"I am a Traveller"
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"I am a Traveller"
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This moving poem opens our hearts to the situation of our Gypsy and Traveller neighbours.
I am a Traveller I have a heart The stories I have heard and read, tear me apart. I read your consultation, I read your points of view I pay my way, all my taxes just like you do. You like to put me down and you haven't got a clue. I try not to react and have a say, But I can't sleep at the end of each day. I feel I have to take up for myself As I can't take any more. But some of the settled community is slamming the door. Don't get me wrong, we have made good friends, whom I will never forget. This five year fight is something I do not regret. I think we have proven, though not to everyone That not everything we do is wrong. Some don't want my children to go to school. Do you think they can't follow the rules? Why would you not want them to have an education? Is it because you believe they will end up in a police station? Or do you think they could harm your child? Believe it or not, they're not that wild. Don't take my word. Ask the parents where my children go. They'll tell the truth because they all know. They are only children, they do what kids do. These lovely families gave them a chance, Why won't you? So please think what you're saying before you ridicule. You are the adult. Stop being so cruel. I bring up my children the best way I know how. They are all own, they are all I have now. They have manners, they are kind, they are my delight. But that's not what you shout as you drive by at night. We only want to live like this, for it's our heritage, it's our culture. We are trying to preserve it peacefully not as a subject of torture. Yes we know it's Green Belt land But wasn't everywhere before it became man's. Why can't we live beside you ? Why can't you understand? We are only asking to stay on our own land. I know this is not well written I know it's not very good. But I'm trying my best like any mum would. If my children finish their education, I know they could do better and next time around, they could be writing my letter. I am appalled at some of the things I have heard and read. They say, "Get rid of all Gypsies, they should be shot dead". Thy say we don't pay our way, are all thieves and are really dirty. If this was written about you, wouldn't it hurt you? Our homes have been set fire to, stones thrown at us called names, the subject of much crime, But we haven't complained We have not had time. Packed up in the middle of the night, it is time to go. How many are coming? I don't know. Why are they coming? What did we do today? NOTHING, it's because we live this way. Get the children. Get the dogs. "Watch your head. They're throwing logs." Running just as fast as I can with a baby in each arm. They don't care when you're a Gypsy. You could be child, woman or man. So we settled down to get away from this kind of life. We don't want to live on the edge of a knife. So all we ask is you give us a chance And try to understand. We are just a family and all we have done wrong Was bought a small piece of land. I don't want your sympathy, I choose this way of life. I want what's best for my family. I am a woman, mother and wife.
Bernadette Reilly June 2008 |
ECUMENICAL SEMINAR ON GYPSIES AND TRAVELLERSWHY SHOULD THE CHURCHES CARE?Friday 26 March 2010 10am -4pm Friends Meeting House, St John’s St, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1SJ
A day for church leaders, members of congregations, those with pastoral responsibility or with an interest in Gypsies and Travellersjointly organised by the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich & the Church Network for Gypsies and Travellers (CNGT) Presentations on culture, the local context, and community safety. Speakers will include the County Council, Police, Gypsies and Travellers and those working alongside them. Theological input and examples provided of churches working together with Gypsies and Travellers. Part of the seminar will be to examine actions that local churches might undertake. Speakers list below.
Venue fully accessible for the disabled. Close to the main car parks and within walking distance from the railway station and the bus station. Cost £5 including lunch - PLACES LIMITED
For further details- please email Alice Nicholls at the Diocesan Office, as
soon as possible
SPEAKERS Rev Nick Williams Anglican curate of Dartford, Kent. Met Police lead on Gypsy and Traveller issues, member of the Association of Chief Police Officers Gypsy and Traveller workgroup, member of the Ministerial Task Group on site provision and enforcement. CNGT Committee member Richard Bennett Formerly Chairman of the Local Government Association Gypsy and Traveller Task Group. Keren Wright Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officer, Suffolk County Council Laura Moore and Karen Nelson Hate Crime Officers, Suffolk Hate Crime Service Mark Jepson Chief Inspector, Suffolk Constabulary Gloria Buckley Gypsy/Traveller from Suffolk Shirley Barrett One Voice for Travellers Ltd., Community group, charity working across East Anglia to reduce violence to and from the Gypsy and Traveller in a sustainable way Sonny Gibbard Gypsy/Traveller from London Fr Joe Browne Catholic priest, Chaplain to Travellers. Irish Chaplaincy in Britain, voluntary sector, faith based organisation. CNGT Committee member Rev Roger Redding Anglican priest, Chaplain to Gypsies, Travellers and Showmen in the South West and Chair of the Southwest Alliance of Nomads Rev Martin Burrell Anglican priest, Minister of Christchurch, Bushmead, Luton. CNGT Committee member Professor Thomas Acton D. Phil. OBE Professor of Romani Studies, University of Greenwich Revd Peter Thomas Baptist Minister, Brentwood Baptist Church. CNGT Committee member / webmaster The Right Reverend Nigel Stock Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich
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