[T]he ramp used at Appleby Fair for washing horses in the River Eden will be closed today (Thursday 8 June 2017) from 12 Noon due to anticipated high water levels after significant rainfall in the Appleby area over the past couple of days.
Robin Hooper the Chair of the Multi Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group for Appleby Fair (MASCG), said: “MASCG has taken the decision this morning to close the ramp as the continued level of rain in the Appleby area means the level of water in the river and the water temperature could be a safety risk to animals and people.
“We are continuously monitoring the river levels and ask people not to bring their horses into The Sands area of Appleby for washing if the River Ramp is closed. We will assess the river level again at 9am on Friday 9 June 2017. ”
UPDATE: The river ramp at Appleby Fair used for washing horses has remained open so far today as not as much rain has fallen as earlier forecast (Thursday 8 June 2017). The Multi Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group for Appleby Fair (MASCG) who work to make the Fair safer, are continuously monitoring the river levels and will meeting again this afternoon should the river level pose a risk to animals and the public.
For the latest information about Appleby Horse Fair visit www.applebyfair.org
