logo
Horse statue to celebrate Appleby's gipsy fair ‘offensive to locals'

Horse statue to celebrate Appleby's gipsy fair ‘offensive to locals'

Yahoo11-04-2025
A stallion sculpture to celebrate gipsies and travellers has been refused planning permission because it may not be inclusive enough to locals.
Blacksmith Jake Bowers had wanted to install his statue on the banks of the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria – which is the site of the large annual gipsy horse event – as a 'gesture of inclusion' to marginalised traveller communities.
But planning officials have turned it down, arguing it may not take into account the 'anxiety, antisocial behaviour, and distress' experienced by some local people during the yearly fair.
Mr Bowers created the large statue from galvanised steel, measuring 2.1m by 3.5m. It was to be placed on a plinth next to the river.
The application was put into Westmorland and Furness Council by community interest group Drive2Survive in February.
But planners turned down the application, saying they had to consider 'social cohesion' and that it competed with nearby historic buildings.
A report written by planning officer Aneena Cheriyan said: 'A large number of residents expressed concerns about amenity and social impact.
'The sculpture's association with the Appleby Horse Fair was cited as a source of emotional discomfort and division for some members of the community, with references to anxiety, antisocial behaviour, and distress experienced during the annual event.
'Some objectors expressed concern that the sculpture would extend that symbolic presence year-round in a space currently valued for its neutrality and quiet recreational use.'
Ms Cheriyan added: 'Some public comments described deeply personal and emotionally distressing experiences during previous fairs.
'While individual incidents or allegations fall outside the scope of planning, these submissions highlight the perceived emotional and symbolic impact of the proposal on residents' relationship with this public space.
'Such perceptions, even if not measurable in physical terms, are relevant to the planning consideration of amenity and social cohesion… which requires developments to create 'safe, inclusive and accessible places' that promote 'a high standard of amenity for existing and future users'.
'The proposal, by creating a strong cultural statement within a shared and sensitive space, has the potential to alter the way the area is used and perceived.
'The result, for some, could be a diminished sense of belonging or comfort in a space that has previously served as neutral ground for all members of the community.'
The Appleby Horse Fair takes place over a week in June and usually attracts up to 10,000 Roma and travellers, as well as hundreds of horse-drawn cars and 30,000 visitors.
Horses are washed and ridden in the River Eden in a tradition that has its origins in the 18th century.
In a statement submitted to the council, Mr Bowers said 'very little tangible evidence exists of the central importance of the fair to the town and its Gipsy and traveller visitors'.
He added: 'As a permanent fixture in the life of the town and the culture of Gipsies and Travellers, the Gipsy and Traveller community would like to donate a public sculpture to the town of Appleby to make this crucial part of the town's intangible heritage more tangible and visible.'
Appleby Town Council supported the proposal, as did many of those living in the town.
In total, there were 163 letters of support and 72 objections.
Councillor Andy Connell gave his blessing, but added: 'Local responses will inevitably reflect the extent to which individual residents enjoy, tolerate or resent this undoubtedly disruptive occasion.'
Planning officials said they considered the proposal 'culturally significant, both artistically and symbolically', adding: 'A large number of supportive comments have identified the sculpture as a gesture of inclusion, recognition, and heritage preservation.
'The commemorative intention behind the application is therefore fully acknowledged and respected.'
But they also warned that because of the statue's size and shiny nature it would compete with views of nearby heritage assets including the Grade I listed Church of St Lawrence and St Lawrence's Bridge.
The stallion statue is part of a series of sculptures to be erected across Britain, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
It is not known whether the applicants will move the sculpture's location and reapply.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Primary school to extend to house extra pupils
Primary school to extend to house extra pupils

Yahoo

time12-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Primary school to extend to house extra pupils

A primary school has been granted permission to build extensions to accommodate 119 extra pupils. Five new classrooms will be built at Beaconside C of E Primary in Penrith, Cumbria, despite concerns regarding the number of available staff car parking spaces and the increase in traffic at normal school drop-off and pick-up times. However Amy Holliman, from Westmorland and Furness Council, told a meeting the additional school places would be phased in over a number of years. The application, which came from the council and also included plans for a staffroom and landscaping, was passed contrary to the recommendation of Penrith Town Council, which also raised objections. It was worried about public transport provision as buses did not run at times corresponding with start and end of the school day. But councillors were told the school was committed to supporting sustainable transport, with fewer children being driven to school, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Holliman said funding would come from cash given as part of a separate planning agreement and described the development as helping to "futureproof Penrith" in terms of more school places. Addressing environmental concerns which included the possibility of asbestos being found, she confirmed the work would not be carried out when the pupils were at school. The new classrooms will be for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Penrith Town Council Westmorland and Furness Council

New plans for controversial Appleby statue submitted
New plans for controversial Appleby statue submitted

Yahoo

time09-06-2025

  • Yahoo

New plans for controversial Appleby statue submitted

REVISED plans for a controversial artwork in Appleby have been submitted to Westmorland & Furness Council. The application to install the Gypsy Stallion sculpture is now proposing to site it on land off Roman Road after the original application was rejected in April. According to the decision notice issued by the council the proposed 2.1-metre-tall sculpture, originally planned on the River Eden, would have 'eroded the neutral and harmonious relationship between the built and natural environment in this part of the town'. The council said the siting of the Gypsy stallion sculpture would visually compete with surrounding listed buildings including the Grade I listed Church of St Lawrence and the Grade II listed St Lawrence's Bridge. After the plans were refused the decision notice from the council stated: 'While the cultural intention of the proposal is fully acknowledged and respected, no compelling justification has been provided for locating the sculpture in this specific, highly sensitive position. 'It is considered that the commemorative aim could reasonably be delivered in an alternative location without resulting in such harm, and the public benefit is not sufficient to outweigh the identified heritage impact. 'Furthermore, the proposal would undermine the inclusive and neutral amenity value of a well-used public space, with a significant number of local representations raising concerns about the impact of the sculpture's symbolic presence on community cohesion, emotional comfort and the shared use of the site.' According to the artist's statement submitted with the application, outside the fair week, 'very little tangible evidence' exists of the 'central importance' of the fair to the town and its Gypsy and Traveller visitors. It adds the Gypsy and Traveller community would like to donate a public sculpture to the town of Appleby to make this 'crucial' part of the town's heritage more visible. The statement reads: 'It celebrates our history, culture and horses, and is intended as a thank you to the town for hosting an event that is like a spiritual pilgrimage for us.' Ward councillor Andy Connell (Appleby and Brough, Lib Dems) has commented on the proposal and said: 'This is a much better option than the previously proposed site on the riverbank, and has the support of at least some local previous objectors. 'It will be a striking and handsome feature at the main entrance into the town. Allusion to the annual Appleby Horse Fair won't be to everyone's taste; but it happens and the town is renowned for it.' However, a spokesman from the Appleby Fair Communities Group, said: 'Many of the issues raised, and reasons for refusal, in the original application remain unresolved and still relevant, particularly the distress that this statue will cause to many local residents. 'For a significant portion of the community, the Appleby Fair is not a celebration but a source of disruption, anxiety, and hardship. Installing a permanent statue commemorating the event is highly likely to deepen these feelings and worsen community division. 'The group behind this statue have shown themselves to be tone deaf and either have not listened to the original feedback or simply don't care. 'It appears they have ignored what many residents said and simply re-submitted their application for a different location, which I find quite bullish. 'The statue itself is little more than a Trojan horse — a supposed gift designed to impose an identity on the town that many do not recognise as their own, stamping ownership where none has been earned. It is certainly noteworthy that funding and effort can be readily found for a statue, with strong advocacy to ensure its installation, yet there seems to be no similar energy spent on funding the event itself. 'Instead, the expectation remains that local taxpayers will shoulder the burden. This is particularly jarring at a time when many residents are struggling to afford basic necessities, such as heating, while council tax continues to rise. The contrast is striking and unjust.'

Brock Bowers Announces Exciting News on Wednesday
Brock Bowers Announces Exciting News on Wednesday

Yahoo

time05-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Brock Bowers Announces Exciting News on Wednesday

Brock Bowers Announces Exciting News on Wednesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Brock Bowers concluded his first season with the Las Vegas Raiders, having already established himself as a star in the league. Advertisement In Bowers' first season with the Raiders, Las Vegas posted a 4-13 record. Bowers played under head coach Antonio Pierce, who was eventually fired after the season. Next season, he will be playing under Super Bowl-winning head coach Pete Carroll. Before he prepares for his first season with Carroll at the headset, Bowers took to social media, announcing exciting news for fans. Brock Bowers will be hosting a youth football camp at Napa High School, his alma mater. Brock Bowers, InstagramBrock Bowers, Instagram Brock Bowers will be hosting the camp on June 30 with the Napa High School football camp. The camp will take place from "9-12 am," according to the flyer posted. Advertisement The cost of the camp is $75 and will be available to join for children between the ages of 7 and 14. Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers (89).Candice Ward-Imagn Images During Brock Bowers' first season with the Las Vegas Raiders, he posted five touchdowns and 1,194 yards on 112 receptions. He played himself into the upper echelon of tight ends in the NFL, being named in the same conversation as some of the biggest stars such as George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Trey McBride and Mark Andrews. Before playing with the Las Vegas Raiders during his rookie season, Bowers played three seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs at the collegiate level. In his last season at Georgia, Bowers posted six touchdowns and 714 yards on 56 receptions. Advertisement During his three-year college football career, Bowers had 26 touchdowns and 2,538 yards on 175 receptions. Related: Jason Kelce Turns Heads With Personal Announcement on Wednesday Related: LeBron James Had No Words for Exciting News on Wednesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store