Channa, my understanding is that showman are in a class of their own and quite different to the settled Roma who live near me.
Regardless, we should be providing more/better sites for all Travellers/Roma.
There is and always will be prejudice towards Roma, as there will always be ignorant prejudice towards anyone who is perceived to be 'different' to the local parochial population.
The bottom line for me is that most of our environmental (and many other) problems is because there are way too many of us Yuman's!
Look at any group of animals where the population grows crowded and you will experience tension, rivalries and spats.
What is needed - and this is very much my own personal opinion - is a good dose of Yuman myxomatosis!
Maybe something like this recent Chinese coronavirus?
Sounds like if it hits here it could wipe out at least half the UK population of moho owners, possibly even me! rofpml
Hope it waits until I've at least had chance to have a few trips out in new camper first... !
myxomatosis
Lol Marie the showmen do consider themselves a different breed, yet a lot of the culture is in common with traditional Romany beliefs and they are lumped in with the rest of the travelling community as regards the law is concerned. In my opinion it is the New Age travellers that don’t fit traditionally, simply a more recent addition to a label.
History and tradition are entrenched in travelling culture, the travelling lifestyle whether some like it or not is very much part of British culture. From some of the language we use and that has evolved to part and parcel of how our economy has developed in history.over the years,
Traditionally travellers were in the main a seasonal workforce that followed seasonal agriculture about at harvest and sewing times assisted in trading markets , an off shoot was entertainment and that is how the fairs came about some of the original travellers simply diversified.
What a lot of folk don’t realise is the travelling fairs go back to royal charter. That charter over rides today’s local authorities and is the reason why despite protests from some the hopping ,goose fair amongst others are highly unlikely to be revoked.
Goose fair in Nottingham is a great example whilst a funfair today loathed and adored by many it was traditionally a market were poultry was traded before Christmas geese traded to fatten for the table. Traditionally a flock of geese driven through the fair to open it.,! Ain’t hat part of our culture?
The showmen have the guild, who remedies problems amongst the showmen and lease effectively with authority and have brokered countless arrangements in favour of their members exemptions in size of living trailers being one.
It is incredibly difficult to trade as a showman , due to a closed shop arrangement I can’t do it and I know a lot of influential showman on first name terms
The showmen still operate an arranged marriage situation it seems to work but dowry’s c ommercial favour is very much alive and kicking.
Do they contribute towards the settled economy ? Yes the simple answer , they pay rent,taxes for water just like everyone else.
Have they contributed in other ways .. ? Gypsy John Cunningham was awarded the Victoria cross , no mean feat fighting for our country at a time of potential oppression , there are others too, the showman’s guild in war 2 raised money for aircraft. All acts to the common good yet we never here about it ?
Just perhaps I may have opened a few eyes , and folk may realise their prejudices are a little unfounded. The showmen at least are very much part of our history and culture, they also have their own , we don’t need to understand it but it would be a far better world if we took time to understand our differences and what unites us in common.
As for me , I visited a different world , initially treated with suspicion but caught a glimpse of a different culture and lifestyle, saw from others perspective.. I consider it a chapter in my own life if nothing else personally enriching and I never left our shores.
