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. An RTFHS team will be taking part.

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

What’s in the programme?

• Was your ancestor a Gypsy? A talk by RTFHS member Beverley Walker who has recently retired from the RTFHS Committee
• RTFHS Family History Helpdesk
• Specialist books for sale
• 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
• Come with a picnic and enjoy the garden
• Or grab hot drinks, sandwiches and cakes in the café

It’s a live event so please remember: things could change on the day. Thank you for your understanding.

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