The Local Story >

East of England > Hertfordshire

From the Boxing Booths to Beijing

Billy-Joe Saunders represented Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Proud of his Romany heritage he is from a very long line of Gypsy fighters.

In this film made before Billy-Joe went to Beijing at reached the final 16 fighters in his weight class, he looks at his heritage and takes us to meet his grandfather Absolum Beaney, a former bare knuckle fighter in fairground boxing booths.

Travellers Got Talent

After its enormous success last year in Hampshire, the Travellers Got Talent competition is going national. This summer Gypsies, Roma and Travellers across England will be competing in a nationwide talent contest. Travellers Got Talent, or Bari Radt (Big Night) in Romani.

Read more and find out where your regional finals will be and how to enter.

Travellers Got Talent page >