Welcome to

Whatever the future may hold for each and every one of us, may you find happiness, fulfilment and contentment to share with each other and pass the secrets of your success to those following in your path

For those of you who don't know the committee who are bringing you Romany Road

 let's briefly introduce ourselves:-

Mary Horner (nee Hearn) - Editor and Secretary

"I am descended from the Hearn family, Romany Gypsies who mainly travelled Middlesex, Bucks and Berks and occasionally Kent, but eventually settled in and around West London. My grandfather 'Jack Hearn' was born in a bender tent, possibly while the family were hopping in Kent, although he didn't know his date of birth, and my Mother's Bridges family were Herefordshire Travellers. I am one of the founder members of the Romany & Traveller Family History Society and have been researching my family history and Romany history in general for nearly 20 years"

Chris Barltrop - Chairman and Reporter

"I'm in the circus - I've worked and travelled with circuses since the early 1970s', as Ringmaster and Manager. I live near Hereford, and I work now as a Consultant to circus companies. I also perform as an actor and work as a radio reporter"

Rita Light - Assistant Secretary

"I am a grandaughter of Elizabeth Penfold - born in a tent in Nicholls Yard, Liverpool Road, Islington, and Samuel Light - born in a Battersea Field according to their birth certificates, and g.grand-daughter of Elizabeth Loveridge and Samuel Light. Very keen to learn more of my ancestry"

Welcomed this year is Peter Nice who has now joined the Romany Road Committee

BILL LAWS, Editor of Traveller's Times and JESS SMITH, Scots Author, Singer and Storyteller also joined us last year on the ROMANY ROAD committee. We welcome them and their expertise and experience, which we're sure will take us on to bigger and better things!

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ROMANY ROAD was originally formed in January 2007 by Mary Horner and Sue Day who were very quickly joined by Chris Barltrop and Rita Light. Initially Sue kindly helped to set up the website, submitted articles and information for the journal and then went on to produce a very successful website of her own. So far we have produced twelve journals, containing unique stories, poems and photographs. All have been very favourably received and we are committed to producing attractive and informative journals

Why not join now? Journal 12 is now on sale - although back copies of Journals are still available

If you have a tale to tell, we would love to hear from you - please contact us if you feel you can contribute in any way  - or leave a message in our GUESTBOOK

In the meantime here's a lovely poem from one of our members:-

THE ROMANY

By Paul Stevens

When God made me a Romany

He told me I could roam

He said you don't need a house

This land will be your home

He gave me grass to lie on

He gave me hedges and trees

He closes my day with a sunset

And re-opens it with a breeze

He promised me lots of laughter

He said I would suffer pain

And after each break in sunshine

There would be dark clouds of rain

You gorgios will never accept me

As long as I live on your land

But God is always telling me

He will be there to hold my hand

And so I tell you gorgios

I don't mind where I roam

For God is there beside me

And will always provide a home