Gypsy Roma Traveller Leeds
The permanent site of the Gypsy Roma Traveller Communities
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In Their Own Words
Gypsies and Travellers in their own words compiled by the Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service is a fantastic read, and gives amazing insights into the lives and times of Travellers in this country.
It is still available to buy.
The collection of stories and personal histories in this rich volume creates a vivid picture of life within the Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Culture: all the fun of the fairs
Traveller Fairs
Why people go to the fair
Visitors to fairs get more than a fun day out, they can also expect to:
- gain an insight into one of the oldest and most important events in the Traveller calendar
- experience the situation where for one week the Gorgio (non-Traveller) population is in the minority
- gain an awareness of Traveller culture and traditions, both from an historical perspective and also how they are coping with modern demands.
Things to see
Horses
Lots of horses which are ridden bare back and washed in the River Eden in the centre of the town before being shown off on Fair Hill and sold if the price is right. Some horses go for a lot of money and the deal is always done with a slap of the hand - and cash.
Crafts and Traditions
Peg-making, flower carving, wagon building and painting, blacksmith and leather work and fortune telling. Also songs, music and story-telling, which still happens around camp fires and also in the pubs in the area.
Stalls
They sell a large variety of goods - fine china, including Crown Derby and Minton, cut glass, pictures. soft furnishings. clothes, shoes, cans, pots, horse-tack and music. A lot of these are unique to Traveller Horse Fairs.
Around the site
See our page on some of the biggest fairs that take place every year.
Famous Gypsies and Roma
Artists, Writers, Scientists, Actors & Actresses, Musicians & Singers, Nobel Prizes, Pioneers & Adventurers, Presidents of the Republic, Parliament Members, Preachers, War Heroes, Journalists, Fashion Designer, Sport... If you weren't aware of the contributions Gypsy and Roma people have made follow the link below.
Lee Gap Fair
Lee Fair is the oldest chartered fair in the country dating from 1136. Gypsies first went to the fair in the 1540's and have been supporting it ever since.
Also read about
Circus Travellers
Circuses visit Leeds from all over the world. The circus is a tradition and has its own families that have been born into this tradition, similar to Showpeople. Many families specialise in particular skills but also contribute to the whole performance by taking on a variety of roles.
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