Skip to content
  • Happy Health
  • Happy Mindset
  • Animal Wonders
  • About Us
    • Team
  • Subscribe
Menu
  • Happy Health
  • Happy Mindset
  • Animal Wonders
  • About Us
    • Team
  • Subscribe
Happy News

The Rag and Bone Gypsy Creating Magic

Robert Myers-Priestley clatters through Bradford’s streets on his horse-drawn cart, calling out for “any rags, bones, dishes, washes, microwaves” in a tradition that echoes his grandfather’s work decades ago. The 46-year-old from the Gypsy and traveller community sees his rag and boning not as a way to make money, but as a service to help others, passing bikes to children and donating useful items to families in need. His distinctive work has taken an artistic turn as set designer for RIDE!, a new theatre production celebrating Gypsy heritage as part of Bradford’s UK City of Culture celebrations.

Robert transformed his collected treasures into a stunning 3D backdrop for the show, using everything from copper piping and bike frames to toasters and alloys to create something beautiful from society’s discards. The production combines dance, rap, and theatre to explore themes of resilience and belonging while countering negative stereotypes about Gypsy and traveller communities. Robert hopes the show will help people see past their prejudices and recognize that his culture of “rag and boning and scrapping” deserves respect rather than discrimination. His journey from street collector to theatre artist proves that one person’s rubbish truly can become another’s treasure, especially when creativity and community spirit guide the transformation.

PrevPreviousWhen a Crow Thought a Border Collie Was Its Mother
NextThe Chance Encounter That Changed EverythingNext

Recent Articles

Happy News

The Million Dollar Ocean Treasure Discovery

October 14, 2025

Salvage divers working for Queen’s Jewels LLC have pulled over 1,000 silver and gold coins worth approximately $1 million from a Spanish treasure fleet that sank off Florida’s coast in 1715 when a hurricane sent 11 ships carrying an estimated $400 million in gold, silver, and jewels to the bottom

Read More
Happy News

Koala Piggybacking On A Dog!!!

October 14, 2025

Steve Lamplough heard his dogs barking and a commotion in his Victoria, Australia backyard, but nothing could have prepared him for what he found when he investigated: a baby koala clinging to the back of his Golden Retriever Denni for an epic cross-creature piggyback ride. The sight was quite amazing

Read More
Happy News

Night The Doberman Just Won Dog Of The Year

October 14, 2025

Craig Campbell was walking his 10-year-old Doberman named Night on a familiar trail near Calgary when he suddenly found himself face-to-face with a grizzly bear sow and her two cubs emerging from the bushes. In those terrifying seconds, Campbell managed only two thoughts: “This can’t be happening” and “I’m about

Read More
« Previous Next »
  • Privacy Notice
  • Accessibility Notice
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Unsubscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Notice
  • Accessibility Notice
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Unsubscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2025 HappyNews.