BBC report re travellers

Given the recent behaviour of the BBC News section of the British Broadcasting Company, I'm afraid I will totally ignore this as more media manipulation. That's a shame as there may be a little of that report that contains some truth.

If you listen carefully you can hear Lord Reith spinning in his grave. But there again, he was a man of dubious moral standards and may have approved of manipulating the general public.
 
Excellent coverage by the beeb, highlighting a real issue for travellers and full timers during this crisis. It only serves to highlight the narrow minded attitudes of some towards them and us now and in normal times. It was heartening to see what Bristol council did for full timers, it’s only a shame that others seem not to have done likewise. The scottish government made special reference to travellers and full timers recently highlighting what will be done to assist them during this pandemic. It’s good to see that this issue is being highlighted, I hope it goes some way to assist travellers and full timers.
 
I thought the paragraph on "Chloe, 32, from Scarborough, lives in a van with her eight-year-old daughter and has been asked to relocate four times by police in the last month." Scarborough should have made some provisions after all if the report is correct she is contributing to society both in tax's and work.
 
The article didn’t mention full timers ....or an us and them . I am slightly confused. The coverage wasn’t excellent enough to explain that local authorities have failed in legal obligation in England at least. Nor has it seeked an explanation from the police how they are flying 100 % in the face of government guidelines . I give the article one credit ,at least it was written without the normal anti travelller bias.
 
channa said:
The article didn’t mention full timers ....or an us and them . I am slightly confused. The coverage wasn’t excellent enough to explain that local authorities have failed in legal obligation in England at least. Nor has it seeked an explanation from the police how they are flying 100 % in the face of government guidelines . I give the article one credit ,at least it was written without the normal anti travelller bias.
Click to expand...

No it didn’t specifically mention full timers Andrew but the inference that they currently are in the same boat surely has some credence. This article will hopefully provide some help towards both, who in many ways are in the same boat right now.
I am disappointed that you seem unsatisfied what the beeb have done, your comment about the police may have difficult as this involved various forces, and the actions of some PCs may not follow official police guidance.
As for us and them I think it’s important to differentiate between travellers and Motorhome users. We are different with different needs and requirements. No disrespect towards travellers was intended.
Bottom line the beeb at least covered this, and in doing so may have helped those who are being treated poorly by some councils and individual police officers.

As for usual bbc bias try reading this from another media outlet.
The headline pretty well says it all.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Travellers WON'T be moved from public land during coronavirus lockdown

Kent Police are allowing illegal campers to stay on council-owned land if they stick to a set of rules - despite crime rates in some traveller sites being substantially higher than the UK average.
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk
 
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It also begs the question of "who is a traveller".
Or indeed IMO what category of travellers are there
The easy ones
A) "wildcampers" who are retired and those who also do some work to support their lifestyle
This work is likely to be itinerant and seasonal
B) Fairground or Showmen..Who probably pay Tax and are insured
C) Those who have no choice but to live in a converted van..maybe in one area and working when and where they can
D) genuine Romany types or (dare I say) Irish travellers
E) "new age travellers" (whatever that means ?)
Not meant to be an exhaustive or well researched list
My main gripe is against those (not directly related to any of the above)
Who do not pay insurance or Road tax.and flout the criminal Law
I include "Dale Farm types" in this..and any areas that are NoGo for the police !

I did notice just once in Hereford ..There was a large contingent. They had a variety of new and expensive Cars (BMWs & Mercs) good big Caravans, Washing Machines Fridges etc..They obviously earn money thus they should pay their dues (maybe this group did)
I have no problem with them wishing an alternative lifestyle.

PS I have no real knowledge or experience of such life-styles.
With reference to cash. We also met a pair of vehicles in South east ROI..No problem but looked to be full-time (Converted Lorry, Washing machine etc)
To my surprise the were on the same ferry as us (Rosslare to Fishguard). So not just fund but presumably a bank account (and why not)
 
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barge1914 said:
I met a nice travelling couple with an old converted horse box and bus in the Mendips. Polite, worked and paid taxes, well educated and disciplined kids, they just chose an alternative life style. Why not?
Click to expand...

Indeed why not barge.
live and let live has to be our motto.
Lets celebrate that we are different, that’s possibly the most interesting thing about us.
 
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