Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month 2011

GRTHM Workshops

Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month is a national celebration which takes place across the country in June and takes its inspiration from Black History Month. It includes a range of events aimed at various audiences to further the understanding of historical and contemporary issues regarding the Gypsy Roma Traveller communities.

To mark Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month, the Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service offered 12 schools the opportunity to attend a special one day event at the West Park Centre. The aim of the day was to introduce pupils to the distinctiveness and uniqueness of these communities and to highlight the cultural, social and economic contributions that these communities have made in Britain.

During the day, pupils took part in four different workshops:

Participate in a Flamenco Dance workshop, learn exciting Gypsy rhythms of palmas (hand clapping), castanets and movement to live guitar music.
Travel back in time to discover how children and families from the Gypsy Traveller communities lived.
Go on a storytelling journey with famous author, singer and storyteller, Jess Smith and discover how Scottish Travellers developed their skills, known as the 'Kings and Queens of Storytelling'.
Explore the richness of the European Gypsy Roma culture

Photos of the Workshops

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Positive Responses

The feedback given on the day by the children was very positive. They all said that they had enjoyed themselves and learnt a lot. Many of the children also expressed a wish to come back next year.

Attendees

The Schools

The 12 schools that came to our workshops were:

Ingram Road Primary School,
Swallow Hill High School,
Ryecroft Primary School,
Beeston Primary School,
Grange Farm Primary School,
Drighlington Primary School,
Kirkstall Valley Primary School,
St Augustine's Primary School,
Hawksworth Wood Primary School,
Middleton Primary School,
Primrose High School and
Harehills Primary School.