Hundreds of travellers arrive with their horses as Wickham Horse Fair begins in quiet Hampshire village
Hundreds of travellers have arrived in a quiet Hampshire village with their horses for an annual horse fair which dates back 800 years.
The community has descended on the sleepy village of Wickham, which has a population of just over 2,000 people, once more in a tradition that has lasted for generations.
Dozens of horses are lined up in the streets ready for trading and selling on a day which is an opportunity for the travelling community to meet up with family and friends.
It began when Roger De Syres obtained a royal charter from King Henry III to have a weekly market in Wickham's town square in the 13th century, and is now held every year on May 20, unless that date falls on a Sunday.
It brings the small village to a standstill as roads, shops and pubs all close for the day to allow the fair to take place.
Horse boxes, caravans and animals all arrive along with their owners, alongside fun fairs, food vans and various stalls.
Dozens of the animals are typically tied up to local fences and outside closed pubs ready for trading.
Some small piles of litter were pictured in the village early on Monday.
Dozens of horses are lined up in the streets ready for trading and selling on a day which is an opportunity for the travelling community to meet up with family and friends
Road closures are in place throughout the village, including Fareham Road and The Square. They are expected to reopen by 10am on Wednesday.
During the day, horses and ponies are seen pulling carts up and down the village streets, with adults and children alike joining in the fun.
The fair is so popular that for the last week surrounding villages have played host to travellers looking to attend the fair, who had already arrived and set up make shift camps on public land.
At least 21 caravans arrived at Greta Park in Hedge End, around six miles from where the historic event will take place.
A council worker alleged that four padlocks were broken in order for the group to gain access to the park area.
Police swiftly moved them on but more have arrived in the surrounding area since.
When MailOnline visited the sleepy idyll earlier this week the central square was a hub of activity ahead of the two day shut down.
Traditionally the local butchers has been one of the only shops to remain open, serving hot snacks to the thronging crowds, however even they say they will close this year.
Manager Ben said: 'We're not opening this year no. We just don't have the staff and it isn't really worth the effort. We would if we could, there hasn't been trouble for years.'
Traditionally, the launch of the event is met with a number of horses being raced down the streets of Wickham while others are paraded through the town, including small ponies.
Sadly, in the past some of the horses at the event have had to be put down.
There will also be police officers on the ground to engage with visitors and respond to any issues which may arise.
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