Catholic parish hosts Romany festival

Probably the first-ever Romany festival organised by a Catholic parish in England took place at the church hall of Our Lady Help of Christians in Kentish Town, North London, on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Episcopal Vicar Monsignor Keith Balthrop opened the event with a blessing. There was dancing and singing and lively performances by three of the most well-known Romany bands in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland: Romany Rad, Sebastian and Band and the Grudzen Brothers. A fiery goulash was served during the interval. The parish runs a support group and English language for Romanies living locally - several of whom are asylum seekers.