England Slingshot Federation - Aurora Ray
"Its not about winning trophies. It's about having fun, taking part and spending time with great people."
Here's another clip from our day at the English Slingshot Federation annual shoot, where we met Terrence, who showed us a special catapult named after his granddaughter.
The Romany-led ESF competition is held annually in Gloucestershire - seeing both Travellers and non-Travellers come together.
Visit the ENGLAND SLINGSHOT FEDERATION's Facebook to learn more about the group
English Slingshot Federation Annual Shoot
Here it is! Our day at the ESF's annual shoot.
A Romany-led competition held in Gloucestershire, the ESF shoot is an excellent example of integration and community, seeing both Travellers and non-Travellers come together. Competitors try their hand at shooting at a variety of targets dotted about a 30 minute walk-through course.
Watch the TT team talk to Keith and Asa, committee members of the ENGLAND SLINGSHOT FEDERATION about what catapulting entails, the friendships and ties the annual competition brings and how they see it as a way to bridge the gap between the next generation of Travellers and non-Travellers.
📷 by Dan Haworth-Salter
ESF - Joe Smith
"Winning. I know for a fact I'm gunna." - that's the spirit Joe!
TT contributor Dan Haworth-Salter recently went along to the ESF's (English Slingshot Federation) annual shoot and met Joe Smith, a budding slingshot master.
A Romany-led competition held in Gloucestershire, the ESF shoot showcases integration and community, seeing both Travellers and non-Travellers try their hand at shooting at a variety of (non-animal!) targets dotted about a 30 minute walk-through course.
Keep your eyes peeled for the full film we made of the day, coming soon.
📷 by Dan Haworth-Salter
Dr Sindy Joyce talks about the Minceir/Irish Traveller flag
Academic and activist Dr Sindy Joyce talked to the Travellers' Times' Liza Mortimer about a flag designed and made by young Irish Traveller/Minceir girls from Limerick to represent their history and culture.
Liza caught up with Sindy at the Atchin Tan event at this years' Glastonbury Festival 👇
Meet the lads at the English Slingshot Federation annual weekend shoot!
Meet the lads at the English Slingshot Federation annual weekend shoot!
Last weekend, we visited the shoot in Gloucestershire to meet the competitors. A Romany-led competition, ESF shoot showcases integration and community, seeing both Travellers and non-Travellers try their hand at shooting at a variety of targets dotted about a 30 minute walk-through course. Rest assured, no furry creatures were harmed in the making of this competition!
A short film of the event will follow, keep your eyes on our socials for more 👀
A voice for remembrance: Christian Pfeil's journey from the UN to Berlin.
A voice for remembrance: Christian Pfeil's journey from the UN to Berlin.
Christian Pfeil, a survivor of the Nazi terror, was born in January 1944 in Lubin, a Nazi concentration camp. His family endured persecution and deportation during World War II, with some members tragically murdered in Auschwitz. Despite facing unimaginable hardships, Pfeil's resilience led his to become a successful entrepreneur in Trier.
Christian Pfeil arrived in Berlin right after his commemorative speech at the United Nations, where he represented the surviving Sinti and Roma community as part of the central ceremony of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Upon his arrival in Berlin, Pfeil granted an interview to Travellers Times, where he shared his experiences as a young adult facing attacks and discrimination.
Pfeil's presence serves as a powerful continuation of his advocacy efforts, amplifying the voices of the Sinti and Roma communities and ensuring their stories are heard on the global stage.
📷 and words by Bela Varadi
Read Bela's article in full here 👉 travellerstimes.org.uk/features/voice-remembrance-christian-pfeils-journeyfrom-un-berlin
Roma violinist playing in the streets of Saintes-Maries-del-la-Mer
Listen to the Roma violinist playing in the streets of Saintes-Maries-del-la-Mer on Saint Sara e Kali day earlier this year.
📹 by Kerensa Smith
John Doe preparing for Glastonbury 2024
In the run-up to Glastonbury 2024, Romany Gypsies and Travellers pulled into the Atchin Tan at the festival with two bow tops and a dray for the first time in 30 years.
Watch John Doe as he prepared his horse, discussing what goes into preparing a horse for pulling a bow top and what it is like to live horse drawn.
Interview and footage by Bela Varadi
Romany Gypsies and Travellers have pulled on to Glastonbury Festival with four horses, two bow tops and a dray.
Romany Gypsy John Doe led the horse-drawn procession through the gates and into Glastonbury Festival on the 19th June, just over a week before the massive music and culture festival opened its doors yesterday to nearly 140,000 ticket buying punters.
📷 by Bela Varadi
London Horse Drive 2023
More BTS from the Horse Drive in London last week 🐴
This year we had not one, but two Travellers' Times photographers come along to record the event at the invite of John, who was arranging things this year (get well soon Donna), so we have loads of great photos vidoes that cover the whole drive, as it clip-clopped through the morning rain, and then the cloudy overcast day, and into the night.
See all the photos and videos via 👉 travellerstimes.org.uk/features/trot-london-christmas-drive-2023-photos-and-video-bela-varadi
Meet Elizabeth. We met her at this years annual London Christmas Drive 🏇
The Travellers' Times would like to thank all those of you who took part and for the welcome our photographers received. Hopefully see you again sometime next year!
John Doe
🗞 Feature: John Doe talks about wagons and trailers
The Travellers' Times Liza Mortimer caught up with John Doe at Atchin Tan at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. John Doe is a Romany Gypsy who lives nomadically in his Bowtop Wagon. Watch John talk about both Bowtop Wagons and the more modern trailers👇
Travellers' Times at Glasto - Billy Welch
"We are here" - TT's Liza Mortimer caught up with Billy Welch at this years Atchin Tan at the Glastonbury Festival.
Read the full article here 👉 travellerstimes.org.uk/news/2023/08/we-are-here-billy-welch-romani-flag
Hold Out A Hand
Hold Out A Hand
⚠️ TW: Please be aware this film and article contains conversations about suicide
Talking can help, you are not alone - Help is available
📞 One Call Away (Gypsy & Traveller confidential support) 07748 997617
📞 Samaritans 116 123
📞 Herefordshire & Worcestershire Urgent Mental Health Helpline 0808 196 9127
Our research report can be downloaded via the TT website
👉 travellerstimes.org.uk/hold-out-a-hand
Here to Listen
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them free on 116 123.
“Here to Listen” is a drama piece about a Traveller Man in his car making a call to the Samaritans. Featuring award winning actor and film director John Connors as the voice of the caller, John also advised on the script and creative behind this powerful film.
Mental Health Matters 💙
