I'm an American who moved Down Under after 9 years Army (Vietnam, 2/502 Inf, 101st Airborne) I was building a tear drop as both my wife (an artist and myself...artist) are retired, so our art work has now been just for us and friends.... Fell in love with these vans... I do pin stripping, gold leaf (Since the 60's) and Lead light as a hobby (took a night course at TAFE in the 80's.....your work has made me change our direction and go build a Gypsy Caravan on my frame ...great seeing both their works... Thank you so much.
I love your vans and the fact that your keeping your craft alive using all the old hand tools. It's a pity you can't pass that skill on. Your wife does a fantastic job of the stain glass windows well done to you both. XxKathleen from Greenock Scotland
For information purposes: 1. These are Called Vardo's (vardo in singular text). 2. The Vardo was created by us, the Roma (Romani) people. 3. The term Gypsy is a negative term, created by the English to describe the Roma people. It literally meant "not welcome/unwelcome". calling a Romani Gypsy is like calling a black person the N-Word or a Jew a K*ke. The text book definition was changed by the british to mean traveller or Nomadic people when the english began illustrating themselves as saints in the history books and arguing they were good and can do no wrong. 4. We (Roma) pride ourselves on seeing others create Vardo's for themselves and bring in their own personal touches, techniques and signatures to their builds. Sharing even this little bit of our culture with people is joyous. for those interested to know: the red one is a ledge Vardo, the yellow one is closest to a Burton Vardo, the circular one is a Bow Top Vardo. to my comment: These Vardo's he has build are wonderful, they are beautiful and creative and it gives me great joy to see what he has done. My family is one of the last Romani Vardo manufacturers in the world. My family has built Vardo's since 1859 and even worked with and designed Vardo's for Joseph Cookshoot & Co. LTD.
If I remember correctly Smith is a Roma surname? Possibly have your dna checked and if it shows indian heritage then its probable? Apparently, the Roma language is very close to an indian dialect though name of dialect eludes me at present. The Roma are believed to be derived from a blue eyed, brown skinned travelling, musical and entertaining caste who travelled north for some reason hundreds of years ago and spread up through europe and around the globe for safety and freedom. They were in the uk by at least the 1600’s. And many have ‘settled’ over the centuries and some/many have with time forgotten their heritage. Though their interests, land, horses, looks and bling maybe even Vardas are a ‘give away’…….! Whatever, thank you for sharing your inspiring work. Enjoy PS you may wish to check out the english cockney folk musicians ‘Chas and Dave’ one of them Dave if I remember correctly, was settled Roma (lot of us round London) and his hobby was building and decorating Varda’s/wagons. There is a lot of their music from the eighties and nineties here on yt and a vid about his passion for Varda’s which you might enjoy?
I'm an American who moved Down Under after 9 years Army (Vietnam, 2/502 Inf, 101st Airborne) I was building a tear drop as both my wife (an artist and myself...artist) are retired, so our art work has now been just for us and friends.... Fell in love with these vans... I do pin stripping, gold leaf (Since the 60's) and Lead light as a hobby (took a night course at TAFE in the 80's.....your work has made me change our direction and go build a Gypsy Caravan on my frame ...great seeing both their works... Thank you so much.
I love your vans and the fact that your keeping your craft alive using all the old hand tools. It's a pity you can't pass that skill on. Your wife does a fantastic job of the stain glass windows well done to you both. XxKathleen from Greenock Scotland
The little caravans are fabulous! Basil & Janet are talented craftsfolk. Thank you for sharing ♥
Gorgeous van and amazing skill work your and your wife 👍🙏
Fantastic Basil!!! A great credit to you and your wife.
Beautiful work. Wonderful talent you both have 😊 I love it ❤️
what a lovely old craftsman you are basil and yer missus.
Beautiful artistry. Thank you. 🙏🏽
Love your caravans - I am a wanderer too and decorated my vardo van gypsy style.
Great stuff Bro!
PPS Soo good I watched this delightful vid three times………….
¡¡¡¡BEATIFULL!!!😊
In the sixties, where I lived in Spain, gypsy caravans dotted the countryside. They drove horse drawn homes like yours, except they were black.
Hippy caravans lol
Check out Yorkie Greenwood Of Northumberland Builder and painter of Gypsy Caravans most amazing skills
❤❤❤
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
For information purposes:
1. These are Called Vardo's (vardo in singular text).
2. The Vardo was created by us, the Roma (Romani) people.
3. The term Gypsy is a negative term, created by the English to describe the Roma people. It literally meant "not welcome/unwelcome".
calling a Romani Gypsy is like calling a black person the N-Word or a Jew a K*ke. The text book definition was changed by the british to mean traveller or Nomadic people when the english began illustrating themselves as saints in the history books and arguing they were good and can do no wrong.
4. We (Roma) pride ourselves on seeing others create Vardo's for themselves and bring in their own personal touches, techniques and signatures to their builds. Sharing even this little bit of our culture with people is joyous.
for those interested to know:
the red one is a ledge Vardo, the yellow one is closest to a Burton Vardo, the circular one is a Bow Top Vardo.
to my comment:
These Vardo's he has build are wonderful, they are beautiful and creative and it gives me great joy to see what he has done. My family is one of the last Romani Vardo manufacturers in the world. My family has built Vardo's since 1859 and even worked with and designed Vardo's for Joseph Cookshoot & Co. LTD.
If I remember correctly Smith is a Roma surname?
Possibly have your dna checked and if it shows indian heritage then its probable?
Apparently, the Roma language is very close to an indian dialect though name of dialect eludes me at present.
The Roma are believed to be derived from a blue eyed, brown skinned travelling, musical and entertaining caste who travelled north for some reason hundreds of years ago and spread up through europe and around the globe for safety and freedom. They were in the uk by at least the 1600’s.
And many have ‘settled’ over the centuries and some/many have with time forgotten their heritage. Though their interests, land, horses, looks and bling maybe even Vardas are a ‘give away’…….!
Whatever, thank you for sharing your inspiring work. Enjoy
PS you may wish to check out the english cockney folk musicians ‘Chas and Dave’ one of them Dave if I remember correctly, was settled Roma (lot of us round London) and his hobby was building and decorating Varda’s/wagons. There is a lot of their music from the eighties and nineties here on yt and a vid about his passion for Varda’s which you might enjoy?