United Kingdom
UK Partner
Surrey Heritage, Surrey County Council
Surrey Heritage protects the county’s written and archaeological heritage. Surrey Heritage has a strong outreach service and emphasis on community development to ensure that Surrey’s heritage is explored and celebrated by the widest possible audience.
Since 2004 we have been working with the Gypsy/Traveller community to explore and celebrate their culture.
Some of the things we looked at were:
• Whether Gypsy/Travellers (Roma) wanted to have their cultural heritage represented in museums, libraries and archives, to which the answer was a vigorous ‘yes’.
• Whether they felt it was well represented at present, which produced suggestions for improvement.
• How Gypsy/Travellers (Roma) cultural heritage should be presented to a broader public.
In 2009 and 2010 we held events as part of Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month at Bourne Hall Museum which showcased traditional Gypsy vardos (wagons), cookery demonstrations, arts and craft activities, exhibitions, music and much more. Most importantly there was conversation between Gypsies and non Roma people.
Surrey Heritage are pleased to be the lead partner for Roma Routes EU funded project. Over the next 2 years the project will support 2 international conferences together with our own local events showcasing Gypsy and Roma culture throughout Surrey.
Chair of Surrey County Council welcome to Gypsy Derby event
The Derby on 4 June 2011 not only saw racing on the Epsom Downs but also the Surrey Heritage Gypsy Display promoting the culture and longstanding history of Gypsies and Travellers at the Derby.
Surrey Heritage, part of Surrey County Council and members of the local Gypsy and Traveller community organised the display of traditional Gypsy wagons, modern trailers, history displays and children’s activities. Surrey County Council Chairman Lavinia Sealy opened the stage expressing the importance of such events and their role in ‘breaking down barriers between communities’.
The stage was host to a variety of Romany artists. Kerieva gives a modern electronic interpretation to songs in the Romani language. The Romany Diamonds, a family of performers spanning three generations, brought a traditional flavour to the day with their fast exciting Gypsy music. And Cristofe Sors, born in France, played a set of Gypsy guitar. The very popular ‘Travellers Got Talent’ South East heats provided entertainment to the crowds for the rest of the afternoon.
Surrey Heritage and Bourne Hall Museum displayed old photographs of Gypsies at the Derby and many people recognised family members amongst the photos. There was also information available on how to trace Gypsy, Romany and Traveller ancestry. The display of traditional Gypsy wagons and modern trailer illustrated the changing styles of Gypsy / traveller homes throughout history. Many of those who came to the Derby for the races were found chatting to local Gypsies and enjoying the entertainment.
The day was organised as part of the Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month and funded by the EU funded Roma Routes project. The month of celebration continues on the 25 June at Bourne Hall, Ewell, KT17 1UF for a free family event ‘Celebrating Gypsy Culture’ 11am – 4pm.
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month
Since 2008 communities have been celebrating Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month during June in the UK. Surrey Heritage has been involved in this month since it began. With our local Gypsy and Roma community we have held events celebrating Gypsy Roma heritage, created displays and information leaflets for those wishing to research their Gypsy Roma family history.
Kefford and Smith families, courtesy of Irene Colbert
Celebrating Gypsy Life, June 2010 event
This very successful day was an opportunity to see some beautiful traditional Gypsy vardos (wagons), cookery demonstrations, arts and craft activities, exhibitions, music and much more. Traveller family history advice was given by staff, including online help through 'Ancestry' to a Traveller family with poor literacy skills, who frustrated with their efforts, had been trying to trace a family member for several years. A newly created display on Traveller family history was also taken to the event.
Traveller’s Got Talent
In 2010 the Travellers Got Talent competition went national. During the summer Gypsies, Roma and Travellers across England will be competing in a nationwide talent contest. Travellers Got Talent, or Bari Radt (Big Night) in Romani.
The South East regionals were held at the annual Gypsy Day on June 19th. 15 competitors sang and played in front of a 200 strong crowd of local Gypsies and Travellers to produce an almost identical result to last year’s Travellers Got Talent. Singer Scarlett Lee was the regional winner. Joint runners up were singers Johnny Gregory and Jimmy Connors. Singer Sherry-Marie Smith came third, but the scores were so close that the judges decided to send all 4 young people to the national final.
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