ACERT supports Coalition on evictions consultation

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is carrying out a consultation on enforcement powers as they relate to unauthorised development and encampments. Details of the consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/powers-for-dealing-with-unauthorised-development-and-encampments The deadline for submissions is June 15th . We would encourage as many people and organisations as possible to put in submissions.

On Tuesday 15th May the ACERT Executive Committee decided to endorse the letter sent by Henry Chapman of the Gypsy and Traveller Coalition regarding these proposals. and I have just done this by filling in the online consultation form.

Guardian interview with Denisa Gannon

Denisa Gannon. Photograph: John Robertson for the Guardian

Denisa Gannon who participated in the Romed mediator training  organised by ACERT, and spoke at our annual mini-conference in 2015 in interviewed for Guardian Society by Catherine Baksi.

The article illustrates the struggles she experienced to qualify as a solicitor and the level of commitment and perseverance required to qualify. She also speaks of the challenges faced by Roma in the UK in the run-up to Brexit. 

Read the full article here

“Searching for the Travelling People” launch

Chair Rose McCarthy and a Vice-Chair Lisa Smith with Damian Le Bas and Thomas McCarthy

Our Chair Rose McCarthy and a Vice-Chair Lisa Smith attended the premiere of Searching for the Travelling people, a documentary created by The Rural Media Company the hosts of The Travellers’ Times.

TTs Editor-at-Large Damian Le Bas goes on a journey to re-visit the people and places visited by BBC documentary maker Charles Parker and folk singers Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl connected with more than 50 years ago to create a new ballad  for the modern Traveller. Romani and Traveller people featured in the film include an ACERT Vice-Chair Lisa Smith, Richard O’Neill, Billy Welch. Samson Rattigan, Delaine Le Bas and Jess Smith.

To find out more and get your copy of the DVD visit TTs new heritage pages.