George Bramwell Evens facts for kids

George Bramwell Evens (1884–1943) was a British radio presenter and writer. He was known by his special nickname, Romany. Sometimes he was also called The Tramp. He taught people about the countryside and nature on the radio. He might have been the very first person to do this! He was also a minister in the Methodist Church.

Meet Romany: The Nature Broadcaster

Romany's mother was from the Romani community. She was born in a vardo, which is a traditional Romani wagon. His father, George Evens, was a Salvation Army officer from Plymouth. Romany was born in Hull, England. He went to school at Epworth College in Rhyl and then Queens College in Taunton. In 1911, he married Eunice.

Romany's photo of Raq, from his book Out With Romany Again

Romany became very famous for his radio shows called Out with the Romany. These shows started in 1933 on the BBC's Children's Hour. In the shows, Romany talked about his travels in his own vardo. He bought this wagon in 1921 for £75. He traveled with his horse, Comma, and his English Cocker Spaniel dog, Raq. He also had two young friends, Muriel and Doris, who joined him.

Even though the shows sounded like Romany was really out walking, they were actually planned beforehand. He performed them all in the radio studio. The idea was that Romany and his friends were exploring the countryside. They would talk about the plants and animals they found along the way. Many people loved his shows. They helped a whole generation of listeners become interested in nature and the outdoors.

A special plaque in Carlisle that remembers Romany.

As a Methodist minister, Romany worked in several towns. These included Goole, Carlisle (from 1914 to 1926), Huddersfield (1926 to 1929), and Halifax (1929 to 1939). After 1939, he had to stop being a minister because he became unwell. He moved to Wilmslow and later passed away there. He left behind his wife, Eunice, his son Glyn, and his daughter, Romany June.

Romany asked for his ashes to be scattered at Old Parks Farm in Glassonby, Cumbria. He had loved visiting this farm for 22 years. In 2001, a special memorial was put up there to remember him.

Romany's vardo (wagon) in Wilmslow in 2006.

Romany's wife gave his vardo to the local council. For many years, it was shown outdoors in Wilmslow. By 2012, the wagon was in bad condition. It was repaired and moved to Bradford Industrial Museum. Now it is kept indoors to protect it.

A badge from the Romany Society in the 1950s, showing his dog Raq.

The Romany Society was first started in 1943. It stopped for a while but was started again in 1996. This society celebrates Romany's life and his work. They send out newsletters and a yearly magazine. The famous humanitarian Terry Waite is a patron of the society.

Romany's BBC radio shows were all broadcast live. This means they were not recorded at the time. Only one recording of his shows still exists today. It was made in October 1943, just one month before he died. This recording was released on a CD in 2006.

Romany's Books

Romany wrote many books about nature and his adventures.

Original Romany Books

These books were written by G. Bramwell Evens himself.

• A Romany in the Fields (1929)
• A Romany and Raq (1930)
• A Romany in the Country (1932)
• A Romany on the Trail (1934)
• Out with Romany (1937)
• Out with Romany Again (1938)
• Out with Romany Once More (1940)
• Out with Romany by the Sea (1941)
• Out with Romany by Meadow and Stream (1942)
• Out With Romany by Moor and Dale (1944)
• Walks with Romany (undated)

The Romany Readers

These books were published in 1951 and featured different animal characters.

• 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

Books by Romany's Family and Friends

Romany's family and friends also wrote books about him or his adventures.

• Romany, Muriel & Doris (told by Raq) - by Romany's son, Glyn K. Evens
• Romany Turns Detective - by Romany's son, Glyn K. Evens
• Romany on the Farm - by Romany's son, Glyn K. Evens
• Romany's Caravan Returns - by Romany's son, Glyn K. Evens
• Through the Years with Romany (1946) - by Romany's wife, Eunice Evens
• The Spirit of Romany (1949) - by Romany's friend, H.L. Gee

A New Romany Book

More recently, a new book about Romany was written.

• Romany in the Lanes (2007) - by Phil Shelley, with illustrations by Ray Hollands.