Hordes of travellers ‘who POO in bushes' will descend on our town in days… we've taken drastic measures to stop them
FED up residents have drawn up battle plans in fear of travellers going to the toilet in the bushes ahead of the Appleby Horse Fair.
Hundreds of travellers are set to pass through the village of Gargrave this week on their way to the annual horse fair.
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For centuries, crowds have passed through the village on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales to attend the historic, week long gathering 70 miles away.
However in recent years residents have complained of a spike in crime and anti-social behaviour with human excrement found in bushes, trees hacked down and scorch marks found on the village greens.
Last year, more than 60 pick-up trucks and horse-drawn 'bow top' caravans descended on the village, many with loud generators running throughout the night.
Now, Gargrave Parish Council has drawn up measures and set new rules to keep the village 'conflict free'.
Wooden fencing costing £15,000 has been erected around three green areas, and concrete blocks were installed to prevent visitors from setting up camp in some public areas.
The rules also state that horse-drawn 'bow top' caravans will only be allowed one full day of rest in the village before being expected to leave - police will be present from 8am until midnight.
The council worked alongside traveller and gypsy liaison body Leeds GATE to render the plans which the council say they are in "support of".
Ex-solider and Council Chair Greg Butt MBE said: "Last year we saw an exponential increase in numbers of travellers stopping off - more than we have ever had before.
"Some residents loved it but it did make some people anxious especially those who are elderly and living alone.
"The travellers are welcome but we had to limit the numbers to manageable levels."
Gargrave is a usual stop-off point for travellers as it is the last village before the 70 mile trip through the Yorkshire Dales along the A65 before arriving at Appleby.
The event first began in 1685 after a charter was granted by King James II.
We're so afraid of chaos we've shut down our town during Appleby Horse Fair – we get urine squirted into our cars
By Jonathan Rose
A MARKET town shut down to avoid the chaos of the Appleby Horse Fair.
Around 10,000 travellers flocked to Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, to buy and sell steeds.
They brought with them more than 1,000 caravans and 3,000 horse-drawn vehicles to the event, which dates back to the 1770s.
The annual meet-up sees animals to be traded tethered to railings outside pubs and shops on the market town's main street.
However a landlord has revealed every pub in the neighbouring town of Kirkby Stephen closed their doors as they are so scared of the bedlam.
Locals have reported all manner of crimes in the past including urine being squirted into car windows.
Greg has said the event is part of their "cultural history" with travellers passing through the town for "hundreds of years" adding that it is "worth protecting".
But last year they saw unprecedented numbers staying over - some for up to five days at a time.
One of the worst affected areas was a 100 spare metre triangle of green space just off South Street which is a highly residential area.
He said: "People were looking out of their windows and bedrooms and seeing the caravans parked up and were spared nothing.
"The council was caught off guard by the sheer numbers - we received a number of complaints."
Other affected areas included the northern end of High Green and the front of 'Gotha Mill' on Middle Green.
But to prevent similar events of last year the council started drawing up an action plan for the following year in June 2024.
Before the plans were finalised the council had two public meetings with residents.
They also had a professional meeting involving mediators Restorative Solutions, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Council, and traveller and liaison body, Leeds GATE.
The plan involves the parish council, North Yorkshire Council, and the police, who will be in the village from May 23 to June 2 from 8am to midnight.
Its aim is to limit the areas available for the travelling community to camp in the village to 'manageable levels' and restricted to their traditional area along Mill Lane.
They did this by spending £15,000 to permanently fence off the three affected areas in March 2025.
The council has also placed down "temporary" concrete blocks at the pedestrian entrance and maintenance entrance from the beginning of Church Lane to Middle Green.
Greg has said that local shops, restaurants, and bars will stay open despite a number of issues arising including shoplifting at a local Co op last year.
Also public toilets in the village centre will be open for travellers to use.
Greg said: "We have already had a couple of travellers pass through already and they have been understanding.
"We just have to manage everything appropriately and instil some resident confidence.
"The Leeds GATE group are understanding and agreed that those who cause issues will be dealt with through the law."
North Yorkshire Council's corporate director of environment, Karl Battersby, said: "Every year, we work closely with parish councils and police and introduce these measures to ensure Appleby Horse Fair can run smoothly and minimise disruption to the local community.
"We engage with residents and visitors to ensure the event is well-managed, which includes providing temporary stopping places, increasing police presence and addressing issues raised by the community."
Leeds GATE have been approached for a comment.
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