Diamantes Are Forever
Season 2, Episode 1 TV-Y7
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This episode explores the competitive streak that lies behind the now famous gypsy look and the extraordinary sacrifices that are taken to achieve it. 21 year old Deloras is an Irish traveller who lives the high life. From driving a Porsche along the beaches of the Spanish coast (on an extended 6-month sojourn, courtesy of her father's business dealings) to the ultra-wealthy town of Rathkeale in County limerick, we see her as she prepares for the biggest day of her life – her wedding day. For the event she has commissioned two dresses – the first an exotic pineapple themed outfit for the all important ‘night-before’; the second an extravagant ‘cat’ dress for the day of her nuptials. So outlandish are the designs that even Thelma, a dress maker well used to unusual ideas, describes them as “the most outrageous request” she has ever had. Sammy Jo is an Irish traveller whose ‘look’ is a constant preoccupation. As she prepares to compete in a beauty contest for travellers, she tops up her gypsy tan and reveals the how, for her, the inherent risk of cancer is far less important than maintaining her look. “If I get cancer, I get cancer...but at least I’ll still look good.” Nangirl, Margaret, Rosemary and Bridget are four cousins in direct competition to be the most beautiful on the day of their first holy communion. For these girls the service is all about the need to “look good for God” but as their day unfolds we see that when it comes to looking your best, “beauty is pain.”
I Fought the Law
Season 2, Episode 2 TV-Y7
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Despite a way of life that can often put them in conflict with the law, Gypsies and Travellers will always find a way to celebrate. In this episode, Irish Traveller Danielle is determined to live her life in a traditional way and, at just 15, is planning a lavish black pink and bling hen party. The only problem is her intended, 20 year old Brendan, is up in court on the same day. 8 year old Chloe’s Mum has ordered a massive ‘sticky out’ dress for her daughter’s communion. But there will be one person missing on her special day. Her dad is in Strangeways prison, but Chloe is determined he will get to see her in her dress. Ambrose is in training for a trap and horse road race to take place on the public highway. It’s an age old gypsy tradition but its now against the law, and for the race to go ahead Ambrose will have to avoid the local constabulary. Up in Leeds 22 year old Mary and her fellow Irish Travellers have been kicked off their illegal site. Under cover of dark they race to find a new site before the police can stop them.
School of Hard Knocks
Season 2, Episode 3 TV-Y7
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As the eldest granddaughter of a family with both Romany gypsy and Irish traveller heritage, 15 year old Santana is expected to follow strict rules for girls and set a good example for her younger family members. No longer at school she spends a lot of her time cleaning the family chalet with the occasional visit from a teacher for home schooling. About to turn 16 she is planning a lavish sweet 16th birthday party - complete with a dress made by Thelma and a fifteen tier cake decorated with fireworks. Santana has got a lot to celebrate. Proud Grandma Bridie - the current family matriarch - explains that turning 16 means Santana will be allowed a bit more freedom and is trusted to be let off her cleaning duties for a few more hours a week. Sixteen year old Cassa bucks the trend of many gypsy teens and still attends school. Her dreams for the future include driving an Audi and having whiter teeth but she still finds time to attend her textiles exam. Is her motivation for staying at school the qualifications she could gain or just the opportunity to attend prom in a giant Barbie inspired prom dress? Romany Gypsies Alice and Angel are best friends. Alice is 12 and left school at the end of Primary school. She now works at her Dad's horse fair learning "how to earn a living" while her 7 year old brother Mikey drives a JCB digger "better than some twenty year olds." Best friend Angel has decided to stay on at school and plans to take her GCSE's. Teased by Alice for being a 'school girl' eloquent Angel's decision to continue her education has been made harder due to facing racial abuse at school and finding some lessons uncomfortable to attend.
Love Conquers All
Season 2, Episode 4 TV-Y7
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In gypsy and traveller culture, marrying outside of the community has long been frowned upon. But with their nomadic lifestyle under threat and the younger generation becoming more influenced by non-traveller culture, intermarriage is on the increase. This episode explores further the cultural divide between gypsies and non-gypsies and looks at what happens when the two worlds are thrust together in marriage. Cage fighter Tony Giles is a typical red-blooded gypsy, who is happy to defend his family’s honor even if it means getting into trouble with the law. But his family are displeased with him, for not only is Tony fathering the child a non-traveller, but she is also a glamour model. Gypsy values strongly frown upon women flaunting their private parts and we meet Danielle as she poses for a photo shoot while 8 months pregnant. In the last series we met non-traveller Sam who had decided to leap head first into traveller culture by marrying English gypsy Pat. To prove her commitment, Sam ordered the mother of all dresses, which included robotic butterflies and a built in light show. We catch up with the couple as they are expecting their first child and find out how Sam is coping with the prospect of bringing up her baby in a small caravan situated next to a waste disposal unit. Romany gypsy George Webb warns us of the dangers a mixed marriage can bring. George was married to a non-traveller for 7 years, but his wife was reluctant to be a traditional gypsy housewife. Recently separated, George can now only see his children twice a week. In a bid to keep their gypsy identity alive, he dresses them in traditional clothes and takes them hedgehog hunting. Gypsy Tracey and non-traveller Phil have been married for 10 years and are an example of when a mixed marriage can work. But their wedding was a low key affair and they have decided to renew their wedding vows, allowing Tracey to have the lavish wedding she has always wanted.
Reputation is Everything
Season 2, Episode 5 TV-Y7
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For Gypsies and Travellers, a clean family name is crucial, and the consequences of losing it are devastating. After causing a scandal by spending time alone with her boyfriend, Rosanne is rushed up the aisle to save her reputation. But 26 year old Irish traveller Pricilla is used to scandal. Divorced with four kids, she's planning to shock the travelling community once more with a boob job and a second marriage to a non traveller. Paddy and Rosanne return and have a spectacular New Year’s Eve party to celebrate an eventful year whilst Paddy's son Simey trains for a bare knuckle fight against a rival family. Meanwhile, Mikey explains what it’s like growing up and coming out as a gay in the Traveller community. 17 year old Irish traveller Rosanne became what's known as a Runaway Bride, when she deliberately spent time alone with her boyfriend as a way of forcing her parents to bring her marriage forward by a year and a half. But it was a strategy not without its risks, as many traveller girls runaway with their boyfriends only to find themselves dumped and scandalised meaning no other boy will go near them. Divorced Pricilla also caused a scandal when, aged 16, she ran off with a boy all because she wanted to be able to go to discos. She immediately regretted her actions but to avoid scandal the couple was married on the quiet in a registry office. Stuck in a loveless relationship and with two kids she left her marriage aged 22 forsaking her ties with her family in the process. Now she has found love with a ‘gorga’ man she has two more children –out of wedlock- and the freedom she craved. To prepare for the wedding of her dreams to a man that she loves Pricilla is making sure she looks her best – with a boob job and tummy tuck in Poland. Mikey explains what it is like growing up and coming out as a gay traveller. His sisters fully support him, but asked if they would come out if they were gay, they say they definitely wouldn't, they'd rather 'live a lie.’
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Season 2, Episode 6 TV-Y7
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In this episode we witness a community at a cross roads, as the battle to preserve the gypsy and traveller way of life intensifies. Will the future tear their culture apart, or do they have a place together in the modern world? 17 year old Irish traveller Freda is planning her hen-do and wedding. Having moved from a sit when she was two years old, she has grown up happily alongside non-travellers in a quiet street in Wrexham. But she feels strongly about maintaining her traveller roots and once she is married intends to go travelling in the caravan that is waiting in the front garden. At Dale farm, after 10 years of court battles, eviction approaches for 80 families. The inhabitants remain defiant, insisting they will receive hate mail if forced to mix with mainstream society. Romany gypsy Billy Welch is determined to protect his people’s right to hold a horse fair each year in Appleby, a right which he feels is under threat from a prejudice society. After making it clear to the police that his people will not stand for any trouble, he is given a police-escort to his granddaughter’s first holy communion. Billy’s son, Johnson, is going on what he calls ‘the spring break for travellers’ – a weekend at the Ebor festival at York races, which attracts gypsies and travellers from around the country. We witness the tension between gypsies and non-travellers, which often occurs when large groups go out together. We return to the traveller haven of Rathkeale which erupts into multi colours as Irish traveller Chantelle returns from travelling abroad with her parents to celebrate her wedding to first cousin Jim. Meanwhile Irish traveller Noreen makes her first visit to Rathkeale and is amazed to find so many travellers in one place, ‘like Dale Farm with houses.’
We Are Family
Season 2, Episode 7 TV-Y7
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For generations, traveller celebrations have been a family affair. Though the traditional way of life has declined in recent years, the large tight-knit family unit still lies at the heart of the traveller community. In this episode we meet the Mcfadyens, a large Irish traveller family in the midst of a series of celebrations. The family is excited about the release of their father Chris from prison, who they plan to pick up in a stretch limousine. We catch up with Josie Mcfadyen and her husband Swanley who first appeared in the last series, when Josie waded down the aisle in her enormous front-split wedding dress. Recently convicted Josie is planning the Christening of her 6 month old daughter, but still finds the time to decorate her electronic tag with bling. We meet Josie’s sister, Barbara, who is about to become engaged to her boyfriend Malachy. But Malachy must first make the daunting move of asking permission from Barbara’s father. We also catch up with 15 year old Cheyenne who we last saw at a wedding being ‘grabbed’ by Josie’s brother John. In the fast-track traveller style, Cheyenne and cage-fighter John are now engaged to be married. Soon to be 16, Cheyenne has the daunting task of organizing her wedding on her own as she deals with the recent death of her mother.
My Bigger Fatter Gypsy Wedding
Season 2, Episode 8 TV-Y7
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As grand as the Royal event itself, a very unique wedding took place in Peterborough between Irish Travellers Mary and Paddy. 23 year old Mary courted her groom Paddy for three years before marrying him and she's the star of the one-off special, "My Bigger Fatter Gypsy Wedding." Mary had grandiose ideas about what she wanted for her special day and, like most brides, she confessed that she'd been dreaming of her wedding day for years. Making the day extraordinary for the couple was the job of dressmaker Thelma Madine and her team. They were tasked to pull off a Bigger Fatter Gypsy Wedding that would rival the Royal wedding of William and Kate in the glitz and glamour stakes...in just three weeks.
My Big Fat Gypsy Christmas
Season 2, Episode 9 TV-Y7
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The award-winning series returns with a Christmas special which promises to be the most revealing and entertaining of the Gypsy Wedding strand. Having gained extraordinary access, the cameras follow dress-maker Thelma Madine to a small town in Ireland where roaming travellers return each year to celebrate not only Christmas, but a string of extravagant weddings and First Communions. It's also a chance to catch up with some of the characters from the series, such as Jose and Swanley who married earlier in the year and are already expecting their first baby. Ex bare-knuckle fighter Paddy Doherty and wife Roseanne are coming to terms with spending their first Christmas without any of the children around. As well as peeling back yet another intriguing layer of traveller culture, this festive film is packed with over-the-top parties and, of course, HUGE dresses.