A Travellers Life

Aunt Mary

cover of a travellers life.indd 1 2/3/09 13:46:05

!ediaAc(ve:,llustrated2ooks5roject

Anini(a(veofThomasAdamsSchool=s!ediaArts5rogrammeand

deliveredinpartnershipwithQubeArts,thisprojecthasestablished

newopportuni(esforyoungpeopletodevelopaseriesofillustrated

booksthatreEecttheirinterests,concernsandcrea(vity.

Theyoungpeoplehaveworkedwiththesupportofar(sts,designers,

andacrea(vewriter,makingfulluseofdigitalmediaresourcesin

NorthShropshiretoresearch,planandproducethebooks.Theyhave

determinedthethemes,generatedtheideas,createdoriginalwri(ng

andartworks,andHnally,designedthelayoutandconstruc(onofthe

books.

TheprojecthasworkedwithIgroups,hasproducedIdis(nc(vebooks

andhasinvolvedkeypartners:LoppingtonHouse,ThomasAdamsSEN

Department,Shropshire,TelfordandWrekinYouthOffendingService

andtheWest!idlandsRonsor(umServicesforTravellingRhildren,

SchoolsandFamilies.

ThanksgotoSherelandJamieforalloftheirhardworkon

ATravellers’Life.

cover of a travellers life.indd 2 2/3/09 13:46:07

!ediaAc(ve:,llustrated2ooks5roject

Anini(a(veofThomasAdamsSchool=s!ediaArts5rogrammeand

deliveredinpartnershipwithQubeArts,thisprojecthasestablished

newopportuni(esforyoungpeopletodevelopaseriesofillustrated

booksthatreEecttheirinterests,concernsandcrea(vity.

Theyoungpeoplehaveworkedwiththesupportofar(sts,designers,

andacrea(vewriter,makingfulluseofdigitalmediaresourcesin

NorthShropshiretoresearch,planandproducethebooks.Theyhave

determinedthethemes,generatedtheideas,createdoriginalwri(ng

andartworks,andHnally,designedthelayoutandconstruc(onofthe

books.

TheprojecthasworkedwithIgroups,hasproducedIdis(nc(vebooks

andhasinvolvedkeypartners:LoppingtonHouse,ThomasAdamsSEN

Department,Shropshire,TelfordandWrekinYouthOffendingService

andtheWest!idlandsRonsor(umServicesforTravellingRhildren,

SchoolsandFamilies.

ThanksgotoSherelandJamieforalloftheirhardworkon

ATravellers’Life.

cover of a travellers life.indd 2 2/3/09 13:46:07

JamieMy name is Jamie. I am 12 years old and I live at a Travellers’ site in Oswestry. Before living here, I used to travel up and down the country with no fi xed place to stay, along with other Travellers.

My mam is called Jamie, the same as me, and my father is called Edmund. I have no brothers and no sisters but I do have a lot of animals including; twenty chickens, two dogs, one cat and also two horses.

My mam’s mam and dad are called Rose and Guy. They live at a caravan site in Southport along with lots of other travellers.

Jamie’s Mam

A Travellers Life.indd 1 2/3/09 12:37:12

Mydad’smamanddadarecalledMizelleandEdmund.They

liveattheOswestrysitetoo,directlyacrossfrommyplot.I

haveanenormousamountoffriendsandfamily,justlikeall

Travellers.

Idon’tgotoschoolbecauseIprefertostayathomeand

helpmymamdothehousework,likecleaningtheshed,the

caravan,andtheplot.OnFridaymorningmyfriend,Sherel

andIgotocollege.

Me aged 3

Aunt Mary

Great Grandad

Me with some of my

family

A Travellers Life.indd 2 2/3/09 12:37:15

MynameisSherelandIam

11yearsold.Ialsoliveatthe

TravellerssiteinOswestry.Ihave

threebrotherswhoarecalledBilly,

HarryandLeviandnosisters.My

mumisNicolaandmydadisBill.

Aswellasmymum,dadandbrothers,myNanandgrandad

!"#$%"&'(%$)%*+(%#&*(,%-%+!'(%"$*#%$.%/$0#&)#1%!0)2(#%!)3%0)/"(#%

closebyand,ofcourse,allofmyfriends.

Sherel

A Travellers Life.indd 3 2/3/09 12:37:15

Mydad’smamanddadarecalledMizelleandEdmund.They

liveattheOswestrysitetoo,directlyacrossfrommyplot.I

haveanenormousamountoffriendsandfamily,justlikeall

Travellers.

Idon’tgotoschoolbecauseIprefertostayathomeand

helpmymamdothehousework,likecleaningtheshed,the

caravan,andtheplot.OnFridaymorningmyfriend,Sherel

andIgotocollege.

Me aged 3

Aunt Mary

Great Grandad

Me with some of my

family

A Travellers Life.indd 2 2/3/09 12:37:15

MynameisSherelandIam

11yearsold.Ialsoliveatthe

TravellerssiteinOswestry.Ihave

threebrotherswhoarecalledBilly,

HarryandLeviandnosisters.My

mumisNicolaandmydadisBill.

Aswellasmymum,dadandbrothers,myNanandgrandad

!"#$%"&'(%$)%*+(%#&*(,%-%+!'(%"$*#%$.%/$0#&)#1%!0)2(#%!)3%0)/"(#%

closebyand,ofcourse,allofmyfriends.

Sherel

A Travellers Life.indd 3 2/3/09 12:37:15

Ilikedoingmyschoolworkanddrawing.Ihavetwodogs

calledPatchandLady.Mybrotherhastwohorsesandadog

(heloveshisanimals).

OnFridayIgoto

collegeandgoonthe

computertodosome

schoolwork.Most

Travellersdonotgoto

secondaryschoolas

theystayathomeand

gethome‐tutored.Girlshelptheirmumsdo

thecleaningandboysgowiththeirdadstowork.

My Brother with Norbit

My Mum

My Brother

A Travellers Life.indd 4 2/3/09 12:37:17

OswestryTravellers’site.

Oswestryisacouncil‐runsite.TheGypsyLiasonOfficerwho

isinvolvedwithusisamancalledRoy.Thereare13plotsand

weareallonebigfamily.Weallworktogether,sharingwhat

wehaveandtakingcareofeachother.Wesupporteach

otherinmanyways.Welearnfromeachotherandarelike

8a9ily‐e:eni8wearenot;loo<rela=:es.

A Travellers Life.indd 5 2/3/09 12:37:18

Ilikedoingmyschoolworkanddrawing.Ihavetwodogs

calledPatchandLady.Mybrotherhastwohorsesandadog

(heloveshisanimals).

OnFridayIgoto

collegeandgoonthe

computertodosome

schoolwork.Most

Travellersdonotgoto

secondaryschoolas

theystayathomeand

gethome‐tutored.Girlshelptheirmumsdo

thecleaningandboysgowiththeirdadstowork.

My Brother with Norbit

My Mum

My Brother

A Travellers Life.indd 4 2/3/09 12:37:17

OswestryTravellers’site.

Oswestryisacouncil‐runsite.TheGypsyLiasonOfficerwho

isinvolvedwithusisamancalledRoy.Thereare13plotsand

weareallonebigfamily.Weallworktogether,sharingwhat

wehaveandtakingcareofeachother.Wesupporteach

otherinmanyways.Welearnfromeachotherandarelike

8a9ily‐e:eni8wearenot;loo<rela=:es.

A Travellers Life.indd 5 2/3/09 12:37:18

OldTravellersareverydifferenttoTravellersthesedays.Old

Travellerslearnedthehardway.Theymadetheirlivingsby

sellingcharms,tellingfortunes,makingpegs,buyingand

selling,tradingandwhateverothermanualworktheycame

across.

Nowadayshowever,someofourrightshavebeentaken

awayandwehavehadtoadapttoadifferentwayoflife.

67aw8ing:isillegalandtherearenoteno;ghsta<csites

forfamiliestostayon.Asaresult,theseoldskillshavehad

tobereplacedwithotherjobs,forexample,plasteringand

pain<nganddecora<ng.

A Travellers Life.indd 6 2/3/09 12:37:19

OldTravellerslivedinold‐fashionedwagonsthatweremade

fromwood.Inside,theyhadaQueenAnnestovewhere

theywould+urnoldro.enwood/ro.enwoodwas+e.er

becauseitwaseasiertocollectandquickertoburn).There

wasonebedatthebackandthetopofthewagonwas

coveredoverwithagreensheettomakeitwater‐proof.

OldTravellersweretreatedverydifferently.Theycouldstop

wherevertheywantedandpeoplewouldta:enono;ce.<t

ismorecommonnowadaysforpeopletohatetheTraveller

community.ThisisanotherreasonwhyTravellersdon’ttravel

around=uchany=ore.O>en?co==uni;es@ustwonAtlet

themstay.

Bduca;onwasno=a.ertotheoldTravellers+ecausethe

teachersdidnotwanttheTravellerstoa.endtheirschools

A Travellers Life.indd 7 2/3/09 12:37:21

OldTravellersareverydifferenttoTravellersthesedays.Old

Travellerslearnedthehardway.Theymadetheirlivingsby

sellingcharms,tellingfortunes,makingpegs,buyingand

selling,tradingandwhateverothermanualworktheycame

across.

Nowadayshowever,someofourrightshavebeentaken

awayandwehavehadtoadapttoadifferentwayoflife.

67aw8ing:isillegalandtherearenoteno;ghsta<csites

forfamiliestostayon.Asaresult,theseoldskillshavehad

tobereplacedwithotherjobs,forexample,plasteringand

pain<nganddecora<ng.

A Travellers Life.indd 6 2/3/09 12:37:19

OldTravellerslivedinold‐fashionedwagonsthatweremade

fromwood.Inside,theyhadaQueenAnnestovewhere

theywould+urnoldro.enwood/ro.enwoodwas+e.er

becauseitwaseasiertocollectandquickertoburn).There

wasonebedatthebackandthetopofthewagonwas

coveredoverwithagreensheettomakeitwater‐proof.

OldTravellersweretreatedverydifferently.Theycouldstop

wherevertheywantedandpeoplewouldta:enono;ce.<t

ismorecommonnowadaysforpeopletohatetheTraveller

community.ThisisanotherreasonwhyTravellersdon’ttravel

around=uchany=ore.O>en?co==uni;es@ustwonAtlet

themstay.

Bduca;onwasno=a.ertotheoldTravellers+ecausethe

teachersdidnotwanttheTravellerstoa.endtheirschools

A Travellers Life.indd 7 2/3/09 12:37:21

!"#$%&'()$%)!#(*$+"!,$-.(,,-$'!)"%$%&'/$!$#'0'"%$,(1("23$$4+-%$

modernTravellersdogotoschoolnowbecause,inmodern

-+0('%56$%&')'$(-$!$,+%$+7$0+/8'*$*$+"$7+)$9+:-$!"#$/+"'5$!"#$

youneedtoreadtogeton.

YoungTravellersalwayshearstoriesfromtheoldendays

andknowtheirhistory.Theyknowalltheplacesthattheir

7!/(,('-$%)!1',,'#$%+$:'7+)'$-';$,("2$+"$%&'$-%!*$0$-(%'-3$$$$$

A Travellers Life.indd 8 2/3/09 12:37:25

Ourmumsdothesejobseveryday:

• Washesup

• Cleanseverythinginsidethetrailer

• Cleansthewashroom,kitchenandbathroom

• Washestheslab

• Doesthewashing

• Ironing

• Cooks

• Takesthechildrentoandfromschool

• Goestotheshops

ItisreallyimportantforTravellerstokeepeverything

spotless.Tobecleanishighpriority.

A Travellers Life.indd 9 2/3/09 12:37:27

!"#$%&'()$%)!#(*$+"!,$-.(,,-$'!)"%$%&'/$!$#'0'"%$,(1("23$$4+-%$

modernTravellersdogotoschoolnowbecause,inmodern

-+0('%56$%&')'$(-$!$,+%$+7$0+/8'*$*$+"$7+)$9+:-$!"#$/+"'5$!"#$

youneedtoreadtogeton.

YoungTravellersalwayshearstoriesfromtheoldendays

andknowtheirhistory.Theyknowalltheplacesthattheir

7!/(,('-$%)!1',,'#$%+$:'7+)'$-';$,("2$+"$%&'$-%!*$0$-(%'-3$$$$$

A Travellers Life.indd 8 2/3/09 12:37:25

Ourmumsdothesejobseveryday:

• Washesup

• Cleanseverythinginsidethetrailer

• Cleansthewashroom,kitchenandbathroom

• Washestheslab

• Doesthewashing

• Ironing

• Cooks

• Takesthechildrentoandfromschool

• Goestotheshops

ItisreallyimportantforTravellerstokeepeverything

spotless.Tobecleanishighpriority.

A Travellers Life.indd 9 2/3/09 12:37:27

!"#$%&#'$((%")*+#,-#./0-#0-&+#*&/1)2#$"/3#&$3-45##6.-#(-"#

goouttoworkandthewomenandgirlsstayathometodo

*.-#.$%4-,$&7#/"1#3$$7#/8#-&#*.-#'.)31&-"5

A Travellers Life.indd 10 2/3/09 12:37:29

Travellersliketo

buyandcollect

goodqualitychina,

glassandjewellery.

CrownDerbyisvery

precioustoTravellersand

wecollectittodecorateourhomes.

Atthefairstherearemanydifferentexamplestoaddtoour

collec;onsortradefordifferentitems.Wesaveitandsellit

tootherTravellersifweneedtomakemoremoney.

WaterfordCrystalisalsoverypopularandweareproudof

ourcollec;ons.

Travellerscollect

WaterfordCrystalin

thesamewaythatthey

collectCrownDerby.

Theysellitortheyswap

itforanotherpiece.

A Travellers Life.indd 11 2/3/09 12:37:32

!"#$%&#'$((%")*+#,-#./0-#0-&+#*&/1)2#$"/3#&$3-45##6.-#(-"#

goouttoworkandthewomenandgirlsstayathometodo

*.-#.$%4-,$&7#/"1#3$$7#/8#-&#*.-#'.)31&-"5

A Travellers Life.indd 10 2/3/09 12:37:29

Travellersliketo

buyandcollect

goodqualitychina,

glassandjewellery.

CrownDerbyisvery

precioustoTravellersand

wecollectittodecorateourhomes.

Atthefairstherearemanydifferentexamplestoaddtoour

collec;onsortradefordifferentitems.Wesaveitandsellit

tootherTravellersifweneedtomakemoremoney.

WaterfordCrystalisalsoverypopularandweareproudof

ourcollec;ons.

Travellerscollect

WaterfordCrystalin

thesamewaythatthey

collectCrownDerby.

Theysellitortheyswap

itforanotherpiece.

A Travellers Life.indd 11 2/3/09 12:37:32

ManyTravellershavedifferentskills.

Historically,Travellershavebeenvery

344dath5n6n3.They5sedala78t4see

inthenightandofcoursetheyhadto

haveadoglikeagreyhound,terrier,or

awhippet.Snaresweremade

touseonthefenssowhen

therabbitswentthrough

theywerecaught.Thisisnot

commonnowadays.

Also,Travellersliketocut

andcarve.Thisskillwas

5sed4ri3inallyt47aketheir9a34ns74rede:4ra6ve9ith

:arvedse:64nsandiss6ll5sedt4day4n9a34nsthata88ear

A Travellers Life.indd 12 2/3/09 12:37:34

atApplebyandStow.Travellersarealsoskilledincarving

slingshots.

!"#$%%&'#(")#*+$,-..-+/#$+-#(0#-"#1&21.3#/4&..-%#&"#

horsemanshipandliketorace.Theyputtheirbesthorsesin

/5--%#6$+7/#$"%#+$6-#/(8-'#8-/#9(+#-"(+8(:/#$8(:"7/#(9#

money.Whoeverwinstakesthelot!

A Travellers Life.indd 13 2/3/09 12:37:36

ManyTravellershavedifferentskills.

Historically,Travellershavebeenvery

344dath5n6n3.They5sedala78t4see

inthenightandofcoursetheyhadto

haveadoglikeagreyhound,terrier,or

awhippet.Snaresweremade

touseonthefenssowhen

therabbitswentthrough

theywerecaught.Thisisnot

commonnowadays.

Also,Travellersliketocut

andcarve.Thisskillwas

5sed4ri3inallyt47aketheir9a34ns74rede:4ra6ve9ith

:arvedse:64nsandiss6ll5sedt4day4n9a34nsthata88ear

A Travellers Life.indd 12 2/3/09 12:37:34

atApplebyandStow.Travellersarealsoskilledincarving

slingshots.

!"#$%%&'#(")#*+$,-..-+/#$+-#(0#-"#1&21.3#/4&..-%#&"#

horsemanshipandliketorace.Theyputtheirbesthorsesin

/5--%#6$+7/#$"%#+$6-#/(8-'#8-/#9(+#-"(+8(:/#$8(:"7/#(9#

money.Whoeverwinstakesthelot!

A Travellers Life.indd 13 2/3/09 12:37:36

ApplebyFairhastobethebiggesthorsefairinTravellers’

history.

MillionsofTravellersmeetupeveryyeartobuyandsell

horses,birds,CrownDerby,WaterfordCrystal,carpets,and

more.Thehorsesaretakenintotherivertoswimwhichisa

fantas7csi8httosee9

Appleby

BBCCumbria/MarkRobertson

A Travellers Life.indd 14 2/3/09 12:37:37

HorsesareveryimportanttoTravellers.Historically,they

pro$idedessen+altransport.0o1adays,theys+llplayan

importantpartinTravellers’livesandaretakentofairs,like

ApplebyandKenilworth,forotherstolookat.

Also,Travellersusehorsesforselling,tradingandbuying.

Therearelotsofdifferenttypesandbreeds,suchasponies,

Shirehorses,Shetlandponies,Irishdraughthorses,mares,

foals,;elshsec+on<

cobsandmanymore.

Youngandold

Travellersputtheir

horsesonawagonor

acart.Thisismainly

doneattheTravellers’

fairs.

=orsesare$eryhard1orktolooka?erbecauseyouha$e

gottoshoethem,givethemfood(likecorn,hayandwater)

exercisethemandmuckthemoutregularly.Also,insummer,

theyneedwashing.

A Travellers Life.indd 15 2/3/09 12:37:37

ApplebyFairhastobethebiggesthorsefairinTravellers’

history.

MillionsofTravellersmeetupeveryyeartobuyandsell

horses,birds,CrownDerby,WaterfordCrystal,carpets,and

more.Thehorsesaretakenintotherivertoswimwhichisa

fantas7csi8httosee9

Appleby

BBCCumbria/MarkRobertson

A Travellers Life.indd 14 2/3/09 12:37:37

HorsesareveryimportanttoTravellers.Historically,they

pro$idedessen+altransport.0o1adays,theys+llplayan

importantpartinTravellers’livesandaretakentofairs,like

ApplebyandKenilworth,forotherstolookat.

Also,Travellersusehorsesforselling,tradingandbuying.

Therearelotsofdifferenttypesandbreeds,suchasponies,

Shirehorses,Shetlandponies,Irishdraughthorses,mares,

foals,;elshsec+on<

cobsandmanymore.

Youngandold

Travellersputtheir

horsesonawagonor

acart.Thisismainly

doneattheTravellers’

fairs.

=orsesare$eryhard1orktolooka?erbecauseyouha$e

gottoshoethem,givethemfood(likecorn,hayandwater)

exercisethemandmuckthemoutregularly.Also,insummer,

theyneedwashing.

A Travellers Life.indd 15 2/3/09 12:37:37

The%rod)c+onof.his1oo2has1eens)%%or.ed1yleadar+s.s6

Mar+nS9i.hand:erry;avies6=i.h.heassis.anceof>ane.Mill=ard6

AdvisoryTeacherforTravellingChildrenWMCSTCSF.

cover of a travellers life.indd 3 2/3/09 13:46:07

SpeakingRomanyisveryimportanttotheTraveller

community)+tismainlytheoldergenera4onswhospea7it

themost.

RomanyisusedalongsideEnglishandisquitedifficultfor

otherstounderstand(especiallywhenspokenquickly).

Someexamplesofourdifferentwordsare;

Griye‐ahorse

Drum‐road

Varder‐caravan

Jellon‐comeon

Kichama‐thepub

Mawey‐amoth

Yoks‐eyes

Tud–milk

OurlanguageoriginatesfromIndiaandisderivedfrom

Sanskrit.

A Travellers Life.indd 16 2/3/09 12:37:38

The%rod)c+onof.his1oo2has1eens)%%or.ed1yleadar+s.s6

Mar+nS9i.hand:erry;avies6=i.h.heassis.anceof>ane.Mill=ard6

AdvisoryTeacherforTravellingChildrenWMCSTCSF.

cover of a travellers life.indd 3 2/3/09 13:46:07

SpeakingRomanyisveryimportanttotheTraveller

community)+tismainlytheoldergenera4onswhospea7it

themost.

RomanyisusedalongsideEnglishandisquitedifficultfor

otherstounderstand(especiallywhenspokenquickly).

Someexamplesofourdifferentwordsare;

Griye‐ahorse

Drum‐road

Varder‐caravan

Jellon‐comeon

Kichama‐thepub

Mawey‐amoth

Yoks‐eyes

Tud–milk

OurlanguageoriginatesfromIndiaandisderivedfrom

Sanskrit.

A Travellers Life.indd 16 2/3/09 12:37:38

!ome%mes,thewordsGypsyandTravellerare6onsideredin

anega%vewaybynon:Travellers.

AsyoungTravellersourselves,wewouldliketoendourbook

byexplainingwhatthesetwowordsmeantous.

Gypsy=

Traveller,Aomany,Ai6hCulture,Family,!haring,Deau%Eul

Language.

Traveller=

FamilyGalues,!trongCommunity,Celebra%ons,An6ient

Culture,ForgiveandForget.

Thomas Adams School

cover of a travellers life.indd 4 2/3/09 13:46:08