Romany’s caravan goes to Bradford

Cheshire East Council has confirmed that Romany's caravan has been relocated to Bradford Industrial Museum in order to secure its future.

Having been sited in Wilmslow Memorial Gardens for 70 years, the vardo (as the horse-drawn caravan is known) had deteriorated considerably after being subjected to the elements.

The vardo was removed from Wilmslow in December 2011 and transported to North Wales for restoration, which was funded by members of the Romany Society who donated approximately £6000.

During the recent restoration by the UK Vardo Project the full extent of the damage became apparent – with as little as 75 per cent of the original vardo remaining.

In order to protect the vardo for future generations, it was decided that a safe indoor location was needed to protect the structure from both the weather and the threat of vandalism and theft.

Bradford Industrial Museum, which has annual visitor numbers of 50,000 to 70,000 people, expressed an interest in using the vardo as part of an exhibition on Romany culture.

After receiving the support of the majority of the Romany Society, the UK Vardo Project and the former owner's family, and having failed to find suitable locations in Cheshire East, it was decided that this was the best course of action.

Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member in charge of the environment, said: "This decision will provide the nationally-important vardo with the security and protection it deserves, meaning future generations can enjoy this piece of cultural heritage.

"As soon as we were contacted by the museum in Bradford and heard of their plans it became clear that this was the best way forward.

"I also understand that the vardo was originally built in Yorkshire, so in a way it is nice to see it making a return journey to its spiritual home."

Speaking personally, Chairman of the Romany Society, Les Horton said: "The main issue here is that we assure the survival of this priceless and unique vehicle and we feel that this is best achieved by its relocation to Yorkshire.

"After just undergoing a full restoration, at considerable cost to the Romany Society, it would be a shame to see the hard work undone as soon as the effects of the weather take their toll once again."

The vardo originally belonged to the Reverend George Bramwell Evens who moved to Wilmslow four years before his death.

Reverend George Bramwell Evens was a Methodist minister, who was also famous for being the children's radio presenter 'Romany' who worked on BBC's Children's Hour during the 1930s and 1940s, until his death in 1943.

Upon his death his wife Eunice then gave the vardo to Wilmslow Urban District Council and it has since passed to Cheshire East Council.

The Reverend's grandson, Reverend Roly Bain, said: "We are fully supportive of the Council's decision to move the caravan to Bradford.

"The vardo is something that was very important to my grandfather and I am confident he would support any move that ensures its future and lets as many people as possible enjoy it."

Some members of the Romany Society and local residents were against the move and have been campaigning to keep the vardo in Wilmslow.

Derrick Wood, Vice Chairman of the Romany Society, organised a petition for the vardo to be returned to the town.

He told wilmslow.co.uk "We've 1500 signatures of mostly Wilmslow people who want to keep it in Wilmslow. The Romany Society members have never been asked what they wanted to do with it and the Romany Society committee has never taken a vote on it. So as far as I know it has been done unconstitutionally regarding the Romany Society.

"There was no need to send it away because it might detoriate. It would not deteriorate, it was in prime condition and with maintenance it would stay like that for another 100 years."

He added "I think the situation is a dog in a manger in that Cheshire East had no interest in it and wouldn't devolve it to Wilmslow Town Council who might well have accepted it as an old historic part of the town."

Stef Bate, Cultural Director at the UK Vardo Heritage Project, said "After being extensively restored at great cost to the Romany Society it would be reckless to then place this 120 year old historical relic back outdoors in all elements - You wouldn't have a classic Rolls Royce restored and then park it back out in the street in all weather and say 'Oh it'll be ok, we'll just keep painting it every summer", even supermarket trolleys have a shelter over them.

"UK Vardo Heritage is constantly dealing with owners facing deteriorating waggons outdoors and even being stolen to order, these are serious issues. Any suggestions of a high maintenance program outdoors would over time simply destroy this frail old caravan's authenticity. Nostalgia aside - to respectfully look after Romany's vardo there is only one sensible solution - a secure environment within a museum. Its 2012 and nobody today can expect this van to be 100% safe anymore at its former Wilmslow location. To think otherwise would be inviting problems.

"The truth is – local interest in the old relic became stagnant, it became a piece of street furniture, like you would walk past a lamp post. Two local appeals to raise funds for the restoration failed, only £80 was raised towards the £7000 required. After the restoration there was no sensible option on the table to safe guard it locally, and so to preserve this historical van - which ranks alongside Roald Dahl's and Gordon Stable's 'Wanderer', a decision was taken for a new indoor location.

"There's far more involved than people realise and very few museums can actually cater for such a large high vehicle indoors and not many have the required access --- however Bradford could.

"There are many benefits - I'm 57 and if you ask people from my generation who was Romany of the BBC, most will answer they've never heard of him, yet mention Roald Dahl and they will say yes. At Bradford Museum it will experience a new lease of life where 70,000 visitors yearly will have the chance to learn about the life of George Bramwell Evens. Romany and his vardo will now reach a new generation of children – it can only be a positive step forward. We can all think of reasons to have a pop at the local council but in this case in the interests of the caravan they have made the correct decision, for that is what this should be about and time will prove this."

Photo: Romany's caravan being installed at Bradford Industrial Museum.

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