Product Description

In the dead of night, the authorities swooped on the tinker camp. It was the middle of winter but the tents were still warm. This time they took Sandy Reid and his sister Maggie into care. Sandy was just one year old and he would never see his mother again. Never To Return

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #114007 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 236 pages

About the Author
Sandy Reid is one of the Travellers spokesmen who have recently demanded an official apology from the government for a 'stolen generation' of children snatched from their families by the authorities only to be left to suffer physical and mental abuse in children's homes and with foster families.

Customer Reviews

Essential reading for anyone who works with 'looked after children'!
Sandy's courageous story makes essential reading for anyone who either works with 'looked after children' or who has experience of being 'looked after'. Sandy provides a graphic picture of how important continued sibling / family contact (providing it is safe to do so) is for all children who have been removed from their parents, how crucial it is that those who have responsibility for 'looked after' children actually listen to them and see them as 'children in need' not simply as a 'case', and that how vulnerable children are when they are living in the 'system'. Above all, Sandy reminds us that despite all the talk and aspirations of a profession wanting to value diversity and embrace different lifestyles, frequently social work practice has been guilty of imposing dominant family values on those families which have a long tradition of being different, in his case 'Scottish Tinkers'.

Eddie O'Hara

The disposable tinkers
Sandy's book portrays only too clearly how Scotland regarded her indigenous Travelling People. Tearing children from their mothers' arms and losing them forever in the Welfare system with no contact whatsoever with their families. Taking them to a life where they were treated at best with total apathy and at worst with mental, physical and sexual abuse. And this was considered better for the child than being with his family? I don't think so! A heart breaking tale told beautifully. Well done Sandy! Mary

A note from Marjie
I spent last night reading your book and could not put it down. I found your story poingnant, heart breaking and felt for you at the last page and throughout the whole book. I felt quite privileged though, to have been given an insight into the life of someone who is actually a relative of mine and feel like I at least, know something of you. Well done Sandy, I am proud that you are my second cousin, though you dont know me. I find you a very talented writer as not many books have kept me gripped from beginning to end! Marjie (Martha's daughter).