Blogger’s Note: You’ve got to laugh! These people “purchase” the land in question (yes – they paid for it – and the local people sold it to them) but because they are deemed “Travellers” (something akin to the Medieval word “Leper” in the English mind) – the very same local people who now possess the money of the Travellers do not want the Travellers to “use” or “occupy” the land in any way. That being the case, here is the question – why was the land “sold” to them in the first place? “Capitalist greed” might be the best answer. Whilst England tottered about during the so-called “Easter Holiday” (a long weekend linked to the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ – and of course – capitalism) – our Traveller friends were busy bees! From this we may reasonably deduce that they are probably not practicing (or even “lapsed”) Christians – but out-and-out Pagans! Good for them!
The situation between the “settled” and “unsettled” communities is not a good one. It used to be the case that the Local Council was responsible for ensuring that suitable open spaces were available for the Traveller community (which is in fact many communities). However, a Tory backlash led to this being scrapped along with Council Housing (another example of the uprooting of British Socialism). Another issue stemmed around the difference between ethnic Gypsies and those people from the settled community who simply declared themselves a “Traveller”. This was followed by an influx of Irish Gypsies and Gypsies from Europe, and so on. A few years ago, when I was in regular contact with the Gypsy Council, and had just publish an article about Gypsies who served in the Soviet Red Army – I was attacked by an Irish youth from a nearby Traveller community that had took-over a park. I say “attacked” – but as a trained martial artist and a law abiding citizen, I simply “moved out the way” of this short kids punches – which made his friends laugh and pull him away. Obviously, I did not grass, but I suspect the entire encounter is on the Sainsbury car-park CCTV. It is a sad state of affairs all round.
Some of these people are violent and obnoxious because of the things that have been done to them (collectively) in the past – this must be understood – but the prejudice aimed at Travellers is breath-taking! No other disadvantaged group wants anything to do with them. You will not see BLM or Palestine Solidarity turning-up to protest their treatment or demand their rights. Physical violence does not bother me – it is an occupational hazard – but for many others the shock of it is far too much to take, and around it goes. ACW (9.4.2026)
Farmer fury as travellers start building illegal site at Easter
Louise Impey – 08 April 2026
Farmers and residents of a Hertfordshire village have been left feeling vulnerable and frustrated after illegal construction activities linked to an unauthorised encampment took place at speed and scale over the Easter weekend.
Despite an emergency Section 187B injunction being issued by the local council for a breach of planning control, work has continued in Flamstead by travellers intent on developing the site.
It is understood the 1.6ha (4-acre) site was purchased by the travellers, but planning consent was not acquired.
Locals were met with violent abuse and threats as bulldozers, HGVs and other vehicles started arriving in numbers at the location, which is situated on green belt land on the edge of the Chilterns in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
In what one local farmer described as a very “slick” operation, around 100 lorry loads of hardcore were delivered from 6pm on Thursday (2 April), accompanied by pipework and septic tanks. These were followed by other vehicles, blocking lanes and forcing entry across fields.
As groundworks and the installation of static homes intensified over the long weekend, trees were felled without permission, gateways widened, and access to the site gained by trespass.
Civil offence
The farmer, who has one arable field adjoining the site, said there is very little that can be done.
“We’ve been advised that it’s a civil offence rather than a criminal one. We’re proud of this beautiful landscape and do everything by the book, so to see it being trashed like this is very difficult.”
He spent much of the weekend tightening up his own farm’s security. “We’ve been digging trenches, securing gateways and fuel tanks, and installing cameras around buildings,” he said.
Given the hostile behaviour encountered, farmers with livestock in surrounding fields have been unable to check on their animals or complete fieldwork.
“I’ve got ewes in a field down Friendless Lane that are due to lamb any day now,” said another local farmer, who didn’t wish to be named.
“It’s a horrendous situation and it’s been going on for the last five days.”
Police car rammed
Police advice is not to approach the site, after one police car was rammed and three other vehicles were damaged, but no arrests were made.
After a visit from the local MP Victoria Collins and a continued police presence, a court hearing has been scheduled for next week.
Another local farmer pointed out that such blatant flaunting of the law was very difficult for the wider community.
“Stop orders have been ignored and our safety has been threatened,” he said. “It’s outrageous – we have to get permission before we can put up a shed or farm building – this activity it completely illegal.
“We’re pleased that the local authorities responded, but they were a bit slow to act.”
Hertfordshire Police confirmed its presence in the village, but stressed that it has no enforcement powers to prevent access to the land or building work taking place.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 