Latest news with #ApplebyFair
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- 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.'
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Fury as gypsy influencer tells young Appleby Horse Fair travellers how to ride their horses into river even if they cannot swim
A gypsy influencer has been slammed for 'downright reckless' advice to young travellers washing their horses in a river at Europe's biggest gathering of travellers. In a tradition dating back centuries, gypsies wash their steeds in the River Eden before trading them in street auctions. However equestrian rider Martina Wright has caused fury among campaigners by advising horse owners to ride their mounts into the river even if they can't swim. Martina, who has 200,000 followers across her social platforms, admits she can't swim herself but has been photographed several times submerging her horse, George, in the Eden. A group representing Appleby residents criticised her for placing bystanders or rescuers 'who may feel compelled to intervene' in danger. In the post on her social media channels, Martina advised non swimmers to hang onto their horse's mane if they get into difficulties in the river. She posted: 'There's so many people that go to Appleby would do anything to get on a horse but honestly not every horse will just go in and swim. 'Make sure you can swim also (I can't swim) but I always stay on horses I know are comfortable with swimming etc.. It can all go wrong so easily and without the rider the horse could end up swimming further into the deep water rather than making its way out.. 'Just be careful, take your time, if you come stuck grab the mane! Not the bridle. Stay safe xxx' A spokesperson for Appleby Fair Communities Group hit out in response. They said the group was concerned at 'the trend of individuals entering the river on horseback, despite being unable to swim.' AFCG said: 'This issue has recently been highlighted by influencer Martina Wright, who posted that many people — disappointingly including herself — go into the river despite not being able to swim. 'While she advises others to 'be careful,' she also downplays the risk by suggesting it's fine because she doesn't fall off. 'No one ever intends to fall off — accidents happen precisely because they are unintended. It is not just the personal risk to these individuals that worries us, but the wider consequences: the risk to the horse, the potential danger to bystanders or rescuers who may feel compelled to intervene, and the trauma or burden left for those dealing with the aftermath of a preventable incident. 'This kind of behaviour is already high-risk under normal circumstances. When it involves non-swimmers without life jackets, it becomes downright reckless. How long until something tragic happens?' The matter has been reported to the Multi-Agency Strategic Coordinating Group (MASCG) which oversees Appleby Fair. Meanwhile, police have revealed there were 49 arrests in the days leading up to the fair opening and drug driving had been 'a theme.' The RSPCA is also investigating reports of animal cruelty, including two ponies being abandoned by the roadside in a Cumbrian village close to where Appleby Horse Fair is underway. A member of the public also reported a horse being beaten and anti cruelty investigators have launched a probe. Cumbria Police Superintendent Daniel St Quintin, Gold Commander for the fair, said: 'The most serious arrests we had yesterday were two drug drivers. 'That seems to be a theme this year where we are catching quite a few drug drivers, either for cannabis or cocaine and they are getting dealt with accordingly.' The arrests generally relate to drug and drink driving, drug possession and low level public order and anti-social behaviour offences. Police said the arrests were not limited to travellers, with some local people also arrested. Cumbria RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy, said: 'Unfortunately there are still a minority of people that come here who will abuse the animals and run the horses far too much and work them too hard, but that is what we are here for, we are here to try and find those guys and stop them. 'We have had a couple of ponies that have been dumped and we have an ongoing investigation into a horse that was being hit inappropriately. 'A member of the public saw the horse being hit and reported it, resulting in the investigation. We have managed to save that horse basically.' The incidents are understood to have occurred in outlying villages in the Appleby area over the last week. The fair is entering its second day in Appleby-in-Westmorland, which sees its 3,000 population swell by a factor of 10 as visitors swarm to the annual event. Of those, an estimated 10,000 are from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community. In its 250-year history the fair has only been cancelled twice, the first in 2001 during the foot and mouth outbreak and the second in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. The gathering is billed as the biggest traditional gypsy fair in Europe and has developed traditions that take place every year. Gypsy horses are washed in the River Eden in Appleby and trotted up and down the 'flashing lane' - a closed-off rural road - before being haggled over and bought. There is a market on Jimmy Winter's Field with stalls selling everything from fashion to horse-related wares. The fair is held outside the town of Appleby, at the point where the old Roman Road crosses Long Marton Road, on Gallows Hill, which was named after the public hangings that were once carried out there. It was once thought the fair originated from a royal charter to the borough of Appleby from King James II of England in 1685, although more recent research has found the charter was cancelled before it was ever enacted. The gathering is sometimes known as 'the New Fair' because Appleby's medieval borough fair, held at Whitsuntide, ceased in 1885. The 'New Fair' began in 1775 for sheep and cattle drovers and horse dealers to sell their stock. By the 1900s it had evolved into a major Gypsy/Traveller event which brought families from across the UK and Europe.
BBC News
05-06-2025
- BBC News
Barnard Castle residents ignore Appleby Fair parking ban
Residents say they are "dumbfounded" that temporary parking restrictions have been imposed on their street yet the past 15 years, Durham County Council has put the ban in place to stop people on their way to Cumbria's Appleby Fair parking outside homes on Bridgegate in Barnard temporary prohibition order states it is to "minimise a danger to the public caused by indiscriminate parking", with residents being asked to leave their vehicles in a car park 10 minutes' walk appealing to the council every year, residents say they are not being listened too, so are "taking a stand" and ignoring the restrictions. Mark Carter, who lives on Bridgegate, said: "The letter says there's no waiting at any time. It's things like when we do our weekly shopping, it's impossible. "And people coming home late at night and having to walk back in the dark. For some of the older residents, that'll be quite frightening." Mr Carter explained Bridgegate residents had asked the council for temporary permits in previous years with no success, so he and others had decided to ignore the cones which were put up along both sides of the road."I don't agree with it," he said. "Even if they do give us fines, we're not going to pay them because we should have a right to park outside our own homes."Fellow resident Emily Brown has a four-year-old daughter and is also ignoring the restrictions this year. "They've offered us permits to park at the top of town but that's no good when you've got a little girl who doesn't want to walk to the car, then trying to navigate back through the traffic to get to school," she Brown added it had been "a long time" since travellers had tried to park in town and said the council should "stop discriminating against the travelling community".Dave Lewin, Durham County Council's strategic traffic manager, said: "We continue to work closely with partners, businesses, residents and members of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller communities to provide a smooth transition through Barnard Castle."We welcome and value any relevant feedback from residents and road users and such feedback will be included in future discussions and considerations." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Travellers start the party early: Gypsies race wagons down tiny village streets, wash their horses in the river and make last-minute preparations ahead of Appleby Fair
Gypsies raced their wagons down tiny streets and washed their horses in the river as they made last minute preparations ahead of the Appleby Fair tomorrow. Locals in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, have been bracing themselves for chaos as thousands of travellers from across Europe flocked to the town ahead of the six-day event. In footage posted on social media, a line of Gypsies on horse-drawn carriages are seen galloping down a road causing traffic to come to a snail's pace. In a video titled 'Appleby 2025 so far', a toddler is seen being held by his mother on the back of a horse. Gypsies have also been washing their horses in the River Eden as part of a long-held tradition to prepare them for sale and to cool them off. The fair, which attracts crowds of up to 10,000, will feature horse riding, horse trading, traditional music, dance performances and shopping stalls. The 250-year-old fair billed as the largest traditional gathering of the community in Europe. A special police task force has so far dealt with offences of burglary, criminal damage, racist abuse, knife crime and faced a torrent of criticism after finding it necessary to handcuff a 10-year-old boy. The surge in crime around quaint Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria is causing anxiety among locals because the fair isn't even due to start until Thursday. So far local sporting venue, Kirkby Lonsdale Cricket club, has seen its pavilion smashed up, as no windows remain in the wooden structure. There has been petty vandalism at a campsite and a knife waved during a confrontation between locals and traveller children. All the complaints have led the police to the makeshift camp in a layby at the town's Devil's Bridge where dozens of caravans have congregated ahead of the fair in Appleby, which is 40 miles away. A field has been handed over by the town for the gypsies to graze their horses as a safety measure to make sure they aren't causing a hazard tethered on roadside verges. Locals said they have never seen so many Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people descend on the town so early. And that may well be down to the successful clampdown in nearby Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria's Eden Valley. For years the town was the focus of the pre-fair gathering but in the recent past locals have fought back, closing down services and pubs and shutting off the places where travellers would usually set up camp. One Kirkby Lonsdale local told MailOnline: 'They seem to have descended on us this year and have come earlier and in bigger numbers than we have seen before. 'There have been problems caused by gypsy children in the town centre and closer to the camp they have set up in a layby.' Cumbria Police has warned motorists to expect slow-moving traffic in the next two weeks because of the Appleby Fair. Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin of Cumbria Police – Police Gold Commander for Appleby Horse Fair – said: 'Public safety is our number one priority for Appleby Horse Fair which is why we are encouraging all road users to be cautious and vigilant on the roads. 'Drivers need to be aware that the likelihood that they encounter slow-moving traffic is high so please pay extra attention when travelling around the county. 'I ask people to pay particular attention when driving on the A66, where there is the potential for fast-moving traffic to encounter slow-moving, potentially horse-drawn, vehicles. 'Please take extra care, be patient and plan ahead and set off early. Let's make sure everyone reaches their destination safely.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
LISTED: The temporary stop offs in County Durham for travellers heading to Appleby
Eight temporary stop-off areas in County Durham have been identified for travellers en-route to Appleby Horse Fair. As in previous years, Durham County Council has set up Temporary Stop Over Areas (TSOAs) along roads traditionally used by travellers heading to and from the fair. The fair will be held on its traditional date and will run from Thursday 5 to Wednesday, June 11. Eight TSOAs have been prepared in Teesdale and South West Durham, which are open now until Friday, June 28. The TSOAs in South West Durham are located at: Westerton Layby, DL14 8AL Gurney Valley, DL14 8RP The sites located in Teesdale are: Broomielaw Picnic Area, DL12 8TT Guide Post Corner, Bowes, DL12 9HU Land at Stainton Bank, DL12 8RQ Shaw Bank Field, DL12 8TD Wackerfield Layby, DL2 3AP Winston Corner, DL2 3RW Temporary signs will be in place showing the locations of the TSOAs as well as signed guidance for those who encamp. Officers from the council and representatives from other organisations will be making regular visits to the TSOAs and, should any appear, unauthorised encampments, to ensure appropriate support is offered to those using them. Owen Cleugh, Durham County Council's safer places manager, said: 'We have been working closely with partners, businesses, residents and members of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller community to provide sites ahead of Appleby Fair. Read More: How much Darlington car parking charges will increase by ahead of 2025 rise 'Hammer blow' for DL1 as latest closure to leave more than half of units empty Man charged with attempted murder after late-night house blaze 'The TSOAs are being set up for the benefit of both those using them and residents living along the routes. We would strongly encourage those travelling to utilise the designated areas, instead of camping in unauthorised locations.' Sites are being provided as part of a coordinated response with the South West Durham and Dales Business, Residents and Travellers group. This group includes representatives from the council, town and parish councils, Durham Constabulary, businesses and Gypsy, Roma, Traveller representatives. Those travelling to Appleby can find more information about TSOAs here.
