TWENTY nine dogs and puppies were taken in by the RSPCA at last year's Appleby Horse Fair - a marked increase over recent years.

There were also 174 incidents of owners of animals being given advice or assistance by the charity at the historic annual event in August.

The figures were revealed in an evaluation report, published this week with input from all the agencies involved in the fair.

The external costs of the fair for the agencies amount to £496,535, primarily due to a leap in policing costs - Cumbria Constabulary alone was £344,464.

This total is nearly double the overall cost of the 2019 event - £255,550.

There was no fair in 2020 because of the pandemic.

'Safe and enjoyable'

The report has been developed with input from the agencies and individuals that make up the Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group (MASCG):

  • Eden District Council
  • Cumbria County Council
  • South Lakeland District Council
  • Cumbria Constabulary
  • North West Ambulance Service
  • RSPCA
  • Environment Agency
  • National Highways
  • three councillors representing the settled community
  • two representatives of the Gypsy and Traveller communities

A spokesman said: "The purpose of the report is to consider whether and to what extent the MASCG has succeeded in its overriding objective of delivering a safe and enjoyable Appleby Horse Fair for local residents, Gypsies, Travellers and visitors.

"The MASCG’s principal objective is the preparation, delivery and co-ordination of an operational plan to deliver a safe and enjoyable Fair for all."

It consulted all groups involved with the Fair in compiling the report.

News and Star: TRADITIONS: Appleby Horse FairTRADITIONS: Appleby Horse Fair

Les Clark, deputy chief executive of Eden District Council and chairman of the MASCG said: “The planning for the 2021 fair was both heavily influenced and significantly complicated by the changing position on Covid regulations and guidance.”

The report concludes that, as the fair did not go ahead in 2020 and people were in lockdown for much of the previous year, this may have contributed to increased numbers attending the 2021 Fair.

"Whilst the large numbers and added complications raised a number of challenges, the Fair itself was safe and enjoyable for the vast majority of those that attended," said the spokesman.

The Fair in Figures

Eden District Council recorded 1,210 caravans and bow tops (1,172) in 2019.

There was an increase in arrests at the latest fair (13 in comparison to eight in 2019) and crimes (25 in comparison to 21).

There were 86 police incidents and six dispersal orders.

North West Ambulance Service reported 44 recorded injuries (23 in 2019).

The council removed 27.5 tonnes of waste, including litter.

Next year

The report also identifies actions for the 2022 Fair, including reviews of the provision of toilet facilities in Appleby, the clean-up arrangements at transit sites and The Sands area and of the availability and adequacy of stopping places and transit sites.