“We did not know that there was a party”: a village of the private Gard of July 14 after the arrival of Travelers

The tricolor pennants float proudly in the air but the atmosphere is not at. Meanwhile, the party. Meanwhile, In the afternoon of this Sunday. However, July 13, Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas is surprised to see more than a hundred caravans of travel people land on the municipal soccer field. Meanwhile, A land which, a few hours later, was to welcome the whole evening organized for the national holiday. Nevertheless, Everything has been suddenly canceled.

“We didn’t know there were festivities” – "we did not know there

At the village bakery. For example, this Monday, July 14, a neighbor of the stadium who came to seek her bread deplores a spoiled ceremony. Nevertheless, “We are disappointed. Furthermore, We wanted to go with my husband and friends. Nevertheless, We would have gone on foot. Meanwhile, it’s right next to us but because of all this, we had to go to Vézénobres. Furthermore, They come and it is we who are impacted and forced to move. Meanwhile, It is our national holiday anyway! For example, It is important.”

Among the few passers -by crossed in the streets, Denise, 74, makes her daily work. Nevertheless, It is very “we did not know there upset: “çTo put me out of me! For example, I saw that they had canceled everything because of that. Meanwhile, What bothers me is that they have everything free. Nevertheless, They take electricity, water, they take everything and they go away, everything is screwed up. Nevertheless, While we, if we do the same, we are forced to pay. Like at the campsite. We pay water and electricity and if we degrade, we pay! It is this injustice that displeases me. After the gypsies, I have nothing against it, I have in my family! “

The conversation is interrupted by a young man in scooter : “Excuse me ladies, would there be a tobacco office here?” Jonathan comes from the north of France. He arrived last night with his community: “A few weeks ago. they did a tour to locate the field, nothing had been installed but when we arrived yesterday, “we did not know there it was too late, we did not know that there were festivities and once there, it’s very difficult for 100 caravans to turn around. We are sorry if the festivities did not take place. We understand that people are not happy. It was not our will. “

The lack of reception areas pointed out by all – "we did not know there

A point on which everyone agrees: the lack. of reception areas to standards. A recurring problem which has repercussions in this town of less than 5. 000 inhabitants which is at its 4^e Intrusion in 11 years with the key to degradation. “The last time. in 2017, we had it for around 5,000 euros, so this time the experience spoke and I preferred to open the electrical box myself rather to risk that they fracture it. Thanks to that, we have already saved 3,000 euros!”, Explain, disappointed, Jean-Michel Perret. The mayor of Saint-Hilaire “we did not know there admits helpless in the face of such a influx of caravans: “oHe had just rebuilt the sports fields a month. a half ago. We had 20,000 euros.“

However. according to several members of the Travelers community, Alès Agglo and the Gard prefecture had been warned several months before their arrival. Contacted. Christophe Rivenq, mayor of Alès and president of the Agglo explains that he has no information on the subject and having been contacted for other dates: “We were alerted by two community passages from Travelers to our territory, after July 14.” The community is not considered “we did not know there to be standards on the reception areas because several of its municipalities have not. been built in their territories. This means that the law tolerates wild installations of this kind. But Christophe Rivenq remains rather elusive on the name of the municipalities concerned: “I don’t want to stigmatize a town. It is a sensitive subject throughout France. We, in Alès we have our area, we comply with the law “.

An observation shared with Reinhart, pastor of the community: “I understand anger but we are not the only responsible. The state does not make the share of work to welcome us. Sometimes we are very well received, for example, before arriving here, we were in Valence, with all the adequate infrastructure. We are itinerant citizens but the rest of the year. we land and our children are educated, they are in sports clubs … Additionally, We know very well what “we did not know there a football stadium represents“.

"we did not know there

“We will organize a kitty to compensate the city”

In total, more than 1,000 people were expected for the festivities of July 14 with inflatable castle, ball competition, musical services, fireworks, fireworks, “Everything was already installed when they arrived. And in an hour there were already 100 caravans. It went very “we did not know there quickly,”, tells the mayor. Not to mention all the already ready food that may end up in the trash “The tennis club had already made more than 80 meals. the festival committee, the same”.

For his part, Reinhart pleads ignorance and delay: “We have seen to our surprise that there were planned festivities. We were very annoyed. The mayor’s attitude was very constructive. He was very human and understanding in the face of the situation. We wanted to put ourselves on the side of the field to allow the festivities to be able to. take place anyway but he preferred to cancel everything.“

Instead of republican festivities of July 14. it is a large evangelical gathering with prayers and songs under a marquee that will be held. “”Everyone who wants to come are welcome“. Sets the pastor who announces that he wants to create a kitty to compensate the village:”We “we did not know there will sign an agreement with the mayor in which we undertake that there is no degradations or detritus after our visit. We have an appointment this Tuesday to sign it. we will make a kitty with our group to compensate the village for the cancellation of the party. “