Tuesday 14th July 2020 - Gypsies, Caravans and Horses

The village camping field, which normally operates for two months in the summer, is not opening this year. Usually, from the start of the growing season, the field is regularly mown so the grass is not too long when camping commences. Apart from a couple of mows earlier in the year, the field has been left untouched and has quickly taken on the appearance of a wildlife meadow. Over the months, daises and buttercups have been replaced by other wild flowers and a variety of different grasses but I never expected to see, as I did on Sunday, horses contentedly grazing. Where did they come from and who did they belong to were the questions which came immediately to my mind. The grey and two bays were muscular, sturdy with plenty of feathers on their fetlocks and were in good condition. My question, as to who did they belong to, was answered when we walked towards the car park in the afternoon. Between the toilet block and the playground was a small camp of traditional gypsy caravans.

News that we had gypsies in the village soon spread, with their presence well accepted. In the field, the horses were moved regularly on their tethers and we heard they were treated to a visit to the beach late Sunday afternoon. The camp increased with chairs, tables, campfire, bicycles, dogs, a tent and two vehicles all featuring within its boundary, along with signs advertising lucky horse shoes for sale. Later this morning they moved on leaving, apart from a dead fire, not a trace of their camp on the car park. Some of our visitors, who are disrespectful and leave litter behind, should follow the example set by the gypsies and either put their rubbish in the bins or take it home with them.