“A big thank you for all your support and kindness”: Handmade vardo gift marks Simon Bees’ retirement

After many years supporting families across Wiltshire, Wiltshire Racial Equalities Council worker Simon Bees has retired — and one local Romany Gypsy marked the moment with a handmade gift.

Suzanne Sherred, an elder Gypsy woman who has known Simon for years, wanted to thank him for “all your support and kindness to all over the years”.

Simon often spoke about a childhood friendship with a Romany boy — a small encounter that stayed with him and shaped the warmth and respect he carried into his adult work.

To mark his retirement, Suzanne created a detailed recycled‑material diorama of a vardo  — a piece she calls “suey”, reflecting the tradition she was raised with: “we were raised to make the most of what we had,” says Suzanne.

Part of Simon’s work was supporting Romany and Traveller families who had problems with enforcement and “family stability”, she says.

“I proudly made and presented it to Simon to say a big thank you for all his support and kindness to all over the years,” she adds.

Wiltshire Racial Equalities Council supports people from all racial and ethnic minorities across the county, offering advice, advocacy and practical help on issues from housing and education to discrimination. Its work aims to eliminate racial discrimination and disadvantage within a multi‑racial, multi‑cultural and multi‑faith society.

Everyone at Travellers’ Times sends Simon our warmest wishes for his retirement, and our thanks for the years he spent supporting Gypsy and Traveller families in Wiltshire.

By Mike Doherty for Travellers Times

(Photograph of Simon Bees courtesy of Suzanne Sherred)