Gypsies and Travellers
Travellers in Herefordshire are made up of three main groups:- Traditional or Romany Travellers
- Irish Travellers
- New Travellers
These groups live in a variety of settings. Herefordshire also attracts a high number of migrant workers during the fruit-picking season. The community is concentrated in the north of the county.
Estimates of the size of the community vary, but historically Gypsies and Travellers have been the largest minority ethnic group within Herefordshire. It should be noted that only Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers fall within the definition of a "Minority Ethnic Group" within the Race Relations Amendment Act (2000).
Gypsies and Travellers have always been part of Herefordshire and have been crucial in the development of the county. For example, Travellers were the first "seasonal workers", helping to develop the economic success of the county.
Over recent years many of the traditional stopping places for the Travelling community have diminished causing difficulties for Gypsies and Travellers seeking a place to stay. This is one of the key reasons why around 80% of the Travelling community in Herefordshire now live in houses. However there is more to Gypsy/Traveller culture than travelling itself, and this is maintained through traditions such as the language (Romany).
There are three main groups/agencies working with Gypsies and Travellers in Herefordshire. They are:
- The Traveller Health Project
- The Traveller Support Group: with representatives from Herefordshire Council, the Police, the PCT, volunteers, and other key organisations (contact 01432 261759)
- West Midlands Consortium Education Service for Travelling Children
Herefordshire Council's Traveller Policy explains in more detail the differences between the different travelling groups, the local context, the aims of the service, and it contains statements for the Police and the Health and Education services. Included in the policy is information on sites available and on allocation of plots, planning policy relating to Travellers, and policy and procedure relating to unauthorised encampments.
Contacts
Enquiries related to housing, Traveller sites, policy or enforcement can be directed to the Herefordshire council's Traveller Service as follows:
Tel: 01432 261701
Email: ethelpline@herefordshire.gov.uk
Traveller Services
County Offices
Bath Street
Hereford
HR1 2ZF
Enquires relating to racial discrimination can be directed to the Council's Corporate Diversity Team on 01432 267307 or e-mail diversity@herefordshire.gov.uk
Last Updated: 12 February 07,
Review Date: 20 September 2005