Thousands of pounds are to be spent by Eden Council on commissioning independent experts to run the rule over the “legalities” of Appleby Horse Fair becoming an organised and ticketed event.
The pledge was made at a packed public meeting in the town attended by more than 100 people.
Residents quizzed an eight-strong panel of representatives from Eden Council, Appleby Town Council, Cumbria County Council and Cumbria police.
They were told by the public that the event had grown too large to be “unorganised” and that accountability and responsibility can no longer be avoided.
While not an organiser, the multi-agency strategic co-ordinating group which oversees the fair frequently carries the can when things go wrong. A tender for independent consultants is to be drawn up which will run the rule over the current arms-length approach to the fair.
The review pledge came from MASGC chairman Les Clark who told the rows of people at Appleby’s public hall: “There has been some discussion, and I think rightly so, about the ongoing question of whether the fair could be an organised event. It’s a question I don’t think will go away unless it is properly and independently evaluated.”
He has won agreement to commission independent experts to explore the “legalities and the practicalities” of the fair and has promised evidence gathering and widespread consultation from all communities involved.
In response to questions about the cost of the work, Mr Clark said: “I think it’s going to cost some money but it will be money well spent because of the need to answer those questions and so we can have confidence in the outcomes.”
Of the timescale, he added: “It will take as long as is necessary to make it a proper and meaningful piece of work.”
The latest twist in the controversy comes ahead of a community meeting at Appleby’s public hall on Thursday between 7 and 8pm.
Momentum for change is also growing in Long Marton with a parish meeting planned to discuss a poll on the fair. While the results are not legally enforceable, the outcomes may add further grist to the mill for the campaigning Appleby Fair Communities Group which is pressing for major changes.
Senior Cumbria police officers maintained there had been more enforcement in 2022 “probably” than in the last decade, with 28 arrests, and fixed penalty notices rising to 139 from 58 last year.
Amid calls for more respect, a gypsy and traveller representative replied that change was “easier said than done” and that the majority did not want to be camped on isolated roads but were discouraged by site owners and turned away when trying to book on official sites.
