Thaindian News

London, May 3 (IANS) The residents of Meriden, a village said to be the centre of England, have formed a human barricade to stop gypsies from building an illegal settlement in their picturesque area.
The gypsies moved to a green-belt site Friday evening as they allegedly wanted to misuse the long weekend due to Bank Holiday. They wanted to set up their camp while officials were off work, Daily Mail reported.

The first Monday of May is a bank holiday in Britain. In recent times, it has been marked as a day to celebrate workers’ rights. Many organisations, businesses and schools are closed while stores may be open or closed according to local custom.

The villagers Sunday said they had given up their long weekend to look after their village in the West Midlands.

“We will stay here day and night as long as it takes. As soon as the caravans started arriving, word went around and we got up here with our own tractors, trailers and pick-ups.

“If we have to abide by planning legislation, then so should they. Local shops and takeaways have been providing free food and drink for us. It just goes to show what can happen when the community pulls together,” Adam Beaty, a villager, was quoted as saying.

It all began at 5.30 p.m. Friday when a group of gypsies in 14 caravans, three diggers, an earth mover and various pick-up trucks moved through Eaves Green Lane to the eight acre site.

Later Solihull Council called officers in from their Bank Holiday.

Apparently, the gypsies had lodged a planning application for the site at 4.50 p.m. on Friday, barely 10 minutes before the council office closed.

“This is horrendous. We moved here because it is a beautiful undisturbed corner of the countryside where you would never imagine something like this happening,” a resident said.