A LARGE group of holiday makers who regularly visit Weymouth say they may not come again - after they felt 'very threatened' by Gypsies.
Avon Caravan Club set up camp at Weymouth Rugby Club during the bank holiday weekend, but were met by a group of Romany Gypsies who they said threatened them.
READ MORE: 'Number of unauthorised encampments' spotted at Weymouth Rugby Club, The Nothe and the Marsh
The club, in Monmouth Avenue, has a designated area for holidaygoers coming to the area, which Avon Caravan Club members pay to use after taking out insurance coverage.
The Romany Gypsy camp set up on Weymouth Rugby Club's field around 6.30pm on Friday. Picture: Dorset Echo
However, the Romany Gypsies arrived at the site on Friday around 6.30pm and pitched up on the rugby field.
Avon Caravan Club member Mark Norley said: “We’ve come here for 10 years because we want to support the rugby club. During Friday evening the group of travellers approached our members and demanded water.
"Some of our members are vulnerable children and elderly people who were scared and felt very threatened. We’re supposed to be on holiday but we felt on edge.
"We may not come again after this, which long term could be detrimental to Weymouth’s local economy.”
Avon Caravan Club members John Davies, Sandra Lloyd, Joanne Merry, Nicki Norley and Mark Norley
The Gypsy camp is led by Jim ‘Beb’ Prince who said they asked for water which was not given and he said was an infringement on his group’s human rights.
READ MORE: Horses and caged hens - Travellers pitch up on field just off Southview Road, Weymouth
The Romany Gypsy group left the rugby club around 11am on Saturday. Picture: Dorset Echo
He said: “We have asked people to provide us with water and by not doing so they are infringing on our humans rights.
“We clean up after ourselves and put rubbish in bin bags. All we leave is a bit of horse muck.
“Everyone here including myself are Romany Gypsies - we’re just here to enjoy ourselves and not cause trouble.”
The Gypsy group pitched up on the Marsh around noon on Saturday. Police were monitoring the situation after parking up at the park entrance just off Southview Road. Picture: Dorset Echo
The group of Romany Gypsies left the rugby club around 11am on Saturday before arriving on the Marsh, just off Southview Road around noon.
It was the second time this month a group of travellers set up camp on the rugby club after an initial incident on May 7.
A spokesman from the rugby club said: “We don’t have the resources to clean up.
“They have left dog and horse faeces and human faeces, which is horrific considering we’re still in a pandemic.
“The pitch will cost money to repair and we’ve had to cancel an 18th birthday party because of the travellers showing up - which is loss in revenue during a bank holiday weekend.”
The Romany Gypsy group parked on the Marsh around 2pm on Saturday. Picture: Dorset Echo
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