Galician gypsies, Mitcham
Buy a copy
| Area | Mitcham |
|---|---|
| Copyright 1 | London Borough of Merton |
| Picture Reference | Mit_TomFrancis_Ln29 |
| Original Format | Photo |
| Photographer / Origin of Photo | Tom Francis |
| Notes / History | The two boys in the photograph were part of a group of Gypsies who travelled to England on their way to America. They stayed in Mitcham for a while in a field near Willow Cottage at Beddington Corner. They impersonated skilled tinkers, and fixed broken copper utensils. Sadly, whilst they were in Mitcham, a young girl who was the daughter of the leader of the group, passed away and was buried in Mitcham Churchyard with an extravagant funeral. Tom Francis thought that the group were a ‘picturesque crowd, but unfortunately confessed that ‘the neighbourhood were not sorry when they moved on.’ |
