Gypsy Problem - Bromley (1972)

Bromley, Kent. Colour. Story of gypsy encampment and the problems that go with it. Interviews with gypsies and local residents including M.P. Dame Patricia Hornsby Smith. Shots of children amongst the rubbish. Good panning shots of the encampment and of a pile of broken up cars. Local residents complain about the mess that the gypsies leave behind, the gypsies say that it is local residents that dump rubbish there. The gypsies are seen having a bonfire, and standing around chatting. Dame Hornsby Smith and another local resident say that the gypsies have every right to be there, but that the way they live is detrimental to the area. Kent has always been a mecca for travellers especially as they have traditionally worked there in the hop picking season and as fruit pickers. The gypsies complain that the local pubs won’t serve them although there is supposed to be no discrimination in Britain. Note: old records state that this was filmed in Bexley, but commentary