In our last post we updated you on our efforts to ensure Scottish Showpeople were included in Scotland’s 2021 census. Writing in her blog, Fair Scotland member and social policy expert Dr. Andrea Salvona reflects on the difficulties of categorising showmen and women, and why we need to avoid simply being ‘other’. Categorising Identity: ‘Occupational Traveller’ to ‘Other’
Channel 4’s Dispatches: The Truth About Traveller Crime’ (broadcast 16th April, 2020) reminds us of the distortive power of popular media, particularly when representing mobile communities. Not only did the programme fail to adhere to core journalistic standards, it was directed by someone who had previously made public her prejudices against Gypsies/Roma/Travellers and by all accounts deliberately misled those very few community members who contributed to the programme as to its exact nature. Given that those who act on their prejudices are not known for […]
Categories: Identity, In the News, Social Issues • Tags: Channel 4, GRT, Media, Research, Travellers
With rehearsals for Scotland’s carefully tailored 2021 Census now complete, Fair Glasgow a our colleagues in the Scottish Section of the Showman’s Guild will be looking at the final composition of its data collection form with great interest. The Census is a critical tool for gathering reliable information on the Scottish population. It is used by politicians and planners to allocate vital services such as education and healthcare, by social researchers investigating social issues, and by journalists representing various communities […]
Categories: Identity, Showman's Guild, Social Issues • Tags: Census, Identity, Mobile Communities, Scotland, Showmen, showpeople
by Evan Kayes
Initially by foot, we eventually adopted horses and carriages to travel from place to place, connecting and engaging with those they met along the way. As hooves and sweat made way for steam and oil, Showpeople took to this new technology gladly.
Categories: Histories, Mobility, Transport, Uncategorized
“Gypsy, Gypsy, Gypsy!” is a playground taunt suffered by children from every GRT (Gypsy, Roma and Traveller group) regardless of how they self-identify. This is equally true for generations of Showman- Traveller children who have tolerated name-calling and physical threats, whilst manoeuvring themselves within an education system ill-equipped or unwilling to incorporate their cultural needs. Showman-Travellers have traditionally operated seasonal fairgrounds, travelling throughout Scotland from March to November, creating a home in the back stages of your local fairs. Multi-generational […]
Categories: Education, Identity, Social Issues
The proposed relocation of families from the two Govan show yards at Water Row has attracted considerable press attention this year. For easy reference, we have brought together all the major press coverage of the situation in Govan and wider issues faced by Showman’s Yards in Glasgow, listed in order of publication. The views expressed in the articles are those of the participants. When the fun fair stops: Showpeople call for fair deal in Govan (Karin Goodwin, The Herald, 18th […]
Categories: In the News, Media Coverage, Showman's Sites, Social Issues
by Heather
Categories: Glasgow Museums • Tags: carousel horses, display, exhibit, fairground, gonk, gonk dolls, lights, museum, ride, riverside, Riverside Museum, showpeople, speedway, the shows, traction engine, waltzer car
by Heather
Categories: Christmas Fairs at Riverside Museum • Tags: 2016, christmas, fair, fairground, Glasgow, riverside, Riverside Museum, scottish, showpeople
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