ianstone
08-26-2010, 06:40 PM
Tolkien travellers upset locals by pitching up camp on picturesque site one month before Pope visit
By Daily Mail Reporter (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Daily+Mail+Reporter)
Last updated at 5:21 PM on 26th August 2010
Comments (13) (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1306334/Travellers-pitch-camp-picturesque-site-Pope-UK-visit.html#comments)
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Gypsies have set up camp near an historic beauty spot in Birmingham claiming they have travelled from Ireland especially for the Pope's visit next month.
Fifteen traveller families arrived in caravans and trucks at the picturesque Sarehole Mill - said to have provided inspiration for JRR Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings books.
Local residents now fear hundreds more gypsies could follow suit and descend upon the site, which is gearing up for Pope Benedict XVI's visit in September.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-0-0AEC3EEF000005DC-833_468x286.jpg Campsite: Travellers pitch up on land behind the famous Sarehole Mill, which can be seen in the treeline, in the Tolkien Country area of Moseley
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-0-0AEC3F2C000005DC-50_468x243.jpg The gypsies said they had travelled from Ireland to Birmingham to see the Pope during his visit
The gypsies were served with a police notice to leave the site, but the convoy moved just yards across the road to The Shire Country Park, in Moseley, the following day.
JRR Tolkien's family moved close to the mill in 1896 and he lived there for four years. It is said have provided inspiration for 'The Shire' in the Lord of the Rings.
An emergency meeting has now been called by the local authority amid fears the city could be overwhelmed by travellers who want to see the Pope.
Local Lib Dem councillor Martin Mullaney said the families told him they had travelled from Co Donegal, Ireland, to Birmingham, especially for the Pope's visit to nearby Cofton Park on September 19.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-1306334-0AEDC751000005DC-558_468x334.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-1306334-004948DB00000258-650_468x598.jpg Scene from The Lord Of The Rings The Fellowship Of The Rings. Sareholl Mill is said to be the inspiration behind Tolkien's books
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-1306334-004A301B00000578-552_233x298.jpg JRR Tolkien's childhood in Birmingham is said to have provided the inspiration behind the Lord Of The Rings books
He added that they intended to return to Ireland after the Pontiff's visit.
But, he said, they also admitted they had not purchased any pilgrim passes, which cost £25 each, and are vital to secure entry to the park for the open-air mass.
Now Birmingham City Council officials, West Midlands Police, and the Catholic Church are warning other travellers who plan to travel to Birmingham to see the Pope that they will be refused entry to the mass if they do not have a valid ticket.
Mr Mullaney said: 'We are concerned that we could have more coming from Ireland.
'We need to get the message over to them that you need a ticket to go to the mass.'
Locals watched in dismay as a succession of caravans and trucks, some bearing the names of businesses, turned into the The Shire Country Park at around lunchtime.
A walker, who didn't want to be named, said: 'There are about a dozen caravans and they are still arriving. It looks like the gate has been lifted off it's hinges as the padlock is still on.
'This park is popular with ramblers who come from Hall Green through to Moseley.'
Another 59-year-old resident, who gave his name only as Mr Elliot, said: 'It's a disgrace that they think they can just bowl up and pitch on a historic piece of land like that.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-1306334-0AD574E4000005DC-654_233x220.jpg Pope Benedict XVI will be visiting Birmingham in September
'I hope this can be dealt with swiftly.
'That area is a piece of Birmingham history, not a hotel for gypsies.'
The travellers refused to comment when approached.
West Midland Police confirmed that they had served a notice ordering them to leave Sarehole Mill within 24 hours on Tuesday.
Mr Mullaney added the council was working with the travellers to find an alternative site for them to go to.
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: 'Attendance at the mass in Cofton Park is by pilgrim pass only and these are being issued through the Roman Catholic Church by local parish priests.'
Read more: [URL]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1306334/Travellers-pitch-camp-picturesque-site-Pope-UK-visit.html#ixzz0xkpYOQ6n (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1306334/Travellers-pitch-camp-picturesque-site-Pope-UK-visit.html)
By Daily Mail Reporter (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Daily+Mail+Reporter)
Last updated at 5:21 PM on 26th August 2010
Comments (13) (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1306334/Travellers-pitch-camp-picturesque-site-Pope-UK-visit.html#comments)
[/URL]
Gypsies have set up camp near an historic beauty spot in Birmingham claiming they have travelled from Ireland especially for the Pope's visit next month.
Fifteen traveller families arrived in caravans and trucks at the picturesque Sarehole Mill - said to have provided inspiration for JRR Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings books.
Local residents now fear hundreds more gypsies could follow suit and descend upon the site, which is gearing up for Pope Benedict XVI's visit in September.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-0-0AEC3EEF000005DC-833_468x286.jpg Campsite: Travellers pitch up on land behind the famous Sarehole Mill, which can be seen in the treeline, in the Tolkien Country area of Moseley
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-0-0AEC3F2C000005DC-50_468x243.jpg The gypsies said they had travelled from Ireland to Birmingham to see the Pope during his visit
The gypsies were served with a police notice to leave the site, but the convoy moved just yards across the road to The Shire Country Park, in Moseley, the following day.
JRR Tolkien's family moved close to the mill in 1896 and he lived there for four years. It is said have provided inspiration for 'The Shire' in the Lord of the Rings.
An emergency meeting has now been called by the local authority amid fears the city could be overwhelmed by travellers who want to see the Pope.
Local Lib Dem councillor Martin Mullaney said the families told him they had travelled from Co Donegal, Ireland, to Birmingham, especially for the Pope's visit to nearby Cofton Park on September 19.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-1306334-0AEDC751000005DC-558_468x334.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-1306334-004948DB00000258-650_468x598.jpg Scene from The Lord Of The Rings The Fellowship Of The Rings. Sareholl Mill is said to be the inspiration behind Tolkien's books
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-1306334-004A301B00000578-552_233x298.jpg JRR Tolkien's childhood in Birmingham is said to have provided the inspiration behind the Lord Of The Rings books
He added that they intended to return to Ireland after the Pontiff's visit.
But, he said, they also admitted they had not purchased any pilgrim passes, which cost £25 each, and are vital to secure entry to the park for the open-air mass.
Now Birmingham City Council officials, West Midlands Police, and the Catholic Church are warning other travellers who plan to travel to Birmingham to see the Pope that they will be refused entry to the mass if they do not have a valid ticket.
Mr Mullaney said: 'We are concerned that we could have more coming from Ireland.
'We need to get the message over to them that you need a ticket to go to the mass.'
Locals watched in dismay as a succession of caravans and trucks, some bearing the names of businesses, turned into the The Shire Country Park at around lunchtime.
A walker, who didn't want to be named, said: 'There are about a dozen caravans and they are still arriving. It looks like the gate has been lifted off it's hinges as the padlock is still on.
'This park is popular with ramblers who come from Hall Green through to Moseley.'
Another 59-year-old resident, who gave his name only as Mr Elliot, said: 'It's a disgrace that they think they can just bowl up and pitch on a historic piece of land like that.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/26/article-1306334-0AD574E4000005DC-654_233x220.jpg Pope Benedict XVI will be visiting Birmingham in September
'I hope this can be dealt with swiftly.
'That area is a piece of Birmingham history, not a hotel for gypsies.'
The travellers refused to comment when approached.
West Midland Police confirmed that they had served a notice ordering them to leave Sarehole Mill within 24 hours on Tuesday.
Mr Mullaney added the council was working with the travellers to find an alternative site for them to go to.
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: 'Attendance at the mass in Cofton Park is by pilgrim pass only and these are being issued through the Roman Catholic Church by local parish priests.'
Read more: [URL]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1306334/Travellers-pitch-camp-picturesque-site-Pope-UK-visit.html#ixzz0xkpYOQ6n (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1306334/Travellers-pitch-camp-picturesque-site-Pope-UK-visit.html)