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Thanks Jan, we’ll certainly put that into the pot!
Just to clarify about deleting comments: obviously any further positive / constructive comments on the subject will not be deleted. And of course comment away on the upcoming reunion. And despite some of the recent misunderstandings and upset I think we can all extend a word of thanks for all the logistical and behind the scenes work Linda has done.
Logistical funny word to use Fiona… look I’m only trying to fight my corner… I cannot have ppl saying stuff about me that’s not true and not try to defend myself…. This difference of opinion should have been over long before now… but every time she posts something she always throws out some sort of innuendo regarding me… and I’m suppose to say nowt… I am coming to the conclusion that its because it was because I didnt want to put her tents up for the event… asking a 60 year old woman to put tents up pff…
This is the last thing I want to write on the subject and the last thing I want to hear…
I understand that Ali. I was just trying to bring things to a peaceful conclusion without getting personally drawn into the discussion. By logistical I meant practical arrangements.
Thanks for those kind words Fiona…. Im pleased someone understands I thought I was going mad for a while….lol
Hi All, Final details for the day 31st July 2011.
Meet up on the village green. If we get the Yellow Gazebo up lol it sounds like a Rubic cube task… may have to rope in a few able bodies…We plan to have a wee table in the Gazebo where you can put your albums or info on for others to look at, please dont bring originals just copies. If you are still searching for family connections there will be a pinboard to post your questions on…please include your contact details so people can get back to you if they have any information. For those who are interested there are three new to me images of Jeannie…one is named the Smiling girl. The red scarf…a bad photo copy sorry it doesnt do it justice and an another.. untitled probably at her youngest modelling age. There are 60 complimentary photos of “The Green Blouse” please feel free to take one. Entertainment will be Jackie Hendry MC and two talented girls who will play their wee hearts out with the accordian for us…please lets have others step up to the mike and make it a great day! rain or shine. There will be young girls mingling with you all offering the gents a spray of heather and the ladies a wee posy in rememberance of our flower selling ancesters, there are many.. but this is in paticular a tribute to Annie Blyth. These are gifts you do not have to cross their palms with silver (smile).Thats it…here is to a great day and lets not forget Big thanks to Fiona for setting up this site for us an the hard work in taking our story onboard….x
Thanks Linda. Sounds like it’s going to be a wonderful day. I pray for equally wonderful weather.
Fiona
Hi everyone,
Tom Tokley has very kindly agreed to meet up with anyone interested in the history on the Saturday 2.00 pm at the Borders hotel and have a wee walk and history tour of the area and our ancesters, if you want to come along just turn up. Linda x
hi fiona, just thought you might like to contact nils blythe as he is over visiting from austrailia, you may already have been in contact, but it was to let you know his exstensive family archive, grandpa was a gypsy ,in book format-blythe family from kirk yetholm, scotland—–arrived-australia 11may 1883, stories from australia and some from the families who remained in scotland and england. this is a fabulous study, everything about and of interest is in this book, its available on request , nils and his lovley wife came to the 2nd reunion down in yethom yesterday, it was a great day big thanks to all the hard work of a desendat-linda lennon hendry, who brought together a great reunion, little keepsakes were handed out a wonderful thoughtful touch, music was played on the green by very tallented singers too many to mention and music by the very tallented miller sisters who played the bag pipes, drums and pieces on the accordian both girls are blythe desendants, jacob blyth hendrys great ,great nieces they were fabulous and a possibility for your documentry, i just thought it was great day in a great place with great people, i hope in the future it continues, anyway contact him before he leaves the country for his exstensive research is fabulous i think his years of research should be included too!
Dear Mary, I’m so glad you had a good time. The weather was glorious and I was thinking of you. However, as noted above, we have been unable to secure funding to develop the documentary further so were not able to come and film. If we had got the funding we had applied for we were intending to interview Nils at the reunion as we also felt he would add a great deal to the project. However, it was not to be. At least there has been one positive outcome of my idea to do this documentary: the ‘family’ coming together. I might not have got what I wanted out of it in terms of a production but there have been positive spin-offs. We have a few more irons in the fire for funding and development, but for now, we can’t do any more.
All the best
Fiona
Dear All,
Our second reunion of the descendants of the Yetholm Gypsy Families was a great success. The good weather, the wonderful young girls playing the bagpipes, drums and accordions, the little posies from the flower girls also the warm welcome and kindness shown to us by the residents of Yetholm made it a day to remember.
Nils Blyth’s two splendid books on our genealogy and history will give us plenty to talk about for years! A great gift to hand down to the next generations.
The happy, goodnatured singsongs and the opportunity to catch up with near and distant relatives pulled us all together and stirred up the feeling of “belonging”that comes from our shared past. I hope we can continue with our reunion and share that lovely feeling again.
If it hadn’t been for Fiona Veitch Smith’s work “The Last of The Gypsy Royals” and the late Alex Kennedy’s reply “we are still here” our reunion would never have happened. Thank you.
Already people are talking about next years reunion and hopefully a small committee will be set up to share the load and responsibility for organising it. It may be that you are happy with the format we have been following and want it to continue but if you have any comments or ideas that you feel could add to the development and ongoing success of the event please put them forward.
See you next year.
Maggie x
Hello everone, a great day was had by one and all. Feedback has made it all worthwhile. Special moments for me was several local residents stopping on route to church and after! to ask a bit more about the history of our people. Small Acorns etc etc great that folk are becoming unafraid! Two residents even offered open house for us to use their toilet,cooking, water facilities. The landlady of the Plough Inn Margaret.. said if I can source a good family group photo she will proudly put it on the wall in the pub along with the old photos of the Gypsy Royals. For me best of all moment was watching the young barefoot decendents with their long dark hair running the wee pony round the village green, long hair flying in the wind!….residents came out and had a game of football and we all enjoyed the activities as one! One could easily imagine days gone by when the village green was a recreational area for all x
Just a few kind words for all of Lindas hard work….it paid off..Well done.
the day had almost a Fair feeling! my girls were over the moon about handing out the garlands off heather and flower posies(brilliant idea)there was defiantly a fair feeling in the pub!!!! what frisk with the “coronation of the new king !!!!”next year i am not driving so i can have a peeve with the men!….sing songs in the pub!…..it was very good propper travellers having frisk and a few peeves…..this can only get bigger….and the girls on the bagpipes and accordion…fantastic …see you all next year..hopefully sooner god bless
Chuck
We came to the Yetholm reunion to meet the family which, until quite recently, we didn’t know we had! We wondered if we would feel like outsiders. How wrong we were. We were welcomed with so much warmth that we felt totally at home. Meeting people, talking, listening to the excellent music, watching the children and the amiable Wee Hendry, it was all a delight. And then there was remembering our ancestry researches and picturing the past lives in this lovely place …my great grandmother walking out of the village to go to Shotton to take her first child to see his grandparents. The work in the fields ,which last week end looked so lovely but which often must have been desperately hard.Thank you to the organisers for an event that warmed our hearts and was so full of friendship and laughter. Linda Waters and Edna Hadfield
Hi all. without repeating what has already been posted. We have to look to the future and think about what we want to happen. Fiona was kind enough to set up this site and for those of you who do not know…. a website costs time and money. Im sure there will be a timescale when Fiona cannot fund this ( please correct me if I am wrong Fiona) my own business web site space costs me £150.00 per anum! to set it up cost me £300.00. As the filming has ended perhaps we should look at another option to either pay for the site to continue or exchange on facebook?
In life there is no such thing as a free lunch folks so lets start considering the options.Further to this for ongoing reunions… Jackie Hendry. Maggie Kennedy, Jimmy Davidson and possibly Mary Bennet along with myself are willing to form a committee. This would involve us contacting and meeting up with( the red tape people,) ie community council to Kirkyetholm, Borders Council, police, parks and gardens etc etc.
I feel after my last experience ….a big learning curve everyone should know what is really involved. Its a commitment that takes over your normal life! You all as a group need to appreciate these reunions do not happen by chance dedicated folk in their own time and expense try to make a good day! If the yearly reunion is expected to continue we need feedback as to who should be on a board to organsie on your behalf!
All the above people mentioned are willing to organise for the best possible day next year. Any objections to the organisers please stae your reasons If there are no objections or people putting them selves forward…. then please do not complain further down the line! cushty bok x
I have no problem with the organisers and would thank them for all they do on our behalf.x
Hello Linda and all. I’m happy for you to continue using this site for as long as you would like to. The little bit of advertising we attract here pays for the upkeep so it’s no bother. It did cost to get it set up – paying for design and of course the actual technical ‘back end’, but now that it’s going it ticks along without too much bother for me. However, please feel free to migrate elsewhere if you would like to do so.
All the best,
Fiona
Hello Linda and all,
Our reunion last year and this year was well attended and going by the many positive comments and statements of hope for another reunion next year I think we can confidently say the majority of people who attended were happy with the format and organisation.
It is a good idea to form a committee to share the workload of putting the event together and since all the foundations have been laid and contacts and relationships have been established with the relevant local council departments I think it will be much easier to organise our future reunions.
As for creating a committee it only needs people who feel comfortable in taking on responsibility for contacting the various departments within the council offices to inform them of our plans and to ensure we have their support. Other people may be happier organising the entertainment etc. The committee is open to anyone who wants to join it.
Not everyone will want to be on the committee but they may have questions, ideas or suggestions relating to the reunion that a committee member could put before the relevant department for clarification and further information.
Several people, including myself, have stated an interest in being a committee member.
I suggest any one who wants to be part of the committee should come forward by the beginning of December. Hopefully we can meet up to discuss and agree who will be responsible for what. Everything that is up for discussion should be made available for everyone to see on this site, The Last of The Gypsy Royals, after all, this is where it all began.
I agree with Marshall. I appreciate so much how much time and effort it takes to organise this event. Many thanks.
Hi all ,and thanks to Fiona again for her efforts for us to continue on here. Maggie is spot on with her comments on continuing the event yearly. Please be involved and give your thoughts and opinions for us to carry forward for next year.x
Some pictures from this year’s reunion have been posted on the ‘announcements’ page. You can view them here. http://www.gypsyroyals.com/category/announcements/
had a wonderful 1st time at the yetholm reunion 2011. Fay makes a great cup of tea in her Royal Albert China, looking forward to next year
Hi all,
The year is marching on and we will soon be in the lovely but crazy season of Christmas. First of all I would like to underline my own and Maggies comments after the last reunion. there are a commited band of folk prepared to organise the next reunion. We would like feedbback on what could be improved on for the next one? What would you like to suggest or for us try to make happen? All comments will be considered when the proposed committee get together. x
Hi to all but this is esp a contact for Maggie Kennedy and Jimmy Davidson, we need to connect asap for next years reunion. Ive posted on here as asked but no feedback? C,mon guys are you in or out?
Linda x
Dear All,
It is still October and some of us are only just getting back to normal after the demands of family commitments such as holidays, weddings, graduations and all the other little things that take up our time during the summer and autumn months.
However, as Linda has pointed out, time is now marching on and so far there has been no response to our request for expressions of interest and ideas for our next reunion.
I know in my post of August 15th I suggested you come forward with your comments by the beginning of December so I hope you will forgive me giving you a little early reminder.
We really do you need you, your comments and ideas to ensure our reunions develop and flourish – without you there will be no reunion and that would be a real shame after the great success of the previous two.
At the moment there are six of us steering the group and we hope to meet up at the beginning of December: when the venue, date and time is confirmed I will let you know via this site. I hope some of you will be able to join us, if not then perhaps you will write in with your suggestions and ideas.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Maggie.
Hi all , update for next years reunion is…there will be a committee who will act on your behalf, I have decided for personal reasons not to be part of it but give them my full support. The last reunion was a great day and with my cousin Faye opening the door to her beautiful trailer, serving tea and food to all ! tea in her lovely china set,family.locals and tourists alike…hat,s off to her! The two girls my wee second cousins who set Town Yetholm alight with their playing of the pipes outside the Plough to the delight of pub patrons and locals… I was told it wasa magical. moment..You were stars! and on the day of the reunion played the pipes,drums, and accordians to entertain all. Faye and I and the grandchildren feel we have done our bit and played our part in memory of our fathers… William Blyth Hendry and Peter Hendry better known as the twins. May the reunion continue……..xxxx
Hi and hey ho I seem for some to be the cog in the wheel….let me explain. One individual sent me an e mail stating the decent! began !!!! meaning the reunion went downhill when I became over involved. The year 2 reunion only went ahead because of the goodwill of the people. Furthermore despite my “new found “knowledge of my Ancestry and alleged expertise in all matters Gypsy. I am accused of being unable to understand basic information on geanology-that is the complainer is a Blyth on both sides of her family! Hey I am not perfect but put my heart and soul despite negative comments into last years reunion, and it was a great day. Now you can realise what I am up against and why I have bowed out. Firstly I have known since five years of age
where I came from and was am proud of my roots and BEHIND THE SCENES try my best to make things better for our people Romany…its not new found knowledge. Its my life. Can I ask the question to the complainer? did all your collegues know who you were when you were working? I hope so… mine do…. and Missy if you cross swords with me then be prepared to fight! xxxx to all my family
Hi Linda.
My blood is boiling. I could have been dead this july past but I lived in spite of cancer. Life is never guaranteed.
I saw your comment on my mail and I was bloody disgusted about the “complainer”.
Who of you out there has the cheek to complain about the way things are run when somebody does their best. If you were up to the task at hand then maybe you would be spending your time doing something helpful rather than picking to bits the effort someone else put in.
Shame to all the complainers!!
Maggie and Linda have made great inroads in remembering our heritage.
I’ and I am a royal descendant.
Character is built and grace is a virtue. Be thankful for those who take up the challenges to lead.
Roslyn
Hello all, I’m sorry to hear that complaints have been made but as these appear to have been sent privately, I don’t think it is appropriate to address it on a public forum. I hope this can all be sorted amicably.
All the best
Fiona
Hello Linda I think Fiona is right maybe you shouldnt have made it public and then not tell us who this person is… and as you know Linda being a business woman you cannot please everone.. you just have to just take it on the chin…
As far as Ive heard the day was a success and your not involved now so chill..
Ali
Cushty Bok
I am one of the descendants of faa blyth after the dispute between the family I was born through the blythe with an e family. Could anyne tell me w ho is next in linefor the throne? Please contact me ough annabthex@hotmail.co.uk, thanks.
Hello to all,
I am so sorry I missed the renunion. I have never been to the Palace but there are pleanty of Esther Faa’s decendents still expanding in the USA. My Father was John W. Jones, son of John W. Jones 1st and Anne Heslam Blyth. Anne’s parents were Charles Blyth and Charolette Heslam of Sunderland, 36 Eldon Street to be exact, where my father was born in 1911. Charles Blyth was the son of King Charles Faa Blyth. My dream is to some day sleep in the Gypsy Palace where my GGG Grandmother once slept….. Maybe someday……… Thank you for keeping their memories alive.
A very Happy New Year to my people. May the droms that you take be good ones.
Jimmy Davidson
Anna,
Could you get in touch through nbblyth@bigpond.com Don’t think I have you in the tree.
Nils
Hi…my name is Mark my grandmother recently passed away, there is a family tree somewhere in the family but i know that her great grandfather was the last Gypsy king…her maiden name was Mary Blyth and she was one of six children…and was very proud of her heritage…. any one know where i would start to piece it altogether as i know my mum would like to know a little bit more….many thanks..Mark
Hi Mark, welcome to the site. You might want to drop Nils Blyth a line nbblyth@bigpond.com . He’s the ‘family’s’ unofficial genealogist and has done an incredible job piecing it all together. He’s down under in Aus.
Hi whilst digging around on the internet I stumbled across this.. I understand on my mother’s side of the family that we are descended from the Faa Blthye Gypsies. My mothers cousin Jim fenton has the family tree and I will try to get a copy of this from him. My mother orriginates from Northumberland and her mother was a Blyth. Would be fascinating to see if I have any long lost relatives kicking around
Hi all and especially to the new people who posted. You will find that if you give enough info as to the year or first names of your Blyth family there are many happy to fill in the gaps if they can for you. We are a family spread across the continents but can still connect through exchanges of information.Nils is a fantastic source as he has researched for many years. Do not be impatient as his mail box gets over the limit as you can imagine? But he will always get back to you through time.
My other reason for posting is after many questions from folk I have to say I have no idea what the plans are for this years reunion or even if there is to be one. I hope someone takes it onboard and everyone enjoys a good family day.xxxxxx
Hello All my name is Jenny Blyth i am from Australia
I just recently learn that i may be realated to the Blyth(e) family .
My William Blyth who come to Australia in 1840s with his wife Christina nee Campbell
I belived that William s father was Andrew Blyth and his mother was Mary Grey.
I would love to hear from anyone ppl who may be able to help me out .
Thank you
Jenny
Hi Jenny, you should get in touch with Nils Blyth as Fiona say’s he is the family’s unofficial genealogist his email is further up the page on another post.
Good Luck
Yvonne
Hi Everybody hope you are all well… Does anyone know what is the dates are for the reunion this year… I have had alot of enquries about it.. xx