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The Times & The Sunday Times
The Times & The Sunday Times
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Sunshine lure for French gypsies

By Simon de Bruxelles
The Times
By Simon de Bruxelles
The Times

THE Cotswolds spa town of Cheltenham is not shy about attracting overseas visitors. But the latest band of tourists are less welcome than most.

Fifty French gypsies have parked 17 caravans on the edge of its famous racecourse and announced that they intend to stay for “a holiday”. They came from Alsace and were attracted by Britain’s fine weather . . . and lax planning laws, which make it a long process to evict them.

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One said: “We used to travel in France but the authorities were strict and always moved us on, often using force.

“We moved to England because the laws are much fairer for travellers and we have no desire to move back to France now. We will stay here until we decide to move.”