George Bramwell Evens
The Rev. George Bramwell Evens (1884-1943) was, under the pseudonym Romany (and sometimes The Tramp), a broadcaster and writer on countryside and natural history matters - quite possibly the first to broadcast on such issues. He was also a Minister of the Methodist Church.
His mother was a true Romany, born in a caravan (or 'vardo' in Romani).
He is most famous for his Out With Romany programmes on the BBC's Children's Hour, describing travels in his own vardo, with Comma the horse, his dog Raq and his young friends Muriel and Doris.
The vardo is now preserved in Wilmslow, Cheshire by Macclesfield Borough Council.
He was pastor at Kings Cross Methodist Chapel from 1929-1939, but ill health forced him to give up the ministry. He moved to Wilmslow, where he died, leaving his wife, Eunice, son Glyn and a daughter.
The Romany Society, founded in 1966, celebrates his life and work. Its patron is Terry Waite.
Bibliography
Original Romany Books
(Credited to G. Bramwell Evens)
- A Romany in the Fields (Epworth Press, 1929)
- A Romany and Raq (Epworth Press, 1930)
- A Romany in the Country (Epworth Press, 1932)
- A Romany on the Trail (Epworth Press, 1934)
- Out with Romany (University of London Press (UoL), 1937; illustrations by Reg Gammon and photographs by Romany)
- Out with Romany Again (UoL, 1938; line drawings by Reg Gammon)
- Out with Romany Once More (UoL, 1940)
- Out with Romany by the Sea (UoL, 1941; illustrations by Reg Gammon and photographs by Romany)
- Out with Romany by Meadow and Stream (UoL, 1942)
- Out With Romany by Moor and Dale (UoL, 1944)
- Walks with Romany (E.J. Arnold & Son, undated)
The Romany Readers
Published by the University of London Press in 1951.
- Hotchi the Hedgehog
- Smut the Hare
- Flash the Fox
- Spook the Barn-owl
- Pete and Prue the Partridges
- Nick the Weasel
- Billy the Squirrel
- Sleek the Otter
By Romany's son
Written by Romany's son, Glyn K. Evens.
- Romany, Muriel & Doris (told by Raq!)
- Romany Turns Detective
- Romany on the Farm
- Romany's Caravan Returns
By Romany's wife
Written by Romany's wife, Eunice Evens.
- Through the Years with Romany (UoL, 1946)
By Romany's friend
Written by Romany's friend, H.L. Gee.
- The Spirit of Romany (St. Hugh's Press, 1949)
Biography
- Romany Returns, Guy Loveridge (includes reprints of some stories)
