Myths and Misconceptions
It is over 500 years since Romany Gypsies arrived in Britain, and 200 years since Irish Travellers first came here. Gypsies and Travellers have lived in and around Newark for centuries – as research into the history of Tolney Lane tells us.
Gypsy and Traveller families have a rich culture, traditions and heritage but myths and misperceptions abound in the public mind and in the media. It sometimes seems to be the case that for many, discrimination against Gypsy and Travellers is the last acceptable form of racism. Below are some of the commonly held beliefs about Gypsies and Travellers and the facts of the matter in each case!
MYTH - Travellers are thieves and criminals!
FACT - There is no evidence of higher crime rates amongst Gypsies and Travellers. Whilst some are involved in crime, just as in any other community, members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities are statistically under represented in the prison population.
Media reports and images are often inaccurate and discriminatory.
MYTH - Gypsies are dirty!
FACT - Gypsies and Travellers take pride in cleanliness inside their homes, and have strict rules about different bowls for washing hands, food and different items of clothing. A quarter of Gypsies and Travellers are homeless without access to a legal site and so may have no rubbish collection or other facilities provided.
MYTH - A Travellers’ site ruins the neighbourhood!
FACT - Research shows that relationships between Gypsies and Travellers and the settled community develop effectively where well-designed and well-managed sites are provided.
Homeless Gypsies and Travellers have to stop in unsuitable, often dangerous locations and are constantly moved on. Others may move into housing but often feel isolated and closed in as a result.
Since 1994 there has been no duty on councils to provide sites and Gypsy and Traveller families who try to provide their own have great difficulties getting planning permission. Research estimates that at least 4500 additional pitches are needed nationally.
MYTH - Gypsies and Travellers are work shy!
FACT - Gypsy and Traveller community members often start work young and traditional skills are passed down between generations. There is a strong work ethic within Gypsy and Traveller communities which is based simply on the need to survive and make a living.
MYTH - Gypsies don’t pay tax!
FACT - Like everyone else Gypsies and Travellers pay road tax, VAT on goods and services, and income tax when working or self-employed. They also pay council tax and licence fees on their homes.
Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller culture often values portable wealth and unlike non-Gypsy culture this wealth is often highly visible but the amount of capital they might have in their homes is worth is far less than the equity many non-Gypsies have and in terms of caravans is constantly depreciating in value.
MYTH - Gypsies and Travellers don’t care about society!
FACT - Gypsies and Travellers are engaged in many paid and voluntary activities supporting local communities and national life. Today, despite barriers to health and education services, increasing numbers of children are enrolled in school.
What do Gypsies and Travellers want?
FACT - Gypsy and Traveller communities want to be allowed to live peacefully as part of British society.
They want:
- Recognition that a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle is a legitimate way of living
- Fairer representation in the media
- An urgent solution to current accommodation problems
- Greater acceptance and understanding
Conflicts over Gypsy and Traveller site provision serve the interests of neither the Gypsy and Traveller or settled communities. What is in everyone’s best interests is to resolve problems through education, awareness-raising and mutual understanding.
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