Dorset History Centre has a close relationship with Kushti Bok, Dorset’s Gypsy Roma Traveller-led charity which celebrates the travelling lifestyle, the local history of GRT families and advocates for the rights of GRT people, whether settled or mobile or living at one of Dorset’s Council’s sites.
While working with Kushti Bok, DHC has been able to add materials evidencing the existence of GRT communities in Dorset to the county’s records, including photographs. Research, undertaken by both DHC and members of the communities, has improved our understanding of the past and present opportunities and challenges for nomadic people.
DHC was a partner in Kushti Bok’s Legend Pole project, which has proved to be a catalyst for growth and development for the charity, which now has paid staff and its own office space. We have recorded a small number of interviews with project participants including the Co-ordinator and the chainsaw artist who created the Pole, which you can now see in the orchard at Kingston Maurward College.
Gary Orange, who created the new Pole to replace the original version he’d made twelve years before, is a renowned carver whose work can be seen throughout Britain. He began life in a military family and became a New Traveller. His life has had many interesting incidents – including a near-death accident with a tree. Gary has developed an understanding of life on the road, those who live it, and the danger that a nomadic lifestyle is becoming very difficult to maintain.
Nothing compares to hearing a person tell their story in their own words, and we invite you to celebrate GRT History Month by listening to Gary’s interview directly through our catalogue here.