Bender tents were used by Romany Gypsys before the travelling wagons and also alongside the wagons when they were introduced in the 1850's. Hazel branches were taken from the hedgerow. They were bent over and pushed into the ground. They were then covered in carpeting and the top cover was canvas. This bender tent uses ex army canvas from the second world war. The older and younger members of the family would sleep in the wagon and the others in the Bender Tent.
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