Romany Gypsy Culture in the Museum of Somerset
Somerset County Museum is working with the Traveller Education Service and Romany Gypsies as part of the development work for the new Heritage Lottery-funded Museum of Somerset. www.museumofsomerset.org.uk
The Romany culture will be explored and linked into the displays being developed for the new museum in Taunton, which opens in 2010. A film will be produced, resources acquired and a teaching resource pack created for use across Somerset. The project is being funded by a NLDC (Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities) grant being made available through Somerset County Council.
The Romany community were one of many consulted over their views about their own local heritage. There was a strong feeling that the Romany Gypsy community should be represented within the Museum of Somerset. The community are an important part of the history of the county, in particular the agricultural history. Romany gypsies have provided a workforce for farmers in Somerset for many generations. For example, peas and swedes were popular harvests in Stogursy and High Ham.
It was also felt that working life has now changed. The increase in European immigrants working on farms in Somerset has lead to a decline in the number of Romany’s carrying out agricultural work. Eastern Europeans are now carrying out the majority of this work.
Research is now underway to develop the permanent storyline on Romany culture for the new museum. Objects relating to their history will accompany this display along with a film gathering peoples reminiscences, images and stories about Romany Life in Somerset. This and other resources will be published on the web and a teaching pack with supporting materials will be created as part of the project.
In the future, there is also to be a larger, temporary exhibition, created for Somerset that will tell the local Romany story in more detail. Any one with objects, stories of information with a Somerset connection can contact the museum at eagilbert@somerset.gov.uk. We are particularly interested in obtaining items for our teaching packs such as pegs, wooden flowers, costume and any other objects that help to tell the Romany story.
John French
Public Programmes Officer
Somerset Heritage Service
On the right, Suzanne Small’s grandfather, a Romany Gypsy ‘Doing his bit!’ during the First World War. Suzanne and her family now live in Somerset.
Romany Vardo used in Somerset with, left Bob Smith Romany Gypsy and right John French Somerset Heritage Service.
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