Warwickshire father’s plea to end traveller racist abuse
A TEMPLE Grafton family from the traveller community have appealed for more tolerance after being regularly subjected to racism.
Their plea comes as the UK celebrates Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) History Month.
Natasha and Richard Birch have lived at the village between Bidford and Alcester with their two teenage daughters since April 2022. They contacted the Herald this week in frustration over the increased racism they have experienced.
The latest incident saw a ‘Gypsy Lives Matter’ poster that was pinned on their garden fence daubed with offensive graffiti.
One of the things that angers Richard is that if he and his family were of a different colour people wouldn’t dare be so blatantly racist.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous. These are cowardly attacks, and if it was another group it just wouldn’t be allowed to happen. We’re just a minority of a race and we just get kicked to the kerb. I’m a family man, I’ve got a wife, children – people to look after. It’s 2024, I say live and let live. Because the only person that should be judging us is God.”
Even though the family occupy their own land legally, they have been treated as pariahs by some members of the local community, said Richard.
“They haven’t been welcoming from the start,” said Richard. “When we first arrived the Herald published photos of the local community having a stand-off outside the gate, stopping us coming in. It was ridiculous.”
Richard said the family have received hate mail through the letterbox and regularly see casually racist comments about them published on the Bidford Facebook forum alongside stories “about a birdbox for sale that people have more sympathy for”.
He added: “I’ve never witnessed so much hate in my life, and I’m pretty worldly wise.”
Another concern is the impact this has on his daughters, who are 16 and almost 18.
“I’m big enough and ugly enough to take it, but it’s not nice when there are young teenagers in the home. It’s not fair, people just don’t have respect.”
The family have reported the latest incident to police.
“We don’t usually report things, but police have told us to, so we’ve got a crime number and we can just see what goes on from there. It’s basically hate crime, that’s what it is.”
Despite the influence of Black Lives Matter and the ‘be nice’ movement, Richard said he had not noticed an improvement with the way he and his family have been treated.
“I’m in my 40s, and no, I haven’t noticed a difference at all. I hear that a lot from people up and down the country. But this area is the worst for intolerance that I’ve come across.”
He continued: “I’ve been brought up on it all my life but I just feel so bad for my daughters who should be able to go about their lives without feeling frightened.”
Making a plea for tolerance, Richard added thoughtfully: “I just want to shed some light. It’s wrong to accept racism.
“People sometimes drive by the land and slow down to stare in like they’re looking at an accident on the motorway. But anybody is welcome to come in.”
Sharing a final thought, Richard said: “We’re all the same. We’re all from Adam and Eve.”
The Herald has reached out to various members of the Bidford and Temple Grafton community to get their reaction to the perception that it is an overtly racist area.
The only response so far was from the Bidford Facebook admin who said: “We aren't aware of any racism issues towards the traveller community on the forum. There are occasionally isolated comments from a very small minority of people, however when we are made aware they are removed.”
A number of people have responded to the racism issue when it was raised by Richard on the forum previously, and where he found some strong support.
Clive Hines said in response to Richard: “I treat people on face value, how they behave and how they treat others. Colour, race or how they choose to live is their business. You sound a very loving caring person, who can string a sentence together and put your point of view over in a dignified way. I would welcome you as a neighbour and friend.”
Tracy McGeever added: “Many people probably don’t even know any travellers. I think you are a lovely person. Unfortunately you get tarred with the same brush, but if people took the time to get to know you, they would see what a good person you are.”
Meanwhile, events have been taking place in schools, libraries and other locations around the county as part of Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month, with children creating artwork about the meaning of family, which will be on display around the county.
Warwickshire gypsy and traveller tactical advisor Martin Rone-Clarke said: “It is so important that we celebrate all histories and cultures that exist in our very diverse communities. Identities, history, and culture must never be hidden for fear of discrimination.”