Chicken bald back

[Cinnamon]

Has anyone else been watching this,jaw on the floor?

It is totally fascinating...the frock,the traditions,the awful violent courting rituals.

 

Although I maintain that in this weeks show the biggest 'oh my goodness' moment came from the non-traveller brides mum.

 

The communion girls in their spray tan,make up and ghastly frocks at 6 years old are truly astounding

 

It is a fascinating glimpse into a misunderstood ,colourful and really interesting culture

[Calamity Jane]

Yes I have been watching it, it truly is fascinating, and sometimes quite shocking. I do really admire their strength, and it has been an eye opener to see things from their point of view. It just goes to show "it takes all sorts". The families involved have come across as lovely people. On the other hand I know there are many people out there who have personal grievenses (sp?) regarding land disputes etc - it is very hard. Brilliant series.

[stoice]

I cant stop myself watching this. It's compulsive, funny, fascinating and irritating all at the same time.

But It's the 6 year old girls in stilettos, make up, fake tan and hot pants gyrating to r&b that scared me the most.

[Calamity Jane]

Its quite perplexing really, on the one hand you have 6 yr olds gyrating in hot pants and on the other no dating, no alcohol, no sex before marriage etc.. it must be VERY frustrating to be a male traveller !!

[CatieB]

it must be VERY frustrating to be a male traveller !!

 

No, whilst they usually only marry their own they also "date" other more willing girls.

 

Has anyone else noticed the general absence of the men though in the film, bar the odd one or two the men are largely not involved in the film. Like last night at the traveller communion party on the site that was due to be repossessed there wasn't a man in sight.

 

I too love the series. Very compelling and fascinating to see their own standards and morals

[poachedegg]

i

 

Has anyone else noticed the general absence of the men though in the film, bar the odd one or two the men are largely not involved in the film. Like last night at the traveller communion party on the site that was due to be repossessed there wasn't a man in sight.

 

I noticed that too!

 

The other thing that struck me, was at the Weddings and the Holy Communions they showed last week and this week how ireverend they are in Church, chatting away to-ing and fro-ing etc.

 

However I did think that the groom from last night did seem quite caring and wanted to put the 'them and us' comments behind them.

[bluekarin]

I haven't watched this series, but I watched previous programmes about it, ones off I think. It is amazing how much they pay for their dresses and how heavy they are. It is frightening how the young girls act more like teens in their dress and manner. I may watch an episode, just to see.

[chick wiggle]

Aw come on, own up, who wouldnt love to wear one of those dresses, even just to try one on!!!!

[Cinnamon]

I wouldn't

[BeckyBoo]

It's a very one sided look at the traveller / gypsy life and very intersting to watch. I was quite surprised at the lack of numbers in church every time and yes, I noticed the lack of men as well. And OMG at the brides mother!!! That lipstick was NOT a good colour

My daughters have watched a recording of last weeks and they both LOVE the dresses

 

BeckyBoo

[bluekarin]

not me either chick wiggle! Glad I'd never be a bridesmaid for one of these girls either.

[Griffin]

That lipstick was NOT a good colour

I never knew the hypothermic look was in fashion

[Blackrocksrock]

That lipstick was NOT a good colour

I never knew the hypothermic look was in fashion

The lipstick her fake tan and her absolutely awful sense of dress at her age was just so bad - the father was normal! - the mother looked like she came from a different era from him.

 

The brides dresses are so bad as they cannot even walk up the aisle in them properly and the groom is 8 feet away for a photograph not to mention the pain on the hips of carrying the weight - the woman making them should surely make them less wide! but I suppose she gets her money out of it. The lighted dress was so tacky!

 

The young girls gyrating to the music at their age - well they got it from their parents! - the men as said earlier go date "normal willling girls". I dont like the programme and dont think I will continue to watch it anymore - I have nothing against travellers though.

[Omletina Kyckling]

I was glued to it.....it was so utterly awful, I couldn't turn it off!

Thought it was hilarious how the dressmaker took a fire extinguisher to the wedding as she seemed convinced the dress may go up in flames!

I truly thought I'd missed a bit and that the non-traveller's mum was a man in drag!!!

[scarlettohara]

Is it repeated ?

[sari]

i

 

Has anyone else noticed the general absence of the men though in the film, bar the odd one or two the men are largely not involved in the film. Like last night at the traveller communion party on the site that was due to be repossessed there wasn't a man in sight.

 

I noticed that too!

 

The other thing that struck me, was at the Weddings and the Holy Communions they showed last week and this week how ireverend they are in Church, chatting away to-ing and fro-ing etc.

 

However I did think that the groom from last night did seem quite caring and wanted to put the 'them and us' comments behind them.

Not just travellers....last time I went to mass to appease my In=Laws...( very devout Catholics) there were allsoerts of folks coming in and out..mostly Irsih and Goans, but all sort of people just rolled up, and rolled out again...FiL says it's quite common

[sari]

I know that the siting of Travellers' Sites is highly contraversial, but found the scenes of eviction and destruction really upsetting. The 12 year old boy spoke so eloquently about it too. It was like a scene from some far off country, destroying a shanty town. Awful....

 

although.....I don't understand the thought process behind not having an indoor loo!

[Calamity Jane]

The men are probably absent because they dont want to be ID'd

[Christian]

This topic was removed as it contained some comments that were offensive. It has been agreed that we would return it to the Nesting box, but could posters please think before they post.

 

Any further offensive comments on this topic and it will be removed permanently.

 

Many thanks!

[Egluntyne]

I wonder how much the dresses cost. Several thousand pounds I imagine.

[jill the potter]

find it incredible that the 6 year olds are allowed to dance like that if they are so strict!!! and a 6 year old with a spray tan?!?!?!?

[poachedegg]

although.....I don't understand the thought process behind not having an indoor loo!

 

I'm sure I heard the groom say when they were looking at caravans was that no Gypsy/Traveller would have a toilet literally in the kitchen, which in a caravan it is, which makes sense.

 

Regarding the to-ing and fro-ing in Mass/Celebrations - It isn't like that in our Church (RC)......that's why I thought it strange.......obviously not that strange!

[Egluntyne]

although.....I don't understand the thought process behind not having an indoor loo!

 

That was pretty common years ago apparently. My MIL said that her parents wouldn't have an indoor loo (an talking 1920is here) when the landlord wanted to upgrade the property and install bathrooms, and many were the same.

 

I can imagine that in a caravan, it might be a bit close for comfort ... and audible.

 

Am remembering some childhood holidays in Cleveleys and Colwyn Bay!

[Lavenders_Blue]

Have found this programme absolutely fascinating. It's a culture I'd known nothing about but it's been really interesting to learn about their traditions and morals etc. I also found it strange that, on the one hand, it was acceptable for the young girls to act like teenagers and young adults, but on the other hand, the morals surrounding dating and marriage were very strict. I had a huge sympathy with them re the land and eviction. Centuries of tradition simply being taken away from them - very sad.

Those wedding dresses, wow! Yep, I'd try one on out of curiosity!

[Couperwife]

I know a girl who is romany, she is the loveliest girl, really hard working and always polite and pleasant, she is so different from the girls that are on this show.

 

I find the whole thing fascinating (and I would love to see one of the dresses too and try it on )

 

cathy

x