Last Mass at Dale Farm

Families at Dale Farm Travellers site in Essex gathered together for Sunday Mass yesterday, hours before they are due to be evicted by Basildon Council. While some families are planning to leave tonight, others say they are waiting for the bailiffs. because they have nowhere to go. Several people wept through the Mass.

Their parish priest, Fr Dan Mason, from Our Lady of Good Council church in Wickford, said it was very distressing to seeing people upset and fearful. He said: "A few broke down in tears as they told me of their fears for next week. If people have another place to go, we are encouraging them to leave, but he added: "Some people tell me they don't have anywhere to go and we are supporting them at this very difficult time."

The Traveller families bought the land, which had been used as a scrap metal yard, more than ten years ago. Some Gypsy families, who also bought land at Dale Farm, were given permission to live there permanently, but the Travellers were refused permission to live on the land by the local council, because it has been designated as greenbelt land.

About 40 children who were settled in the local primary school now face an uncertain future on the road. A spokesman said residents say are particularly concerned for the safely of one older lady on the site who is on a ventilator. When the bailiffs move on at 8am on Monday morning they will cut off the electricity supply to the site.