Dale Farm 'Chaveys' elect youth leaders

With Basildon council members set to discuss next month enforcement action action against Dale Farm's Saint Christopher Centre, youngsters this week gathered in the building to form their own organisation.
 
Under the inspirational guidance of activists Angie and Bluey Jones, they elected a leadership team that unites all the young people of this largest of Travellers' communities, which has been under siege for seven years. They named their new group Dale Farm Chaveys.  
 
"I'm friends with everybody," said the Chaveys' first chairman Jimmy Harbour. "There'll be something for all in our new organisation."
 
Sharing the chairmanship is Lily Williams, chosen by the score of founder members, ranging in age from nine to fifteen. They agreed to
affiliate to the Gypsy Council Youth Division.
 
A committee of ten was elected, the youngest nine-year-old Eileen O'Brien. Eileen, who has the distinction of being born on April 8, Roma Nation Day, will bring her computer skills to the aid of the club as media secretary.
 
Motivated by British Olympic boxer Romany Billy Joe Saunders, the boys hope to include boxing training in the group's activities.
 
"Most of us like boxing," commented vice-chairman Tommy Connors. " We'll be inviting Francy Barrett, another Olympic boxer of our kin, to visit us at Dale Farm."
 
Katie Goldsmith, secretary of the Gypsy Council Youth Division, who helped conduct the meeting, said she expected more such youth groups would be formed around the UK.
 
The young people completed the day by planting an oak tree to commemorate the founding of Dale Farm Chaveys.

They hope their centre and the new club will be seen by all as positive achievements and assisted to expand membership and activities.
 
Meanwhile, Basildon has issued an order for  Saint Christopher's to be taken down, claiming that the log cabin requires a planning permit. However, the firm supplying it said that as a temporary structure no permission was necessary.
 
"This is the third Saint Christopher's we've built in our fifty year's of civil rights campaiging," said Richard Sheridan, president of the Gypsy Council. "The first was burned down by Dublin Corporation. But God willing this one won't be deliberately destroyed."
 
Sheridan said he had to admit however that Basildon had not given up its plans to bulldoze the Dale Farm settlement.

Whether the council would be allowed to do so may be decided at a hearing in the Court of Appeal on December 5.
 
Leadership training for the Chaveys is to be provided by Kent youth worker Caroline Flynn. She said afterwards that she had rarely seen youngsters so keen and ambitious.
 
"They have great spirit and will go a long way," said Caroline. "We must give them this chance."