From the verge to the verse

This Armistice Day, Lewes Town Hall played host to young word-smiths from up and down the country at a prize-giving ceremony for Gypsy and Traveller poetry.

Traveller students and their classmates gathered with families and friends to celebrate the winners of this year's GRTHM Poetry Competition.

But for some young Travellers, writing is about more than just lyrics and laughter.

Danniel Bennett was one of the winners. His poem 'Being Me' has been printed in the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Poetry Book. He and his family travelled nearly 200 miles from to come and read his poem on the day.

But, says Danniel, making it to Lewes was a small journey compared to some of the experiences he's had as a Gypsy boy at school in Bircotes, Nottinghamshire.

“I wrote the poem 'Being Me' because at my previous school, my first day there, I got told by my geography teacher that “We don't want your kind in this school”.

“I was put in isolation, taken out of lessons, and all sorts. I'd even been campaigning with my dad to save the school, and we saved it, but they were still prejudiced and racist.

“One day I came home from school and I was really upset. So I went upstairs with a pencil and paper and wrote the poem.

“I hope when I'm older, hate and prejudice to people's culture will come to an end. I hope my children grow up they don't have to experience what I have at school.

Prizes were also awarded for portraits that highlighted Gypsy and Traveller life.

Sam Smith from Cranford site in Hounslow won a prize for Highly Commended. “I done a picture of Billy Joe Saunders, a load of photos behind him, it took me about three or four weeks to do it, and my cousin there stuck a picture of him on, drew a couple of trees behind it and he won!

Sam's mum Clara hopes the next generation will have the best of both worlds: their own businesses, and an education to back it up.

“My daughter wants to be a health visitor. She would be the first of our family to go on to college. I want Sam to do well, I want him to have his own business. I want them to have the education I never had.”

BEING ME by Danniel Bennett

For a Gypsy boy like me

I know it's hard for

all to see

I live not in a trailer

nor travel around

I live in a house

and not on a ground.

I go to school

I try and follow their rule

I do my best in all that I do

I sit so quiet when asked to

I open my mouth to talk

when everyone's told to

but all I get is the teachers

having a chew.

Get out of this class

away from the mass

I don't want to see your face

and that's not said in haste.

Sent to isolation

for trying my best

go away and shoo

you're not like the rest.

Please don't judge me

just use your eyes

and you will see

that school life

doesn't have to be different for me

I have the right to come to school

I don't want to have to stand and fight.

So put your prejudice aside

and keep me in mind

my culture I will not hide

my education is precious

so accept

me for me

stop your preconceptions

and allow me to be me.

I just want an education

as good as the rest

I want a chance to do my best.

So please don't judge me for all that I am

I am just a boy

my emotions are real

I am not a toy

I have a heart

and it's not made of stone

Just like you

I am skin and bone.

So please accept me for all that I am

I am just a Gypsy boy

who's not yet a man.