Memorandum by the European Federation
for the Education of the Children of the Occupational Travellers
(TF 33)
I am aware of the Environment Sub-committee
Inquiry into Travelling Fairs and I would like to take this opportunity
to comment.
My name is Ludo Knaepkena and I am Director
of EFECOT, European Federation for the Education of the Children
of the Occupational Travellers.
The organisation was established is 1989 following
a research report I wrote for, and at the request of, the European
Commission regarding the nature and needs of the Fairground and
Circus Communities across Europe.
Since that time I have worked to advise Education
Ministries, and to support parents and their organisations in
member states and to plan work aimed at improving their educational
opportunities. I feel therefore I have an important contribution
to the inquiry.
THE CONTINUED
VALUE OF
HISTORIC FAIRS
All over Europe, and England is no exception,
the historic travelling fairs are important markers in the calendar
of a region and locality.
Showmen are innovators in entertainment and
bring it to people on their own doorsteps.
The charter fair is a significant part of the
history, tradition and identity of an area. The year is ordered
by the fairs.
As well as bringing together local communities
of all ages, the fair pays to the local council and offers jobs
to casual workers. History therefore is linked to ongoing progress
and practice.
The fairs as well as continuing an age old function
and tradition of providing entertainment and new ideas also reaches
out to the disadvantaged and disabled and uses the fairs as a
vehicle to do charitable work bringing excitement to children
and others in need in the community. This also highlights the
value Showmen place on "giving back" to the community.
THE PARTICULAR
NEEDS OF
SHOWPEOPLE IN
CARRYING OUT
THEIR TRADE
At EFECOT and with funding from the education
programmes of the European Commission we aim to address the training
needs of Showmen.
Skilled by traditional family education methods
their skills are rarely recognised and accredited formally.
We are engaged in a process of working with
Showmen, their organisations, colleges, Traveller Education Support
Services to enable Showmen to formalise their skills so that fairs
can remain innovative and at the cutting edge of the engineering
and technological revolution as they always have been.
ANY OTHER
MATTERS WHICH
MAY ARISE
IN THE
COURSE OF
QUESTIONING
It is important that this self help, multi skilled
community have secure yards in which their families can return
to year on year and from which they can develop and maintain links
within a local community.
Significantly important is the opportunity for
their children to attend regular local schools at which expertise
and systems can be built to also support children as they tour
(Distance Learning Packs).
Equally a local college which can develop specific
responses to the specific training and educational needs of Showmen
is essential.
I hope this contribution enables you to evaluate
from a different perspective the value of the historic fairs and
indeed the Showmen's community itself.
February 2000
|