Jess Smith (writer)

Jess Smith (born 1948) is a Scottish writer and storyteller.

Her work focuses on the experiences of Scottish travellers. As of 2018, she has published six books, including an autobiographical trilogy recalling her own childhood experiences, and a booklet on Traveller Dialects (with co-author Robert Dawson).[1] In 2014 she led a campaign to save the Tinkers' Heart,[2] a Scottish travellers' monument in Argyll, Scotland.

Biography

Smith was born in Aberfeldy in 1948.[3][4] From a Scottish traveller family, she lived with her seven sisters and parents in a single decker blue Bedford bus from the ages of five to 15.[5] Smith lives in Perthshire and is married with three adult children; 2 sons and a daughter.[6][4] She is patron of the young travellers' rights organisation Article 12.[7] In 2012, Article 12 won the Herald Society Equalities Project of the Year Award.[8]

Tinkers' Heart campaign

In 2012 scheduled monument status for the Tinkers' Heart was proposed however the application was declined as Historic Scotland indicated that it did not meet the criteria for a monument of national importance. In 2014 Smith launched a campaign to have this decision overturned, and in June 2015 the Heart became a scheduled monument.[9]

Bibliography

References
  1. User, Super. "Jess Smith: Author & Traditional Storyteller - Jess Smith". www.jesssmith.co.uk. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  2. "Jess Smith leads campaign to save the Tinker's Heart | Travellers Times". www.travellerstimes.org.uk. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  3. "LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies (Library of Congress)". id.loc.gov. The Library of Congress. Retrieved 5 February 2018.CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. Lindsay (8 February 2014). "Jess Smith". Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  5. "Why Kirkcaldy holds special place in heart of traveller, storyteller and author Jess Smith". www.fifetoday.co.uk. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  6. "Author details | Scottish Book Trust". scottishbooktrust.com. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  7. User, Super. "About Jess Smith - Jess Smith". www.jesssmith.co.uk. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  8. "Celebrations at Herald Society Awards". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  9. "MSPs seek action over Tinkers' Heart". BBC News. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
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