Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to feel sorry for the travellers near us

90 replies

dorsetdumpling · 18/05/2011 18:42

We had some travellers arrive near us on Monday. They have been no problems and have told the council they will leave on Sunday as there is an event on the field where they are.

I'm a bit annoyed that a couple of snobby residents have been interviewed in the local rag saying its a disgrace.

I would love to tell the travellers that we don't all hold that opinion.

OP posts:
rosie1979 · 18/05/2011 18:44

YANBU. Travellers get a bad press, its their way of life.

GypsyMoth · 18/05/2011 18:44

why do they say its a disgrace? maybe they have had bad previous experiences

tiredgranny · 18/05/2011 18:45

i hope for your sake they do leave on sunday there r good bad all communities but they can be real pains

MoldovanHardHatporn · 18/05/2011 18:47

As long as they stick to their word and treat the land with respect then YANBU but i can't help but be frustrated by travellers that don't, well, travel and treat the land with sheer contempt

TheLadyEvenstar · 18/05/2011 18:48

where I live there is a permanent travellers site and they drink in the pub where I do. I have never met a friendlier bunch of people. They are welcoming to discussions from drunken curious women about their way of life and whether my big fat gypsy wedding was a true portrayal of their lives.

celadon · 18/05/2011 18:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

worraliberty · 18/05/2011 18:50

Do you have a link to the local rag? That might shed some light on why the residents have said it's a disgrace?

Original poster
dorsetdumpling · 18/05/2011 18:59

here Its a playing field. They have gone to the far side of the field so it can still be used by everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
dorsetdumpling · 18/05/2011 19:10

I am thinking of going and saying hello tomorrow..

I saw the women washing their clothes by hand and hanging it all out today whilst the kids ran around free. Reminded me of when I was a kid.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 18/05/2011 19:12

Thanks Smile

Well this is how I look at it. Apart from the cost of the clean up..which is usually a problem in these cases, what gives them the right to set up there for free?

I love Dorset, I think it's a beautiful holiday destination..but I, like many others would pay to hook my caravan up in a caravan camp.

How would you feel if everyone decided to follow their lead and just turn up as and when they wish for free? I doubt there'd be any playing field left after a month Confused

Original poster
dorsetdumpling · 18/05/2011 19:24

I would be concerned if the field was covered in caravans as we use it alot as do a lot of other local people.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 18/05/2011 19:27

Well there you go then.

There are only a few caravans and cars now, but if they weren't told to leave in a week (which is very generous) it would no doubt become the free holiday destination of every traveller and camper for miles around.

They have no more right to set up in that field than they do to set up in your back garden OP.

BabbyEdensMummy · 18/05/2011 19:27

because they dont always move on, theres ones that were supposed to move on near us and they havent and now they get bins and get them emptied and address set up for them (no council tax payed there) they have hooked up to the water and elec, why should they get everything for free when we all pay?

ggirl · 18/05/2011 19:30

when they left local park here last summer it cost the council thousands to clean up after them

worraliberty · 18/05/2011 19:31

And even if they did move on, what's to stop another lot arriving straight after? If it's fair for one group, it's fair for everyone surely?

Actually, I might pop down myself for a few weeks in August...it'd save me a fortune in site fees Grin

jordannarikki · 18/05/2011 19:31

Maybe the residents feel that as they pay council tax that goes towards the upkeep of the field it's a bit rude for people who aren't (presumably) doing the same to go and live on that field?

pinkthechaffinch · 18/05/2011 19:31

I'm glad they are staying at Poundbury - grew up in Dorch- purely because they are annoying some of the snobbier residents.

I live in N Dorset now and the headlines of the local paper the other day were similar- all 'residents outrage' at propoesed pland for travelllers' site Sad

worraliberty · 18/05/2011 19:34

What has it got to do with snobbery? Confused

Original poster
dorsetdumpling · 18/05/2011 19:36

We pay an extra £100 a year for the upkeep of the area on top of council tax.

OP posts:
BabbyEdensMummy · 18/05/2011 19:36

we must be snobs worraliberty because we dont like people scrounging off our tax money Hmm

Original poster
dorsetdumpling · 18/05/2011 19:37

I know of the people quoted in the paper. They are snobby.Grin

OP posts:
worraliberty · 18/05/2011 19:37

So can you tell us why you feel sorry for these people and why you don't hold the same opinion as the rest of the residents?

worraliberty · 18/05/2011 19:39

They may well be snobby but even then I don't see how that has anything to do with not wanting random campers to use a field they pay to upkeep, when the purpose of the field is not camping?

Original poster
dorsetdumpling · 18/05/2011 19:41

Because they haven't done anything wrong so far. If they trash the field then yes will be pissed off but I won't think all travellers are the same.

OP posts:
SybilBeddows · 18/05/2011 19:46

Dorsetdumpling - you could write a letter to the local paper. Or even ring 'em up and get 'em to do a story, especially if you can get some mates on board - 'We don't mind travellers!' say local residents.

Though come to think of it, that may get you hate mail or worse from the snobby residents....