Gypsies bring wares to town

By MERVYN DYKES - Manawatu Standard Saturday, 22 December 2007

There are times when even a free- wheeling gypsy is a stick in the mud as Piesy the coppersmith with the Tinkers and Traders discovered one recent rainy weekend.

The rains fell like in the days of Noah and her truck sank to its diff as soon as she rolled it on to the field.

"This was embarrassing for her," the unofficial secretary for the fair Pru Sahlen said.

"Although Piesy is a long-time gypsy, this was her first fair with us and she had assured us she would be no trouble,"

No problems. After the fair boss, Graham Howie, organised a 12-tonne loader to inch her out of the quagmire, they held a Gypsy Stomp, to flatten the ground.

"We are privileged to have such talent with us, Ms Sahlen said.

The coppersmith's wares and those of the rest of the Tinkers and Traders will be on show at the Railway Land in Main Street, Palmerston North until tomorrow.

"Our fair happens - rain, hail and shine and we have several sayings. One of them is 'It must be set-up day, it's raining' and another is 'It must be Monday, it's sunny'.

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