Residents are being invited to a series of community drop-in meetings to learn more about arrangements in South Lakeland around this year’s Appleby Horse Fair.
The annual horse fair runs from 6-12 June, attracting around 10,000 Gypsies and Travellers as well as up to 30,000 visitors, transforming the town of Appleby.
South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) works with partner organisations, including the county council, police and neighbouring local authorities, to manage the migration of Gypsies and Travellers through the district on their way to and from the fair.
SLDC staff organise temporary stopping point sites in South Lakeland for both traditional ‘bowtop’ caravans and motorised towed caravans at four locations on routes through the district to Appleby.
In addition, SLDC enforcement officers and police officers will be undertaking daily ‘verge patrols’ to check for any problems on the routes used by Gypsies and Travellers to ensure that motorised caravans are not parking anywhere other than the temporary stopping points (bowtops are allowed to camp on the roadside).
Travellers have already been strongly advised to plan their journeys carefully and not to arrive too early with towed caravans, to reduce the impact the event has on communities on the routes to Appleby.
The temporary stopping points in South Lakeland are available from Tuesday, 28 May, until Thursday, 6 June, and then following the fair the temporary stopping points will re-open from Monday, 10 June, until Friday, 14 June, at the following locations:
- Devil’s Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale
- Middleton Common, near Sedbergh
- Rawthey Bridge, Cautley, near Sedbergh
- Scrogg Bank, Sedbergh
From next Monday, 20 May, a series of pre-Fair community drop-in events will start.
These will be held between 12 noon and 1pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Sedbergh Tourist Information Centre, and between 12 noon and 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Kirkby Lonsdale Toursit Information Centre.
The drop-ins will continue on these days until the start of the fair on 6 June.
SLDC Neighbourhood Enforcement Officer John Barwise said: “Through our arrangements leading up to and during the fair we want to ensure the movement of Gypsies and Travellers through the district is safe and enjoyable for everyone and to reduce the impact on the environment.
“The drop-in meetings that start next week are an opportunity for residents in South Lakeland communities to speak to SLDC, Cumbria County Council and police officers regarding any concerns, issues or ideas relating to the horse fair arrangements.’’
Anyone who can’t make the drop-in meetings but would like to raise any issues can contact the streetcare team by emailing: [email protected], or by calling 01539 733333.
For more information and latest updates about Appleby Horse Fair visit: www.applebyfair.org
