Romany Society

(For book and CD news click here, for reports on previous events click here )

	Important News: Vardo Restoration Appeal Romany’s famous vardo, the smallest tourist attraction in the country, is still on display in Wilmslow and open to the public once a month during the summer. Despite many minor repairs over the years the Vardo is now in poor condition and needs a thorough professional restoration. Our Vardo Appeal was launched in 2011 - please take this opportunity to contribute to Romany's heritage. Special Edition CD: Donors of £19.99 or over will receive a Special Edition of Romany's last broadcast on CD. Or you can buy just the CD for £10 inclusive of postage. If you already have one this is an ideal gift for a friend! To donate or order please send cheques, payable to The Romany Society, to Alastair King (Treasurer), 15 Albert Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5HT. Thank you.

Important News: Vardo Restoration Appeal

Romany’s famous vardo, the smallest tourist attraction in the country, is still on display in Wilmslow and open to the public once a month during the summer.

Despite many minor repairs over the years the Vardo is now in poor condition and needs a thorough professional restoration.

Our Vardo Appeal was launched in 2011 - please take this opportunity to contribute to Romany's heritage.

Special Edition CD: Donors of £19.99 or over will receive a Special Edition of Romany's last broadcast on CD.

Or you can buy just the CD for £10 inclusive of postage. If you already have one this is an ideal gift for a friend!

To donate or order please send cheques, payable to The Romany Society, to Alastair King (Treasurer), 15 Albert Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5HT.

Thank you.

	Vardo Open Days 2011 Romany’s famous vardo, the smallest tourist attraction in the country, will be open to the public on the following Saturdays in 2011: 14th May (AGM day), 11th June, 9th July, 13th August, 10th September. It will be open from 12.00 noon until 3.00pm. It is situated at the edge of the car park behind Hooper's store in South Drive, Wilmslow. The vardo contains many of Romany's belongings, and the Romany Society bookstall will be available at each Open Day.

Vardo Open Days 2011

Romany’s famous vardo, the smallest tourist attraction in the country, will be open to the public on the following Saturdays in 2011:

14th May (AGM day), 11th June, 9th July, 13th August, 10th September.

It will be open from 12.00 noon until 3.00pm. It is situated at the edge of the car park behind Hooper's store in South Drive, Wilmslow.

The vardo contains many of Romany's belongings, and the Romany Society bookstall will be available at each Open Day.

The Romany Society Weekend 2011 will be based in Wrightington, Lancashire, from 28-30th October. On Saturday we will visiting the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve, Martin Mere. Terry Waite will unveil a bird feeding station in memory of Romany, Roly Bain will put on his clown show, and Alistair King will give his Romany puppet show, aided and abetted by Phil Shelley. On the Sunday we will visit Dunham Massey, Cheshire, where we'll be given a guided tour of the deer park. In the afternoon we'll visit the vardo and Romany's rockery, both in Wilmslow.

Latest news on books, Summer 2011:: Another new Romany Book: "Romany on the Fells " by Phil Shelley and Leonard Hollands. Details below or click here for the flyer

2011 book news: "Romany on the Fells" – another new Romany book

	As in Phil Shelley’s first book, Romany in the Lanes, we walk once again with Romany of the BBC (The Reverend George Bramwell Evens), the popular Naturalist writer and broadcaster who died in 1943. Romany was an inspiration to a whole generation and through him countless people came to love and appreciate wildlife and the countryside. Later generations also came under his influence, the author and artist of this book included, through reading his books. This present book is set in Cumbria – Cumberland as it then was. The places are real, and the characters are real people from Romany’s era. Based at Old Parks Farm in Glassonby with his beloved vardo (Gypsy caravan), Romany, accompanied by Arthur, the son of a local farmer, explores the intimate secrets of the creatures around them, and further afield. We watch dippers, foxes, nightjars, merlins and much more. We even go ‘on the road’ in the vardo. We also experience the traumas of the awesome Helm Wind and an enveloping snowfall. It is to be hoped that this book will enthuse both older children and adults alike with a deep love for the Natural World, so precious to Romany himself, and so important to the future of our planet. 129 pages in softback with black and white illustrations and photographs To acquire this book, send a cheque, made payable to: R L Hollands, at Lamorna Publications Yew Tree Studio, Marshwood, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5QF 01297 678140 www.lamornapublications.co.uk 126 pages in softback with black and white illustrations and photographs. Click here for the promotional flyer.
£7.99 plus £2.01 post and packing. Total £10.00. Available from Lamorna Publications, Yew Tree Studio, Marshwood, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5QF. 01297 678140. Cheques payable to R L Hollands. www.lamornapublications.co.uk

As in Phil Shelley’s first book, Romany in the Lanes, we walk once again with Romany of the BBC (The Reverend George Bramwell Evens), the popular Naturalist writer and broadcaster who died in 1943. Romany was an inspiration to a whole generation and through him countless people came to love and appreciate wildlife and the countryside. Later generations also came under his influence, the author and artist of this book included, through reading his books. This present book is set in Cumbria – Cumberland as it then was. The places are real, and the characters are real people from Romany’s era.

Based at Old Parks Farm in Glassonby with his beloved vardo (Gypsy caravan), Romany, accompanied by Arthur, the son of a local farmer, explores the intimate secrets of the creatures around them, and further afield. We watch dippers, foxes, nightjars, merlins and much more. We even go ‘on the road’ in the vardo. We also experience the traumas of the awesome Helm Wind and an enveloping snowfall.

It is to be hoped that this book will enthuse both older children and adults alike with a deep love for the Natural World, so precious to Romany himself, and so important to the future of our planet.

129 pages in softback with black and white illustrations and photographs To acquire this book, send a cheque, made payable to: R L Hollands, at Lamorna Publications Yew Tree Studio, Marshwood, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5QF 01297 678140 www.lamornapublications.co.uk

126 pages in softback with black and white illustrations and photographs. Click here for the promotional flyer.

£7.99 plus £2.01 post and packing. Total £10.00.
Available from Lamorna Publications, Yew Tree Studio, Marshwood, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5QF.
01297 678140. Cheques payable to R L Hollands.
www.lamornapublications.co.uk

Many members will be aware that the most difficult-to-obtain Romany books are the eight ‘Romany Readers. Originally published for use in school reading lessons, these soft-backed books were extremely popular in the fifties and early sixties.

Following the introduction at the Vardo Open Days of the now–popular Romany puppet shows, thanks to our Treasurer Alistair King, a facsimile reprint of Hotchi the Hedgehog, number 1 in the original series, is now available (Hotchi appears in the puppet show!). Copies can be obtained at the Vardo openings or by post from Les Horton at 5 Glossop Road, Gamesley Bridge, Gamesley, Glossop, High Peak SK13 6JH Tel. 01457 860376 Cost is £2.50 plus 50p p&p.

This is an ideal opportunity for grandparents to introduce grandchildren to Romany in a most attractive way, either by reading the Hotchi story to them, or encouraging them to read it for themselves. There are 64 pages in the book, and its is generously illustrated by the acclaimed artist Reg Gammon. At the back of the Reader there are some questions about the text. In this age of quiz questions everywhere this aspect of the Reader should be a winning bonus. Terry Waite has written a delightful introductory message to the book.

We also see this venture as a marvellous opportunity for present –day primary schools to use the Reader in class, particularly in places where Romany is remembered – Wilmslow of course and Cumbrian Romany country.

"Romany in the Lanes" – the first new Romany book in over fifty years!

	Phil Shelley, the author, and Ray Leonard Hollands, a talented illustrator, have jointly captured the spirit of Romany in this lively story, which appeals to older children and adults alike. Romany has to move his gypsy caravan when a flash flood threatens his safety. At its new location, he meets George, the farmer’s son, who soon becomes his friend. Experience a range of emotions as Romany introduces George to the wonders of nature; laughter as they attempt to photograph young barn owls on the nest; concern as George falls from the cliff edge; tears when George thinks that Meg, his favourite Border collie pup, is gone forever. Terry Waite, CBE, in his foreword, says: ‘I hope that many will not only read it but will be encouraged to take a greater interest in the preservation and development of the natural world.’ 126 pages in softback with black and white illustrations and photographs. Click here for the promotional flyer.
£7.99 plus £2.01 post and packing. Total £10.00. Available from Lamorna Publications, Yew Tree Studio, Marshwood, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5QF. 01297 678140. Cheques payable to R L Hollands. www.lamornapublications.co.uk

Phil Shelley, the author, and Ray Leonard Hollands, a talented illustrator, have jointly captured the spirit of Romany in this lively story, which appeals to older children and adults alike.

Romany has to move his gypsy caravan when a flash flood threatens his safety. At its new location, he meets George, the farmer’s son, who soon becomes his friend.

Experience a range of emotions as Romany introduces George to the wonders of nature; laughter as they attempt to photograph young barn owls on the nest; concern as George falls from the cliff edge; tears when George thinks that Meg, his favourite Border collie pup, is gone forever.

Terry Waite, CBE, in his foreword, says: ‘I hope that many will not only read it but will be encouraged to take a greater interest in the preservation and development of the natural world.’

126 pages in softback with black and white illustrations and photographs. Click here for the promotional flyer.

As many members will know only one recording of Romany's many radio programmes survives - and that is rarely heard. But Valley Stream, in association with the Romany Society have recently launched a CD featuring Romany's 'Lost Half Hour'.

The CD includes the full programme from October 1943, just 6 weeks before Romany's death. There is additional modern material - to show how the programme might have sounded today.

The CD was launched in November 2006 - the anniversary of Romany's death in 1943. The cost is £10.99 - available from Valley Stream's website. A v2011 News: A Special Edition CD (with different cover art) is available as part of the Vardo Restoration Appeal: donors of £19.99 or more will receive a copy. See the top of this page for details.

Previous events

News of 2008 events will be available here soon, including the weekend in Cumbria in October 2008...

For an update and digest of previous events you will soon be able to access previous Romany Magazines online. So far only the 2005 magazine is available, others will be added soon. The 2005 magazine is a 3.6 MB download available by clicking here. You'll need Acrobat Reader to view it - most web-browsers have this built-in.

For news about 2002-5 events, scroll on down. There is a digest of 2005 events and an account of the 2003 Thanksgiving Service to mark the 60th Anniversary of Romany's death.

For older book news (including two new reprints in 2005) click here ).

Vardo openings 2005

The 2005 vardo open days were a great success and the visiting Majestic Owls continue to attract the crowds. Special thanks to all Committee members who gave up their Saturdays to be at the vardo and to Joyce and George Gelleburn, who, whilst no longer members of the Committee, are still to be found on open days with their photo display, jams, marmalades and chutneys. In 2005 they were awarded the Romany Society Member of the Year trophy: a solid bronze statuette of Raq. The team of Park Rangers, led by Brian Hallworth, also deserves a mention, as does Macclesfield Borough Council for its practical support.

Open Day in the Romany Memorial Garden, May 2005, saw TV favourite, Denise Welch and her young son, meeting the chairman, Les Horton and the secretary, John Thorpe, at the the vardo.

2005 weekend in North Yorkshire
The October 2005 members’ weekend was once again held in the Whitby area and was so oversubscribed that for the first time a number of applications had to be rejected. Thanks go to Ray Hollands for organising the event, taking the strain from Phil Shelley. Phil has done a tremendous job over the years, for which we thank him. We have also to thank the Winterschladen family, in particular Jonathan and Viv, who allowed us to look around Romany Cottage, and George and Mary Swalwell who again entertained the entire group to lunch on the Sunday (more details in the 2005 Romany Magazine - downloadable here).

The entire 2005 weekend party visiting George and Mary Swalwell's home in Sleights

In 2004 the Members Weekend was in Cumbria. It included the opening of the Kirkoswald School Wildlife Garden with Terry Waite plus a Romany Walk and a service at Romany's memorial.

2003 was a special year - the 60th anniversary of Romany's death in November 1943. The October weekend included special events to mark the anniversary, and there was a special Thanksgiving Service on 20th November. These are reported below:

2003 Weekend
The weekend began with a visit to Glassonby Methodist Chapel with the Reverend Alan Gawthorpe. Member Arthur Kidd described his own experiences of hearing Romany preach at the Chapel. Outside Terry Waite unveiled a bronze memorial plaque commemorating Romany’s many visits to the Chapel. Members then drove to Old Parks Farm to see the information board and to walk to the memorial birdbath, where Terry Waite, Phil Shelley and Joyce Gelleburn spoke. After lunch it was on to Kirkoswald Primary School for a spot of tree planting, with teachers, pupils and press and TV. The School was given the Romany Society grant of £200 to help build a bird hide. The final morning was spent in the company of the congregation at the Methodist Central Hall in Carlisle, founded by Romany in 1923. The weekend concluded with Terry again unveiling a bronze plaque, this time commemorating Romany’s time at the Carlisle church. (For a full account of this weekend, by Lynn Shelley, click here.) (Back to top of page)
Thanksgiving Service: 20th November 2003
Terry Waite	Wilmslow, the location of the Thanksgiving Service, was where Romany spent the last four years of his life. The ‘Service of Thanksgiving for the Life and Works of the Reverend George Bramwell Evens, Romany of the BBC’ was held at the Wilmslow Methodist Church in Water Lane. The event was a celebration of Romany’s life, with his music (‘Lullaby of the Leaves’ and ‘Smilin’ Through’) and with reminiscences from Terry Waite, a lifelong fan of Romany and the Reverend Father Ray Hollands, who was inspired to join the Ministry because of his interest in Romany.	Rev Ray Hollands Roly Bain (For a full account of this Service, by Phil Shelley, click here.)
Roly Bain, the well-known clown-minister, who is one of Romany’s grandchildren, made a very personal, family-oriented contribution. The evening closed with Phil Shelley’s pictorial tribute, set to ‘On hearing the first cuckoo in spring,’ by Delius.
(Back to top of page)

In October 2002 member Sheila Fletcher led a walk from Lazonby (Cumbria) to Old Parks Farm via Romany's memorial and the new notice board:

(Picture: Phil Shelley)

More than 25 members attended the 2002 weekend visit to Whitby. George Swalwell ('Tim' in the books) unveiled a plaque at Sandsend commemorating Romany's time there. These pictures show George at Romany's cottage (where A Romany by the Sea was written), and a close-up of the plaque:

(Pictures by Phil Shelley)