The council has voted itself a total budget of £5 million for the purpose, according to Tory
leader Malcolm Buckley.
leader Malcolm Buckley.
One of his latest victim is Christina O'Brien, who was evicted last week from Dunroamin, a yard in a leafy lane
at Hovefield's Drive. She and her six children have been refused homeless accommodation and are
living illegally on land close by.
at Hovefield's Drive. She and her six children have been refused homeless accommodation and are
living illegally on land close by.
But if the cost to the British tax payer is high, the burden on Gypsies is crushing. As a community
known for its self-reliance and care for weaker members, it is being seriously improvement by
present harsh policy.
known for its self-
present harsh policy.
It is a policy which Ian Guest, founder of the Washington-based Advocacy Project is seeing
pursued around the globe, he told Ustiben.He was shocked to see it in full -swing here in Britain
when he visited Gipsy Hill, Hovefield's and Dale Farm.
pursued around the globe, he told Ustiben.He was shocked to see it in full -
when he visited
"We are finding that this is what many of our projects have in common," Guest said. "Evictions
are widespread and we want to help people get their voice heard."
are widespread and we want to help people get their voice heard."
Only last week Bridie Jones, Traveller's representative on the Government Gypsy Task Force told
the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that bulldozing private yards is no solution. It is only
increasing homelessness and destroying the ability of families to fend for themselves.
the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that bulldozing private yards is no solution. It is only
increasing homelessness and destroying the ability of families to fend for themselves.
The eviction work at Smithy Fen cost £150,000 for four days. They are currently digging up 17
yards, burning sheds, gates and fencing. Constant & Co., who muster some 40 bailiffs for what
they call their specialised Traveller-clearance jobs, also uses plant and drivers from other companies.
These include G. Moore and H.E.Services.
yards, burning sheds, gates and fencing. Constant & Co., who muster some 40 bailiffs for what
they call their specialised Traveller-
These include G. Moore and H.E.Services.
Councils claim they are restoring the greenbelt and rural fields. But after Constant have finished, all
that is left are heaps of debris, earth banks and often pools of stagnant water. In a short a
battlefield. "This is like a war they are waging on us," says Kathleen O'Brien, whose yard at Five
"This is like a war they are waging on us," says Kathleen O'Brien, whose yard at Five Acre Farm,
near Wickford, is facing the same treatment. "They're turning us into refugees." The result of
planning appeals effecting nearly 50 yards at Dale Farm will be announced in coming months.
A judicial review of Basildon's eviction plans is due to take place sometime 2007. Puxon
that is left are heaps of debris, earth banks and often pools of stagnant water. In a short a
battlefield. "This is like a war they are waging on us," says Kathleen O'Brien, whose yard at Five
"This is like a war they are waging on us," says Kathleen O'Brien, whose yard at Five Acre Farm,
near Wickford, is facing the same treatment. "They're turning us into refugees." The result of
planning appeals effecting nearly 50 yards at Dale Farm will be announced in coming months.
A judicial review of Basildon's eviction plans is due to take place sometime 2007. Puxon
