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Scottish Traveller Education Programme

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News Archive

KeepITmoving has come to Scotland – library access for Travellers – May 2008

Scottish Section of The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain Hosts Successful Centenary Luncheon,
October 26, 2007

Radiowaves Network of Traveller Internet Radio Stations for Young People: Become a Reporter! Response needed by January 18th 2008

The Riding: Ceremony of Commencement of the Scottish Parliament - Saturday 30 June 2007

STEP's recent celebration of Scotland's Travelling Communities: Identities, Cultures, Continuities and Changes – April 2007 Events at STEP

KeepITmoving has come to Scotland – library access for Travellers – May 2008

KeepITMoving is an initiative set up by Paul France in the West Midlands. Discussed in the past by the Traveller Education Network (TENET) - things have moved on. Thanks to Rhona Arthur's work on behalf of the Scottish Libraries (contact details below) all the materials you need to implement the initiative in your local authority are included on a CD that is obtainable from STEP.

Scottish Section of The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain Hosts Successful Centenary Luncheon, October 26, 2007

STEP were delighted to accept a kind invitation to The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain's Scottish Section celebration of its Inaugural luncheon. The luncheon commemorated its centenary on October 26, 2007 at the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow. The event attracted 150 guests, including members from across the section and several MSP's, councillors and other civic dignitaries from all over Scotland.

Key Speakers were: Philip Paris, Chairman of the Showmen's Guild, Scottish Section, Brian Donohoe, MP Central Ayrshire, Dr. Vanessa Toulmin, University of Sheffield, and Jimmy Williams, President of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain.

Philip Paris welcomed guests and concentrated his address on the section's current work and the issues and concerns Showpeople face. For example, Philip highlighted the unfairness of variations in the fees charged by different authorities for the License for Fairs as Regulated Entertainment, which is required north of the border since 1982.
Philip also spoke of a petition submitted to the Scottish Parliament upon the advice of the Equalities Unit, and a subsequent meeting with Malcolm Chisholm, Minister for Communities. Discussions addressed issues such as licensing, planning permission for yards, discrimination in society, education, and the availability of land for holding fairs. Philip expressed his disappointment at the lack of official response in addressing these issues and invited those present at the luncheon to offer assistance if they could. The chairman also emphasised the need for permanent operating bases where children would be able to attend school regularly and which would provide space to perform the required maintenance of rides.

Representatives from Scottish Education, John McPhee, Sally Brown, Mary Hendry, Dr. Pauline Padfield and Dr. Betty Jordan were delighted to show their support for travelling Showpeople's education and for the work done in promoting their education over many years by ELO's Lucille Pullar and both Christine Stirling one and two!

Brian Donohoe offered the opening toast, speaking of the importance of the Showmen's Guild and how pleased he was to be representing their interests in Parliament. Brian said, 'Fairs are a part of our heritage both north and south of the border and one concern is that social conditions are quite often not appropriate for operators to work in public areas and the showmen who do so need public support.' He went on to urge the Scottish Parliament to act: 'The issues of the show industry have been debated before in Westminster, but now it's time for the Scottish Parliament to pick up the mantle.'

Vanessa Toulmin's presentation on the history of the Scottish Section provided an ongoing slide display of Scottish funfair scenes throughout the past 100 years. President of the Guild, Jimmy Williams, then spoke about the pleasure he had in opening the Kirkcaldy Links Market earlier in the year and also praised Philip Paris's work for the section, in particular his discussions with the Scottish Parliament. Junior Vice President, Ramon Henderson also addressed the guests and spoke of the diversification of showmen into new businesses and the need to keep ahead in uncertain economic times. Much pleasure was expressed in presenting the Rev. Jack Graham of Parkhead Congregational Church with an Honorary Membership of the Showmen's Guild for his acceptance of Showpeople in the local community.

After the luncheon, a member of the Licensing Committee offered help in response to the issues raised by the Chairman Paris and MSP Jamie McGriggor offered to help arrange further meetings with the Equalities Unit.

Philip Paris has called the event a 'good success as an inaugural event with enough Section members, guests from other Sections, MSP's, Councillors and other key personalities from both within the business and beyond.'

Information for article taken from: Fitzgerald, Desmond. 'Scottish Section inaugural Luncheon hailed a success' in World's Fair, Nov. 23-29, 2007, pp. 5-6.

Radiowaves Network of Traveller Internet Radio Stations for Young People: Become a Reporter! Response needed by January 18th

Radiowaves is currently launching Network of Traveller Internet Radio Stations for young people and would like to hear from communities who want to be involved in this exciting new project. The Network would be part of the Radiowaves website www.radiowaves.co.uk, which will include over 400 stations. This way, Traveller, Roma and Gypsy communities will have their own stations linked with others around the UK, while also reaching a wider audience.

Radiowaves gives young people a voice, using creative technology to engage its members in learning and skills development. Each reporter has their own page where they can publish audio, text and images and anybody can listen to and download the stories. Listeners can also leave comments and take part in polls. The Network has funding from the DCSF and will participate in the Traveller, Roma and Gypsy History Month in June, 2008.

If you would like to apply to set up a radio station, receive training and a recording kit, please email kate.valentine@radiowaves.co.uk by January 18th with the following information:
1. Details of current computer/Internet access
2. An idea for a radio programme for History month
3. An example of a previous community project where ICT was used. If you have any questions, please ring Kate Valentine: 07908403545

The Riding: Ceremony of Commencement of the Scottish Parliament - Saturday 30 June 2007

STEP was delighted to accept the Scottish Parliament's invitation to participate in the official events planned to mark the commencement of the Third Session of the Scottish Parliament.

Scotland's Travelling Communities: Identities, Cultures, Continuities and Changes – April 2007 Events at STEP

At the end of April 2007, STEP hosted a highly successful 3-day set of events (so the evaluation suggested) to celebrate and raise awareness of Scotland's diverse Travelling communities. The events aimed to celebrate Betty Jordan's significant achievements in helping to bring Travelling peoples' educational needs firmly into public debates.

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Newsletters

STEP Newsletter, Summer 2004 (pdf format)

STEP Newsletter, Winter 2004 (pdf format)

Consultation Responses

Consultation on Guidelines for Managing Unauthorised Camping by Gypsies/Travellers: Response from the Scottish Traveller Education Programme, May 2004

STEP were invited to give feedback on a recent Scottish Executive consultation regarding the management of unauthorised camping by Gypsy/Travellers. This consultation closed on 24 May 2004. Read STEP's response online