'A Day in the Life' Traveller Photography Project - Come Aboard!
Come Aboard the ‘A Day in the Life’ Traveller Photography Project from the St Albans Arts Team!
In 2015 we worked with the residents from the Barley Mow Caravan Site, Colney Heath, St Albans and in partnership with HCC’s Head of the Gypsy & Traveller Section and professional photographer, Pete Stevens to record ‘A Day in the Life’ through images on their permanent site.
We wanted to use photography to highlight their culture as a way to break down barriers and stigma and show an insight into their way of life as a marginalised community in our midst.
From August 2014 through to March 2015 we visited the site and by using disposable cameras, had over 200 photos printed. Here is a selection of the photos which they and the photographer took. We printed a calendar in November, and in March we borrowed an Arriva bus for one week (plus the driver, Keith) and toured the district, stopping at schools, libraries, the university and town centres, inviting the public and school children on board. We had 845 visitors on board including a dog!
Our final stop was back at the Barley Mow site where we celebrated with the residents, shared cups of tea and cakes and dismantled the Exhibition, by giving photos to each of the pitches. Even the men came on board! The travellers are a very proud, but private community and we felt privileged to be part of their lives during the project.
For more information, please look at the attached file and the photos and there are more photos on the tumblr website: http://barleymowlife.tumblr.com/
Thanks to: The Barley Mow Residents, Charlie Sherfield, Pete Stevens, Arriva-Shires and Hertfordshire Library Service who all helped me deliver this project and to Kate Stockdale from Herts for Learning who came on board and shared the passion.
Chris Blanch, Arts Development Officer, St Albans Arts Team
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