Sacred Spaces

So far they have prevented Basildon District Council from pulling it down.

Basildon Council wants to pull it down but they have told BBC Essex that it will not waste money fighting a judicial review, but believes the demolition will go ahead, after a Court of Appeal hearing in December.

Marianne has been living on the site for over six years and is a regular visitor to the centre.  She believes this sacred space is important for both adults and children. 

"Children from two years of age can come and learn about faith which is very important to the travelling community.

Statues sitting on a table in the centre

"We love to go to mass and visit the house of God but could also stand in a field and get down on our knees and pray to God and Our Lady."

Father John Glyn is from the local parish church.  He agrees that a log cabin is an unusual place for worship.  "When the original idea of having this cabin came up it was thought to be a place for the youth and a meeting place.  I said what about prayer, so right from the word go this was a place of prayer too."

The log cabin was blessed by Father John with him saying a prayer.  "The prayer says that this place is set aside for the Lord’s service and worship and prayer.  I take some Holy water which is used for Baptisms etc and sprinkle this around the building."

As the local parish priest Father John thinks that it is important that the travellers have a central point for worship.  "I feel they need a centre, somewhere on the site itself where they feel secure and safe.

"It is somewhere where they can come together and affirm an identity as a community."