THE PHONE was buzzing on Friday as reports came flying in of gipsies having moved on to Artist's Corner car park.
Callers were shocked, worried and angry. All witheld their names.
One family were "prisoners in their own home".
Yet when asked what direct harm the travellers had caused, the words were less forthcoming.
In fact, none of the callers had act
ually approached, or been approached by, any of the gipsies. That would have been a start.
The main issues raised were loud noise and rubbish. Both are pet hates of mine and things I would hate to have to live next to.
But having been down at the caravans myself and met the family (who were friendly, polite and open) I struggle to see why anyone would feel so threatened by them.
It was the cars flying along the A6 making the racket, not the dogs or the family's generator.
And it was the tourists' chip boxes blowing in the wind causing the eyesore, rather than the travellers' rubbish which was neatly bagged up and set beside a wall waiting collection.
I'm not saying everything's perfect.
There are issues between the travelling and settled communities which I can see no easy answers for, but organisations like the Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group are doing their best.
It does look unfair to me that travellers seem to be able to dodge the traffic warden's notebook easily.
And the beautiful views at the Artist's Corner aren't exactly enhanced by the wagons and vehicles.
But so many of the perceived problems with travellers and gipsies could be avoided if people would just be a little more thoughtful and considered.
We're talking about a family not paying parking fees for ten days while visiting a sick relative.
I won't go as far as to quote Roosevelt, but before any of us start to fear bringing our children beyond our front doors, stop for a second and ask why.
Danny Carden, reporter
