This week is a very exciting week because next week marks the beginning of the Appleby Horse Fair. Appleby Fair runs for a week in June, ending on the 2nd Wednesday in June, in the town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria. It is probably the best known of the horse fairs attended by Romany families travelling from all over the country to meet up with old friends and conduct business. It is world famous, the largest of its kind in the world, and attracts a huge gypsy gathering.
It has existed as a fair for horse trading since 1685, under the protection of a charter granted by James II. The field on the outskirts of Appleby originally known as Gallows Hill, due to its usage in earlier times, is now called Fair Hill and looks over the town of Appleby. During the Fair, horses may be found everywhere - in the river, on its banks, along the roadsides or tethered outside hotels and shops. Young people wash the horses in the River Eden and are then ready to show them off. The tradition of racing and trotting the horses along Flashing Lane takes place throughout the day.
So what is it so exciting? It’s the fact that the travellers use a piece of land at the end of our lane as a ‘stop-over’ to rest their horses. Every morning this week there has been a different collection of the most beautiful traditional gypsy caravans and carts on display, with horses tethered nearby. It really is a sight to behold and one I would not want to miss for the world.
There are lots more pictures here
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