Back in the saddle! Thousands of travellers gather for the first day of the Appleby Horse Fair
Back in the saddle! Thousands of travellers gather for the first day of the Appleby Horse Fair after it was cancelled last year because of Covid
- Travellers saddled up traditional horse and bow top carts as they arrived at the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria
- Fair is usually held outside Appleby and attracts around 10,000 Gypsies and Travellers and 1,000 caravans
- The Fair is billed as the biggest traditional Gypsy Fair in Europe and attracts people from across the country
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Thousands of travellers from across the UK saddled up traditional horse and bow top carts as they headed to the Appleby Horse Fair today after last year’s festival was suspended due to Covid restrictions.
The fair is an annual gathering for Gypsy, Romany and travelling communities and is billed as the biggest traditional Gypsy Fair in Europe.
Around 10,000 travellers are expected to attend the event who traditionally come to buy and sell horses and it offers an opportunity for the traveller community to come together to celebrate their heritage and culture.
The fair is usually held in early June outside the town of Appleby, in Cumbria, and attracts around 1,000 caravans, hundreds of horse-drawn vehicles, and around 30,000 visitors.
Over the years, the mass gathering has generated allegations of violent crime, animal cruelty and mess left in the town. However the RSPCA, which patrols the fair, has said just a small minority of visitors have ever shown scant regard for animal welfare.
Already travellers have clashed with locals in neighbouring market towns when they decided to set up an overnight camp at the Upper Eden Rugby Club when their camp was sprayed with cow manure and sectioned off with boulders.
But, despite the numbers being at what police said was a ‘normal’ level, incidents of crime and disorder were at an all time low as a new spirit of cooperation emerged between travellers and locals.
Attendees to the Appleyby Horse Fair cool off in the river on horseback in Cumbria on Thursday
Around 10,000 travellers are expected to attend the event who traditionally come to buy and sell horses (Pictured: Horses cooling off in the river Eden in town of Appleby)
The annual event had been cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic (Pictured: Festivalgoers on the banks of the river Eden Thursday)
A policeman stands guard as horses and ponies gather in the streets of Appleby for the first day of the Appleby Horse Fair Thursday
Two girl friends dressed in their summer best as the Appleby Horse Fair gets underway
The sun was shining on the banks of the River Eden for the first day of the annual Appleby Horse Fair
A young lad leads his horse by its rein while others splash about on horseback in the River Eden Thursday
Incidents of crime and disorder were at an all time low as a new spirit of cooperation emerged between travellers and locals (Pictured: Festivalgoer relaxes on bank of River Eden)
The fair is usually held in early June outside the town of Appleby, in Cumbria, and attracts around 1,000 caravans, hundreds of horse-drawn vehicles, and around 30,000 visitors (Pictured: Two girls enjoy being ferried around Appleby in a carriage)
Youngsters thrash and play on horseback in the River Eden as the Appleby Horse Fair kicked off on Thursday
Two young boys take a stroll on their horses as festivalgoers pass by on the bridge above in the Cumbrian village of Appleby
Travellers begin to arrive at Appleby Horse Fair, Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria. It is billed as the biggest tradition Gypsy gathering in Europe
Phil, four, and his sister Chantelle, six, from Southport look out from the rear window of their families bow top wagon on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair
Gareth Dunn (left) from Darlington and Kevin Hope from Seaton Burn drink tea as they sit next to their bow top wagons
Young travllerers wait for coffee with their horse on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair after last year’s event was cancelled
In 2018 there were calls to cancel the fair completely after chaotic scenes in pubs in neighbouring Kirkby Stephen and a serious assault on a local businessman following a road collision involving a child from a travelling family.
But the Covid-enforced break has seen new dialogue and a changed attitude from both sides, according to those supervising this year’s event.
Traditionally travellers wash their horses in the River Eden before taking them up the hill to the showground where they are put through their paces in the ‘flashing lane,’ giving potential buyers a chance to see them put through their paces.
Lee Roberts, 40, of Kendal, Cumbria, was washing his black and white pony Violet, with the help of son Rocky, five, and Rocky’s friends Lola, eight and Jacob, 10.
Lee said: ‘It’s fantastic to be back at Appleby, it was such a miss last year. I love coming here and it’s great to bring the kids with us.
‘I’ve been giving Violet a wash to cool off but she’s not for sale. She’s 17 years old and part of the family now, we wouldn’t know what to do without her.’
Pat McDonagh, 50, of Galway, southern Ireland, was back on his usual pitch selling towels and blankets on the showfield.
He said: ‘Lockdown has been hard for everyone all over the country and that is no different for travelling people. ‘We live to see our friends and our families and last year was just so difficult for us, it felt as though the world had come to a stop.
‘Just like everyone else mental health is a big issue in the travelling community and we have worries about the levels of suicide we have been seeing as well.
‘So to come back to Appleby feels such a huge relief, just to see people we have seen in months and in some cases years, it’s a real celebration this year for us.’
Marie Thomas, 31, of Belfast was pushing her niece Doll, 12 months, in a buggy. Marie said: ‘It’s hard for people who aren’t in the travelling community to understand how much this means to us.
‘The only way I could describe it would be like Christmas and last year it felt as though Christmas had been cancelled.
‘I’ve been coming here myself since I was no older than Doll and it feels good to be able to bring new generations of the family to Appleby, it’s such a special place to us.’
John Lee, 26, and wife Pearl, 23, were with their two sets of twins – Young John and Henry Thomas, five and India and Emmalise, three.
The Fair is billed as the biggest traditional Gypsy Fair in Europe, and is commonly likened to a large family gathering
This year an agreement was reached that the organisers – the Appleby Horse Fair Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group – would host the event subject to any potential changes in Covid regulations and guidance around large gatherings
John said: ‘We’ve come from Epsom in a big family group of 30 caravans or more, it’s massive for this family and I love the fact I can now bring my kids here as my parents did for me.
‘They’re loving it, it’s a massive celebration for the travelling people, more this year than ever.’
Josie Campbell, 26, Faye Neil, 25, and Joanne Colling, 30, had travelled from Crook, County Durham, with their kids.
Josie said: ‘My dad used to bring me to the fair when I was just a little girl and as a family we loved it.
‘We’ve now lost my dad but it was important to me to carry on the tradition he started and I’ll bringing my kids here this year and every year from now on.’
Out on the flashing lane carriages were being driven at break-kneck speed along what is a quiet country road for 51 weeks of the year. Joe Keane and Dan Curran leant on a railing casting a critical eye over the steed on show.
Joe, 65, said: ‘Some of these horses will bring £20,000 to £30,000, this is the place where a lot of the business is done, especially for the smaller horses.
‘The owners gallop them up and down the flashing lane so buyers can see what they can do, there have been some good horses coming by today.’
One carriage driver was mobbed by a crowd of would-be buyers after galloping his horse at alarming pace along the narrow road.
After a frenzied bidding war, which lasted all of 30 seconds, the deal was done with a slap of the buyer’s hand.
Police said the traditional business was done this year in a peaceful atmosphere. Supt Matt Kennersley said around 10,000 travellers and a total of 20,000 visitors were estimated to be visiting the fair this year.
He said: ‘The travelling community began to arrive slowly but over the last day or so numbers have risen to what we could call a normal level.
‘Despite this there have been very few incident of crime or disorder to deal with, it’s been very successful from that point of view.
‘The calls we have had from local people have tended to be around concern about large gatherings of people being in one place, which of course stems from worries about the Covid pandemic.
‘This is the biggest policing event in our calendar with hundreds of officers on duty in Appleby and the surrounding area.
A horse and trap is driven along the Flashing Lane on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair near Appleby in Cumbria this morning
Two men speak on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair. The traveller event has been likened to a large family gathering
Joe Cannon, 72, from Manchester arrived at the site with his horses and wagon for the first day of the fair this morning
A woman prepares breakfast outside her caravan on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair this morning
‘But we’re very pleased with how things have gone so far.’
Councillor Phil Dew of Eden District Council has in the past called for the complete cancellation of the event following trouble in Kirkby Stephen three years ago.
However travellers and local became involved in a multi agency group aimed at eradicating the problems of the past.
One of those on the group, Billy Welch is the Shera Rom, or Head Gypsy, has been credited with bring peace between travellers and locals.
Mr Dew said: ‘I was in favour of this year’s event being cancelled. It had to be postponed from its usual date in June because of Covid and now takes place at peak tourist time.
‘I didn’t feel that was fair on traders in Kirkby Stephen as it’s their busiest time of year for tourism.
‘And during Appleby some don’t feel they can open because of the problems of the past.
‘However I have to say that thanks to the efforts of the multi agency group and to Billy Welch, this year’s event has been well organised and the first phase had gone as well as it possibly could.’
It is believed that the fair originated in the late 18th century as horse dealers and sheep and cattle drovers sold their stock on Gallows Hill, not far from Long Marton Road near where the Appleby Fair is held – and that by the 20th century it had morphed into a Gypsy event.
It has existed under the protection of a charter granted by James II since 1685 and it remains one of the key meeting points for these communities.
This year an agreement was reached that the organisers – the Appleby Horse Fair Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group – would host the event subject to any potential changes in Covid regulations and guidance around large gatherings.
The fair is an annual gathering for Gypsy, Romany and travelling communities. The event has existed under the protection of a charter granted by James II since 1685
The fair is usually held in early June outside the town of Appleby, in Cumbria, and attracts around 1,000 caravans, hundreds of horse-drawn vehicles, and around 30,000 visitors
The horses are washed in the River Eden and trotted up and down the ‘flashing lane’. Thousands of people attend the event
The fair is usually held in early June outside the town of Appleby, in Cumbria, and attracts around 1,000 caravans, hundreds of horse-drawn vehicles, and around 30,000 visitors
Les Clark, Chair of the Appleby Horse Fair MASCG and Deputy Chief Executive of Eden District Council, said: ‘In reaching this decision the Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group has had to weigh many factors.
‘It is preferable for everyone involved – local settled people, Gypsies and Travellers and the local authorities – for Appleby Horse Fair to happen on a set date. Had no date been set, there would be an increased likelihood of ad hoc gatherings which nobody would be prepared for.
‘Whilst the Government roadmap currently states that large events can take place from 21 June, it was the preference of the MASCG that a new date for Appleby Horse Fair be selected later into the summer to allow the vaccination programme valuable extra weeks to roll out.
‘Selecting a date has been a difficult process. As the traditional date is not viable, there has had to be compromise on all sides. As Chair of the MASCG I would like to thank everyone for their patience and for their willingness to find common ground during what is a difficult time for everyone.’
Billy Welch, Gypsy and Traveller representative on the MASCG, said: ‘Whilst the Gypsy and Traveller community would have been happier for the Fair to be held earlier in the summer, we are happy with the compromise date identified by the MASCG.
‘Everyone will have the opportunity to plan a summer break in the UK so it is important that the Gypsies and Travellers who wish to do so have the same opportunity.’
Locals in Kirkby Stephen claimed threats were made against them as travellers blocked the road during a ‘stand-off.’ They also said there were left furious when police told them they could not close the gate to prevent more travellers coming through – in case those already trespassing on the site needed to leave in an emergency.
The gypsies said they were being victimised and forced off the site for no reason, questioning why the remote spot where they had planned to stay had been covered in manure.
One local said: ‘It was a frightening and intimidating situation to have a camp suddenly set up right in the middle of the community. And to make it worse the rugby club was told it couldn’t lock the gate in case any of them wanted to leave. It’s madness.’
Some pubs and businesses in the town chose to close their doors until after the horse fair is over. But one traveller, Pauline Foster, who was a part of the group, said they ‘were doing no harm’ and the only reason they had pitched up at the rugby club was because the site they had stayed at for years was soiled with cow manure.
A horse and trap is driven along the Flashing Lane on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair today as the event returns after last year’s was cancelled
Phil, four, and his sister Chantelle, six, from Southport check on their Shetland pony from the rear window of their families bow top wagon
Robert Dugdale (left), from Lancaster grooms his horse ‘Chick’ as Richard Ainley, from Lancaster brings water on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair
The 69-year-old said: ‘There were four or five police vans called and we warned we’d be kicked off double quick. They took pictures of all our caravans and vehicles and said if we didn’t move we’d be charged and if we didn’t pay it they’s follow us to Appleby to get it from us.
‘We were doing no harm at all. The fair begins on Thursday so we’d quickly have moved on into Appleby. The only reason that we came here is because the site we’ve stayed at for years and years was soiled with cow manure and sectioned off with boulders by some farmer.
‘It’s outside the village of Nateby in the middle of nowhere and the travelling people do no harm there. The discrimination and harassment we suffer is getting worse and if this was any other race or culture there would be an outcry, but because it’s our community people let it happen.’
Police were there to make sure the travellers moved on without any further disruption as the eviction notice demanded. One officer told MailOnline: ‘They’re moving without incident and we’ve found them somewhere else to stay.’
Traffic waits to enter the camping grounds on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair – the largest traveller gathering in Europe
It has existed under the protection of a charter granted by James II since 1685 and it remains one of the key meeting points for these communities
Although Appleby itself remained quiet, an influx of travellers arrived in Kirkby Stephen at the weekend ahead of the fair, which attracts around 10,000 gypsies and 30,000 visitors.
Scores of caravans and mobile homes were parked on roadsides leading into the town and horses were tethered to graze on verges as lorries rumbled by inches away on the main road between the A66 trans-Pennine route and the M6 motorway.
Long lines of traffic snaked off into the distance as youngsters driving carriages pulled by ponies raced up and down the A685.
A local businessman said: ‘It feels as though we’ve had one year of peace before it all starts again with a vengeance. While Appleby gets all the visitors and the income that brings, we get nothing but disruption and so many problems that some businesses choose to close down.’
The travellers denied anyone had been intimidating.
