Gypsies
• Leeds and Yorkshire has a history of Travellers and Gypsies.
• It is believed that they were likely called "Gypsy" for the first time by
Europeans who mistakenly thought they had come from Egypt.
• Each year in May the different Gypsy groups gather in Southern France
from all over the world on a journey to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. The is an
occasion for reunions of friends and family.
• There are two types of Gypsies – Roma Gypsies and Irish Travellers. Both
have a travelling lifestyle but are separate ethnic groups.
• Romany Gypsies are said to have their roots in India and came to Europe in
the 13th century, while Travellers are mainly came from Ireland.
• Irish Travellers used to be called ‘tinkers.’ A tinker is a skilful person that
mends pots, pans and plates of locals as they move from place to place.
Travellers refer to non-travellers as “settled people”.
• Travellers used to be ok with being called ‘gypsy; until the word ‘gypo’
became an insult, now they often call each other ‘pavees’.
• Traveller women normally marry as teenagers.
• Young traveller girls have a strict Roman Catholic
upbringing. Talking back to elders is unacceptable.
• Large families are still normal for gypsies, with some
couples having over 10 children.
• Original Irish Travellers lived in horse-drawn wagons
and travelled but today most live in caravans on official
sites provided by a local authority.
• In history Gypsies are well-known as musicians, dancers, and
fortune-tellers. However, other traditional jobs Gypsies have
include metalworking, horse trading, and animal training.
• In modern times, many European nations have tried to end
the Gypsies' travelling way of life by asking them to register
and to go to school and learn trades.
Gypsies
Appleby Horse fair
• The horse fair is held every year in early June.
• The fair is one of the oldest horse fairs in Britain
• The event attracts around 10,000 Gypsies and Travellers and over 30,000
other visitors to Appleby
• It is probably the best known of the horse fairs attended by Gypsy families
travelling to meet up with old friends and conduct business.
• It is world famous and the largest of its kind in the world, it attracts a huge
gypsy gathering.