‘This is what we do – we will never change’
TRAVELLERS CALL FOR LAND – AND UNDERSTANDING
A Father-of-four who has returned to Nottingham after selling two of his horses at a fair has spoken out about the challenges of his Traveller lifestyle.
Patrick James, 40, was getting ready for work outside his caravan at Southglade Park, in Bestwood, when he spoke to the Post yesterday.
Some families were still asleep with their window blinds down on a quiet morning at the field.
Mr James said: “We just got back from a horse fair. I sold two of my horses, and I have got two left.
“That is what we do – we travel all around the country, go to fairs. We come to Nottingham every summer after the Appleby Fair.
“I do not think it is better or worse than anywhere else. You get all sorts of people anywhere you go.”
Community protection officers were out on the field giving out bin bags to Travellers.
Mr James, a tree surgeon, added: “I think the main differences are between the councils.
“We are grateful to the council, but I just do not understand why we cannot have designated fields where we can pitch. It would be just for a few days and then we will carry on.
“We try to keep our children away from the leisure centre, we try not to bother anyone. We don’t want to cause any trouble.
“We come to Nottingham every year, every summer. I have some land, but I cannot buy land wherever I go.”
He added: “We will never change. I have pictures of my family travelling in wagons from hundreds of years ago.”
The families have previously pitched at Hempshill Lane Recreation Ground, in Bulwell. They were given an eviction notice, and headed to Loughborough for a fair over the weekend.
Elizabeth Casey, who previously spoke to the Post in Bulwell, is also now in Bestwood.
She said: “It feels like people criminalise this lifestyle.
“In Plymouth, they give us a field where we can stay for a few days. We need toilets and things like that, it is just easier that way.
“I do not understand why, when a European circus comes to the UK they have access to land. We do not. “What is the difference? We are also travelling, minus the circus.”
The 40-year-old added: “We just need to stay for a couple of weeks and then we head off. And then we settle down during the winter time.”
Ann Lee, a motherof-two, was smoking a cigarette on the stairs of her caravan.
The 28-year-old said: “It would be nice if people would try to know us instead of spreading lies. We do not want to cause any trouble.”
She described her lifestyle as a mum who is always on the go, and added: “You just get used to it. I think it is better for the children to live in nature and play in the fields anyway.”
John Lee, 30, described himself as the “babysitter” of the group. He said: “I look after the children. I do not like children, but everyone is busy with something else.
“I love Nottingham. There are some beautiful women here.”
Peter Rogers, 46, has praised the city for its “beautiful community”, adding: “My car broke down on the road and people helped me push it. Nottingham is beautiful. I love this city.”
The group said they will leave Nottingham soon and head to London.
It feels like people criminalise this lifestyle. We just need to stay for a couple of weeks
Elizabeth Casey, 40