Appleby horse fair: Glam young travellers dress up to wash horses in river as Europe’s biggest gypsy event starts today
GLAM travelers have arrived in a small British town as Europe’s largest gypsy market kicks off today.
The Appleby Horse Fair at Appleby-in-Westmoreland, Cumbriaattracts around 10,000 travelers to buy and sell horses every year.
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They house more than 1,000 caravans and 3,000 horse-drawn carriages, and the number of visitors is in the tens of thousands.
Photos from around the city today show ponies trotting through the streets and youngsters riding their horses through the River Eden to wash them, part of an annual tradition.
An unfortunate young woman may have been riding a little too fast when she fell off her horse into the water.
Luckily, she only hurt her pride when she surfaced to her friends’ laughter.
Another lady was photographed bathing in the river in what appeared to be a designer outfit while her horse enjoyed the cool water.
The fair plays host to members of Gypsy, Roma and Itinerant communities including Irish Travelers and British Romanichal.
They flock to the remote town to celebrate the 250th anniversary.
It has only been canceled twice, in 2001 due to foot and mouth disease and in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.
Last year it was pushed back a week by organizers to avoid a collision with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The faire originated in the 1770s on Gallows Hill where sheep, cattle and horse traders sold their stock.
By the 20th century it had developed into an event for gypsies and travelers.
It officially starts today, June 8th.
This comes as the Met Office issued a hot weather health warning for this weekend.
The first yellow alert of the year, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), will affect six regions of the country.
The alarm is valid from this Friday at 9 a.m. to Monday at 9 a.m.
Forecasters say Brits can expect highs of 30C in some parts.
In the run-up to the event, the fair reminded horse owners on its website to take care of their animals in hot weather.
Rob Melloy, Chief Inspector of the RSPCA, said: “The weather is a big factor at the show and the weather forecast says it’s going to be hot.”
“Just as it is important for us to drink plenty of fluids and not exert ourselves too much in hot weather, it is also important for our horses.
“They must have regular access to water, drink after work and be tethered in the shade.
“Owners may need to be more patient than normal as horses sometimes do not want to drink when they are in an overly irritable environment.”
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