Discussion
A group of 3 traditional horse-drawn caravans, an open "bench on wheels" and another trailer of some sorts has turned up on a piece of ground around 1/4 mile from my house, along with a group of 6-8 horses (some are hidden by the bushes as I drive past) and a few adults (no children). They have been there about a week and don't appear to be causing any problems, although they're not the cleanest of people and their horses are crapping all over what was previously a relatively nice-looking piece of ground (it'll recover).
I have a good life, and with this in mind each time I pass these people, I can't help but think I ought to see if I can offer them anything to make their lives more comfortable - money (not much), old clothing (I've a fair bit already bagged up ready for the next collection), and/or food. Thing is, I have absolutely no idea whether I've misjudged them and they're scrounging gits (and they just haven't worked their way around to my house yet), causing trouble for the people who live closer to them, or whether any "charity" would be met with indignation.
Most people recoil from them. Half of me is curious as to how/why they would choose this life, which might be driving my thoughts to offer some sort of help.
Any experiences of them? Any advice (run away)?
I have a good life, and with this in mind each time I pass these people, I can't help but think I ought to see if I can offer them anything to make their lives more comfortable - money (not much), old clothing (I've a fair bit already bagged up ready for the next collection), and/or food. Thing is, I have absolutely no idea whether I've misjudged them and they're scrounging gits (and they just haven't worked their way around to my house yet), causing trouble for the people who live closer to them, or whether any "charity" would be met with indignation.
Most people recoil from them. Half of me is curious as to how/why they would choose this life, which might be driving my thoughts to offer some sort of help.
Any experiences of them? Any advice (run away)?
SLacKer said:
Are they on the McDonalds Island??????????
SLacKer said:
If so you live near me....
I'm off Grangers Lane.SLacKer said:
should I be worried? 
About them or me? If "them" then I simply haven't a clue. They seem to be keeping themselves to themselves. A friend in Walkwood suggests they might be here for the fair in town (Arrow Valley) but that seems a long way from them, given that they've no motor transport.
They were parked up in Matchborough before they came here.
Eric Mc said:
Are they "real" Gypsies or mere "travellers"?
Dunno. They seems to have all the authentic accountrements - wooden horseshoe-shaped caravans (very small), wood burning cooking, horses, nothing motorised.I've only seen a couple of the adults, and they're wirey-looking guys in their lates 40's/early 50's, jeans, flat caps, look like they could use a bath.
Mars said:
SLacKer said:
Are they on the McDonalds Island??????????
They are.SLacKer said:
If so you live near me....
I'm off Grangers Lane.SLacKer said:
should I be worried?
About them or me? If "them" then I simply haven't a clue. They seem to be keeping themselves to themselves. A friend in Walkwood suggests they might be here for the fair in town (Arrow Valley) but that seems a long way from them, given that they've no motor transport.
They were parked up in Matchborough before they came here.
I am sure they will move on soon enough. Not the quietest of traffic islands and there are far better places to camp. Of course if they like McDonalds and shopping at Tesco then they are set.
Edited by SLacKer on Friday 2nd April 21:17
Edited by SLacKer on Friday 2nd April 21:20
Lord Flathead said:
Why not offer them your TV, car, the copper water tank etc? That would be a lovely gesture as they wouldn't feel so bad about nicking them when your out 
They simply haven't got anywhere to put anything. Their caravans are absolutely tiny. I couldn't see there being room for anything other than a bed in each.Mars said:
Lord Flathead said:
Why not offer them your TV, car, the copper water tank etc? That would be a lovely gesture as they wouldn't feel so bad about nicking them when your out
They simply haven't got anywhere to put anything. Their caravans are absolutely tiny. I couldn't see there being room for anything other than a bed in each.As if they would use a copper water cyclinder in a wooden caravan
These are proper gypsies/travellers by the sounds of it. They tend to keep themselves to themselves, their fingers to themselves, their area tidyish and are generally no problem. No relation to scumbag pikeys.
I bumped into some last year on the banks of the river when I was out walking the dog. Your reaction is to turn around and get the hell out of there, but it didn't look intimidating so I carried on through past them, which was basically walking through their 'camp' and they didn't batter an eyelid or make a comment. One girl even cracked a smile as she walked past. It was also remarkably tidy. Hence I think these people are unfairly stereotyped and bunched in with 'pikeys' who are scum of the eath dregs of society void of any morals or respect who will put a knife in you for a fag without a thought.
I bumped into some last year on the banks of the river when I was out walking the dog. Your reaction is to turn around and get the hell out of there, but it didn't look intimidating so I carried on through past them, which was basically walking through their 'camp' and they didn't batter an eyelid or make a comment. One girl even cracked a smile as she walked past. It was also remarkably tidy. Hence I think these people are unfairly stereotyped and bunched in with 'pikeys' who are scum of the eath dregs of society void of any morals or respect who will put a knife in you for a fag without a thought.
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