Young Swanley Gypsies' film forges links with neighbours

Settled Gypsy/Traveller families in Swanley, Kent, have been interviewed by young people making a film about their town.

The young people discovered the importance of the Gypsy and Traveller communities when they began researching local history as part of a campaign to show a more positive image of Swanley.

They quickly realised what a vital part Travellers and other working people had played in the development of Swanley, an important market garden and horticulture centre that was transformed by the arrival of the railway.

After winning a £25,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Young Roots programme, they carried out research that included family workshops, and learned, amongst other things, about the shared histories of the white British and Gypsy/Traveller cultures.

The Hidden History project was led by Sue Lelliott from Real Strategies Community Interest Company with the support of West Kent Extra, the community development arm of social landlord West Kent Housing Association.

The grant allowed a number of young people to work with professional film-makers Fugitive Images to create a film that is due to be premiered in the town in front of family, friends, dignitaries and local people on 22 March.

The project has also been supported by Kent County Council’s Minority Communities Achievement Service as well as the Hart Dyke family, Swanley Town Council and Kent Libraries and Archives.