Romani Roots

To mark the first anniversary of ROMANI ROOTS we held two events on Friday 21st November this year.

"TRAVELLING TALENTS" ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR

The first event of the day was a "Travelling Talents" - an opportunity to view the many Arts and Crafts of our local and regional ethnic and communty groups from 3pm to 6pm.

 OUR DISPLAY :

It was an ideal moment to buy an individual and hand crafted xmas present for a loved one, from silk flower arrangements to cakes, cards to jewellery.

CARRIBBEAN ROOTS:

EMDAZZLED JEWELLERY:

ANGELIS PHOTOGRAPHY:

ROMANY ARTS & CRAFTS DISPLAY:

Which included: Rchard O'Niell PEGMAKING / Shahnee Silks FLOWER ARRANGING / Sonny Scarrett VARDO ARTWORK / BASKETWEAVING / STORYTELLING & POETRY / NEEDLEWORK.

Also attending were:

MARY KAY COSMETICS

SPITFIRE COMMUNICATIONS

FINSTALL DIVERSITY

DABBLERS FACEPAINTERS

SHERRY MARIE PUBLICITY

Jacqui Smith, MP, Home Secretary visited to show her  support of our event and organisation:

"OPRE" MUSIC FESTIVAL

The music festival in the evening, 6.30pm - 10pm , welcomed the many diverse and talented singers, dancers and muscians from all the ethnic backgrounds.

We had the honour of welcoming Cll Jack Field MAYOR OF REDDITCH, (OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH TO FOLLOW SHORTLY), who opened the musical festival and insisted on staying to the end of the evening. He was expremely impressed by the colourful and talented array of performers:

 The evenings' entertainment included:

Young Carribbean singer, Caprice Ebanks

Rapper "Shayzee"  - PICTURE TO FOLLOW SHORTLY

RnB/Soul/Reggae  singer Dave Largie - PICTURE TO FOLLOW SHORTLY

"AL-AMERAT" Bellydancers

 Young Romany singer "Sherrymarie" 

STAGE PHOTOGRAPH TO FOLLOW SHORTLY

SHERRYMARIE EVENT VIDEO:

 "SUMTHIN SPECIAL" Entertainment

"Lolly D" young Romany singer

LOLLY D EVENT VIDEO:

 Singing group"Young Stars"

ALSO Kingfisher FM Radio  hosted a live show from the event  on the evening with a professional stage, lighting and PA system.

PLEASE BE PATIENT: FRONT ROOM PRODUCTIONS ARE CURRENTLY EDITING OUR ANNIVERSARY VIDEO AND ANGELIS PHOTOGRAPHY WILL SHORTLY BE SUPPLYING PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EVENING - BOTH WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THIS PAGE VERY SHORTLY!

Both events will be held at the Redditch Youth House, Ipsley Street, Redditch.

The Arts n Craft fair wass free and the evenings music festival was only £1 single/ £4.50 group/family (5 persons) for advanced tickets and £1.50 on the door - BUT UNDER 16s WENT FREE!! 

OUR GRANT SUPPORTERS

These events were supported by grants from Worcester County Council (Travelling Talent Arts & Crafts fair)

and Elmley Arts Foundation (OPRE music festival).

There was be a warm welcome to all who attended and throughout the days events over 100 members of the public joined us to celebrate and enjoy all that was on offer!

OUR FIRST CAMP SITE

We  had members of the Romani Gypsy community attending and we are most grateful that Redditch Council  agreeded for a temporary site for them during their short stay at Redditch.

This site was  available from Thursday 20th - Sunday 23rd inclusive. There was hard standing for trailers and vehicles, and amneties were provided

 OUR SUCCESS!!

The success of our first year as ROMANI ROOTS has been enormous - from humble beginnings last November (at the Culture2Culture event) to a strong 200 membership - both local, regional and world wide.

With this success has come the establishment of our office at The Business Centre , Edward Street, Redditch. We were successful in gaining a substancial grant for GRASSROOTS grants, (Community First) which has enabled us to set up an office and equipe it fully.

With this office we will be able to not only continue to support and educate all about the Romani Gypsy but also broaden those facilities we already offer and thereby maintain and continue our work as an organisation.

You may view ROMANI ROOTS at our website: www.romaniroots.webs.com

and contact us at: romaniroots@live.co.uk.
 
We would like to take this opportunity to thank supporters, contributers  and members alike for their commitment to our organisation and our anniversary events.

We would also like to thank the various facilitators from the Grants and Public sectors - including the Police, local Council and Community/Ethnic groups. We could not have come so far nor had such success without your support.

ROMANI ROOTS TEAM