A dad of four who has victoriously returned to Nottingham after selling two of his horses at a fair has spoken out on the challenges of his lifestyle. Patrick James, 40, was getting ready for work outside his caravan at Southglade Park in Bestwood when he spoke to Nottinghamshire Live.
When we visited the site on Thursday morning (July 7), some families were still asleep with their window blinds down. It was a quiet morning at the field, however Mr James had work to do.
He said: "We just got back from a horse fair. I sold two of my horses, and I have not got two left.
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"That is what we do, we travel all around the country, go to fairs. We come to Nottingham every summer after the Appleby Fair.
"I do not think it is better or worse than anywhere else. You get all sorts of people anywhere you go."
Community protection officers were out on the field giving out bin bags to travellers. Mr James, who works as a tree surgeon, added: "I think the main differences are between the councils.
"We are grateful to the council, but I just do not understand why we cannot have designated fields where we can pitch. It would be just for a few days and then we will carry on.
"We try to keep our children away from the leisure centre, we try not to bother anyone. We do want to cause any trouble.
"We come to Nottingham every year, every summer. I have some land, but I cannot buy land wherever I go."
He added: "We will never change. I have photos of my family travelling in wagons from hundreds of years ago."
The families have previously pitched at Hempshill Lane Recreation Ground, in Bulwell. They were given an eviction notice, and headed to Loughborough for a fair over the weekend.
Elizabeth Casey, who has previously spoken to Nottinghamshire Live in Bulwell, is also one of the families who arrived now in Bestwood. She said: "It feels like people criminalise this lifestyle.
"In Plymouth they give us a field where we can stay for a few days. We need toilets and things like that, it is just easier that way.
"I do not understand why when European circus comes to the UK they have access to land. We do not.
"What is the difference? We are also travelling, minus the circus."
The 40-year-old added: "We just need to stay for a couple of weeks and then we head off. And then we settle down during the winter time."
Ann Lee, a mum of two, was smoking a cigarette sat down on the stairs of her caravan. The 28-year-old added: "It would be nice if people would try to know us instead of spreading lies. We do not want to cause any trouble."
She has described her lifestyle as a mum who is always on the go and added: "You just get used to it. I think it is better for the children to live in nature and play in the fields anyway."
John Lee, 30, has described himself as the "babysitter" of the group. He added: "I look after the children. I do not like children, but everyone is busy with something else.
"I love Nottingham. There are some beautiful women here."
Peter Rogers, 46, has praised the city for its "beautiful community", adding: "My car broke down on the road and people helped me push it. Nottingham is beautiful, I love this city."
The group said they will leave Nottingham soon and head to London.
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