Meeting called for the public's views on Appleby Horse Fair

After being cancelled for only the second time in its history, as a result of the pandemic, it has now been moved to a later date.

In April, the Appleby Horse Fair Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group met again to discuss plans for the 2021 Appleby Horse Fair.

An agreement was reached that MASCG would support the fair to take place from Thursday, August 12 – subject to any potential changes in Government regulations and recommendations around large events.

At the moment Billy Welch, Gypsy and Traveller representative on the MASCG has confirmed that the members of his community are doing everything they can to keep safe and be safe ahead of the fair with all eligible getting their vaccine.

He said: “We have a meeting before and after the fair every year. The public can come and ask questions and sometimes they have great ideas about what can be done to make improvements.

“We’re all really excited, the atmosphere is great and everyone round the county is getting ready.”

The public meeting will take place on July 22 in Appleby, but those who wish to attend are asked to contact Appleby Town Council and to book a place.

There will also be community drop-in sessions being offered by the Cumbria police, South Lake District Council and Cumbria County Council.

The drop-in sessions will take place from Monday, July19, to Saturday, August 21, from 12pm to 2pm at Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Station and Sedbergh Police Office.

Les Clark, chair of the Appleby Horse Fair MASCG and deputy chief executive of Eden District Council, said: “In reaching this decision the Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group has had to weigh many factors.

“It is preferable for everyone involved – local settled people, Gypsies and Travellers and the local authorities – for Appleby Horse Fair to happen on a set date. Had no date been set, there would be an increased likelihood of ad-hoc gatherings which nobody would be prepared for.”