This is the site for lovers of free expression and Freedom   Here you can watch n listen to a POETRY READING The Gypsy Poets reading   courtesy of Gavin Haines Bournemouth Echo(scroll the page)   Letters to THE GYPSY POET 7th of September 2011 04:35 AM by Sandy website: http://Poetic2050
Ray, I am speechless........This is truly the most awesome web site that I have seen in a long time...You've made a playground of happiness and a cornucopia of love.
It warms my heart and soul...God bless you for what you are doing here for the children 20th of August 2011 01:51 PM by David Jeff website: http://davidjeff1@hotmail.co.uk
"Hi I like your words that you have versed,I have much more to browse through yet.but its all very likeable. I have very very many travelling relatives".
"I have stumbled across your good site and will look further,very soon."
"Thanks and best regards" David S.J.Jeff.
Name: martina E-mail: martinadealba@gmail.com
Message:
"Hi! "I just want to tell you that your site is amazing, very very interesting."
"I want to ask you if you know the name of the artist who painted the picture of the gipsy woman reading tarot cards with the green dress that you have on your site."
"It would be great if you can help me with this information."
Best,
Martina
3rd of August 2011 08:47 PM by barry conway
"You touched my heart mush,it was a pleasure to read your poetry.I try to rokker a bit but the language is poggado jib now.I wrote a couple of poems on travellers,the first verse of one is I met her down a country lane,the mischief in her eyes was plain,she wore no shoes as on she came,the rinkeny rommany rakli.Anyway it was a pleasure to discover your site,keep writing". 30th of July 2011 11:21 PM by Calyzena Norton
"Wow I'm proud I have a gypsy name and irish blood after reading this. It really inspires me its so beautiful" "what an amazing website! fantastic resource for anyone interested in free play and the adventure playground movement - now sadly castrated by health and safety and regulation of children's lives. i grew up playing in Camden Square adventure playground in the 1970s." maisie@heatherwick.com 22nd of July 2011 08:33 AM by geoffrey
"i am humbled to read these stories and am proud you call me a friend beautiful interesting and a treasure of stories thank you" 20th of July 2011 07:40 PM by Alan Thompson
"I remember the Cavaliers at the Ship Inn in Wool The best group in the country Wonderful days fantastic memories" Sender's Details: Name: mike E-mail: michael@halward.com
Message:
hi ray
"Great to see you are well and great website. give me a call to catch up.. you might like to see www.halward.com "
regards
mike "Hi Ray" "Hope you dont mind me contacting you. I live in Rogerstone, s Wales - an area I now know that you are well familiar with - some lovely reminiscences and poems".
"Your website appeared to a conatc of mine who has been researching Rogerstone on line looking for information on Bethesda Field and Cefn Wood."
"I note from your site that you worked as play leader ( 1970's) in a fantastic place which sounds like Bethesda Field."
" This field is now being threatened with a ousing development as Rogerstone Comm Council aim to sell it off. We have formed a protest group and looking foe evidence that this field has been used / bourght for community use ( council say its just grazing land and always has been. Can you throw any light on this ie was the site of your cabin on Bethesda Field and if so do you have any other info re the councils ownership/ intent for the field".
"i would be really grateful if you could help us. The village has been eaten up by new housing developments and we reallly dont want to loose this greenfield forever. We have over 1200 signatures and a website save-bethesda-field.co.uk. I would be so grateful if you could help." "Thank you"
Vanessa garland
Name: Tracey Clifford
Message:
"Dear Mr Wills, I have just found your website and interested to learn about the adventure playground set up in Rogerstone many years ago. Would it be possible to email you to discuss further?"
"Look forward to hearing from you. Regards "Mrs Tracey Clifford (resident of Bethesda Place, Rogerstone). 4th of July 2011 09:59 PM by Jo Am
"Fascinating poems" -" from a dweller in a Talbot Village cottage" 25th of May 2011 09:24 PM by Romany jane
"thank you,i liked looking around here."
24th of May 2011 03:55 AM by Kathleen Larson website: http://KJ Home (Facebook)
"I look forward to exploring more at length, but I love what I have seen so far."
23rd of May 2011 07:32 AM by Paul Rosdol website: http://www.AtchenTan.com "lovely site"
"Hi Ray", "had a read at your work and felt compelled to write a review. I'd be happy to exchange links. I'll forward your details to my web designer and she'll do the business, You're a very gifted writer who can se beyond the veil. You know of Cush, I sense it,
'only when closed our eyes see the truth',"
jess 6th of May 2011 11:45 AM by jess smith website: http://www.jesssmith.co.uk
"there is a depth of historical journeys in your words, time seems endless. You know your truthful paths and cleverly weave away from worldly pulls. We are very much a people who cannot deny the whip across our backs has left scars yet in our poets we find answers which in turn heal us. You are gifted Ray and its a pleasure listening to your winds upon the heath, your whispers in the misty breezes that flit from one ancient camp site to another". "We have not been called yet but one day"....... 19th of April 2011 01:08 PM by James Fitzpatrick
"Hi Ray, " "I have been drawn to your website and poems on a historical quest. I was told that you may have had something to do or comment about (through your poetry?) about a large family that lost their mother. The family were the Seeney's and lived in Balsall heath Birmingham. They became (I believe) front page news because the mother left 14 - 16 kids behind her. Can you comment please." Jim
MY REPLY Hi Jim,yeh knew them quite well,was there when it was all going on,hid them on my playground for a while,they were eventually fostered to a cornish family on a farm.lovely story.Wrote poem about them on my poetry of day page n story on An extraordinary adventure page on this site.You didnt leave your contact address n number. Mine is raymondwills@hotmail.co.uk
29 15th of April 2011 11:31 AM by Doreen MacIntyre
"Love all your poems, but "Ole Dusty Road" says it all for me".
7th of April 2011 10:09 AM by WILLIAM WHYTE
"ITS GOOD TO COME HERE IM A SCOTTISH TRAVELLER AND ITS GOOD TO SEE WE ARE BECOMING MORE MODERNISED TOO MANY OF US MISTRUST MEDIA LIKE THE INTERNET" " WE BECOME MORE KNOWN TO SOCIETY AND ACCEPTED NOT FEARED SO MUCH I THINK WE NEED MORE PUBLICITY TO TEACH OTHERS ABOUT US" " IGNORENCE BREEDS FEAR WHILE KNOWLEDGE BRINGS ACCEPTANCE THANK YOU KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GODBLESS"
30th of March 2011 04:37 PM by Romany Gypsies website: http://gypsy-message-board.webs.com/reasead
"I love coming here and mingling with your words. Its like visiting friends and looking at photos. Thanks for sharing. xx" 27th of March 2011 09:54 AM by rosie website:
"just to let u know i always enjoy ur lovely site when i drop by for a nose lol x"
Name: craig mellor E-mail: caig2008@hotmail.com Contact Phone Number: 07783948718
Message: "likeing the site ray comeing o n isnt it some really nice poem's"
18th of March 2011 05:12 AM by Rich Carlton website:
"Hello Ray! Finally stopped by to offer greetings from Texas. The site is fantastic my friend! Rich"
4th of March 2011 09:18 PM by Dorset Guide website:
"Many thanks for the help with research your site has provided".
"Hi, " I enjoyed my visit your poetry webpage, Your poetry page was well laid out - With easy to follow links and poetry".
"All a joy reading! You have quite a talent for writing, With flare and passion - Each poem read was a well structured verse! Keep up the good work - A pleasure reading".
"You are very welcome to post and share your poetry On our friendly forum - Sharing poetry and friendly critique" http://thecreativepen.proboards.com/
Looking forward to reading more of your poetry Keep that pen flowing :) / "Hi Ray, I have just been reading your poem saving the bunnies, i think that it is very moving. I am a bit of a novice with poeetry is it possible if you could tell me if i am meant to take a literal meaning from it or if when you wrote it you were writting in metaphor. Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you have the time to reply please could you email me back ."
"Hi Ray",
"I'm working on a story about the Canford Bottom roundabout bunnies and notice you've written a poem about them!"
"There's a petition to save them from more roadworks - would you like to make a comment?"
"Best wishes,"
Harriet Marsh Reporter Daily Echo
25th of December 2010 06:32 PM by Hi Ray website: http:/ /From Sandy poetic2050
"Have a beautiful day Ray and thank you kindly for the wishes....Your site has blossomed into something magnificent.....I still have you on my blog page....."
Love to you and Brenda Sandy November 15th "I was fascinated to come across your site".
" You mentioned my father, Bernard McGovern, in it and brought back many happy memories of his Play leadership Schemes in Lewisham".
" It is good to see he is remembered for the many good things he did".
Hilda Montgomery 3rd of November 2010 11:25 PM byMorgan Shaunessy
"Excellent site!"
"I too am a gypsy, a poet and an artist".
"Your site is representative of gypsies and travellers from all walks of life".
" A real breath of fresh air".
October "Hi Ray. yes indeed I have been reading some of your work these last few weeks while researching the gypsy history for an article I propose doing on the website and our next newsletter following several emails on the subject". " "Your poetry is very good and I wonder if I could have your permission to reproduce one in the article. Even better is if you could write a new short one specially for this purpose with a theme of West Howe history." " Please let me know if this is possible". " Best regards" Roy Steven editor September "Looks brilliant Ray – we could do with some from the Council looking at the site and picking up some tips, ours is so boring by comparison!"
Best Regards Bill Hills Bournemouth Borough Council
"You sure have been hard at work my friend, this is a magnificent piece of ingenuity. It is one of the best sites I have visited, many thanks for your continued friendship". Rob "I was just at your new page the other day…………saw you poem advertised on Face book so I went there and read it……..Just didn’t leave a note…..You have it really looking awesome Ray"……………. Sandie
"Hello my dear friend Ray.
"Thank you so much for sending me the link to your site".
"It is sooooo awesome! I love how you have it set up! You rock my friend! Your friend.". Mary
"Had a quick peek at your website- really impressed".
"Great quality and high standard on first impressions". "I'll have a more in-depth look and get back to you."..
Serena
10th of August 2010 06:56 PM by Harley (Pupwee) Sutton
"Congratulations, Ray, on all your success! " It is a pleasure and a privilege to know such a fine writer!!! Continued "all the best" to you! your Texas com-padre."...Rich Carlton
"Hi Ray" "This is a truly amazing site,
" I will be back with a few friends and relatives for a further look".
" The site is extensive and brilliantly portrayed. Many thanks for this insight into the gypsy way of life and those magnificent poems." Rob C-D 09/08/10 "I found your site via Romany Genes, which really interested me. Curious, I started to read your poems and low and behold I was transported 40-50 years back in time, to a very happy childhood in Bournemouth.
The names Canford Heath, Kinson, Poole, Sandbanks, Studland, the Purbecks, brought tears to my eyes as the memories flooded back. I shall be recommending your site to my siblings in Cape Town, Vancouver and Buckinghamshire.
I thought I would be the only guest from South Africa, so imagine my surprise when I found your first guest is from Bredasdorp (about 90Min's drive from me)!!
Thank you so much for your poems which were able to evoke such warm, happy memories, they are very special."
" Hello Ray," I made a visit to your site and was very impressed and felt the more visitors it gets the better". " I have today been updating my galleries and have also added your link", Erica Arnold 19th of July 2010 05:21 PM by Paul "Hi Ray," "Lovely site". "As a Dorset boy its a dream to read". " I used to go to school in West Moors and later Ferndown from 75 to 85 with G.R.T families from West Moors and the site at Mannington.
I wonder if you may be familiar with any of them? Lights, Reid's, Cronks and the Barneys, Cooper's and Cokers.
The site isnt there any more and I've no idea if the other families still live on the old estates in West Moors and Trickets Cross although somebody on Romany Genes said some are still around." "Take care and good Luck or Kushti Bok I guess". Paul
"I had a look and its a great site well done !! Regards moderator Journeyfolki"
" Hi Ray, what a joy your site is. I grew up in Bryant road Wallywack down by the Kennel's. My granfer and granny King lived over in Hillside road Rossmore and my brother Ken still lives over that way. The gypsys used to camp out on the spare ground at the back of our house till Sankey Ward built houses there. Happy and lucky were us lot who grew up there during those halcyon days. Thanks for site"  "Thank you for a wonderful site ….. You have just taken me back to my childhood over 60 years ago". " I was also born in Newtown (Old Wareham Rd) in August 1945, went to the same schools as you, we could have even been in the same class at some point. What memories you brought back to me. Names are familiar, and wow all the activities such as catching newts in a jar and Saturday morning at the Regal, I can see us all lining up to get in what excitement. I live in Canada now but all my family are still in the area". " I have just returned from a visit so this was perfect timing to read your website …. Still feel very home sick after 35 years. But as you say it has changed. My mother was a Budden". "Once again thank you so much for taking the time to give everyone a chance to read your poetry about the old home town, you should be very proud". Chistine Onodi (Lee) 30th of October 2009 11:29 PM by Mark "Stumbled across site whilst doing some location research for a book". " Will re-visit site - I also write poetry". "I love some of your poems". " I really enjoyed the feeling of freedom in your writing. thanks" "I was sent this poem from a member of my site and it was read out at a funeral for a local Gypsy man so I felt quite honoured ",
it is by Ray Wills thegypsypoet.
WWW.ROMANY GENES.
I went to visit www Romany Genes and chanced upon the Gypsy queens with vardo there all on display and heathers bound for chavvys play the Gypsy king was true to form with tales of old and wheels all worn the road was hard when folks were true to Gypsy lore and common dues
The customs then were fit for a king with common rights and everything
The fairground charms with darts and lac e with fortunes told to brightones face the walks to market village greens the wayward men and words obscene the dancing gals with tops that spun castanets and lewdly folki song
The ponies free to graze the moors with tattooed bridles and woolly shawls the yarns that Horace Cooper told folks said he had a heart of gold
They burnt their homes as they died and jumped the brooms each happy bride the heaths were rich in rabbits stews with ferreting for each boy blue
Romany Genes be rich in law with roads a winding and Vardos tall n old Lamps that shone with brass so clean like Gypsy's eyes at Halloween.
Chris WS 21 Sep 2009 05:41
"What lovely words to read out at a funeral, I would like that too" ! rg21 Sep 2009 07:51
"Hi Chris yes it was a nice thing , and because the vicar had been given it by the family to read out he then checked the web -site out and made some lovely comments and said it had made the people and the area they lived, come to life and he could Imagine the old times up on the common". rg21 Sep 2009 10:42
"This is another Poem that was read for Horace Cooper's funeral New England being just one of many local Gypsy camps that used to be on the district."
WHY I CHOSE TO BUILD THIS WEBSITE  My earlest influences aside from Bob Dylan and Drummond Abernethy was the work being done by A.S NEIL at Summerhill Free School. SUMMERHILL I chose to put together this website as a vehicle for my poetry as well as a place to present my main passions in life. These being notably.  Childrens Play and my concerns over the loss of their birthright that being their right to play wherever they happen to be and in a free way as our ancestors have throughout history.  My love of Dorset notably its scenic beauty and its history.  Gypsys . Their customs and culture and their right to remain as free roaming peoples of the world. ABOUT THE AUTHOR POET AND WEBMASTER RAY WILLS
Raymond Wills is no newcomer to the world of Childs Play.
With in excess of three decades of practical knowledge and experience in work with children and young people in inner city neighborhood's,new towns and rural communities throughout the U.K.
Originally trained in play leadership by the National Playing Fields Association in the mid sixties. Though many play practitioners would say he is a natural born play leader and organiser of child's play.
During his life Ray has held responsible positions in the community,including school Parent Governor/ Chair of a Parents and Teachers Association, as well as a campaigner for safer children's playgrounds.
Ray has been actively involved in establishing,operating and developing play opportunities nationally for thousands of children throughout his working life.
These have included holiday play schemes, pre -school playgroups,adventure playgrounds,play centres,out of school clubs,youth clubs,disability projects,play carnivals and play days.
His interests in children and their world of play has led him to becoming involved in the social integration of the disabled and the safety of children on playgrounds.
Ray has been responsible for town wide recreational programmes for all ages of children and he has spearheaded national campaigns as an active member of a variety of national play organisations and bodies as well as been a founder member of numerous play councils.
He has attained recognised qualifications in community project management,youth and play work.
Rays previous publications have included handbooks for playworkers "Contacts for advice and information in the community" published by The National Playing Fields Association.
Ray was a founder member of the original Institute of Playwork and similiar play organisations.
Ray on Gold Hill Shaftesbury Ray in Trafalgar Square London Ray Wills is a Dorset man who is proud of his dorset roots. Ray spent his early childhood on the Rogers family Manning's farm  which was part of the Canford heath estate on the outskirts of Poole.It was here as a young boy where he had his first encounters with the Gypsy families who had camped out on that terrain from the start of the century. Ray recalls as a small boy watching the eccentric artist Augustus John set up his easel and paint the lady wimborne house Heather view, the family's originally rented home at a peppercorn rent from the Guest estate. On leaving school Ray was employed by the Bluebird Caravan empire as their chassis spayer and as a painter and decorator, Before living at Bovington Camp  Wareham where he was employed by the military as an Officers Batman. Living just a stones throw away from the former home of the late T.E .Lawrence of Arabia.  See Rays Childhood Days   Ray joined COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS in the mid sixties and via that route first had his experience and training in children's Play Work. Being seconded by Redditch District Council to attend a National Playing Fields Course at Playfield House in London. See Rays account of his years in play work in the UK entitled What An Extraordinary Adventure     Talbot Heath Village Canford Parish Village In more recent years Ray has been a support worker for people with challenging behaviour in Poole n surrounding area prior to this he managed various Community projects in Bournemouth for the local church and for the elderly and disabled. Ray has also been a local school governor in Bournemouth as well as a chair of a parent teachers association and active politically. He managed The Kinson Project at st andrews church  which was a local church renovation project which gained the Rose Award. Ray was also a researcher via Bournemouth University for the Bournemouth Borough Councils /towns pedestrianisation project. He formed and co ordinated the towns only self help group for the long term unemployed in the eighties recession which operated from Pelhams Kinson. He has led national campaigns for playground safety and co ordinted play days for FAIR PLAY FOR CHILDREN, as well as being a founder member of numerous Play Councils nationally. Rays Qualifications are varied and these have included the following. A Royal Society of Arts Diploma in Management at NVQ level 4. A Certifiate in Management Studies. INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT Two -City and Guilds certificates -Senior Youth Work Award and Youth Work Award. NEBSM Certificate in Supervisory Management. Youth Work Certificate with Birmingham Youth Service. Former Fellow of The Institute of Play and National Association of Recreation Leaders. He has recently remarried (his Michigan U.S.A Sweetheart,(Brenda),who is also a poet) they met on an Internet poets website at http://poetrypoem.com/fancynfree.html and on this website .  He has two grown up daughters and two grandsons of his own. CHILDHOOD PASTIMES AND ACTIVITIES  During my childhood I was fortunate to participate in a vast variety of activities and pastimes which all children in that era seemed to be involved in. Although it was Iona and Peter Opie, who chronicled the playground rhymes and chants of those years. However it was Eileen Soper the children's illustrator who drew pictures of all these childhood pastimes and activities and somehow captured its moments and excitement. Activities ranging from playing marbles, conkers and flick cards to the more adventurous rope tarzan swings, rafting. wooden box go kart racing and tobogganing.          EILEEN SOPERS ILLUSTRATIONS
PRIMROSE COTTAGE
If you would like me to compose a poem for you for that special occasion or person- email me your request on my contact page or email at raymondwills@hotmail.co.uk.
I hope that you will enjoy your visit to THE GYPSY POET and return here often.
Poetry for SPECIAL OCCASSIONS
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