Gypsy Roma Traveller Leeds
The permanent site of the Gypsy Roma Traveller Communities
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Bookstart
Bookstart is a national scheme offering free books to every child and advice to every parent. It encourages parents and carers to share books with children from a very early age.
Word and mouth
Travellers' Stories
The majority of Gypsies and Travellers being nomadic communities have not developed literacy as the settled communities have. A great deal of Traveller history is passed down from generation to generation through word of mouth and story-telling.
Consequently, their stories are not only interesting in their own right, reflective of the individual story-teller, but important as in conjunction with all the other Traveller stories are collective evidence of the proud history and dignified lives of an often misunderstood people.
Open Roads, Open Minds
The Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service (the Travellers Education Service as it was known at the time) launched a Travellers Storytelling project in 2005. It is ongoing and has produced School Resources and Story CDs. Click below for more details, including audio and video clips.
Our own Publication
"Travellers and Gypsies in their Own Words" a book published by the Travellers Education Service in Leeds is a book that brings together stories from Travellers in the Yorkshire area. While it's not meant to be a historical document, common strands coming through the stories give insight into the history of Gypsies and Travellers and the character of an enduring people.
Below are links to extracts from three of the stories.
Storytelling project
More
For more on the art of storytelling see our Storytelling Project.
Wendy de Rusett writes more on the art of storytelling
In Their Own Words
Gypsies and Travellers in their own words compiled by the Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service is a fantastic read, and gives amazing insights into the lives and times of Travellers in this country.
It is still available to buy.
The collection of stories and personal histories in this rich volume creates a vivid picture of life within the Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Travellers tell their own stories
Tommy's Story
In his own words. Extract from "Gypsies and Travellers in their own words".
Tilly's Story
Tilly Kelby was born in Salford in Manchester. She talks about the differences between Travellers and "Country People" and her experiences of racism.
Annies Story
Annie Kindon was born in Bawtry, Doncaster. She was seventy-eight when she told her story.
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