boswell

Farnborough has many associations with gypsies and the Rector of St Giles’ has a special responsibility towards local ‘traveller’ folk. Boswell is the family name of the English gypsy royal family who lived in Willow Walk, beside Tugmutton Common (the common almost opposite the
school gates). The most famous gypsy was Urania (known as Reni). She was born Urania Lee in 1856 and, as well as living locally, travelled extensively with her family. In June 1876 she married Levi Boswell at Tugmutton Common. He counted as ‘King’ of English gypsies so Reni became ‘Queen’.

They bred horses of high quality, selling them to aristocracy and race trainers. As well as land at Tugmutton, Reni also owned property in Margate where, as ‘Gypsy Lee’ she was famed for her gift of
‘second sight’ and was famous for fortune telling. Levi died in 1926 and Reni in 1933. Her funeral cortege from Tugmutton Common to St Giles’ Church attracted over 20,000 gypsies from all over England. She was buried, with Levi, in Farnborough churchyard.