
The rescheduled August Appleby Horse Fair could potentially have “huge financial implications” for a number of Upper Eden tourist businesses, a meeting was told.
County councillor Phil Dew told a meeting of Kirkby Stephen Town Council that at Cote Moor, near Ravenstonedale, people were very concerned about the impact the horse fair could have on businesses in the area.
“They might have tourists in for the tourist season, who come for a bit of peace and quiet, and there is that possibility they may be confronted by a mass gathering of gypsy-traveller people – the two don’t really go together very well,” said Mr Dew.
He said the concern was about temporary stopping places, and the lack of them, with Watter Yat no longer being available, and the displacement from there on to the A685 between Kirkby Stephen and Brough.
“Because parking is limited on the A685 the police can’t move travellers on unless they have some place to send them to, and, apart from Cote Moor, there isn’t anywhere to send them to,” said Mr Dew.
He added that nobody had any idea about how many of the travelling community would come in August because it is
completely unprecedented.
“It’s the school holidays – they might come in vast numbers and stay for much longer periods,” said Mr Dew.
Brough agricultural show, which was due to take place on August 19, had also been cancelled because organisers could not rely on access or security, added Mr Dew.