The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)

Tribute paid to Gypsy Travellers at First WorldWar exhibition

A First World War centenary exhibition commemorat­ing the service and sacrifice made by the Gypsy Traveller community is being launched in Perth today.

The Perth and Kinross Council project – being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund – seeks to highlight two groups involved in the conflict which are often forgotten.

As well as the Gypsy Traveller community, the exhibition also explores the local impact of shell shock and combat stress, then and now.

The project organisers hope the event – entitled Heroes or Raj Hantle – will bring about greater engagement with communitie­s and help to tackle stigma.

The project title uses a Gypsy cant expression for “mad folk” to highlight the way that people were sometimes wrongly labelled in the past.

The main exhibition, commemorat­ing the Gypsy Traveller community, is being launched between 11am and 2pm at the North Inch Community Campus in Perth. The second exhibition will explore conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, involving former service personnel with more recent personal experience.

Provost Liz Grant said: “I welcome the opportunit­y to formally launch this exhibition, which recognises the contributi­on, service and sacrifice made by members of the Gypsy Traveller community during the First World War.

“It also provides an insight into the local experience­s of shell shock in the course of that conflict.”

The launch event will include artwork by Gypsy Traveller community artist Shamus McPhee. There will also be a reading by author Suzie Grogan from her book, Shell Shocked Britain.

In addition, there will be artefacts on display, storyboard­s and other informatio­n about the exhibition, as well as the chance to try out traditiona­l activities such as basket weaving and flower making.

Representa­tives of The Black Watch Museum will also be present to provide family activities.