Oban Winter Festival
Reflections on MECOPP’s event at Oban Winter Festival 2023.
By Peter Ross, MECOPP’s National Gypsy/Traveller Training and Capacity Building Officer.
Renowned traditional singer, Ian MacGregor, and traditional basket maker, Jimmy Williamson, had the audience entranced at MECOPP’s event for Oban Winter Festival 2023.
The Air and Sea Cadet Hall in Oban was the venue for the basket making demonstration in which James, starting with only the base prepared, made a basket in less than two hours. The audience were fascinated by the willow weaving skills on show and were entertained by some stories and reminiscences of his life as a Gypsy/Traveller basket maker, trading his wares around the towns and villages of the Scotland in days gone by.
In the hall was a mixed exhibition of art created by community members and work created by MECOPP. A young people’s group from the Lothians showed ‘Shout Out’, ‘Emotions Mask’ and ‘Angry Volcano’, three pieces that reflect on the artist’s state of well-being. Another piece which was produced by a women’s group, ‘Hidden Garden’, was shown at this year’s Out of Sight, Out of Mind exhibition in Edinburgh. The collage reflects on how many people in the community hide their identities from those around them for fear of prejudice and discrimination.
Another young people’s group, supported by the Gypsy/Traveller Community Health Team, created a comic strip which illustrates very well the impact of social media bullying on young people. Alongside the work by community members was a selection from the ‘Moving Minds’ exhibition and the ‘No Less A Traveller’ photographs.
In the afternoon, Ian MacGregor played a host of traditional Traveller songs, Scottish folk songs and added some Country and Western to the mix. Some of his songs were personal, dedicated to his grandparents and other family members, and others were well-kent by the audience, who were invited to sing along. Jimmy sang a few songs. One was about always being always being moved on, which had some of the audience in tears. He also told a few traditional tales during a wonderful afternoon of Gypsy/Traveller art and culture.
Christine said she enjoyed the event very much; she had never seen a basket being made before. She knows her grandad made them, but she doesn’t remember him. David, a local man, said that he loved the event and felt a bit of a celebrity because people recognised him from the exhibition and said how nice it is to meet him in person.
The event was a great success, especially given the appalling weather, and drew a good crowd.
