Minutes
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month DCSF
19th May 2008 1.00-4.00pm
Minutes of Meeting
Purpose
To refine national strategy for GRTHM and assess progress thus far
IMPORTANT – The next national meeting will take place on Friday 4th July at the DCSF.
Present
Patricia Knight (National Coordinator, GRTHM), Graham Pepper (DCSF), Peter Saunders (Education Leeds GRTAS), Anthea Wormington (NATT), Jake Bowers (Gypsy Media Company/South East Representative), Tommy Collins (Justice for Travellers), Janet Keet-Black (RTFHS), Sylvester Huczko (Roma Support Group), Damian Le Bas (assisting GRTHM Magazine/South East)
Apologies
Cath Cresswell, Kirk Mulhearn, Trish McDonald, Phil Denley, Candy Sheridan, Eugen Balaz
1. Matters Arising
Tommy Collins noted an incomplete minute from the previous meeting (28th April). Tommy had said that there may be many skilled, computer-literate Travellers who don't have regular internet access. It would have been difficult for these people to find out about the National Coordinator position.
2. GRTHM Magazine
Jake Bowers spoke about GRTHM magazine, which has been sent to Graham Alexander to prepare it for press. It will now be a 20-page magazine to provide space for advertising and listings. Features and editorial have been provided by Jake, Damian Le Bas and Janet Keet-Black in consultation with the communities.
There is clearly lots of exciting stuff going on during June, but some (such as school events) will not be publicly accessible. The contact and time details for some listings were received too late to go to press but will be on the website.
The sale of advertising has been successful: this will make up about ¼ of the magazine. All adverts are pertinent to GRT issues and events, such as the Gypsy Arts Festivals later in the year.
The magazine will be available on the 4th/5th June, which was the earliest possible date.
The distribution of GRTHM Magazine was discussed. The budget of ￡3000 for dispensing both issues is too small, so Jake mentioned the possibility of direct distribution. For example, some magazines could be handed out at Appleby.
This is a good idea, but it has its limitations. The meeting agreed that the magazine needs to be available in public spaces such as libraries, museums and schools.
Peter Saunders suggested allocating a number of magazines (I.e 1000 each) to the regional coordinators to be distributed as they see fit. If any have some funds left over from their ￡2000 budget these could be used for getting the magazines out.
Jake ventured the idea of reducing the print run to save money. Any saving would have to be weighed against the fact that advertisers paid on the basis that there would be 23,000 copies printed.
Patricia Knight mentioned the necessity of getting the magazine into areas with high footfall. Tommy mentioned surgery waiting rooms and public areas as good examples.
Graham Pepper noted that the DCSF only has access to an internal government mail system, which wouldn't be very useful for getting the magazine to a wide readership.
It was agreed that courier costs should be looked into and compared. Reprodux could be a good option as the magazines are being produced there.
Tommy suggested that coordinators could pick up their copies, but this would be difficult for some people.
The lack of distribution money was discussed: the shortfall could be 50%. Graham said that a costed estimate of this shortfall would be considered as a bid for extra money, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Tommy pointed out that Ian Wright MP, Minister for Gypsies and Travellers, mentioned that there is “plenty of funding available” at the Developing Travellers Service meeting on Thursday 15th May. Would it be possible to ask for some of this money as extra funding?
As a working solution, it was agreed that the whole ￡3000 for distribution could be used to distribute the June edition of the magazine. Money to distribute the October edition would be sought in the intervening period. The print run of the June edition would be reduced from 23,000 to 20,000 copies to provide some extra funding.
3. Website
Tommy spoke about the importance of drawing out interest from Travellers who have been settled for several generations. GRTHM could be a good chance for them to connect with their roots.
Peter spoke about the activities programme, which is now up and running on the website. Submissions of poetry, posters etc. will be accepted regardless of what country their submitters come from. The programme will develop an “imaginative connection” with the communities.
Ideally, this content will be available in several languages to make it accessible outside Britain. The key languages were discussed.
Sylvester Huczko spoke about the various dialects of Romanes on the continent. The priorities may be Kalderash and Lovari. Along these lines, linguists such as Peter Norton and Gregor Kwiek might be consulted. Translations into Poggadi Jib/Anglo-Romani, Cant and Gamin will also be looked into. Thomas Acton was mentioned as one of the best people available to translate into Anglo-Romani.
Janet pointed out the need for a link to the Romany & Traveller Family History Society on the GRTHM website. The link is www.rtfhs.org.uk.
4. Media Strategy
A standard package describing GRTHM will be released to major broadcasters. Jake said that Rokker Radio will cover as much of what's going on as possible. As the mainstream media works on a more short-term agenda we will have to see how they interact with the Month. Local media reaches a wide audience and its wider reporting style is more suited to something like GRTHM.
There was concern about anti-GRTHM journalism. Tommy spoke about the importance of exploding the myths about work, tax and Travellers. Sylvester said that events happening around Stratford won't be offered to the Newham Recorder because of racist reporting.
Tommy also mentioned West Mercia police, who reported great community relations with Travellers 2 years ago, but placed a racist advertisement in the latest Travellers Times.
Jake can offer a pre-written press release to regional coordinators and others involved with GRTHM. He mentioned George Monbiot's book on dealing with journalists which people might find helpful.
Graham said that the DCSF should be kept informed of any major interest from the media so the Department can stay in the loop. Unfortunately, it can't provide a press contact.
The meeting agreed that the Big Issue would be a great place to secure positive coverage.
Graham informed the meeting that unfortunately the print deadline for the summer edition of Primary magazine has been missed.
Regional coordinators will need to think about who they want as a contact for the media in order to ensure a smooth response.
5. Area Reports
Roma Support Group
Sylvester apologised on Gaba's behalf for her absence. Invites for the Conway Hall event have been mailed. There will also be a football tournament on 27th May which will be covered by Rokker Radio. It will be split into age groups, probably 11-15 yrs and 16+. Sylvester is going to circulate details for the day.
London
Rocky Deans has sent listings, which have been received and will be in the magazine.
South East
Jake spoke about events in the South East, which will also be in the magazine. Again, Rokker Radio will be covering as many events as possible during June.
North East
Peter has produced a separate one-sheet listings programme for Leeds. Any regional coordinators interested in doing this for their region should look into cultural bodies such as Arts Yorkshire, which has parallels across the country. Peter has also produced a new DVD called The First Traveller which Ferdinand Koci has done promotional artworks for. It will be available mid-June.
South West
Janet mentioned that an open day and evening concert to celebrate GRTHM had been planned for the South West. It then transpired that the ￡2000 regional budget was not available as no regional coordinator had been appointed.
Peter observed that the regional budget is not for organising events as such, but to raise local awareness of GRTHM and its significance. The 2000 for each region was earmarked for coordinating and attending national strategy meetings.
Jake said that this depends upon the circumstances of each region. It is a shame that the ￡2000 for the South West is deadlocked when it could be put to good use.
Patricia noted that there is a strong candidate for the position who will be expecting to have a budget if they are confirmed.
Any Other Business
6. Italy
The situation in Italy, where The Guardian has recently reported politically-approved arson attacks against Gypsy homes, was discussed. Translating the activities page of the GRTHM website into Italian would give Italian children a chance to think about the situation and react to it. If the programme expands then organisations such as Opera Nomadi and The Everyone Group could be valuable partners, as they are involved in voicing the other side's point of view.
7. Report Work
It will be important to gather opinions and responses to GRTHM for future years. The number of people at events should ideally be recorded. Rocky Deans has developed a monitoring form which could be used as a model for the nationwide GRTHM.
It was agreed that many people dislike evaluation forms. Engaging questions should be used.
8. GRTHM Organisation
In order to maximise the impact of GRTHM in future years, a core team responsible for organising it would be required. Things have proceeded well considering that people are largely working for free in their spare time but this is unsuitable as a long-term strategy.
Funding from bodies outside government, such as the Heritage Lottery Scheme, will need to be sought to this end. Small grants from local authorities might help to supplement regional organisation.
Tommy spoke again about GRTHM's organisation. He said that although nobody objected to GRTHM as an idea, anything which is arranged on the back of the community should definitely involve the community.
9. Next meeting
It was agreed that June will probably be too busy to hold another strategy meeting in London. The meeting on the 15th June was therefore cancelled, and the meeting for 14th July has been moved to 1-4pm, Friday 4th July (Sandwiches available from 12).
Venue: At the Department for Children, Schools and Families, 4E Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London SW1P
New attendees should confirm attendance with tamba.musa@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
and/or felicity.harry@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk prior to 1st July.
10. Poster Competition – Prizegiving
The presentation of awards for winners in the poster competition will be between 10am-12:30pm at the House of Lords on the 2nd June.
Damian Le Bas, 21st May 2008
