Simon
Evans has been reviewing books by local Romany authors. He has compiled
the following list.
For a review of each book click on the cover. This is by no means
exhaustive so if you know a good book and you'd like to review it,
let us know at kent@bbc.co.uk
Dark
Blood by William Lee
A
Gypsy love story set in Kent in the post war horse drawn
years of his own childhood. The Lees are a well known
Romany family in East Kent, Bill now lives on a site
in Canterbury.
Review»
On
the Cobbles By Jimmy Stockin
An
autobiography by this famous fighter. It gives a real
insight into Gypsy life in Kent, Essex and South London
during the harsh years of the sixties and seventies.
Review»
Memories
of the Marsh by Betsy Stanley
Belvedere
Marsh was home for a tight knit Traveller community
until the floods of 1953. Betsy tells the story of life
in this little 'Gypsy Village'.
Review»
Seven
Steps to Glory by John Pateman
Walter
Pateman was born in a wagon on Tugmutton Common in Farnborough,
Kent, he was conscripted in 1916 and was killed in action
a year later.
Review»
Gypsy
Jib by James Hayward
A
Romany dictionary complied from various sources by James
Hayward who grew up in Dover and whose ancestors include
the famous Gilderoy Scamp of Folkestone.
Review»
Charles
Dickens And Travellers by John Pateman
Dickens
acute social observations also extended to the Gypsies
and Travellers who passed along the roads near his Gravesend
home at Gads Hill.
Review»