"Dear H, I forgot when your birthday is, but am sending this now. This is part of the forest near here but have not seen any gipsies yet. With love from A. Bard"

Posted: 3rd July 1906

History:

In 1903 it was reported that as many as 300 Gypsy’s were camped on the common at Chigwell Row and Lambourne End. The gipsies were paid 30 shillings each to move off the land, but they kept returning and refusing to leave. When inducements didn't work, Mr. Buxton called in Rangers from Epping Forest and a team of burly men and carthorses from his family brewery. Most of the gipsies had been physically ejected after three days. 

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