This article is taken from the first issue of the Travellers Post published annually by the Travellers Education Service.

A Historic Book Launch

The Lord Mayor;Councillor Bernard Atha, opening the launch ceremony with Peter Saunders, Head of the TES, Tommy Doherty and Ada North.

Over a hundred Gypsies and Travellers came to celebrate the Launch of their book and helped fill the Banqueting Suite for this historic occasion, the first Civic Reception for Travellers in the country!

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Bernard Atha, welcomed everyone to the Civic Hall and was especially pleased that John Battle, Minister of State, could join us.

"This Hall belongs to all the people of Leeds and no better use could be made than celebrating the launch of this book. I am delighted to see so many people and I give a warm welcome to you all."

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Colour and Vibrancy

Part of the audience at the ceremony, attended by many Travellers.

Co. Tom Murray, Chair of Life-long learning and Leisure said, ‘You have added to the colour and vibrancy of this great city of ours and it is great to see all this recorded, a hundred years of valuable photos and stories, of which I am sure you’ll be proud.

"I’d like to thank the Traveller Education Service (TES) for all their work over the last 25 years. Thanks also to all the schools for their work and the magnificent art work on display this evening. I’d like to thank the Travellers who represent the city in boxing: Levi Pattison, who boxed for England in the Commonwealth Games, Jimmy Lowther now a professional title holder, Danny James, another professional and of course, Henry Wharton, who has an international reputation.’

Tommy Doherty said, ‘I’ve been here in this Civic Hall many times trying to get rights for Travellers, which I’ve been doing all my life. Then we had no sites, no education so I took 20 children up to the Education Offices and they found school places for them and it all started from there.’

Harold Best MP said, ‘we see here today people who are beginning to get the benefits of education and I was delighted to hear that Travellers from the Family Literacy group received a national award from David Blunkett last week.’

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Historic Occasion

Arthur Ivatts, Department for Education and Employment, said, ‘I see this as an historic occasion to see so many of the Travellers community here to celebrate the launch of this book. The DfEE are very proud of this important book and it shows an enormous achievement of the TES. It will help schools modify their curriculum to have an accurate view of Travellers based on real knowledge.

It is also important because it is affirmative of Traveller children and will enhance their self-worth and self-value.’

Ada North said, ‘I’d like to thank all the Teachers interested in the Gypsy children. Take it from me, we have been tortured and tormented like the Jews.’

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Lord Mayor Presentations

The Lord Mayor then presented signed copies of the Book to all the Gypsies and Travellers who had told their stories for the Book and also awarded prizes for the Art work.

Peter Saunders said, ‘I’d like to thank everyone for coming and especially all the Gypsies and Travellers who believed in this project and gave us all their stories and photographs and all the Publication Team: Freda, Sally, Jim, Anna and Sakie, who made it all possible.’