An Appleby group is asking that a vote be held about the future of the town’s annual horse fair.
Appleby Fair Communities Group say town residents and the surrounding area feel ignored by councils.
They want a referendum in Appleby and one in Kirkby Stephen to answer if the event’s status should change and how it should be funded.
Currently, the fair is classed as a gathering and as such is not organised.
This means that it does not have designated people who are held responsible for the fair.
Police and other costs associated with the fair come out of taxpayers’ pockets.
It is overseen by the Appleby Horse Fair Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group, which involves representatives from the police, councils and the Gypsy and Traveller community.
But protestors in Appleby said they were tired of not being listened to – and felt that the fair was not run correctly and was ‘out of control and not safe’.
A mass stand-off between a large group of men, carrying weapons and sticks, was prevented quickly by police on the Saturday of the fair, resulting in two arrests so far.
Appleby Fair Communities Group said: “We don’t want to sit and wait for the incident that will inevitably happen if we continue down this road. The events of the 2022 fair have served as a warning of what could happen.
“We did not want this to escalate to this point but after years of being ignored, any attempt to make life better for the locals were met with resistance, so we have been left with no other alternative.
“We have requested for years that the event is controlled, managed and policed in line with any other event in the country.
“The event states it is a gathering and that there is no organiser, therefore it is not subject to normal health and safety rules events such as Glastonbury must (rightly) adhere to.
“Why wouldn’t our councils want a safe, managed, self-funded event? All we are asking for is a safe, self-funded, managed, controlled event with attendees limited to match the size and facilities of our tiny town.
“There is no way the Cumbrian taxpayer should be forced to pay these costs when the majority do not benefit. We believe more locals are negatively impacted than positively.”
The group, if it gets enough support to call for a referendum, wants a vote on whether it should go ahead on July 7, when the post-fair meeting is held at Appleby Town Hall.
It said the referendum should ask:
- Should Appleby Horse fair be allowed to continue in the current format as a gathering with no organiser or organising body.
Yes – Appleby Horse Fair should continue in its current format and remain an unorganised gathering.
Or
No – Appleby Horse Fair should become an organised event with an organiser responsible for ensuring safety, manageable numbers, policed in line with the laws of the land (low level crime not ignored) and compliance with legislation.
- How should Appleby Fair be funded?
Local taxpayer – Appleby Horse Fair should be funded through revenue generated from local tax.
Or
Self-funded – All costs relating to Appleby Horse Fair should be covered by the attendees who come by choice to enjoy the event.
- Appleby Horse Fair should be suspended until arrangements are made to comply with the wishes of the community.
Yes
No
