Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month 2014

This year, visitors and residents in Dorset will again be treated to a unique chance to learn more about the lives and history of Gypsy, Roma and travelling people from the region through a very interesting outdoor event being held in Borough Gardens in Dorchester on May 30th from noon to 4pm.

This FREE occasion, suitable for all ages, will include lots of hands on activities as well as displays and material to read.

A central attraction will be 2 traditional Gypsy caravans which you will be welcome to get up close to and find out about how life would be on the open road.

 You will also be able to try lots of different traditional skills including peg making, bender building, flower making and basket weaving.

To enrich the event there will be lots of photos on display and information about the lives of travellers.

Children will also be able to pet newly hatched bantam hens or go for a free horse and cart ride around the gardens.

 The day will be further enhanced with some wonderful traditional music and some spell binding Gypsy story telling.

 The event is being coordinated by the South West Dorset Multicultural Network in partnership with a range of other organisations. In addition Dorchester Town Council have been very supportive of the event, allowing it to be held in Borough Gardens and providing the group with resources.

 Gypsy Roma and Travellers are the largest Ethnic Minority community in the European Union with over 12 million people. In the UK, they are recognised ethnic minority communities and number 300,000. They are also the most marginalised and continue to suffer extreme levels of prejudice and discrimination.

 Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month was started in 2008, to highlight and help raise awareness of these communities and their valuable contributions to our society and to offset the negative stereotyping and prejudices that have led to hate crime, bullying and physical violence towards people identified as belonging to this community.