Let the travellers stay on site

Aug 7 2009

WALKING through the library several days ago, I happened to glance over at the newspaper stand.

The front cover of the Ayrshire Post immediately caught my eye (published on Friday, July 17).

On reading the article regarding travelling people occupying a site in close proximity to luxury housing, I was angered, and as usual was bombarded by the bitter prejudice and overt snobbery which never fails to arise when the subject of travelling people is discussed in this country.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, this very snobbery has arisen on the pages of the Ayrshire Post.

Readers of the Post, especially those above a certain age and of fair mind will be aware that since the onset of the Thatcher era, the travelling lifestyle has become subject to what is in all but name, a policy of intended eradication i.e. the selling of municipal traveller sites and amenities.

Modern travellers who wish to protect their right not to be coerced into a certain mode of socially acceptable living are obliged to settle at any possible site out of necessity.

A site near luxury housing is as much a candidate as any other.

Perhaps South Ayrshire Council should consider supporting the right to an alternative lifestyle. Then again, I’m sure that leaves are more likely to be green in December than for this to happen.

I say, let the travellers stay. I am sick of ideals of “luxury” being force fed to the people of South Ayrshire and of Scotland.

Kieran MacManus

Ayr.