Appleby Fair and its history
Appleby Fair has been held for certain since 1750, and probably for very much longer than that. It is held for one week every year from the first Thursday in June until the second Wednesday and is world famous, the largest Fair of its kind in Europe.It is an annual event attended by Romany and Irish families travelling to meet up with old friends, celebrate their music, history and folklore and conduct business - particularly buying and selling horses.
Traditionally Gypsies and Travellers reside on Fair Hill (a field situated on the outskirts of the town) and trade horses, running them on public roads so they can display them to prospective purchasers. Young people wash the horses in the River Eden to get them ready to show to prospective buyers. In the evening Fair Hill glows, with campfires flickering among the horsedrawn carriages.
Appleby Fair is not an ‘organised’ event and is not run or licensed by any organisation. But up until 2007, the Fair was co-ordinated by The Appleby New Fair Committee. In 2008, a group of public sector organisations including the police, district and county councils, RSPCA, fire and ambulance services, NHS and Highways Agency took over the co-ordination of the Fair so that it can continue as safely and enjoyably as possible while also considering the impact it has on local people.
About Gypsies and Travellers
Images from the fair...
