Additions
The people and organisations below have got in touch via this website.
If you would like to make yourself known in the communities for your skills and talents submit your details here.
Romany & Traveller Family History Society
The RTFHS is the pioneer history society for those who are researching their British Gypsy and Traveller ancestors. Founded in 1994 by a group of keen family historians, it remains the largest subscription funded Traveller-related Society in the UK, although membership is now international.
A self-help, non-profit making group, it is run on an entirely voluntary basis by a committee which is elected annually, and a quality, information packed journal, Romany Routes, is issued four times a year.
Top: Stepping at the RTFHS Open Day in Exester.
Above: Janet Keet-Black handing over a volume from the RTFHS owned Robert Dawson Romany Collection to John Creasey of the University of Reading in 2000.
Members have the opportunity to meet at the annual Society Day, with invited speakers and concluding with musical entertainment, or at one of two informal Open Days, the next one being planned for 11 October at Selborne, Hants. There are always lots of photographs on display, plenty of distant cousins to meet and someone on hand to offer friendly advice.
Romany Theatre Company - Suffolk
Established in 2002, Romany-led RTC aims:
- to advance the awareness of the public about Romany people, their culture, history, heritage and language through high quality professional Studio theatrical productions
- to advance the education of young Romany people in the performing arts and theatrical production through professional supported certificated training programmes in Academy UK
- to provide opportunities for Roma and non-Roma people in UK and Europe to learn more about each other and work towards overcoming differences through increased understanding and positive experiences.
Lee Winter
Telephone: 01782 515 121
Lee is a Romany Gypsy singer songwriter who also writes storys and poems. His poems are in both Rumness and English. He has done many gigs and radio work. Find out more on his website.
Contact Lee for bookings or enquiries.
Miriam Wakerly
Telephone: 01276 502055
Frimley, Camberley
Surrey GU16 9NN
Website: www.strongmanpublishing.com
I have self-published a novel, launched 29 March, Gypsies Stop tHere that, although fiction, covers many Traveller issues - stereotypes; eviction; culture; hiding ethnic identity; historical persecution across Europe; etc etc
Talks, discussion groups and the opportunity to buy a signed book!
I am not a Traveller myself but have a keen interest in breaking down the social divide that seems to exist.
Miriam at a book launch in Borders in Brighton with a GRTHM poster in the background.
Romani Roots
Contact Mr & Mrs A GERMAN
Telephone: 01527 65308
c/o 146 Upperfield Close,
Church Hill North,
Redditch,
Worcs, B98 9LG
website: www.romaniroots.webs.com
The group ROMANI ROOTS was created in the latter part of 2007 in response to the needs of so many who are of Rromani heritage, whether full or partial, within the Worcestershire community.
Whilst some members of the Romani Race may not support those persons who they may feel are not of "full" Rromani blood, Romani Roots believes those of Rromani heritage are as proud and as Romani as any other amongst our race.
It is our firm belief that these people will retain and perpetuate the culture, language and heritage as much as any other member of the Rromani Race.
Therefore we at Romani Roots have made the commitment to support, promote, educate and perpetuate ALL within the Rromani Race.
We would like the opportunity to show our display/DVD at one of the events for Gypsy Roma Traveller Month, either within Worcestershire or further a field if required.
We feel strongly that it would offer an opportunity for ourselves and others to learn as well as educate.
We would also like to promote the GRT History month on our site as it approaches and during that month as we hope to encourage other groups in our area to participate, educate and learn during this month.
Lincolnshire Gypsy Liaison Group
11a GWEC, Lea Road Gainsborough DN21 1LX
Telephone: 01427 619 521
Traveller run group able to provide displays, training, cultural materials, etc. Currently attending events across the region as well as planning support, working on site, health and education support, fighting racism and discrimination, prison and youth service support, police and staff training a speciality, GTAA work undertaken. working for equality and inclusion.
They have Displays, training, poetry and storytelling, history time line and culture. PASTURES NEW and other high quality DVDS etc. are available.
Andree Morgan Andrews
Telephone: 0797 600 2751 / 0292 040 7919
26 Woolacombe Avenue
Llanrumney
Cardiff
CF3 4TE
Fopr Storytelling sessions, cultural awareness training on the Romany Culture & History, Drama and crafts workshops.
Amare Rromentza
Contact: Lavinia Olmazu
Telephone: 0780 079 9905
Traditional East European Craft and jewellery making.
Heather Ureche
Telephone: 0773 903 7494
14, Nottingham Rd
Southwell
Notts
Heather would like to share her knowledge through talks on history and about Rroma from Eastern Europe, and story telling. She has displays and is willing to travel.
Polygon Arts
Contact: Gabrielle Lobb
Polygon Arts is a registered charity providing opportunities through the arts for people to participate fully in the life of their communities. Our work takes place in both schools and community centres, with young people and adults. Our programmes combine social awareness and dialogue with the development of skills in a range of art forms, focusing on drama, photography, and music.
Polygon Arts offer arts-based workshops for participants to find out about the traveller community and make meaningful connections between the traveller experience and their own lives - as a one-off or series of sessions. they are currently commissioning a play and developing a primary education project exploring connections between the traveller experience and "indigenous" communities in other countries (such as Inuit, Maori etc).
Robert Harrington
"I am a young, leeds based musician, I am part Romani myself, I play in many groups and at many events, and I wish to begin writing and talking more about the romani people."
Robert would like to get involved in music, and event promotion.
Suggestion Box
If you have an idea for an event that you would like to see as part of GRTHM please complete the suggestion box form.
