Book details

Book description

Rosemary Penfold was born in 1938 in a traditional Gypsy wagon, and grew up in the fields of the English countryside. In this beautiful and evocative memoir, she recounts her life within a loving extended family and small but close-knit community. From early memories of her father bringing home oranges during the war, to the simple beauty of a field full of butterflies on a hot summer's day, Rosemary's stunningly elegant narrative captures the love and losses, hopes and struggles, traditions and prejudices that bound her to her family and helped her adapt to a fast-changing world. Rosemary's story is a moving testament to a forgotten world and a rapidly disappearing way of life. Rosemary Penfold lives with her husband of 54 years not far from where she grew up, in the heart of Somerset. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She is still close to her extended Romany family who meet regularly for family gatherings. Although 'settled', her Romany roots mean she is still a gypsy at heart.