Immigration, Integration and Resilience

Silvana Lamb explores the History of the Roma Community in Sheffield and Yorkshire

The Early Migration of the Roma to Yorkshire and Sheffield

The Roma people, originally from northern India, began arriving in Europe over a millennium ago. By the 19th century, their migration had extended to the United Kingdom, and the city of Sheffield in Yorkshire became one of the destinations for Roma communities seeking better opportunities. As Migration Yorkshire notes, Sheffield, in particular, drew migrants with its flourishing steel industry, and the Roma found both opportunity and adversity in this rapidly industrialising city.[1]

Early accounts from the 19th century provide valuable insights into the experiences of the Roma as they navigated the complexities of life in Britain. Samuel Roberts, in his influential work “The Gypsies: Their Origin, Continuance, and Destination”, describes how the Roma were often met with suspicion and hostility upon their arrival. Roberts noted that “the social structure of Sheffield, characterised by its industrial and working-class communities, found it difficult to accept the nomadic lifestyle and distinct cultural practices of the Roma”[2]. This suspicion was rooted in deep-seated misconceptions about the Roma’s traditions of mobility, which were seen as incompatible with the settled and industrial nature of cities like Sheffield.

John Hoyland’s “A Historical Survey of the Customs, Habits, & Present State of the Gypsies”, provides further context to these challenges, describing how the Roma’s “adherence to their own customs and traditions created a social divide between them and the local British populations”[3]. Hoyland’s research underscores the complexities faced by Roma communities in their efforts to maintain their identity while adapting to a society that often viewed them as outsiders. His observations highlight the tensions between integration and cultural preservation, a theme that continued to define the Roma’s experience in Sheffield throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The initial suspicion of the Roma was compounded by legal challenges. The Sheffield Archives document various policies introduced by local councils in the late 19th century that disproportionately affected the Roma community[4]. Municipal authorities imposed restrictions on nomadic lifestyles, limiting the Roma’s ability to travel freely or set up camps, which were essential to their way of life. These regulations forced many Roma families into precarious living conditions, as they had to constantly relocate to avoid fines or forced removals. The efforts by authorities to restrict the Roma’s traditional practices not only undermined their economic opportunities but also reinforced social stigmas.

Despite these challenges, many Roma families did find ways to adapt. While some Roma continued to rely on traditional trades such as horse trading and metalworking, others began seeking employment in Sheffield’s burgeoning steel industry. However, as Thomas Acton points out in his research, “Roma workers often found themselves sidelined due to racial prejudice, with their employment options limited and their contributions undervalued”[5]. Acton’s analysis reveals how the Roma’s integration into Sheffield’s industrial workforce was fraught with difficulties, as they faced discrimination not only from employers but also from fellow workers.

The Roma in Sheffield: Challenges and Community Formation in the 20th Century

The 20th century marked a turning point for the Roma in Sheffield, as waves of migration from Eastern Europe brought new Roma communities to Yorkshire. This period saw an influx of Roma families fleeing persecution in Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. Migration Yorkshire reports that many of these migrants were seeking refuge from the systemic discrimination they faced in their home countries, and by the 1960s, Sheffield had become a key destination for Roma families seeking a fresh start[6]. Page Hall, a north-eastern suburb of the city, in particular became a centre of Roma life, with families settling there and creating strong community networks.

Despite tensions persisting between Roma immigrants and the white and Pakistani populations already residing in the suburb, Page Hall quickly grew into a cultural hub for Roma communities, where traditional customs were maintained and passed down through generations. According to Secret Library Leeds, “the neighbourhood of Page Hall played a crucial role in preserving Roma culture, as families gathered for festivals, music, and storytelling, helping to keep their traditions alive despite the pressures of modernization.”[7] This period of cultural preservation is important in understanding how the Roma managed to retain their identity while navigating the challenges of adapting to life in post-war Britain.

Nevertheless, integration into the broader Sheffield community remained difficult. One of the key barriers faced by the Roma was access to education. The University of Manchester’s research on Roma communities during the 1960s and 70s revealed that language barriers and social prejudices often excluded Roma students from mainstream education, exaserbated by inadequaate support available in schools [8].This exclusion had long-term consequences, as many Roma children struggled to complete their education, leaving them with limited opportunities for social mobility.

The Sheffield City Council Archives also provide evidence of the systemic housing issues faced by Roma families during this period. Many families lived in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, with little access to basic public services[9]. The local government’s failure to address these housing concerns further marginalised the Roma, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exclusion. Despite numerous reports highlighting these issues, there was little political will to implement effective housing reforms that would improve living standards for the Roma community.

The tensions between the Roma and other residents of Sheffield reached a peak in the 1990s, exacerbated by inflammatory political rhetoric. In 2002, David Blunkett, then Home Secretary and MP for Sheffield Brightside, made controversial remarks suggesting that Roma communities were failing to integrate and causing “friction” in cities like Sheffield. His comments sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing him of fueling racist sentiments. The Institute of Race Relations responded to Blunkett’s remarks by stating that his words had “contributed to a moral panic that unfairly targeted Roma communities, deepening the stigmatisation they already faced”[10]. Blunkett’s comments reflect the broader societal challenges of integrating the Roma into a city where they were often viewed through the lens of stereotypes and prejudice.

Following the backlash, local authorities and community organisations began to take more active steps to address the systemic issues faced by Roma families. Educational programs like the Roma Education Project, launched by the University of Sheffield, aimed to provide targeted support for Roma students, helping them improve literacy and retention rates[11]. The program saw positive results, with Roma students showing higher retention rates and increased participation in higher education.

Modern Day: Resilience and Challenges

Today, the Roma community in Sheffield remains a vital and vibrant part of the city’s multicultural fabric. However, the challenges they face are far from over. Page Hall continues to serve as a focal point for Roma life, but it has also become a site of social tension [12]. This tension has often been fueled by media coverage and public misconceptions, which portray the area as problematic without addressing the underlying issues of poverty and systemic neglect.

Housing remains a critical issue for many Roma families. Reports from the Sheffield City Council indicate that many families continue to live in overcrowded conditions, with little access to affordable housing options [13]. The lack of investment in public housing and the exploitation of Roma families by slum landlords have further worsened these living conditions. Although local authorities have made attempts to address these problems, progress has been slow, and many Roma families continue to struggle with housing insecurity.

In recent years, the uncertainties created by Brexit have added another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by the Roma in Sheffield. Research conducted by the University of Manchester reveals that “Brexit has disproportionately affected Roma families, particularly those who migrated to the UK from Eastern Europe in the early 2000s” [14]. Many Roma families now face increased housing and employment insecurities, as changes to immigration policies and welfare services make it more difficult for them to access the support they need.

In response to this, the Roma have shown remarkable resilience. Cultural initiatives such as the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Heritage Month have helped to raise awareness about Roma history and culture, fostering greater understanding and appreciation for their contributions to British society. Secret Library Leeds notes that these events “offer a platform for Roma families to share their traditions, challenge negative stereotypes, and celebrate their rich cultural heritage”[15]. Such initiatives are crucial in helping to build bridges between the Roma and the broader Yorkshire community.

As Sheffield continues to evolve, the Roma community remains an integral part of the city’s story. Their journey, from the hardships of early migration to their ongoing struggles with integration and acceptance, contributes to a wider tale of immigration in Yorkshire and Britain as a whole. Nevertheless the resilience of the Roma people is evident in their ability to adapt, preserve their traditions, and continue to fight for a better future in the face of adversity.

Bibliography

1. Migration Yorkshire. Migrant Roma in the United Kingdom: Population size and experiences of local authorities and partners. Available at: https://www.migrationyorkshire.org.uk/research-entry/migrant-roma-united-kingdom-p opulation-size-and-experiences-local-authorities-and
2. Roberts, S. (1851). The Gypsies: Their Origin, Continuance, and Destination, p. 23.
3. Hoyland, J. (1816). A Historical Survey of the Customs, Habits, & Present State of
   the Gypsies, p. 56.
4. Acton, T. (2020). Roma: Historical Overview, p. 18.
5. Sheffield Archives. SYCC/ADMIN/2/2/24: Sheffield City Council records related to Roma policies. Available at: https://www2.calmview.co.uk/SheffieldArchives/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmVie w.Catalog&id=SYCC%2fADMIN%2f2%2f2%2f24 .
6. Migration Yorkshire. European Roma in South Yorkshire: Research Report. Available at:https://www.migrationyorkshire.org.uk/research-entry/european-roma-south-yorkshire-research-report .
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10. Institute of Race Relations. Sheffield’s Roma, David Blunkett, and an Immoral Racist Panic. Available at: https://irr.org.uk/article/sheffields-roma-david-blunkett-and-an-immoral-racist-panic1/
11. University of Sheffield. Roma Education Project: Achievements and Challenges. Available at: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/education/research-old/literacies/nurturing .
12. Sheffield Tribune. Under the Glare of Police Scrutiny: Page Hall and Roma Residents. Available at: https://www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/p/under-the-glare-of-police-scrutiny .
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15. 15. Secret Library Leeds. Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Heritage Month. Available at:https://secretlibraryleeds.net/2021/07/01/gypsy-roma-and-traveller-heritage-month/ .