tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110794854146484721.post8730362914245868259..comments2024-03-28T09:08:50.733+00:00Comments on Law and Lawyers: Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of warObiterJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04544226917595022902noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110794854146484721.post-21373679053759991792011-09-21T15:40:41.219+01:002011-09-21T15:40:41.219+01:00There is no definite figure as to how many travell...There is <a href="http://www.travellersaidtrust.org/pdfs/grant%20makers%20fact%20sheet%2009.pdf" rel="nofollow">no definite figure</a> as to how many travellers are in the country. In August 2010, The Telegraph published an article - <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7957706/Number-of-travellers-caravans-leapt-under-Labour.html" rel="nofollow">Number of travellers' caravans leapt under Labour</a> - quoting a growth in caranvans from 12796 at the start of 1997 to 18355 at the start of 2010.ObiterJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544226917595022902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110794854146484721.post-36988838646725015822011-09-21T15:27:32.904+01:002011-09-21T15:27:32.904+01:00I remember as a small boy before the war, in the v...I remember as a small boy before the war, in the village where my grandparents lived, seeing a genuine gypsy caravan parked at the side of the road. The locals respected even feared these people - but they lived together harmoniously, the gypsies did odd jobs and soon moved on. They did not move about in great numbers. Now we have a group of people of Irish origin, who call themselves travellers, but do not seem to travel! They encamp in large groups, in what appear to be fixed settlements; they have little regard for the planning laws, and make little contribution to the local community. Indeed it has been reported that some have substantial property in Ireland. I would not object to provision being made via sites for small groups who were expected to move on in true nomadic form. But the legal system is becoming a laughing stock. There is a controversy at present over proposed revisions to the planning laws. At the same time, one group are showing two fingers to the law as it is. What a farce.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com