world-famous Appleby Horse Fair

VIA。expressThousands of travellers flock to world-famous Appleby Horse FairTHOUSANDS of travellers from across Europe have hit the roads of northern England as they descended on the world-famous Appleby Horse Fair.By NICK GUTTERIDGE
PUBLISHED: 03:37, Fri, Jun 3, 2016 |

SWNS

Thousands of travellers have begun to descend on the world-famous Appleby Horse Fair

Men and women were seen cooling themselves and their steeds in a river as they made their way to the huge get-together, which is the biggest traveller community event in Europe.

The historic horse fair at Appleby, in the Westmorland area of Cumbria, is seen as a chance for traveller families from across the continent to come together and celebrate their shared culture.

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It is thought to be around 200 years old and attracts 30,000 visitors every year, with many staying in modern or traditional caravans across huge campsites around the town.

During the traditional event horses are washed in the River Eden and trotted up and down a main road by travellers, who often ride bareback.

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The world-famous horse fair takes place in Cumbria

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It attracts 30,000 visitors every year

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The festival has been going for 200 years

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The festival is a celebration of gipsy culture

Steeds and mares also change hands for large sums of money at an informal auction during the event - which is itself not officially registered with the council.

As anticipation ahead of the historic festival built its first visitors were seen enjoying themselves yesterday by taking a dip in the Eden and riding along the streets of the town.

The celebration will continue until Wednesday next week, with tens of thousands more people expected to join in with the carnival atmosphere.

However, while for the majority it is a time to have fun and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, locals have complained that there is a darker side to the celebration.

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Travellers bathe their horses in a nearby river as part of the festival

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However, some locals have complained about anti-social behaviour and littering

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The event in 2009 was marred by a number of arrests

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Organisers said huge amounts of planning have gone into this year's event

The 2009 event saw over 100 arrests mostly for drunkenness, drugs and disorder with police seizing cocaine, cannabis and 127 ball bearing guns.

And in recent years there have been several complaints of animal cruelty and vasts amounts of rubbish left behind by revellers once the fair is over.

Billy Welch, the traveller representative among those planning the fair, said a lot of work had been carried out to ensure this year's celebration went without a hitch.

He told the News and Star: “All the plans we've put in place are all coming together. We haven't had too many people in the area too soon. The week after it finishes we have our first meeting to start planning next year.”

PA

Travellers from across Europe attend the fair

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There is an informal auction where horses trade hands for cash

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The fair takes place in the picturesque town of Appleby

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RSPCA officers are on hand to ensure the horses are kept healthy

Equine Officers from the RSPCA are on site, and have performed a check of the River Eden to make sure there is no debris that could harm the horses while they are taken in and out of the water this weekend.

RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said: “It could have been a real danger to horses and people. It is something we usually do before the fair starts, which I'm not sure people realise.

“But this year we wanted to put extra emphasis on it given the recent floods.”

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