A GYPSY LIFE FOR ME

 

FROM THE BEDFORDSHIRE NEWS

http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/Singing-traveller-misses-out-in-gypsy-talent-show-01072011.htm

PHOTO : CHRISTOPHER PREECE/TRAVELLERSTIMES.ORG.UK

SINGING TRAVELLER MISSES OUT IN GYPSY TALENT SHOW

Jake Bowers

A gypsy singer narrowly missed out on the chance to feature in the final of a new talent show for travellers.

Ruth Butcher, 69, who lives on the ‘Cartwheel’ caravan site in Sandy, travelled down to London on June 19 for one of five regional heats of Travellers got Talent, which is due to be aired on Sky in November as part of a series – A Gypsy Life For Me.

Mrs Butcher sang Play to Me Gypsy but wasn’t put through to the final which takes place on August 20.
Her husband Walter said: “She’s been singing since she was about eight. It’s part of our culture and something we enjoy doing.”

Romany journalist and broadcaster Jake Bowers, 39, the organiser of the contest, said it had been going for around three years now but not on this scale.

He previously presented Rokker Radio on BBC Three Counties – a weekend programme for the travelling community in the East and is the editor of Travellers Times.

The father-of-three said: “It’s our opportunity to say this is something positive and realistic, especially after My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding which upset the community.”

A Gypsy Life For Me will begin on Sky Bio on November 17.