Connections

This exhibition explores connections with and between people with Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showpeople and Boatpeople (‘GRTSB’) heritages. These are all such different groups with different traditions, languages and cultural practices in countries across Europe. But they are still connected through histories of travelling and nomadism, strong affiliations to kin and community, with deep traditions in crafts, music, trading, toolmaking, and entertainment. Connections relate to a profound sense of familial and cultural heritage and survival despite frequent stigma, racism and discrimination. 

Here in the south of England, English Romany people (also called ‘Romanichals’) have long been a part of everyday life, and still today are experts in crafts, construction and other businesses in the New Forest, horse trading in Wickham and market trading in Gosport, Portsmouth, Petersfield, Southampton. The Boswells, Smiths, Coopers and Lees – all family names associated with Romany people. Many words used widely today in Portsmouth come from Romany words – pal (friend), chavvy/chavi (child), mush (mate), cushty (good/nice one).   

Then there are Showpeople: many fairground businesses remain family run: the Mannings, Andertons, Faggs, Whites and Smarts all continue traditions for generations.  Families making a living on narrowboats and barges were particularly prevalent in the 19th century, carrying coal, timber grain, bricks and other goods. These families developed a distinctive culture and close-knit communities. In southern England, important canal communities could be found along the Thames, Kennet & Avon, Basingstoke, and the Oxford Canal. Families referred to canals as ‘the cut’, saying ‘I was born and bred on the cut’ to show their deep connections to the waterways.  

This exhibition shows portraits of people local to Portsmouth and nearby areas connected to these groups. I asked them to tell me, in their own words, something about their lives and connections. The results are fascinating insights into their diverse heritages and family connections, with examples from their family albums, memories and occupations.  

There is a tendency to see people from these heritages as ‘marginalised’ or somehow outside of ‘our communities’, but in this exhibition we see people integral to Portsmouth and other localities in the South. Amanda Garrie, a local writer who cherishes her Romany heritage, writes about her beloved family and in a display cabinet you can see precious items passed down from her grandmother. Amanda also facilitates and organises community writing and literary events, including facilitation of T’Articulation, a spoken-word troupe based in Portsmouth UK, and work for Portsmouth Bookfest, the South Coast’s annual vibrant celebration of books, ideas and imagination. is also celebrated for her activism, with her name on a plaque in Portsmouth Guildhall Square celebrating women who make a difference in our society.  

Chanel Lee, from Aldershot, has created resources for children to learn about Traveller heritage, and does outreach work to show other women how to be an entrepreneur, as she is also a successful milliner.  

Lucy Ashton, an educator, writer, activist, artist and PhD student here at the University of Portsmouth, has re-discovered her family heritage on canal boats through piecing together family stories and research, leading her to revisit the waterways where her ancestors would have travelled. 

Then there’s Johnny Smith, one of the most famous boxers from Portsmouth, whose family holds his memory dear along with their Traveller heritage. His story is told in Andrew Fairley’s book Pompey’s Boxing Past. Johnny is also remembered in the city on a monument just outside of Portsmouth Central Library. 

Deborah Birch, from the New Forest, has had many jobs in the creative industries, but is now celebrated as an artist who works on themes linked to Traveller heritages as well as neurodiversity. She is also a campaigner who raises awareness about neurodiversity, received a Service Award in Southampton for her community engagement, and is a very active member of the Friends groups for Southampton Museum and Galleries Archive. Deborah also designed artwork and creative resources for libraries linked to the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.

I hope you enjoy the display and it helps you to connect to whatever your heritages are, and to appreciate the richness of our communities and histories.