Warwickshire – History month roadshow spreads ‘Hope’ to Romany and Travellers
A Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History month roadshow – created by children – has spread ‘Hope’ to Warwickshire’s schools and libraries before bowing out for a special showing at Warwickshire Police HQ.
The brainchild of veteran West Midlands Traveller rights campaigner Abeline McShane, who was part of the organising committee, the displays were created by school pupils across Warwickshire.
The displays were then moved from Library to Library with the support of funding from the charity Moving for Change.
The schools that participated included:
Michael Drayton Junior School
Nursery Hill Primary School
Dunnington C of E Primary School
Barford Saint Peter's C of E VA Primary School
Ryton-on-Dunsmore Provost Williams C of E Primary School
Newburgh Primary School
St Benedict's Catholic Academy
Bidford on Avon C of E Primary School
Wilmcote C of E Primary School
Bishopton Primary School
Brookhurst Primary
Wolvey CofE Primary.
When the roadshow reached Nuneaton Library, organisers welcomed a surprise visitor – the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe, who came to check out the children’s artwork and chat to the organisers.
The final event took place at the Warwickshire Police Headquarters at Leek Wooton, where Warwickshire police welcomed the children from Wolvey CofE Primary – which has a large cohort of Romany and Traveller pupils – who were also treated to a display by Romany Blacksmith and journalist/filmmaker!) Jake Bowers.
At the Police HQ, Abeline McShane – who never rests – took time out to talk to police cadets who came out from their training to come and have a look because her firm belief is that most people are casually racist about Romany Gypsies and Travellers – because they have never met one.
TT News
(All images courtesy of Abeline McShane)