EXCLUSIVE 'It's like the wild west!' Appleby Horse Fair locals to close EVERY pub in town for the first time ever and board up businesses before thousands descend for historic traveller and gypsy festival By Kevin Donald and John James Published: 08:08 EDT, 19 May 2024 | Updated: 08:08 EDT, 19 May 2024 e-mail View comments Unprecedented restrictions are awaiting travellers descending in their thousands on the historic Appleby horse fair as despairing locals fight back against the annual gathering. Disorder last year was 'the last straw' as far as the people of a neighbouring market town was concerned amid claims of shoplifting, threats and urine being squirted through car windows by members of the travelling community. The people of Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, have grown used to their town being taken over by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community, who use it as a stopping off point before the fair begins.
Roadside verges on both sides of the A685 into the town become ad hoc campsites, bursting with caravans, tethered horses, dogs and children. The town's main street is used for showing horses set to be traded and horses are tethered to railings outside the pubs, making it look like 'the Wild West.' Unprecedented restrictions are awaiting travellers descending in their thousands on Kirkby Stephen Disorder last year was 'the last straw' as far as the people of a neighbouring market town was concerned But this year, things will be different.
Every pub in Kirkby Stephen will.