Gipsies move camp in Whitchurch
Gipsies who set up an illegal camp in a field next to Whitchurch cemetery have moved on – about a mile down the road.
More than a dozen caravans and associated vans and cars left the field off the A37 on Tuesday night.
But they then set up camp in a field off Staunton Lane in Whitchurch opposite the HorseWorld horse rescue centre.
Both fields are used for silage by dairy farmer Chris Lane.
The gipsies first set up camp in the field next to Whitchurch Cemetery on Wednesday last week.
Local residents called for police and Bath and North East Somerset Council to take action to evict them.
But both organisations said they were unable to take action because the field is privately owned.
The land is owned by two men from Bournemouth who rent it to Chris Lane who has been running his dairy herd for the past 25 years.
Mr Lane uses the field for silage for his cows.
He said it had been contaminated by human faeces and he would not be able to use it for the rest of the year.
He was furious after discovering the gipsies had moved to another field he rents in Whitchurch but did not wish to comment further.
Bath and North East Somerset Council environmental health officer Steve Hill is monitoring the situation.
Residents had complained of noise from the first encampment including dogs barking, loud music and children on quad bikes.
Council tax payers will now have to foot the bill for clearing the mess they left behind.
Whitchurch councillor Peter Edwards said: "I had a phone call from Chris Lane, the tenant farmer, who said they had left an awful mess.
"I will ask Bath and North East Somerset Council's environmental department to clear it up.
"This will be at a cost but it has to be done for environmental health reasons."
Council spokeswoman Menna Davies said: "Bath & North East Somerset Council is liaising with the parties involved, but we cannot take legal action as we are not the landowners."
Avon and Somerset police spokesman Wayne Baker said the gipsies were on private land so it was not a police matter.
He said: "It's a matter of trespass. It's a matter for the landowner to take out an injunction.
"If there is any allegation of criminal damage we will investigate but we do need evidence and witnesses."
10 Comments
View all
by Tracey, Lawrence Weston
Thursday, May 07 2009, 9:32PM
“*site even!
it's late i'm tired! :)”
by Tracey, Lawrence Weston
Thursday, May 07 2009, 9:30PM
“The reason the sight in Lawrence Weston is empty is because they trashed it at taxpayers expense - so what do the council do? - it gives them all permanent council housing in Lawrence Weston. Beggars belief!”
by Tugger, Bristol
Thursday, May 07 2009, 3:21PM
“I see the Evening Post editors were out in force yesterday to, deleting comments on this very same story. You may be able to control these pages, but you can't control what people think. I thought the comment about an Apache gunship clearing the site was quite funny, if a little tongue-in-cheek, yet that was deleted by the thought police.”
by Susanne, Lady Chique, Filton Rd, Horfield
Thursday, May 07 2009, 3:00PM
“No surprises here then!
Yesterday, my story about travellers and their type thieving from my store was well supported by many, but a couple of people questioned my 'politics' and lent support to those travellers.
Travellers have no social graces and have even less respect for others and their property, little wonder that people generally find it hard to support this kind of negative behaviour.
Today's story underlines the kind of lifestyle choices they make and how their behaviour impacts on others, emotionally and financially.
Those negative comments directed at me yesterday on this site and others, by those that accused me of being racist and bigoted should try living with this element. Try the field they have just vacated, I guarantee you won't come up smelling of roses!”
by John, Bristol
Thursday, May 07 2009, 2:37PM
“Why are these "people" camping illegally when the council set up a site in Lawrence Weston (against the wishes of the residents) that has been empty for months now ? Surely they would rather pay rent and have a legal site than have to keep moving to avoid being evicted ? Or is it a case of not wanting to pay rent and have a traceable temporary address ?”