June is Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, and Showman History month and was established in 2008 to raise awareness of these communities and their contributions to society and to offset negative stereotyping and prejudices.
To celebrate this, we have prepared an author focus on Richard O’Neill, Storyteller, Author, and Playwright.
Richard O’Neill was born and brought up in a large traditional, fully nomadic Romani Gypsy family, travelling throughout the North of England and Scotland. His roots are also to be found in the coal mining communities of the Northeast having family members who worked down the pits. This co-cultural upbringing is reflected in his creative work. As Richard says, ’Gypsy in my heart and coal dust in my veins’.
Storytelling has been a constant in Richard’s life for as long as he can remember. Learning his craft sat round campfires at the feet of some of the best Travelling and North Country storytellers, he developed a passion for story.
Richard has had several children’s storybooks published, winning literary, cultural and diversity awards in the UK, Europe and USA, including being awarded National Literacy Hero status for his work with excluded communities.
Please see our list of Richard’s titles (some of these have been co-written with others, please see individual books for further details).
For more information about the support available for schools please contact:
Ellen Tout: Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman (GRTS) Advisory Teacher
Email: [email protected]
Call: 01392 388044/07977606931
Website: Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showmen - Support for schools and settings
