Romani Roots

Holocaust Memorial Day January 2009

This was our second attendance and participation at the local Holocaust Memorial Day - the event was well attended and supported on the day by the local communities, including ourselves.

Lolly D sang Ederlezi during the event and our Chair  ended the event intinerary with a Holocaust Gypsy memory - both were well recieved.

Two of our younger members won second place for the Art competition for youngsters, launced to encourage understanding and involvememt of the under 16s in the town.

The judges where so impressed by the colourful and informative picture that these two young persons had done together that they have asked to use it as banner posters for next years event!

Well done to our younger members, Lolly D and Djlint , age 11 and 10, for this success!

The year of the Ox had just begun for Chinese across the world, and we  celebrated with our local Chinese Association on Sunday 15th March 2009 - the January celebration was delayed due to the weather.

As part of the larger Ethnic community and even greater British community in which we live, we believe that we should share in the other Ethnic celebrations - just as they so graciously share in ours.

Whilst we ourselves were unable to attend  or offer events of our own for this  years GRTHM, we did publicise and support the event which took place at the Hatlebury Museum entitiled "Gypsies - Who are ya?".

 We were also able to publicise ourselves and the GRTHM by having a display in the Kingfisher Centre, Redditch for the entire month of June.

 In June of this year Romani Roots became Lottery funded.

This achievement will all us to spear head an interactive pod in our local town to include local memories, present news and future hopes for the town of Redditch.

 It will allow all local community groups and organisations, and local people to celebrate Redditch in the past, present and future.

It will also allow us to continue our work in support and education for and with the Romani Gypsy within Britain.

Our Chair Debbie German was nominated and susequently voted in as Chair of the Redditch Community Forum.

All at Romani Roots wish her well in her new role.

Members of Romani Roots took our main display to the Mortan Stanley Park Festival on Saturday 22nd August.

The wonderful park stituated on the outer edge of the town become host to groups and organisations who wish to advertise themselves.  There were two stages and numerous entertainers for the day.

The weather was glorious and sunny all day and was well attended by organisations and the public.

 We recieved good responses from the public and felt extremely welcome. We also made some new friends and contacts and will definetly be attending future events theres

We supported and participated in the Redditch Community festival on the 27th September 2009.

We had a stall at the even joined in other activities on the day.

Below are some participants of the festival - please scroll down to see photos from the festival day.

 

 

 

 

 

A LETTER OF THANKS FROM THE CHAIR OF REDDITCH COMMUNITY FORUM (organisers of the event).

Dear Participants of the "We are Redditch" community festival,

On behalf of Redditch Community Forum, I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all those who participated in or/and members of the Steering group of, the festival that was held yesterday.

I really appreciate all the hard work that you put in to the organising of, and participation in, this festival - I think we safely say that yesterday was a resounding success!

It just proves that dispite some minor errors and the time limitations that when it counts the forum and the communities within Redditch can pull together to create a fantastic event!

The feedback and evaluation meeting has, as yet, not being sceduled and will proberly not be for a least a month, to allow us all to have a well-earned rest!

The Mayor and Mayoress were very impressed, not only with the turn out of participants, but also the turn out of the public in support, and the professional manner in which we organised the event and the days itinerary - they are looking forward to next years event!

We have proven that not only can we do things as a community, but also that there is a need for such an event as this on a YEARLY basis and that the public really want and enjoy an event of this nature!

Once again, my heart felt thanks to all, we couldn't have done it without you and I look forward to working with you all in the future, not only within the Community Forum, but also next year's festival!!!

With kindest regards,
Debbie German, Chair, REDDITCH COMMUNITY FORUM.