Research your roots and learn about your heritage.

Celebrate Gypsy Roma & Traveller History Month this June with a free Romany & Traveller Heritage Day at the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) in Reading, Berkshire. A small number of RTFHS Committee Members will be there.

Everyone is welcome and there’s no need to book.

What’s in MERL’s programme for the day?

• Was your ancestor a Gypsy? A talk by RTFHS member Beverley Walker who has recently retired from the RTFHS Committee
• RTFHS Family History Helpdesk
• The opening of a new Gallery – The Long Road – dedicated to the contribution made by Romany Gypsy and Traveller people to British rural and social history
• MERL is planning other talks for the day: we’ll add details here as soon as we get them. Or check for updates at the MERL website.
• Live music, poetry, films, hands-on activities and family fun
• Discover the Robert Dawson Romany Collection of books, documents and ephemera in the MERL Library
• Explore the Museum’s many other galleries featuring country people, country life and crafts
• Take a picnic and enjoy the garden
• Hot drinks, sandwiches and cakes will be available in the café

It’s a live event so please remember: things could change on the day. 

How to get to the Museum

• Go to the Museum’s website for a map and full directions
• There’s free parking on site
• Buses from Reading mainline station and other parts of Reading stop nearby
• 20 minutes’ walk from Reading station. There’s a big taxi rank there too