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Positive Images: Appleby Horse Fair 2005

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Members of STEP and TENET (which is an informal group comprising of Scottish local authority designated teachers who support Gypsy and Traveller families to access education) visited the Appleby Horse Fair at the beginning of June. Appleby Fair is an important cultural event in the Gypsy and Travelling peoples' calendar.

STEP staff at Appleby

Appleby Horse Fair was set up by Charter under the reign of James II in 1685 and has been an annual event ever since. Originally, it was a venue for the trading of all types of livestock and general merchandise. 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.

I horses at appleby

stalls at appleby

The buying and selling of horses is an important central part of the fair. 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.

horses in river eden, appleby

horses in river

Flashing Lane race

Members of STEP and TENET made contact with NATT members (National Association of Traveller Teachers) and gathered resources at the 'Education on the Hoof' tent, an education project that has been running for many years at Appleby Fair. The aim of 'Education on the Hoof' is to promote the role of Traveller Education Services in England (TES) in supporting educational access for all Gypsy and Traveller children. 'Education on the Hoof' uses this opportunity to meet parents and children and experience being part of Europe's biggest Gypsy Horse Fair. Staff from various authorities work together to deliver training and run children's activities. Later in the day we noticed children working with the pack of materials supplied by 'Education on the Hoof'.

Appleby Horse Fair is well worth a visit, not least to experience the family orientated ambience of the Gypsy and Traveller communities who gather for this annual cultural and family event.

caravan

appleby

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