11-04-2025
Horse statue to celebrate Appleby's gipsy fair ‘offensive to locals'
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.
