Roads are gridlocked as travellers and gypsies head to Appleby horse fair but locals brace themselves after last year’s festivities descended into chaos

Roads are gridlocked as travelers and gypsies head to the Appleby Horse Market for the first day of festivities, with locals hoping for no problems this year.

Trains carrying caravans, cars and lorries can be seen winding their way along the winding roads of Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria, where the event, which dates back to 1775, will take place until June 12.

The small town of around 3,000 residents will see that figure rise to more than 30,000 this week, as visitors from across Europe flock to trade goods.

However, locals have raised concerns after Appleby Fair last year saw the highest number of arrests and animal welfare incidents since 2015, highlighted even more darkly by the death of 15-year-old Denis Ward from head injuries.

Trains carrying caravans, cars and lorries can be seen winding their way along the winding roads of Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria, where the event, which dates back to 1775, will take place until June 12.

The small town of around 3,000 residents will see that figure rise to more than 30,000 this week, as visitors from across Europe flock to trade goods.

However, locals have raised concerns after Appleby Fair last year saw its highest number of arrests and animal welfare incidents since 2015, highlighted even more darkly by the death of 15-year-old Denis Ward from head injuries

During the fair, the town’s main street is used to display horses for sale, with the animals tied to balustrades outside pubs and shops – while visitors park their caravans on either side of the A685.

Last year’s event sparked anger among locals, who reported shoplifting, threats and even urine sprayed through car windows by members of the traveling community.

It’s not like it used to be,” an elderly woman, who did not want to be named for fear of retaliation, told the Mail last week.

‘Travellers used to respect the locals and if they saw problems, they would stop them themselves. Now it has turned from a horse fair into a holiday. There is rubbish, noise, fast cars and total disrespect for the locals.’

This comes as police have made at least seven arrests in connection with the introduction of stolen caravans into the province.

Representatives of Gypsies and Travelers have supported the police action and condemned accusations of “heavy-handed intimidation and persecution.”

They said: ‘Anyone who knowingly brings stolen property to Appleby Fair deserves what they get. It’s their own fault, and they won’t get any sympathy from us.’

At the fair, the town’s main street is used to display horses for sale, with the animals tied to railings outside pubs and shops – while visitors park their caravans on either side of the A685.

Last year’s event sparked anger among locals, who reported shoplifting, threats and even urine sprayed through car windows by members of the traveling community

An anonymous woman said: ‘The travelers respected the locals and when they saw problems they stopped them themselves. Now it has turned from a horse fair into a holiday. There is nonsense, noise, fast cars and total disrespect for the locals

To limit the chaos this year, every pub in nearby Kirkby Stephen is closing its doors, while railings along the main street are covered with planks to prevent horses being tied up outside Appleby’s popular shops.

Aerial footage shows people reaching the fields of Appleby Horse Fair 2024, an annual gathering of gypsies and travelers in the town of Appleby in Westmorland

To limit the chaos this year, every pub in nearby Kirkby Stephen is closing its doors, while railings along the main street are covered with planks to prevent horses being tied up outside Appleby’s popular shops.

Peter Metcalfe, who lives in north Appleby with his wife Leslie, said: “If I did it my way there would be no fair at all.

“Those who come to visit have no respect for people’s property. Last year, gypsies walked a horse straight into the Crown & Cushion. No wonder all the pubs are closing this year.’

A local business, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It seems like things have already started badly this year, and even earlier than normal.”

In early May, farmer Mark Scott was surrounded by travelers circling his JCB as he tried to block off a country lane with boulders to make it impossible for them to settle there.

Mark was subjected to insults and intimidation, with one traveler shouting: ‘Kirkby Stephen is on fire, boys’.

At the end of last month, travelers who had camped illegally in a field on their way to the fair were transported onwards while four stolen caravans were seized by police.