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Official site for gypsies would have 'benefits'
7:00pm Friday 11th April 2008
Comments (41)
BOURNEMOUTH residents have been urged to "consider the benefits" of the official traveller and gypsy site proposed for land at Longham.
The recent arrival of a group of travellers at Turbary Park could have been prevented if Bournemouth had an authorised camp to direct them to, council officers claim.
The council is currently going through the legal process to evict the group of travellers, who are sited in a sensitive conservation area.
But Sue Bickler, the council's head of strategic services, said: "This current situation just highlights the need for an authorised traveller and gypsy site in the town.
"By having a dedicated site with decent facilities, this situation could have been avoided altogether as the travellers would be able to go directly to the site, preventing them from pitching up on other, less suitable or equipped areas of the borough.
"Were travellers to disregard this transit site and stay in an unauthorised area, the police powers to move them on will be greatly enhanced from the current situation.
"In addition, taxpayers' money would also be saved on eviction and clear-up costs that have sometimes occurred in the past, following illegal encampments."
But it is not just residents the council needs to convince - the National Romani Rights Association claim the proposed site is completely unsuitable for human habitation.
Basil Burton, chairman of the association and former Gypsy Liaison Officer for Dorset County Council, has written to Secretary of State Hazel Blears and Claire Cooper, the head of the Gypsy and Traveller Unit, urging them to intervene.
Consultation over the proposed site adjacent to Ringwood Road near the bridge over the River Stour is due to start in June.
The council then intends to make a final bid to the Government for funding in July.
Your Say YourBournemouth Echo
BrynH, Bournemouth says...
7:51pm Fri 11 Apr 08
But Sue Bickler, the council's head of strategic services, said: "This current situation just highlights the need for an authorised traveller and gypsy site in the town.
"By having a dedicated site with decent facilities, this situation could have been avoided altogether as the travellers would be able to go directly to the site, preventing them from pitching up on other, less suitable or equipped areas of the borough.
What a fatuous argument!
You might as well say that everyone should place their valuables on the pavement outside their homes so that burglars won't break in to steal them!
BrynH, Bournemouth says...
7:51pm Fri 11 Apr 08
But Sue Bickler, the council's head of strategic services, said: "This current situation just highlights the need for an authorised traveller and gypsy site in the town.
"By having a dedicated site with decent facilities, this situation could have been avoided altogether as the travellers would be able to go directly to the site, preventing them from pitching up on other, less suitable or equipped areas of the borough.
What a fatuous argument!
You might as well say that everyone should place their valuables on the pavement outside their homes so that burglars won't break in to steal them!
HAL101, Bournemouth says...
8:13pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Go North, young traveller, go North.
Geoff, Kinson says...
8:31pm Fri 11 Apr 08
HAL101 wrote:What have you got against the Scots HAL101 ?
In short; Go North, young traveller, go North.
Isn't there a fort for sale in the Solent somewhere ? That would suit them better !
Geoff, Kinson says...
9:41pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Saturday 10th May-10am at Oakmead College,Duck Lane.
North Bournemouth Area Forum. This is the main item on the Agenda !
It's your chance to have your say !
omegaman, Bournemouth says...
9:52pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Jan, Bournemouth says...
9:58pm Fri 11 Apr 08
quote
PETE WOODLEY, says...
10:03pm Fri 11 Apr 08
omegaman wrote:You know it,i know it,but the council ignore it year after year,When i was a Parks Patrolman in 1990 i was sent to deal with a possible invasion of the common by nearly 100 of them,and given just one lad to help me.
Providing a permanent site will make no difference at all.These people will go whereever they like. They are nor gypsies or Romanies but just layabouts who want free accomodation. The sooner they are banned from all town the better. They are a scurge on our society.
Geoff, Kinson says...
10:13pm Fri 11 Apr 08
PETE WOODLEY wrote:Don't worry Pete. I know that at least two Council Officers have been in attendance today for nearly 12 hours each !
omegaman wrote: Providing a permanent site will make no difference at all.These people will go whereever they like. They are nor gypsies or Romanies but just layabouts who want free accomodation. The sooner they are banned from all town the better. They are a scurge on our society.You know it,i know it,but the council ignore it year after year,When i was a Parks Patrolman in 1990 i was sent to deal with a possible invasion of the common by nearly 100 of them,and given just one lad to help me.
Don't forget that there are now Exmoor ponies on site !
I just hope they are still there when these "travellers" are removed !
Nigel Gillespie, Bournemouth says...
11:09pm Fri 11 Apr 08
John, Poole says...
12:56am Sat 12 Apr 08
Official site for gypsies would have 'benefits'
And probably a mobile Benefits Office paying them out!
Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West says...
1:53am Sat 12 Apr 08
The mess they leave behind. I can see it all rolling into the River Stour at Longham and floating off down river to god knows where.
As Geoff said, if the likes of us decided to pitch up on Turbary Common, because we do not have this so called right to pitch we would be off and not allowed the 7 days they have. And in 7 days they will be off, and moving somewhere else, if not Kings Park (closed off) if that makes any difference, or Hengistbury Head, or anywhere where there is an open space.
The government says that Councils have to give an area for a site. South Georgia in the South Atlantic, full of old whaling stations. No one else lives on there.
Sue Bickler get a grip, it will make no difference. And the 7 day rule will still stand. You will not fit them all on to one provided site.
alumchineboy, Alumchine says...
5:56am Sat 12 Apr 08
ALSO, ITS VERY INTERESTING TO GOOGLE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED ! WHAT YOU READ ABOUT THEM SAYS IT ALL.
Rose, Bournemouth says...
7:54am Sat 12 Apr 08
John wrote:John you're absolutely right - they do indeed have their benefits delivered to them on site! Hard to believe but true! Am I right in thinking there was one of these 'permanent traveller and gypsy sites' over in Poole with toilet and shower facilities etc and they trashed it and then abandoned it and it was a total disaster!? I don't believe it will be used or respected. By their very nature they 'travel' so why would they stop at one particular designated site?
Official site for gypsies would have 'benefits'
And probably a mobile Benefits Office paying them out!
Last year in Bournemouth they left human waste for children to walk in - they are absolute animals.
Nigel Gillespie, Bournemouth says...
9:56am Sat 12 Apr 08
,sshe gave way to pressure and admitted to it which culminated in a residents protests on the street.Following constant pressure the plan was dropped.This is not a malicious entry but factual.
Gastines, St.Malo ex Bournemouth says...
10:41am Sat 12 Apr 08
Regards.
laurie marsh, australia says...
11:00am Sat 12 Apr 08
ADOLPH MUST BE ROLLING IN HIS GRAVE!
laurie marsh, australia says...
11:03am Sat 12 Apr 08
ASK POOLE FOR HELP!
HAL101, Bournemouth says...
1:03pm Sat 12 Apr 08
If you want more information on Sue Bickler, then type in 'Sue Bickler into the search box of your search engine (e.g. Google) and click on Sue Bickler is new neighbourhood manager
There you will find details of the sort of person that is supporting the travellers and forcing their presence into residential communities.
Note that Sue has been moved from Leeds to Manchester (slum Salford) to London (two areas inc. the East End) and now Bournemouth (Boscombe).
A bit of a traveller herself is she not. How does she get into these powerful positions? What qualifications does she have for this power?
HAL101, Bournemouth says...
1:14pm Sat 12 Apr 08
But Sue Bickler, the council's head of strategic services, said: "This current situation just highlights the need for an authorised traveller and gypsy site in the town.
'head of strategic services' - and what is this exactly?
Sue, why do you ignore the views and wishes of the overwhelming majority of residences of the Poole, Bournemouth, and surrounding areas. We do not want these undesirable, worthless, scrounging and violent primitive nomadics. Is your boyfriend one of them? Why your support of them?
Have a referendum and see how the residence feel.
rob.meadows, Bournemouth says...
1:14pm Sat 12 Apr 08
Geoff, Kinson says...
1:18pm Sat 12 Apr 08
I have just heard that the travellers are moving off Turbary Common as I type this.
HAL101, Bournemouth says...
1:24pm Sat 12 Apr 08
But Sue Bickler, the council's head of strategic services, said: "This current situation just highlights the need for an authorised traveller and gypsy site in the town.
'head of strategic services' - and what is this exactly?
Sue, why do you ignore the views and wishes of the overwhelming majority of residences of the Poole, Bournemouth, and surrounding areas. We do not want these ------ -----wanderers. Is your boyfriend one of them? Why your support of them?
Have a referendum and see how the residence feel.
HAL101, Bournemouth says...
1:27pm Sat 12 Apr 08
I trust the council has them under surveillance!
rob.meadows, Bournemouth says...
1:28pm Sat 12 Apr 08
Geoff wrote:Hopefully off to Verwood to be with Sue Bickler.
Good news ! I have just heard that the travellers are moving off Turbary Common as I type this.
HAL101, Bournemouth says...
1:29pm Sat 12 Apr 08
To be paid for by 'central government funds'. That is the tax payer, which is you and me. Hence set-up costs for traveller sites will come from you and me.
Aren't you glad that you are providing these ----- ----- wandering benefit receivers , who have nothing but contempt for the local residence, with free sanitation, toilet and shower facilities, as found on pay-as-you-go campsites? The government has said that councils must identify sites for travellers. There are already camping sites available, properly regulated and organised where the camper/traveller pays.
Of course, appeasement has always worked and once these ----- ------ have these free sites all future problems will cease, because they are not going to come back for more are they? HA!
Who are the idiots in Government who have decided that camp sites are to be provided for the encouragement of this highly ------- nomadic life style. Does anyone know? Can we identify them so they can be held responsible and blamed for the social mess they create.
Bournemouth, and Britain, is not a suitable area for these wandering travellers and that was made clear in the past. If they want the ------- nomadic lifestyle then give them free transport to less developed parts of the world such as the undeveloped areas of Africa and let them wander free there, plenty of open spaces, free camping, pee where you like, and relate to the generous locals. This is where their lifestyle belongs, not here.
If they want independence then lets give it to them.
HAL101, Bournemouth says...
1:30pm Sat 12 Apr 08
The government has said that councils must identify sites for travellers. Actually there are undeveloped and abandoned areas in Northern Scotland and its islands where these wandering people could be sent. There are even abandoned stone homes and villages that could be rebuilt. Have a look on Google Earth. They could then rebuild these villages and crofts and live independent proud free lives, freed from the humiliation of having to accept money and support from the tax payer.
Australia was built like this, and the America West was won . Perhaps Scotlands north could be rebuilt in a similar fashion.
The council could identify these sites .
HAL101, Bournemouth says...
1:32pm Sat 12 Apr 08
Do we not all trust our kindly and wise Government to provide, out of the 'set up costs provided by central government funds', compensation to the local residence for the loss in value of their homes. And of course the benevolent and thoughtful Council will immediately drastically reduce the council tax to allow for the spoiling of their homes and lives.
Seriously, I strongly urge the residence to get together and consult a leading firm of lawyers on this matter. It is no joke to them. If this ever happens to me I shall be looking ahead to the European Courts and claim the spoiling of people's homes and home area, and the identity of the people who make these decision, with maximum publicity for them.
And , yes, I have had two serious and disgusting encounters with some travellers and speak from direct personal experience. These were really condemnable and dangerous.
Geoff, Kinson says...
1:37pm Sat 12 Apr 08
HAL101 wrote:Hopefully they are being given a Police escort out of town !
Geoff, Kinson on 1:18pm today I trust the council has them under surveillance!
We don't want them on Kinson Common!
fedupwithjobsworths, Moordown says...
2:02pm Sat 12 Apr 08
Does Sue Bickler actually believe this statement or does she just think the rest of us are stupid enough to swallow this tosh? Perhaps the people of Bournemouth should be given the opportunity of having a local referendum as to we want to have gypsy site in the borough. We are supposed to live in a democracy but increasingly the views of the public are ignored by Local, Regional, Central Government and their battalions of un-elected jobsworths. As for the gypsies nobody wants them because they cause nothing but trouble and mess wherever they go. Their problem is of their own making!
bob, Bournemouth says...
4:27pm Sat 12 Apr 08
paul, poole says...
7:59pm Sat 12 Apr 08
2Much, New Forest says...
7:15am Sun 13 Apr 08
kinson, west howe says...
11:27am Sun 13 Apr 08
I would like to point out, what alot of you have probably already noted.
That is that there are very few gypsies left!!
Many that are left are best descibed as travellers and some are a disgrace to the gypsy race. The coopers et al will be turning in their graves
HAL101, Bournemouth says...
12:21pm Sun 13 Apr 08
best descibed as travellers
Travellers It is these who are under discussion, Sue, not the racially protected gypsies. And their history is just that, history. We cannot have wandering bands of nomads demanding land in what ever area they choose . There is land but not in overpopulated England. They must go North to the empty lands of Northern Scotland and the Scottish Isles.
Or do what we all do , rent or buy in residential areas.
Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West says...
3:49pm Sun 13 Apr 08
These people in some cases were ousted out by the travellers, and use to be blamed for much of the travellers wrongs.
Most of the older Gypsies have now past away, but their offspring now live in houses in and around West Howe and other locations.
We must not get the Gypsies mixed up with the Travellers. When Sue Bickler refers to both, she should only be referring to the Travellers. If she has been placed in this post, then she should firstly get to know the difference between the two.
HAL101, Bournemouth says...
8:39pm Sun 13 Apr 08
We must not get the Gypsies mixed up with the Travellers
That is a very important point you make there Christopher. The travellers tend to hide behind the genuine Gypsies and then play the race card.
We have settled Gypsies here who live very quietly and are very nice people. They have lovely places tucked away in a rural area with considerable open spaces around as they really do not seem to like or feel relaxed being in a highly populated area. I think it might be a race characteristic, similar to claustrophobia. So it is understandable.
Megnom, Bournemouth says...
11:36pm Wed 18 Jun 08
Apart from that there is the obvious detriment to the nature area , this is now established after the years of misuse as part of the tip.
Megnom, Bournemouth says...
11:39pm Wed 18 Jun 08
Apart from that there is the obvious detriment to the nature area , this is now established after the years of misuse as part of the tip.
amorgan, andy.r.morgan@gmail.
com says...
6:59pm Thu 10 Jul 08
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Geoff, Kinson says...
7:41pm Fri 11 Apr 08
I- What are the benefits of a site near another sensitive area such as Millhams Mead which is a Local Nature Reserve ?
2- If I had a caravan and forced entry onto Turbary Common with it I assume you would take legal action for any damage I may have caused ?
3- Will you take legal action against the travellers at Turbary Common for the damage and costs of clearing up after they have been evicted ?
I doubt it !