Jim, you categorically stated that "rubbish is part of the traveller problem" not that travellers have a problem with rubbish.

But hey, don't beat yourself up because of a hint of racism in your statement. You are a product of all that you have encountered.

As Britain is (as all other countries are) a racist society it is not surprising that no matter how hard you try not to be racist that occasionally the veneer will slip.

You will show, as unfortunately we all do to some extent,the nurturing that we absorb as we grow and mature.

Underneath your concerns for the travellers you, like everyone else, has a degree of racism in you.

This does not make you a bad person and your support for a minority that has been and is still abused does you credit.

But perhaps you should be a little easier on people who have not had the interaction with the travelling community that you have had.

They too are not bad people, they may lack the knowledge you have acquired in all the years working with, and for, travellers but as you will no doubt be aware fear and ignorance of a people or community is enough the create racism.

Sleep well.