This film is part of Free
Gypsies
Hertfordshire blazes a trail in providing for travellers.
Overview
"It seems like all little girls like to play 'house' even if they've never lived in one", observes This Week in Britain presenter, Michelle Brown, on visiting the play centre at Bushey's Sandy Lane Caravan Site. This government-sponsored cinemagazine was destined for overseas audiences; its remit to showcase Britain's caring and inclusive attitude towards its minority groups.
Hertfordshire was one of the first counties to implement the Caravan Act 1968 which enforced local authorities to provide licensed sites for travellers to park their caravans long or short-term. At the time of filming, Hertfordshire had provided eight sites and more were in the pipeline. The film crew also visit the Three Cherry Trees site in Hemel Hempstead which boasts more modern facilities. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 repealed the duty of local councils to provide authorised sites like these. This government film is a public record, preserved and presented by the BFI National Archive on behalf of The National Archives, home to more than 1,000 years of British history.
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