HORSING AROUND
Travellers ride horses through river & speed along in carriages at Appleby fair as Tyson Fury leads celebrations
Thousands of families have descended upon the town for the 340-year-old fair
BOXER Tyson Fury was spotted making his way to the historic Appleby Horse Fair as the annual event kicked off today.
The Gypsy King, 36, joined tens of thousands of visitors who flooded into the historic market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, ahead of the festivities.
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He was spotted travelling by horse-drawn cart through Knutsford, Cheshire, as he makes his way to the fair.
Locals are bracing for chaos as hundreds of campervans and horse-drawn carriages descended upon their rural town for the annual event.
Cumbria Police confirmed 30 people had already arrested in the general area as part of an operation ahead of the fair.
The six-day event typically features traditional music, dancing, horse riding, market stalls and horse sales.
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Horsemen and women have been seen riding their horses in the nearby River Eden as part of a long-held tradition.
Kimberley McLoud, 18, braved the chill waters and the heavy rain showers, to exercise her mount Pegasus.
A damp Kimberley declared: "I’ve been coming her to Appleby since I was a child, but that’s the coldest the river has been.
“I’m freezing now.”
Pals Mo and Charlotte, both 14, also rode bareback together on Banjo.
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The friends said: "That was fun, but very cold.”
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There remains a huge police presence in the area, with officers on standby ahead of potential chaos and violence.
RSPCA officers and Blue Cross volunteers are also present, looking out for the welfare of the hundreds of horses that are exercised, bought and sold during the six day fair.
Narrow country lanes leading to the town have been bursting with horses and caravans in the build-up to the traveller meet-up.
Local MP Tim Farron was visiting the fair this morning.
The Lib Dem member of Parliament for Westmorland and Lonsdale told Sun Online: "The fair is a huge logistical operation.
“It is historically important for the travelling community.
“Police and others are working with the local community to ensure it is a success.”
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In 2020, the fair was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic, but huge crowds have returned to the event in recent years.
Seven people were arrested at the 2021 meet-up, but the chaos didn't dampen spirits for the hundreds at the historical celebration.
Some locals have closed down their pubs and services in protest.
A shop owner, who did not wish to be named, said: "I have decided to close.
“There is an unacceptable amount of criminality that goes on, and I’d rather risk missing out of potential profits than having to deal with the trouble some gypsies and their kids bring.”
Another Appleby resident Claire Morris, 35, said: "I’ve never had an issue with the gypsies and knew, when I bought my house here, that the horse fair comes to town every June.
“But some of my neighbours detest the fair and the problems - theft, intimidation, criminal damage, violence and animal cruelty - that it brings.”
Others move out of the town when travellers arrive.
Local Gordon Shaw, 87, was walking his German Wirehaired Pointer Cooper before more caravans and horses arrived.
A Gamekeeper, Gordon said: "I’ve lived her all my life and when I was a boy there would be about 50 bowtop caravans come. Now there are hundreds of caravans and motor vehicles.
“It’s horrendous. It’s got out of hand.
"A lot of locals move out for the fare, but others stay put to guard their properties.”
Fed-up residents living in the neighbouring village of Gargrave even drew up battle plans in preparation.
They have complained of a spike in crime and anti-social behaviour with human excrement found in bushes, trees hacked down and scorch marks found on greenery.
Last year, more than 60 pick-up trucks and horse-drawn caravans descended on the town, with loud generators running throughout the night.
Families and their horses normally descend from miles away to attend the 340-year-old fair.
Traffic in the area ground to a standstill as visitors from the gypsy, Roma and travelling community lined the streets.
Huge queues started forming along the roads as they waited to enter the campsites.
It falls on the first weekend of June and is recognised as the largest of its kind in Europe.
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The annual gathering dates back to 1685 and is under the protection of a charter granted by James II.
By the 1900s it had evolved into an event for gypsies and travellers.
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