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Traveller and Gypsy Heritage Project

The ladies' group have been left really excited about it and have tonnes of ideas about how to bring their stories to life in the museums. Being invited to have a platform to share their heritage is important to them.

‐ Jackie Duffy, Manager at GATE

We want to show people who we are and about our lives. I want to show gorgers (non-travelling people) how I feel.

‐ Participant

I hope this project makes people think a bit more and not judge us until they know us.

‐ Participant

The primary objective of all Museums is to be for the benefit of the public – all the public. In doing this we will enhance our ability to play a more meaningful role within both the local community and to visitors to the area.

‐ Sean Park, Trustee at Foxton Canal Museum

We are working on producing a cocurated exhibition with the Gypsy and Traveller community at Foxton Canal Museum. In partnership with Gypsy and Traveller Equality (GATE) we have worked with a group of Gypsy and Irish Traveller women. Over the past few months we have regularly met at Foxton Canal Museum, exploring the culture of the travelling community, the various groups within that community and the similarities and differences with the settled community and the connections to the canals and collection at the Foxton Canal Museum.

It has been an incredibly interesting journey, we have learnt so much, our perceptions of the community have changed and we have gained a much deeper understanding of this fascinating and widely misunderstood community.

Our exhibition will focus on celebrating Gypsy and Traveller culture and dispelling widely held misconceptions and prejudices that are held about Gypsies and Travellers.

Jackie Duffy, manager at GATE, is passionate about making sure the cultural, historical and political histories of Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) communities are explored, represented and shared. She believes that this project can contribute to reducing the vast inequalities faced.

We are now putting the exhibition together and can’t wait until we can open it to the public.

To find out more contact: Helen.Murray@leics.gov.uk