Flying the flag for GRT History Month

June 29, 2023

Gypsies and Travellers celebrated their history and culture throughout June, as a programme of activities engaged politicians and councils, raising awareness of the community’s important place in London life.

To mark Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, London Gypsies and Travellers organised events for MPs in the House of Commons, where it showcased its “Mapping the Histories of London’s Travellers” exhibition and participated in a reception event hosted by Andy Slaughter, MP.

Andy Slaughter emphasised the important place of Gypsies and Travellers in London life, demonstrated by LGT’s history exhibition.

“The exhibition is important because it demonstrates the reality that Gypsies and Travellers have been contributing to London life and society for hundreds of years,” he said. “In trade, craft, art, community, charity – right up to the pandemic, when key workers, volunteers and teachers from these communities worked tirelessly to support fellow Londoners – Gypsies and Travellers have been ingrained in London’s colourful life. That is something to be celebrated.”

But he also drew attention to the deep-rooted inequality and enduring discrimination faced by the community.

“We need to see a turnaround in both political will and action,” he said. “We can achieve that through a greater appreciation of history, an honest assessment of the data available and a mandate from a British public who believe in fairness, justice and respect for all.”

Other speakers at the event included Baroness Janet Whitaker and LGT community development team members.

LGT’s campaigning film, “Nowhere Left to Turn”, was shown at the reception, and at various other History Month events, including a discussion session about the issues being faced by the community held at Hackney Town Hall. The “Mapping the Histories of London’s Travellers” exhibition toured venues across the capital, including the Central Library, Cotmandene Children and Family Centre and Civic Centre in Bromley, the Peabody Housing Association head office and City Hall.

Other events included:

  • A celebratory event at City Hall, organised in partnership with the Great London Authority, Southwark Travellers Action Group, Roma Support Group and Traveller Movement, with contributions from London Gypsy and Traveller Forum members, screenings of the “Nowhere Left to Turn” and “Leaving to Remain” films and music from the Ando Glasso collective.
  • A Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month flag-raising event at Enfield Civic Centre organised by Enfield Council
  • A meeting organised by Islington councillors with local Traveller residents and LGT to discuss how the council can better recognise and represent Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

 

Pictured: The LGT team with Hackney councillors holding the Romani flag after their meeting at Hackney Town Hall.

More news

LGT’s year of change

February 17, 2025

London Gypsies and Travellers reflected on a year of change at its Annual General Meeting – in particular the way that community members are growing in confidence and bringing change to lives. “Our community is stepping up in ways we’ve never seen before,” said LGT Chair of Trustees Helena Kiely-Savin (pictured at the AGM). “We’re …

Gypsies and Travellers forced into unsuitable homes

February 11, 2025

Many Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families in the UK are left trapped in substandard homeless shelters for years – and urgent investment in adequate and appropriate social housing is required to prevent this. This is the main message of a new report by London Gypsies and Travellers, produced jointly with the Roma Support Group. The …

Will new planning policy bring change?

December 19, 2024

New revisions to government planning policy will make it easier for local and regional authorities to deliver much-needed Gypsy and Traveller specialist housing – but questions remain about how effectively they will be put into practice. Two policy documents, a revised National Planning Policy Framework and a new version of the Planning Policy for Traveller …