community. Many Roma people who came to Britain in more recent years knew of Pete and remembered his work in their home countries. He would never undertake anything in a confrontational manner and achieved much by working in this way
Peter attended meetings in Brussels, even later on in years. His great love was mussels in a big dish. We would grab a larger table so I could sit far enough away from him so I wouldn’t be affected by the smell being highly allergic to shell fish, but it was the only thing that he demanded after a day full of meetings.
We made Peter president of NFGLG in 2014 and we shall all miss him greatly. We are thinking of his wife, Ruth and all of Peter’s children.
Siobhan Spencer MBE
Please also read Ryalla Duffy’s Obituary to Peter in Travellers Times here.
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Our Heritage Keeper- Gordon Boswell
A Poem for Gordon A limb has fallen from the family tree I keep hearing a voice that says: Grieve not for me, remember the best times. The laughter, the song, the good life I lived when I was strong. Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small, Go on with your life, and don’t just stare at the wall. I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin; until the day comes we’re together again (c) Boswell family Gypsy history is essentially an oral one, not set down in books and the Gaje community have had their own idea of Romany Gypsy people, often imagined and portrayed through art, poetry, literature and a plethora of research studies of people from the outside. Gordon felt it was important to record his own history, not just the Boswell family history but for the Gypsy community as a whole. Following in the steps of his father, he put work into collecting and maintaining the museum, which is now very impressive. Many who visited Gordon’s museum posted comments on trip advisor : “The large display is impressive “ “The Romany Museum is frankly a hidden treasure. It is a jewel in the countryside,” So long may Gordon and the Boswell family legacy remain. Gordon will be greatly missed. Siobhan Spencer |
UK Government Holocaust Memorial Foundation updated news on the heritage page
"Children Rewarded for Study"
Rooftop Housing Group and the Worcestershire Traveller Education Service (TES) have rewarded star pupils with laptops to help them study. Children from the Gypsy and Traveller community are amongst the lowest achieving groups in schools in England, with typically low attendance. The TES and Rooftop Housing Group have been working together to turn this trend around and to give children from the Houndsfield Lane community something to work towards. The project motivates children that fall below an 85% attendance rate to stay in school, and get the best opportunities that education can bring them. 5 Children who now have over 90% attendance were awarded laptops by Rooftop Housing Group’s Chief Executive Ian Hughes at a special ceremony held at Wythall Library. Tony Henderson Rooftops’ Gypsy and Traveller Project Manager said “this is an exciting project that will help and enable the children at Houndsfield Lane to achieve educational outcomes and is the first step in Rooftop delivering more than just housing to our Gypsy and Traveller customers”.
To see more go to: http://www.rooftopgroup.org/about/news/general-news/children-rewarded-for-study/"
Rooftop Housing Group and the Worcestershire Traveller Education Service (TES) have rewarded star pupils with laptops to help them study. Children from the Gypsy and Traveller community are amongst the lowest achieving groups in schools in England, with typically low attendance. The TES and Rooftop Housing Group have been working together to turn this trend around and to give children from the Houndsfield Lane community something to work towards. The project motivates children that fall below an 85% attendance rate to stay in school, and get the best opportunities that education can bring them. 5 Children who now have over 90% attendance were awarded laptops by Rooftop Housing Group’s Chief Executive Ian Hughes at a special ceremony held at Wythall Library. Tony Henderson Rooftops’ Gypsy and Traveller Project Manager said “this is an exciting project that will help and enable the children at Houndsfield Lane to achieve educational outcomes and is the first step in Rooftop delivering more than just housing to our Gypsy and Traveller customers”.
To see more go to: http://www.rooftopgroup.org/about/news/general-news/children-rewarded-for-study/"
Operation Travellers Rest - 1-10-15
As you will no doubt be aware new guidance from the government redefines who Gypsies and Travellers are for the purposes of planning. Under the new guidance if a Gypsy or Traveller stops travelling permanently, even for education or health reasons or reasons of old age, they will no longer be within the definition of Gypsy and Traveller. Many people have been asking what they can do about this.
There will be more than one way to raise awareness of and show opposition to these unfair and discriminatory changes. For one, extremely effective, approach please read this article by Ryalla Duffy of Lincolnshire Gypsy Liaison Group here. For more information please contact us at natglg@outlook.com
As you will no doubt be aware new guidance from the government redefines who Gypsies and Travellers are for the purposes of planning. Under the new guidance if a Gypsy or Traveller stops travelling permanently, even for education or health reasons or reasons of old age, they will no longer be within the definition of Gypsy and Traveller. Many people have been asking what they can do about this.
There will be more than one way to raise awareness of and show opposition to these unfair and discriminatory changes. For one, extremely effective, approach please read this article by Ryalla Duffy of Lincolnshire Gypsy Liaison Group here. For more information please contact us at natglg@outlook.com
SITES FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN - 28-09-15
This is an appeal to build up a legal fund to challenge the Government’s recent change to the planning definition of Gypsies and Travellers in planning policy which will make it impossible for those who have stopped travelling permanently on grounds of old age or ill health from seeking planning permission for a Gypsy or Traveller site.
Please give what you can spare to help us fight this cruel and inhumane policy change.
Full information here
This is an appeal to build up a legal fund to challenge the Government’s recent change to the planning definition of Gypsies and Travellers in planning policy which will make it impossible for those who have stopped travelling permanently on grounds of old age or ill health from seeking planning permission for a Gypsy or Traveller site.
Please give what you can spare to help us fight this cruel and inhumane policy change.
Full information here
Open Society Foundation-funded engagement events are a success
Thanks to funding from the Open Society Initiative for Europe we were able to hold (in partnership with local GRT groups) three “engagement events” in York (VIEW HERE), Birmingham (VIEW HERE) and London (VIEW HERE). The aim of the events was to translate the recommendations contained in the “Gypsy, Traveller, Roma: Experts by Experience” report into action through bringing together members of the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities, local authority members and officers and other agencies to look at the report’s key findings and discuss ways forward. As a direct result of the Birmingham event we are now working closely with Birmingham City Council and Clinical Commissioning Groups in the city, focusing initially on the health recommendations of the report.
Thanks to funding from the Open Society Initiative for Europe we were able to hold (in partnership with local GRT groups) three “engagement events” in York (VIEW HERE), Birmingham (VIEW HERE) and London (VIEW HERE). The aim of the events was to translate the recommendations contained in the “Gypsy, Traveller, Roma: Experts by Experience” report into action through bringing together members of the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities, local authority members and officers and other agencies to look at the report’s key findings and discuss ways forward. As a direct result of the Birmingham event we are now working closely with Birmingham City Council and Clinical Commissioning Groups in the city, focusing initially on the health recommendations of the report.
Meeting at York Travellers Aid Trust
Our ultimate aim is to see political parties and other relevant bodies adopting the report’s recommendations, with this being reflected in their policies at both national and local levels. Obviously this is an ambitious target and will not be reached overnight – indeed we see the engagement events as linking into a whole series of longer-term strategies aimed at achieving implementation of the recommendations.
Watch this page for future events and updates.
Our ultimate aim is to see political parties and other relevant bodies adopting the report’s recommendations, with this being reflected in their policies at both national and local levels. Obviously this is an ambitious target and will not be reached overnight – indeed we see the engagement events as linking into a whole series of longer-term strategies aimed at achieving implementation of the recommendations.
Watch this page for future events and updates.
