As pubs in Appleby shut their doors for the duration of the town’s annual horse fair, licensees in Penrith opted to follow suit on last Saturday night, leaving the town much quieter than usual.
Fears of trouble and disorder following the bumper horse fair crowds was behind the publicans’ decision in both towns.
Most of the pubs in Penrith closed their doors at 7pm on Saturday, with one Penrith landlord admitting he was “on edge” throughout the traditional gypsy and traveller gathering.
“You’re on edge all the time during the horse fair weekend,” said Andy Monroe, landlord of the Robin Hood pub, in Penrith’s King Street.
“We didn’t see a great deal of trouble during the day but we decided to close in the evening as a precaution. The hot weather brought a lot more people this year and we didn’t want to risk not being able to cope with any problems,” he added.
Other pubs, including the Board and Elbow, Grey Goat, Fell Bar and the Woolpack also closed their doors at 7pm on Saturday evening, with most reopening on Sunday afternoon.
Cumbria police confirmed that 42 arrests were made and 20 vehicles were seized during this year’s fair weekend.
The fair was one of the busiest in recent years, with almost 1,200 bowtops and caravans converging on the Cumbrian town for the annual gathering.
Police said despite the number of arrests — up from 18 in 2022 — there were no significant issues with public disorder as there had been in recent years.
Chief Superintendent Matt Kennerley, Gold Commander for Appleby Horse Fair, said: “Whilst arrests are up, the vast majority were the result of proactive actions being taken by officers such as driving offences including driving under the influence — rather than public order incidents.
“The event was controlled by a significant police resource throughout.
“Saturday is usually the busiest day for the fair and our officers. The high temperatures brought lots of visitors to the town and The Sands area was incredibly busy on Saturday afternoon.
“However, officers on the ground found the overwhelming majority of people were cordial and positive.”
Chair of the Appleby horse fair multi-agency strategic co-ordinating group (MASCG), Steph Cordon, of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “The effort and work of staff from all of the agencies was outstanding and helped contribute to a positive atmosphere on the ground.
“I’d like to thank all those involved in the fair, as well as the tremendous amount of planning leading up to it, for their efforts.
“I’d also like to reassure the local people of Appleby and the surrounding area that the agencies which make up the MASCG are committed to always working to find solutions to the issues that do arise each year.”
New for the 2023 event was a temporary bar which provided a venue away from the town centre for people to drink.
Around 2,000 people attended on Saturday night and there were no incidents reported.
On Saturday, 3rd June, police and the DVSA carried out an operation on the A685 as people began to arrive in the area. It resulted in 120 vehicles being stopped and tickets issued for more than 20 offences ranging from vehicle defects and insecure loads to driving without a seatbelt and driving without due care.
Rob Melloy, RSPCA chief inspector, said: “We’re disappointed in the number of exhausted horses we’ve seen over the fair.
“Some people were working their horses too hard in the heat and our vets were busy helping them.”
Gypsy and traveller representative on the MASCG, Billy Welch, said: “We’ve had great weather and it’s been a wonderful fair.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to has thoroughly enjoyed themselves and had a really great time of it.”
