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Travellers want to join residents' association
3:13pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008
TRAVELLERS at Europe's biggest illegal site have extended an olive branch in an attempt to end years of tension with villagers.
People fighting to stay at the illegal Dale Farm site, in Crays Hill, want to join the local residents' association, and also plant trees to improve the area.
While the council fights to evict them, Dale Farm Housing and Residents' Association has drawn up an action plan at its annual meeting, held at the travellers' controversial Saint Christopher's community centre.
Traveller Mary Ann McCarthy, 76, said: "Some of us have been here seven, even ten years.
"We would like to join with our neighbours and have a voice in local affairs."
The idea follows an earlier Gypsy Council meeting, when it was agreed to form a new youth section at Dale Farm, so young travellers could get involved with community campaigns.
At the annual general meeting, members agreed to plant 12 oak saplings along Oak Lane and invite Billericay MP John Baron to help plant the first tree.
Richard Sheridan, chairman of the association, who plans to approach the Tory MP, said: "Mr Baron is keen on the green belt and we hope he'll see the positive side of this planting scheme. This could be a new start for community relations."
Mr Baron said: "They will need to send the invitation in writing.
"I am not going to commit to diary arrangements in the press."
Mr Sheridan said planting trees would be a symbol of their hope of making Dale Farm their permanent home.
Campaigner Grattan Puxon said a number of plot owners had already developed small gardens and it was expected more would be dug out this summer.
He said: "A lot can be done to improve the green belt appearance. This is a plus for everybody in the district."
The meeting agreed to seek membership of Crays Hill Residents' Association, by writing to organisers asking if it would be possible to affiliate as a group or individuals.
No one from Crays Hill Residents' Association would comment until members have discussed the request.
Your Say YourEcho
Sarah, Billericay says...
4:31pm Wed 2 Jul 08
John O'Connor, Bristol says...
4:51pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Sarah wrote:What about those living on the legal site which makes up half of Dale Farm. Surely they have the same rights as ye.
Yes when you start paying tax like everyone else and behave like a law-abiding citizen, then you can "have a voice on local affairs".
undertaker, crays hill says...
5:25pm Wed 2 Jul 08
The Vicar, Basildon says...
5:43pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Why now though? After ten years of mutual hatred?
Jo, Pitsea says...
6:23pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Brucie Bonus, says...
6:28pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Have a look on Google Earth Mate ! And see how much "Green Belt" your lot has destroyed !!
Steve W, Wickford says...
7:07pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Mrs C Y Nical, Crays Hill says...
7:37pm Wed 2 Jul 08
I am going to email John Austin now to see if he can get me into the Residents Association in Padstow, Cornwall they say it is nice there this time of year .
Mike, Basvagas says...
9:26pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Not as far as you could throw one.
(No not Ireland unfortunately - wishful thinking!)
midnight warrior, Wickford says...
12:03am Thu 3 Jul 08
db, london says...
8:54am Thu 3 Jul 08
Les, Basildon says...
10:21am Thu 3 Jul 08
Afraid, Basildon says...
1:11pm Thu 3 Jul 08
db wrote:FYI... people with no morals already are a large part of society, or hadn't you noticed? And its no point blaming minorities (entirely).
ive been sitting here trying to decide what to write and i am actually speechless for once. how can people with no morals be part of our community? i would not want my children mixing with their inbred young! I am honestly beggining to believe the only way to sort this country out is to vote BNP. Can someone give us our ENGLAND back please? so angry.
And the England out there is the only one we've got. People should stop dreaming.
There is no way that any one party can solve the problems we are encountering now.
To add to it, a divisive party like the BNP would only plunge this country into civil unrest.
People seem to have the unrealistic feeling that some righwing party can just be voted in and everything will be ok, it won't. It takes the cooperation of Gov't and people to bring about social change.
I think that Brooke Kinsella's suggestion of bringing back NS is one worth considering.
Chris, Basildon says...
1:26pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Annoyed, says...
4:38pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Dave, Basildon says...
6:17pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Not being members of the "residents" committee does not mean they are not residents
Not mixing with them does not mean they are not already part of the community at large.
As for having a "say" in local affairs, well the fact that they have been there for several years, against the wishes of so many, including the council, should tell you, they already have much a "say" as you or I. And rightly so.
While we fantasize about the England of our imagination, chances to improve matters are slipping away.
Lets talk to them now!
Anon, says...
3:39pm Fri 4 Jul 08
db wrote:Have no fear, no right minded person would want to mix with the likes of you either. Please do everyone a favour and keep to yourself.
ive been sitting here trying to decide what to write and i am actually speechless for once. how can people with no morals be part of our community? i would not want my children mixing with their inbred young! I am honestly beggining to believe the only way to sort this country out is to vote BNP. Can someone give us our ENGLAND back please? so angry.
And if you really want to confront the people who have brought England down, start by looking in the mirror.
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dave turner, says...
3:37pm Wed 2 Jul 08