Wednesday 8 June 2022 08:04 PM Appleby horse fair gets underway as travellers from across Europe come for ... trends now
The 250-year-old Appleby horse fair is about to get underway as travellers from across Europe head to the gathering's first day tomorrow.
Also known as the 'New Fair', it began in 1775 for sheep and cattle drovers and horse dealers to sell their stock.
It is expected to see 30,000 visitors, with 10,000 of them from the gypsy, Roma and traveller community, head to the event in Appleby and neighbouring Kirkby.
In the run up to the fair, Cumbria Police is urging motorists to drive cautiously in the area and told the public to report any concerns they might have when it starts tomorrow.
The force said it has made arrests for theft and drug driving and been called to the scene of a crash where a horse died and three people were injured before the fair started.
Locals in Kirkby Stephen are also furious after the town's Grade ll-listed war memorial in the market square was left strewn with drink and takeaway containers yesterday.
Ann and Bernard Ward with their daughter Angel and their horse Star on the outskirts of Appleby, Cumbria after arriving for the Appleby Horse Fair which begins tomorrow
Horsed-drawn caravans arrive today in Appleby, Cumbria for the Appleby Horse Fair
Vienna and Cassius, from Singleton, Lancashire with their family's horse and trap by the River Eden today
Early arrivals for the Appleby Horse fair today take their horses for a dip in the river Eden in the town
Locals in Kirkby Stephen are furious after the town's Grade ll-listed war memorial was left strewn with drink and takeaway containers, prompting accusations of 'desecration'
A haulage firm called Lakeland Commercials claimed a field it owns was broken into and a wooden gate damaged so that horses could be grazed on it.
A unnamed local businessman said: 'Travellers have desecrated the World War One memorial in Kirkby Stephen.
Cumbrians are being warned of horses and carts in the area.
Chief Superintendent Matt Kennerley, Gold Commander for Appleby Horse Fair, said: 'At this time of year we always urge drivers to be particularly careful on the county's roads.
'The likelihood of encountering slow-moving traffic is high so we must all be attentive behind the wheel.
'I urge people to take particular care on the A66, where fast-moving vehicles can come across slow-moving, often horse-drawn, vehicles and also the A685 in the vicinity of Kirkby Stephen, where there are caravans and horses by the side of the road. Whilst we already have large numbers of officers in these areas, we have further increased our resourcing here, to reassure people and help keep everyone safe.
'By being aware of the potential dangers, we can all do our part to make sure everyone reaches their destination safely and without incident.'
Meanwhile, a haulage firm also claimed yesterday that a field it owns was broken into and a wooden gate damaged so that horses could be grazed on it.
While locals claim that it was travellers who left the litter on the memorial, this is not certain and no proof has been provided.
'Many of us in the town have relatives commemorated on it and it has gone down very badly. Despite raised police patrols no one has been apprehended.
'A field owned by a local business has also been broken into and numerous horses were let loose for some free grazing.'
The haulage company, Lakeland Commercials, posted a picture of the horses on their land yesterday and said: 'We would like to ask Cumbria Police why they are unwilling to act or investigate when our property has been clearly been broken into and filled with horses?
'This has been reported and their response was they would drop us some signs off.'
The event - Europe's largest gathering of gypsies and travellers - is set to start
