The Gypsy and Traveller communities have collaborated with a charity to improve sanitary conditions at the Appleby horse fair.

Adequate sanitation provision has been a significant concern of local residents during the annual horse fair which has been made worse by the closure of several pubs, and there will be fewer licensed premises open in 2023.

Eden District Council and Appleby Town Council currently provide about 40 extra toilets in the public areas, together with twice daily cleaning, at public expense, and the Gypsy and Traveller Representatives have ‘recognised’ that the cost to the public purse is significant.

Although they have no obligation to do so, they have raised £24,000 from charitable donations, to be spread over four years, to provide extra toilets and extra cleaning, wherever they may be needed, in the public interest.

The first tranche of £10,000 has now been paid to Westmorland and Furness Council and Appleby Town Council.

The funds have been raised from The Institute for Sustainable Organic Reform, (ISOR CIC) a registered charity and Community Interest Company.

Much of their work focusses on ‘New’ Traveller communities, but they also fund education and research among Gypsy and Traveller people.

Traveller Representative Bill Lloyd said: “When a pub closes their doors, they also close their toilets to the public, and there is a danger that the possible shortage of toilets in 2023 might lead to insanitary conditions in the town.

“There are seven licenced campsites accommodating visitors to the Fair, and they provide their own toilets in line with the conditions of their planning consents, but the town centre is a public space.

“It is the focus for many thousands of visitors and tourists, the majority of whom are not Gypsies or horse traders, but who come for a free day out to see this the unique spectacle and major tourist attraction.”

“This is an unprecedented development for the public benefit, planned in consultation with MASCG and the relevant Councils.

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“In addition to improving the facilities for visitors and sightseers, this significant financial contribution demonstrates that, contrary to frequent false characterisation, the Gypsy and Traveller community are aware of the demands on the public purse, and they are collaborating closely with them to help find practical solutions to problems which arise.”

The field at Fair Hill is owned by Appleby Town Council, and is the traditional camp site for Appleby Fair, which takes place at several locations in Appleby.

Following significant growth in the last 20 years, there are now seven large, authorised campsites with planning consent serving the event.

Fair Hill is the only campsite managed by Gypsies, and the Gypsy and Traveller Representatives on MASCG speak only on behalf of Fair Hill.