National Gypsy Education Council (NGEC)

Description

Paper and publications about or created by the National Gypsy Education Council (NGEC).


Files individually listed.

Biography or history

The NGEC was formed in 1969 and initially chaired by honorary member Lady Plowden [author of the 1966 report into primary education for children which referenced education of Gypsies and Travellers]. It's executive committee was made up of both Gypsy Travellers and non-Gypsy Travellers.


Diana Allen was a member of the NGEC, a member of the Publications Sub-Committee and Registrar responsible for putting together a register of National Support Groups. Other members included Thomas Acton and some members from the National Gypsy Council, (Grattan Puxon, Fred Wood, Donald Kenrick).


During the period 1972-3 there appears to have been discussiont among its members as to its direction; with some arguing for a more political role/closer links with the Gypsy Council. In April 1973 many including Diana Allen jointly resigned from the NGEC with the intention of setting up an alternative body to continue the original aims of NGEC and promote education for Gypsies and Travellers [this would become ACERT].

Provenance

Originally found in a cabinet file titled, "Gypsy: National Education Council"

System of arrangement

Sub-divided into 2 files by archivist (2017).

Access and usage

Reproduction

Access

This collection is subject to various access conditions. Please see individual catalogue descriptions for further details on access.

Users are advised that the content in this collection may include accounts of discrimination and the expression of opinions and/or terminology that would now be considered unacceptable.

Notes on terminology and spellings

 

Please note that there may be differences in the terms used to describe the particular communities represented in this collection, many of which have changed over time and may continue to change.

 

At the time this catalogue was created there are many definitions that identify different cultural and ethnic groups with their varied histories, traditions and associations with a travelling life.

 

These can include but are not limited to  those that have been recognised in UK law as ethnic groups; English and Welsh (Romany) Gypsies, Irish and Scottish Travellers; and non-ethnic groups that consider themselves distinct even if these have not been recognised in UK law, e.g. New Travellers, Showmen and Bargees. Outside of the UK 'Gypsy' may also be considered offensive  and ‘Roma’ is often used instead as the universally preferred term although this term also represents a wide range of distinct groups, (e.g. Sinti, Manouche).

 

It is our intention to respectfully and (where possible) accurately refer to these different communities in the catalogue. For this reason we ask you to note the following with regards to the descriptions in this catalogue that have been based on these current definitions:

 

1)  As many of these definitions have only come into being since the collection was created/1st catalogued, please be aware that original descriptions may not accurately reflect the group to which it refers, (e.g. the word 'Gypsy,' may have been used to describe those now recognised as Irish Travellers/Roma).  Therefore it is worth searching under various terms, e.g. 'Romany' and 'Traveller,' to broaden the scope of search results as well as using the alternative historical spellings, 'Gipsy,' 'Gipsie,' or ‘Romani.’

2) Where no original description exists and it is not possible to properly identify a distinct group they will be described as "Gypsy Traveller" (within UK setting), "Roma" for those living/recently originating outside the UK or "Gypsy, Traveller, Roma " for origin/locations unknown. References to any non - ethnic groups will similarly be capitalised to respectfully acknowledge all groups.

Material in this collection is in copyright. Photocopies or digital images can only be supplied by the Library for research or private study within the terms of copyright legislation. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder's permission to reproduce for any other purpose. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.

Related records in our catalogue