Going for gold: young Gypsy keeps up a family tradition

Esther Addley
The Guardian
Monday August 4 2008

Like many of the athletes departing for China ahead of the Beijing Olympics, Billy Joe Saunders had an emotional send-off from his home. "There were about 30 car loads of my family and friends who came to see me. They've got England flags all over the place. It was crazy," he says.

But while he describes his upbringing as "really normal", home for the 18-year-old welterweight hopeful is not entirely conventional. Saunders comes from a Romany Gypsy family and lives on a Travellers' site near Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

Saunders's older brother, Tom, is a professional cruiserweight, and his father also boxed in his youth, but perhaps the proudest family members will be his great grandfather on his mother's side, Absolom Beeney. Now 95, as a young man Beeney was a champion in the travelling fairground boxing booths, stepping up, as his father, also Tom, puts it, "whenever he needed some beer money".

Tom Saunders Sr believes his son may be the first Gypsy to represent Britain at an Olympics, having taken it up at seven when his older brother, who was being bullied in part for being a Traveller, asked his dad to take him boxing.

But his family background may in fact be the least remarkable part of Billy Joe Saunders's story. Saunders was originally singled out by the British head coach, Terry Edwards, as a potential medallist for the 2012 games, one of a strikingly talented generation of British amateur boxers that has led Saunders, without irony, to predict that by the time of the London games Britain will be "the new Cuba" of boxing.

Expectations may have been low for Saunders, but he thought differently. After winning 49 fights in a row, he edged out the experienced British team captain Neil Perkins, who fights in his weight class.

"They had to give me my chance to qualify, I felt," says Saunders. "I boxed the No1 Cuban, I beat him, I boxed the No1 Russian, the European champion, beat him. I had to get my chance to be there, and when I got it, I took it."

Having won gold at the Commonwealth Federation championships last year, gold at the European Junior championships and a further gold, last month, at the European Union championships, some insiders are tipping Saunders as heavily as his teammate Frankie Gavin, the lightweight world champion and one of Britain's best hopes for gold.

"Given a fair wind and a bit of luck every one of the team could do as well as Frankie," says Edwards. "Billy Joe is the youngest member of our team, but in age terms he is very, very mature, he's a tough lad. We'd first identified him as a 2012 athlete, and he still is - we're right on course for that. The difference is that he may well be defending his gold medal in 2012."

For Tom Saunders, his son's presence in Beijing is a welcome opportunity to correct misconceptions about their culture. "We are true Romany Gypsies, that is what we are. If you go two, three generations back, to your great, great grandfather, he's most probably seen our people, with the horse-drawn wagons, selling the old wooden pegs and things like that. That's what the majority of people in this day and age don't understand."

"There's good and bad in everybody," agrees Billy Joe, "and you can't tar all Gypsies, or Travellers, with the same brush. I just need to get out there and prove to everybody that we're not all the same." Most of all, he'd love to be a positive role model, he says - to his adored one-year-old son, Billy Joe junior, and to his peers. "I would love it to be that I could get young kids off the street and into the gym. Help them out. I would love to think that I could do that."

Does he hope his son, too, will follow the family tradition and take up boxing? "It's completely down to him. If he decides he wants to take the boxing route he can, and I will be supporting him all the way, same as my dad did for me."

Saunders - From Romany to Beijing

By Chris Dennis

Billy Joe Saunders is aiming for boxing gold at the Beijing Olympics but may have created history already.

As far as he knows, the 18-year-old welterweight from Hatfield is the first person from the Romany gypsy community to qualify for an Olympic Games.

Billy Joe clinched his place at a qualifying event in Italy earlier this month and is one of seven boxers to make Team GB for Beijing.

Billy Joe Saunders is not the only British boxer with genuine medal prospects for Beijing, but his background has to be the most fascinating.

He comes from the Romany gypsy community and lives on a caravan site near Hatfield in Hertfordshire.

Boxing runs deep in the Saunders family, who are immensely proud of their heritage.

His brother Tommy is a professional, his Dad Tom was an amateur and his great, great grandfather, the wonderfully named Absolom Beeny, now aged 96, used to make his living fighting in the old boxing booth at fairgrounds.

Billy Joe admits he has heard all the stories a hundred times, but once he and his brother had visited the local boxing club, he was hooked.

I hope what Billy Joe has done will help people understand a bit more about our Romany culture - Tom Saunders

"Boxing has kept me off the streets, stops me smoking and drinking and gives me something to do", he said.

His background may be colourful, but make no mistake, Billy Joe Saunders is one very special boxer.

As a boy he wasn't the most naturally gifted, but had an inner toughness that set him apart from other fighters.

His trainer, Danny Hoy, said: "When I saw him have to dig down into his boots against much older boys, I thought this kid is not the same as anyone else. There is something with this kid".

It is that something which made Billy Joe a real prospect for London 2012, so qualification for Beijing means he is effectively four years ahead of schedule.

But he is not just going to China for a holiday or for the cultural experience.

He remembers watching Amir Khan win silver in Athens four years ago, and wants to go one better. "I'm aiming for gold, simple as that", he said.

His achievement has made a real splash not just in the Saunders family, but in the gypsy community at large.

Billy Joe's father, Tom, hopes the British public will get behind his son in Beijing:

He said: "I hope what Billy Joe has done will help people understand a bit more about our Romany culture. That would be fantastic."

For the moment Billy Joe is enjoying the limelight but he knows there is plenty more hard work ahead.

He is proud of his achievements, proud of his roots and does not seem to have a care in the world.

His only worry is not knowing all the words to the national anthem.

Now there is confidence for you.

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/olympics/boxing/7302418.stm

Published: 2008/03/18 11:22:39 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

EU Parliament: Anti-Gypsy prejudice, discrimination widespread in EU

© AP
2008-01-31 16:15:52 -

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - Anti-Roma sentiments are widespread in the European Union, often leading to racist attacks, abuse and police harassment, the European Parliament warned Thursday.EU member states must increase their efforts to integrate Roma and prevent «ghettoization» in estates, slums and camps, where there are no hygiene and safety standards and a large number of children die in accidents, EU lawmakers said in a resolution.

They called on the European Commission to give one of its members the responsibility for coordinating an EU-wide policy on Roma and urged it to promote Roma staff within its routinely called on the countries to do more to end the marginalization of the Roma population, setting aside millions in EU aid programs the member states can use to bolster education, housing and job programs _ to little effect in many places.

Roma are now one of the largest, poorest, and fastest growing minorities in Europe, with a total population on the continent estimated at between 7 and 9 million.

Hungary's chief justice defends Gypsies

BUDAPEST, Hungary, Dec. 12 Hungary's chief justice has asked lawmakers to work out more efficient laws to safeguard the dignity of the Gypsy, or Romany, community.

Zoltan Lomnici, president of the Hungarian Supreme Court in Budapest Wednesday denounced a recent march by a far-right paramilitary organization aimed at intimidating the Gypsy minority in the country, the Hungarian news agency MTI reported.

Lomnici, responding to a letter by Erno Kallai, the minority ombudsman, said any discrimination by race, religion or gender is unconstitutional and unacceptable.

Some 300 members of the neo-Nazi Hungarian Guard, sporting black dress and carrying red-and-white striped banners, in a hate showing move Sunday marched through a predominantly Gypsy village outside Budapest.

Kallai's letter appealed to politicians and public officials to take stand on the Sunday neo-Nazi march.

Lomnici reiterated Hungary needed amended laws that would easily cope with any actions displaying hatred and threats towards Gypsies and other national minorities.

He confirmed he had already sent proposals relating to his ideas to the parliament's constitutional and judicial committees.

Hall packed for 'gypsy' meeting

By Jon Wills

AROUND 200 people crammed into Cotford St Luke Community Hall last night amid fears that the village could face an influx of Romany gypsies.

The controversy centres on three mobile homes which were put on the site at the weekend without planning permission.

The mobile homes are owned by 39-year-old Henry Small, who told the meeting that they were just for himself and his family. He also assured residents that there were no plans for anyone else to join him site.

But many in the hall were not convinced and demanded to know what Taunton Deane Council, which has already issued two stop notices on the site, was planning to do next.

Tim Burton, development control manager for the council, outlined the legal position.

Teenage gypsies take fight against discrimination to Brussels

By Adam Forrest
Children win support from Scots politicians


SCOTTISH GYPSIES, keen to preserve their time-honoured wanderings, remain among the marginalised groups in rural society.

In an era where the "no blacks, no Irish, no dogs" signs of the early 20th century are unthinkable, the travelling community still faces racist abuse and difficulty accessing services.

Now teenage travellers from the Highlands, taunted for "casting spells" and wearing "silly clothes", have taken their fight against discrimination to Brussels.

The group met MEPs in the European parliament to gather support for an awareness-raising campaign they have already taken into schools.

Funded by the Scottish government, their "Who We Are" workshops allow modern gypsy children to explain their way of life and correct misconceptions.

Shantelle Johnstone, 15, travels with her family much of the year, but hopes to complete her Highers in the winter and go to college to become a youth worker.

"In primary school I got bullied a lot," she said. "Being called names wasn't very nice, but they didn't understand. A lot would have come from their parents, who didn't know either.

"They would have thought we were just poor, just scum. But attitudes are changing, people are more aware of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Now it's easier to say, Yes, I'm proud to be what I am'."

Justine Wilson, 17, is also part of a community moving around the Highlands, but hopes to finish her English Standard Grade and eventually become a writer-journalist. She is excited that the campaign, organised by Save the Children, is beginning to help change perceptions.

"I really enjoyed going to Europe and telling our side of the story," she said. "They were eager to listen about how we've been campaigning in schools all over Scotland, giving them an insight into the traveller life.

"We explain to them the similarities and also the differences. They see we listen to the same music, like the same things. We just live a little bit differently, that's all. They realised there was nothing weird or strange about us."

The Brussels meeting was hosted by Fife-basedLabourMEPCatherine Stihler. The young travellers were also able to meet MEP Livia Jaroka, who talked about her own Roma family history and gypsy communities across Europe. The politicians promised to help identify further sources of funding for the continuation of the project.

One of the group, Mark McKenzie, is currently attending Oatridge College in West Lothian to undertake a landscape design and construction course.

The 16-year-old told the Sunday Herald of the abuse his own family have faced. "Occasionally, they would throw rocks," he said. "A group of young boys threw rocks through the window of my uncle's caravan while everyone was sleeping. It's terrible.

"That's the reason why we're doing all this, to help people understand what travellers are really like. Before our workshop, you actually get people writing things about us casting spells and wearing silly clothes. Afterwards they realise we're just the same as other people."

The government estimates there are 2000 gypsies in Scotland, most of whom speak a common language called Cant, in addition to English or Gaelic, and work in agriculture or forestry. Many groups face housing problems since current council site provision does not meet their needs.

Stihler said: "It is vital that we address the discrimination that many of these young people face on a daily basis. Save the Children should be commended for its campaign to make Scots aware that travellers are the same people but with different lives."

Karen Carrick, Save the Children's development officer, said she was proud of the way the young travellers were able to state their case so eloquently to European ministers.

She said: "They demonstrated the excellent work they are doing in schools and other youth settings to try to raise awareness of gypsy travellers among their peers who live in the settled community.

"The trip was a really empowering experience and gave them a real boost."

As a result of the extreme prejudice experienced in the past, many people are afraid to identify themselves as hailing from a travelling community.

Famous gypsies include Charlie Chaplin, RitaHayworth and Bob Hoskins.

It is even claimed former president Bill Clinton is descended from the Faa Blythe Scottish gypsy kings.

Romane Apsa - Gypsy Tears, documentary film

On Monday 25th 2007 at 20:30 in the Kino Svetozor in Prague will be presented the documentary film "Romane Apsa- Gypsy Tears“ by the Austrian director Zuzana Brejcha.

The film is the story of a romany family who live in an eastern Slovakian romany settlement in the region of Spiš.

In 124 minutes the movie shows the everyday life of a big romany family (three generation) during one year. „The film“ says the director „is the sorrowful story of racism, corruption and attempts failed towards one better life, but it shows also family’s solidarity and great vitality and taste for the life”.

The screening will be with the presence of the director.

For more information about cinema Svetozor click here. (Dzeno)

Traditional Gypsy caravans draw a crowd

DOMINIC CHESSUM
18 June 2007 08:29

They may be something from a bygone age but these Gypsy caravans still know how to pull in a crowd.

Two of the immaculate horse drawn wooden vehicles pulled up at the King's Head pub in Heathersett on Saturday.

They are the pride on joy of brothers John and David Leveridge, who met at the pub with their family to celebrate John's birthday.

It had been hoped there would be five caravans in attendance but bad weather meant three were unable to make it to the venue.

Mr Leveridge, a Romany Gypsy, now lives a settled life in a bungalow in Great Metlon, near Hethersett but every year he is still drawn to the travelling lifestyle and takes off in his horse drawn caravan for three or four months.

The caravans have been painstakingly restored by John and his brother who believe it is important to keep up the old gypsy traditions.

The painted wooden caravan has come to symbolise the Gypsy life and traditionally families would live and travel in these colourful vehicles following a seasonal pattern of summer work on the county's farms.

In winter they would pull on to one of the traditional stopping places on the edges of towns or ancient common lands where they would eek out a living as knife sharpeners pot menders and basket and peg makers.

April 8 – International Roma Day

8 April 2007 02:00 FOCUS News Agency

The International Roma Day is marked nationwide. In the town of Stara Zagora a folk dance and song company “Avligite” held a concert.In the town of Sliven wreaths and flowers were laid in front of the monument of Sabi Dimitrov in remembrance of the Roma people who died in the Holocaust. A lot of dance and game competitions and a concert took place.All Roma leaders from the region gathered in downtown Vidin and paid tribute to Holocaust victims. After that they headed to the bank of the Danube River, with flowers and wreaths in hands. In the town of Straldzha Roma people enjoyed a football match, followed by songs and dances.

April 8th marks the International Roma Day, calling attention and respect to all innocent victims of the persecution of Roma. On April 8th 1971 London hosted the First World Romani Congress, which put the beginning of the coordinated efforts to internationally protect and promote Roma people’s rights. The aim is to unite the efforts of the international gypsy movement and turn international community’s attention to their problems: education, poverty, and segregation. The Roma anthem is called Gelem, Gelem. The flag consists of a background of dark blue and green, representing the heavens and earth, respectively. It also contains a red chakra, or spoked wheel, in the centre, representing the Indo-Aryan heritage of the Romani people.The International Roma Day is declared in 1992 by the UN and EU at the proposal of the International Organization Romano Union.Bulgaria has ratified all major international legal instruments on protecting the rights of people belonging to ethnic, religious or language minorities, including UN’s International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Sofia.
On the occasion of the International Roma (Gypsy) Day – 8th April – the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture in cooperation with certain civil organizations is organizing a series of events celebrating the holiday.

There will be parallel celebrations in six cities in the country – Sofia, Vidin, Vratsa, Montana, Pazardzhik and Burgas.

On this day, in the church “St. Nedelya”, there will be a mass service in memory of all the gypsies who have died during the Second World War.

Kavarna.
The International Roma Day – 8th April will be celebrated with a rich show program in the seaside Bulgarian town Kavarna. There will be a concert of the Bulgarian singer of gypsy origin – Sofi Marinova and the rapper Ustata (the Mouth).

The manager of Kaliakra FC – Velislav Vutsov and the coach of the team – Antoni Zdravkov will be proclaimed “Honorary Roma People” of “Hadzhi Dimitar” neighborhood.

The presenters of the show will be the well-known Bulgarian actors Lyubo Neikov and Hristo Garbov.

Student helps children in Romania

Posted: Monday, Feb 19, 2007 - 11:31:32 am CST
By Hillary Wundrow
Daily News staff writer

One Beloit woman was so touched by the children of Romania, she has visited them five times.

Melany Williams, the daughter of Stephen and Joyce Williams, enjoys traveling to Romania to share her faith and warm scarves with the impoverished children.

A Beloit College sophomore studying education and international relations, Williams first traveled to Romania at age 17 for a short-term mission trip. She was supposed to go to South Korea, but the trip was canceled because of the SARS outbreak.

“It was kind of a fluke,” Williams said. “I got there (to Romania) and fell in love with the country that I had hardly heard of before.”

During the first trip she traveled with Word of Life, an international Christian organization. Once in Romania, she spent her time in orphanages, doing evangelism on the streets and joining in drama and choir performances.

“It was something that took me out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed it,” Williams said.

Although it took a while to warm up Romanians, the people were hospitable. When she got to know them better, they opened their hearts and took her in.

“They aren't as open as Americans on the first meeting, but once you have a connection, they are very warm and loving people and very committed to family, friends and relationships,” Williams said.

What really struck her was the many children in orphanages and on the streets.

(MORE)

Flamenco dancer is appointed Roma's ambassador to the EU

By Graham Keeley in Barcelona
Published: 09 February 2007

In the stuffy confines of the European Parliament, he cut an unlikely figure. A strutting peacock of a man, Joaquin Cortes is normally to be found stripped to the waist, dancing Flamenco in front of thousands of mostly female devotees.

This is the dancer who almost single-handedly used his talent - not to mention his looks - to make Spain's most famous art form a must-see among the fashionable classes. But, though more used to hearing excited female fans shouting guapo (handsome), the one-time model for Giorgio Armani now wants to use his fame for a very different end.

Roma by birth, Cortes has become the new European Union ambassador for his people, in an effort to end decades of discrimination and xenophobia.

Dressed in more sober attire than normal, the dancer recently addressed MEPs in Brussels. "The main reason for my presence here is that I am of Roma origin and I understand that this institution is known as the champion of human rights in the EU," he said.

"I am one of the rare European Roma to whom fortune has been kind, as I am able to proudly assert my identity without fear of being persecuted, humiliated or being made a scapegoat." He added: "We all have to fight for the integration of the Roma nation, and hope that in the near future a new generation will live a better life."

(MORE)

Have a go at Romany Art

Have a go at the traditional Romany art of stencilling at Charnwood Museum on Saturday 27 January.

(Media-Newswire.com) - Local Gypsy expert David Smith will be teaching youngsters how use stencils to make colourful artwork based on Romany designs. These stencils were traditionally used to decorate Gypsy horse-drawn wagons. The Romany art workshops are being run in conjunction with the popular Thousand Year Story exhibition currently on display at Charnwood Museum.

The Thousand Year Story tells the fascinating history of the Gypsy and travelling communities as they migrated across Europe from India. The Gypsies earned a living selling small items to the local communities and mending broken pots, pans and ceramics. Some of their wares can be seen in the exhibition.

The workshops will be suitable for accompanied children aged 8-14 years. All materials will be provided. Workshop places cost $2.00 per child and must be booked and paid for in advance.

Contact Charnwood Museum on 01509 233754 for further details and to reserve your place.

The Thousand Year Story exhibition will be on display at Charnwood Museum until Sunday 4 February. Charnwood Museum is in Queens Park in the centre of Loughborough and is open from 10.00am -4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 1.00pm - 4.00pm on Sundays.

Charnwood Museum is run as a partnership between Leicestershire County Council and Charnwood Borough Council.Notes:For further details and photo opportunities please contact Susan Cooke, Keeper of Charnwood Museum on 01509 233737
ENDS