I opened the other thread and there was a very sparse title and comment which was confusing. The reference to MacColl was not explained. I couldn't really get what the thread was about, even with the two other comments I read in it.

Not having heard the offensive comment by the comedian, and then trying to decipher the intention of the thread from the sparse information made it difficult to interpret. That type of thread does invite short, sharp replies unfortunately. I think that it helps to make the topic and the intention of the thread clear at the outset so that others know what you are talking about.

Thanks Mike Yates for explaining the issue so clearly. I get it now.

I was told many years ago when I briefly met a couple of my Welsh/English relatives that my maternal Great Grandmother in Wales was from the Travelling People. I never found out more about her and living here in Australia I don't know much about Gypsies, Travellers and Roma but I have read about the discrimination and the poor treatment that they often get.