Heritage Lottery Young Roots exhibition 'Traveller Wagon Project - Bringing Heritage Alive!'
Members of the Salford Irish Traveller community, Salford Children’s Services and Salford Community Leisure took part in a three year project to build a traditional Bill Wright-style Bow Top Gypsy wagon.
They worked with a local Irish Traveller master craftsman, learning traditional skills of wagon making which have been passed down over many decades. They also learnt about the lifestyle, culture and traditions of life and survival on the road.
This project enabled over 20 young Travellers and non-Travellers to work together and learn from each other, exploring a unique minority heritage which is often misunderstood and maligned.
The accompanying educational exhibition and activity programme explores themes such as traditions, culture, heritage and identity and why these things are so important in all our lives.
“Our journey has been long and challenging but we’ve learnt many valuable lessons along the way.”
“It’s made me realise that we have different histories and ways of living
but we are all human beings at the end of the day.”