• Romany or English Gypsies
• Romas are European Travellers
• Irish, Scottish and Welsh Travellers
• Showmen
• Boaters or Bargees
• New Age Travellers

Although they have differences, they share many of the same beliefs

• Family is very important to the Travelling community, including the wider family – cousins, uncles and aunts
• The elderly are treated with great respect
• Travellers tend to be self-employed
• All like to have a nomadic lifestyle

• Came from Northern India
• They were called Gypsies because they were thought to come from Egypt, which was not true!
• They Travelled across Europe, traditionally working as craftsmen. They were blacksmiths, cobblers, horse dealers, and toolmakers. Others were performers such as musicisans, circus animal trainers and dancers

• Families that bring the fair or the circus to our towns are Travellers
• They are called Showmen and travel around the country from Easter to October and their children have tutors for learning on the road
• During the winter months the showmen return to their permanent winter site, where the children will generally go back to their local schools
• The last fair of the season is the famous Nottingham Goose Fair which all showmen turn up to – an enormous fair that lasts four days – started in 1282

• Boaters or Bargees live on canal waterways – originally, the narrow boats were pulled along by cart horses. There are still a few that are pulled by horse today.
• The barges have lots of brass wear which are highly polished. They are colourfully decorated
• The boaters travel along the waterways seeking seasonal work, like fruit picking

• Irish Travellers are also known as Pavee or Minceirs
• They often speak another language called Cant, Gammon or Shelta
• They travelled, like the Romanies, for work
• They had similar trades to the Romany’s
• Although they are best known for being Tinsmiths

• New age Travellers have evolved over the last 60 years – they wanted to be closer to nature and lead eco-friendly lives
• The children sometimes had a community teacher for lessons. Or they would attend the local school
• The children learnt to make arts and crafts which were sold