Another Traveller Incursion at Effingham – This Time On To Village Playing Fields

Published on: 24 Aug, 2017
Updated on: 24 Aug, 2017

Part of the Traveller encampment at the KGV playing fields at Effingham.

A second Traveller incursion has occurred in Effingham. This time around a dozen vehicles havemoved on to the King George V playing fields, in the centre of the village.

The stated intention of the latest group is to move on to a Christian “Light and Life” festival in the West Country, near Devizes. It is understood that the new arrivals do have a family connection with the group that moved onto Effingham Common on Tuesday.

The heavy chain that had apparently been cut with a bolt cutter to allow vehicle access to the playing field site – Photo courtesy of Effingham Residents Association.

Local representatives were seen to be visiting them including Cllr Liz Hogger, the borough councillor for Effingham and Parish Cllr James Nicholls. Some heated exchanges are believed to have taken place and Cllr Nicholls, who lives close by, was heard to be warned by police officers present to stay at some distance from the encampment or risk arrest.

Police officers warned Parish Cllr James Nicholls that he risked arrest if he continued to approach the Traveller encampment.

The playing fields are not owned by the council but are held in trust for the village. The Effingham Village Recreational Trust (EVRT) manage the fields and yesterday evening its management committee posted the following on their website: “As many residents will know there has been an incursion of travellers with caravans and other vehicles onto the KGV premises on 23rd August [2017]. They are currently situated along the eastern boundary.

“Early this afternoon the trustees, through their solicitors, initiated court proceedings for a possession order. They have also consulted appropriately with the Surrey Police, the trust’s insurers and various user groups and individuals.

“Problems of this kind are not instantly solvable as legal process takes time. We ask that residents be patient meanwhile and do nothing to exacerbate the situation.

“Any evidence or details that residents might possess concerning the original entry of the travellers onto the grounds should be forwarded to the trust via this website’s contact page.”

Meanwhile at the site of the first incursion on Effingham Common the Gypsy leader confirmed that his group had been served a “Section 77 notice” requiring them to leave the common the following day [August 24].

He told The Guildford Dragon NEWS that it was unlikely that they could move so quickly and would probably depart next Tuesday, August 29, the day after the Bank Holiday.

A family meal being prepared over a traditional open fire in the Effingham Common Gypsy and Traveller camp.

The pitches were observed to be clean with no litter. Rubbish earlier observed lying around on the site had been cleared up and the leader, who asked not to be named, said they would leave the site as clean as possible.

He continued: “If the councils would just leave us some bin bags and a wheelie bin or skip we would bag up our rubbish and put it all into the skip. All they would need to do after we had gone would be to bring a lorry in to take it away. It would be so much cheaper and cleaner.”

“Many years ago the council would send a bus out to collect the kids or bring teachers out to us. But those days are gone and education is a problem. When it comes to illness we have to go to walk-in surgeries or more usually to local hospitals because we are of no fixed abode and not registered.”

Children present during the conversation nearly all said that they loved the Traveller life. Two disagreed saying they disliked being moved on so often.

A GBC spokesperson said: “Welfare checks have been undertaken and the direction to leave S77 notice was served on Wednesday, August 23 – with direction to leave by 10.30am on Thursday 24 August. If this deadline is not met and passed, we will request a time at court to obtain an eviction order.

“The site is being monitored at least once a day and rubbish is being collected regularly by our Countryside Wardens and Ranger Team.

“For general enquiries, residents should contact the Ranger Team 07880 784947, Parks helpdesk 01483 444718 or Customer Services 01483 505050.”

Responses to Another Traveller Incursion at Effingham – This Time On To Village Playing Fields

Liz Hogger, Lib Dem Borough councillor for Effingham Reply

August 24, 2017 at 5:44 pm

As reported, I have had several conversations with the Travellers on the King George V Fields. I would like to clarify that none of my conversations with them have been ‘heated’. On the contrary, I have been greeted by the Travellers with courtesy and, mostly, with understanding of the Trustees’ position.

I have explained to the Travellers that the fields are provided by the charity for recreation for local residents and that Effingham has been very supportive of our own Traveller community in recent years.

It would be very sad if the Travellers’ presence on the KGV were to sour that good relationship between the settled and travelling community in our village. I am doing my best to make sure that doesn’t happen, and to persuade the Travellers to leave swiftly before the legal action kicks in.
John Fox Reply

August 25, 2017 at 7:39 am

Good luck to Liz Hogger.

I am sure everyone had an equally respectful response in Cobham prior to half the park being turned into a waste disposal unit. An incursion is an incursion. It is illegal and they are breaking the law!
J S Palmer Reply

August 25, 2017 at 8:43 am

There is plenty of interesting information about the Light and Life Gypsy Convention on the web. These include interviews with Gypsy Church leaders protesting that they clean up the site after their annual conventions.

We must hope that those involved in these incursions also make good on these promises.

This also seems an ideal opportunity for Hilda Brazil to liaise with these visitors and improve understanding between the settled / settled-Traveller / Traveller communities, particularly given that Effingham has been at the forefront over the years at developing relations between these groups.
J S Palmer Reply

August 26, 2017 at 6:28 pm

There seem to be even more vans on the KGV playing fields today. They are now on the football pitches as well. More were seen arriving in the village yesterday evening.

How many more incursions before the police actually stop them going onto public land rather than the nominal effort they seem to be making?
Liz Hogger Reply

August 27, 2017 at 4:55 pm

There are currently 10 or 11 caravans on the KGV, down from 14 in the original incursion. The trustees are monitoring the situation every day and we are not aware of any new arrivals.

Liz Hogger is the Lib Dem borough councillor for Effingham