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Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month 2011. Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month celebrates the culture and history of Travelling communities in the UK. Jhonny, Robert and Jim have spent time throughout June designing, making and decorating waggons. A Brief History.
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Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month celebrates the culture and history of Travelling communities in the UK.
Jhonny, Robert and Jim have spent time throughout June designing, making and decorating waggons.
A Brief History • Waggons, pulled by horses, have been traditional Gypsy homes for 150 years.
Before then, they walked on foot and used carts to carry their possessions, sleeping in tents called ‘benders’ made out of hazel twigs covered in canvas.
Building a Vardo • Building a Vardo took between 6 and 12 months and used the wood of oak, ash , elm, walnut and pine.
They were ornately painted and decorated with carvings, and often enriched with gold leaf.
Inside, waggons often had a cast iron stove, for cooking and heating.
There was one room really with a raised berth for adults to sleep on at the back. Children snuggled on a smaller berth below.
Horses • Normally, a single horse of about 14 hands would pull a Vardo. The usual day’s travel was about 15 miles.