The National Federation
of Gypsy Liaison Groups

Local Groups : South East

Including Buckinghamshire, London, Surrey, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Isle of Wight

Reports from this region:

PRESS RELEASE DALE FARM  8/7/2011

It is a matter of national shame that agreement between Basildon District Council and the Irish Travellers at Dale Farm, avoiding the need for high profile, expensive legal action and ultimately eviction, has not been reached.  The first Court Judgment from Justice Collins fairly gave all the parties time to reach agreement. If the families cannot remain where they are then alternative locations should, and can, be identified. 

The international reputation of the UK is at stake.  Our government will lose face and our support for national minorities and other vulnerable groups, in other countries will be seriously undermined. 

The NFGLG does not condone violent action by any party and we do not support advice to families on the site suggesting violent resistance to the eviction. We urge caution and respect for humanity on all sides. Vulnerable groups seeking protection under the law must be seen to respect the law and continue to seek legal resolution to the difficulties faced.

Alternative solutions can be found. We urge the government to think again about its support, in word and deed, for eviction as a solution to this issue and to consider the international reputation of our country, as well as the basic rights and needs of those living at Dale Farm. 

Life is not easy, there are banners “No pasaran” meaning   they will not pass but more importantly there should be no violence

“No pasara la violencia” 

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-14017865

From Irish Traveller Movement in Britain
Attached is the final report from the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Group visit to Dale Farm Travellers site.

download/files/Report_from_the_Parliamentary_Ad_Hoc_Group_visit_to_Dale_Farm_April_21_2011-1.pdf

On 17th May Basildon Council's Development Control and Traffic Management Committee resolved to take direct action to secure compliance with enforcement notices at 51 pitches at Dale Farm. However the Council has yet to issue 28 day eviction notices to the residents facing eviction.

http://www2.basildon.gov.uk/Website2/newsroom.nsf/0/40288DB15D8528768025789500334E96?OpenDocument

The support of all individuals and organisations is essential in preventing what would be the largest eviction of a Gypsy and Traveller community in the UK.

Matthew Brindley

Policy and Research Officer
Irish Traveller Movement in Britain (ITMB)
0207 607 2002 (tel)
0794 9533 342 (mob)

The Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road,
London, N7 6PA
matthew@irishtraveller.org.uk

Campaigning Against Discrimination, Promoting Inclusion, Participation and Community Engagement 

Policy Seminar - London
Open racist stereotyping in the media, denial of ethnic minority rights and political scape-goating - all too common experiences of Gypsies and Travellers across Britain today, according to a meeting between MPs and community members on Tuesday 18th March 2008.
Download Policy Seminar write-up (DOC)

Events in this region:

Gyspsies and Travellers: Mainstream or Exceptions Policy?
Wednesday, 12th September 2007
The Bonnington Hotel, 92 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4BH
The inaugural London conference for the National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups
Download conference Flyer (PDF)

Groups in this region:

The Clearwater Gypsies
The aim of the Clearwater Gypsies is to lead by action. We challenge local authorities to forfill their legal duty. We discuss Local Development Frameworks to ensure that provision is made for both settled and transit Gypsy Travellers.
www.clearwatergypsies.com

Clearwater Gypsies Leaflet (PDF)

We set up our own permanent site and the first transit site in the south of England for 25 years. Both sites are recommended in the good practice guide recommended by government. We did this at our own expense to give an example of what good accomodation for Gypsy people should be. We sorked with Southampton council and secured their first transit site secured by one vote (changing one councillors view). We try to build links with the settled community by staging events such as the Romani Roots festival, that shows the Gypsy way of life and culture.

This event was attended by Gypsy people and the general public - over 3,500 this year. Greg Yates - 01243 572367

Surrey Traveller Community Relations Forum
Hilda Brazil
Tel: 07968 545481
Email: Hilda.brazil@surreycc.gov.uk

http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/romany_roots/history/

Page last updated: 8th Jul 2011