I would draw your readers' attention to the details of the proposed gypsy and traveller site at Derriton on Torridge District Council's website (http://www.torridge.gov.uk">www.torridge.gov.uk). I was disappointed to note in their statistics that I was the only person to have accessed it in the last seven days!
It would appear that this site was purchased by Torridge District Council without the necessary reports being carried out to confirm that it was actually fit for the purpose of a travellers' site. The website also states that the cost of such a site could be up to a maximum of £900,000 and that the council would be seeking government funding. I rather thought that it was the taxpayer who funded the government of which Torridge is a part. I would prefer my tax to go towards council houses for people who fit into, and contribute towards, 21st century society and not a fanciful pipedream.
I was, however, pleased to read that the majority of gypsies/travellers now work, pay Council Tax, rent, etc, so the story in the national press of October last year re the £100,000 wedding for one traveller's daughter was all down to the father's extremely long hours "surfacing driveways for a living". That's OK then.
My own experiences, over the course of the last 25 years, of travellers' behaviour is quite, quite different to the glowing reports given on the council's website and rather more in keeping with the horror stories appearing regularly in the national press. Quite a lot of these 'travellers' actually have permanent houses elsewhere in the country. Surely that makes them 'caravanners' and they should follow Margaret Beckett's example.
Please visit the website and make your comments. Of course, they won't make any difference or even be considered because any negative comments will be ruled out on the grounds of alleged racial discrimination. Apparently gypsies and travellers have to be treated as special cases — and I thought it was all about equality!
Incidentally, what is the official difference between a gypsy and a traveller? I was under the impression that the traditional Romany Gypsy hated to be grouped together with travellers.
Am I prejudiced? Not at all. I have friends of all nationalities, colours and religions. I just believe in equality.