The Fair Proper!

Despite the fact that it takes place just a couple of miles away from where we live, and on a road that we use virtually every day, it's a long time since we had anything to do with the Horse Fair proper. This bit is different from the horse washing taking place down the road by the river and at which most photographs are taken. Up here is where the Horse Fair itself is.

This morning we decided to pay it a visit. We drove the five minutes from home, because we did not have the time to walk. We didn't mind paying the £5 to park in a field, as it was in aid of the Air Ambulance, so it was like giving a donation.

To set the scene: the road in question is a straight piece just outside Appleby. It is known as the 'flashing lane', as this is where horses are shown off to prospective buyers. Lining the road are fences to keep spectators away from the horses and behind these is the best place for watching proceedings. However, the road is always full of people wandering around and they have to get out of the way quickly to avoid being mown down, as many horses are raced along the lane at speed. There is no programme or anything; it all just happens.The buying of horses is done person to person and is cash only.

Fields on both sides of the road are covered with caravans, vans. trucks etc. On one side, in 'Jimmy Winter's Field', is a huge market, selling a wide variety of goods, although mostly traditional to the Gypsy travelling community.

This picture gives an idea of what the 'flashing lane' is like for most of the day. Look at the serious dealings going on to the left of the picture. This is normally a very quiet bit of country road. I will blip it again later to compare. There are more pictures here, especially of the market, where bling is the thing! Quite sad is the fact that there was a queue of girls waiting to pay £1 to pose inside a traditional gypsy caravan; an indication of the passing of an era. There are also some pictures of serious horse dealing going on.

There is a holiday atmosphere to the whole event, with many people having travelled huge distances to attend. It is a traditional Gypsy fair, more like a big family get together. Plus a lot of visitors who come to spectate. They were arriving in a steady stream as we made an early getaway.

Arriving back home and sitting in the peace and quiet, it is hard to imagine this all happening just across the fields.