Appleby Horse Fair - another view

A rare sign in a town but in Appleby for the first week in June it is meant to be obeyed as the surrounding area is full of horses. The gypsies are in town. It was not being obeyed when we there this morning as they took their horses for a spin before washing them in the river.

They put their caravans on 'Fair Hill' above the town; several thousand attend and the event attracts many thousands more to see the quaint sights. Appleby has a population of only about 2,500. There is virtually no interaction between the local community and the gypsies. They treat us as if we are not there, no smiles, no eye contact. The locals generally at best put up with it, shops and pubs close, people lock up and go away or stay at home to guard their property. The stories of anti-social behaviour, crime and mess are legend.

Many see it as a 'drinkfest' but to the true gypsies it is a traditional meeting place for extended families. However I'm not sure how many are true gypsies - more likely scrap dealers from Darlington.