Appleby horse fair passes through Gargrave every year (Image: SWNS)
For centuries hundreds of travellers have passed through the village of Gargrave on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales to attend the historic, week long gathering 70 miles away.
However, in recent years, villagers have reported an alarming increase in crime and anti-social behaviour, including finding human waste in bushes, trees being vandalised, and scorch marks marring the village greens.
Last year, the peaceful village was invaded by more than 60 pick-up trucks and horse-drawn ‘bow top’ caravans, many with noisy generators running all night.
Villagers were also disturbed by impromptu horse races taking place in the village centre.
In response, Gargrave Parish Council has taken action, setting new rules and implementing measures to keep the village ‘conflict free’ as up to 200 travellers are expected to descend this Bank Holiday weekend.
Locals are despairing at the festival’s impact on their village (Image: SWNS)
A £15,000 wooden fence has been erected around three green areas and concrete blocks installed to deter visitors from setting up camp in public spaces.
The council’s new rules stipulate that horse-drawn ‘bow top’ caravans will only be allowed one full day of rest in the village before they must move on – police will be on duty from 8 am until midnight.
The tradition dates back to 1685 (Image: SWNS)
The council, in collaboration with the traveller and gypsy liaison organisation Leeds GATE, has drawn up plans to manage the influx of travellers, which they fully support.
Council Chair and former soldier Greg Butt MBE remarked: “Last year we saw an exponential increase in numbers of travellers stopping off – more than we have ever had before.
“Some residents loved it but it did make some people anxious especially those who are elderly and living alone.
“The travellers are welcome but we had to limit the numbers to manageable levels .”
Scorch marks left at a park (Image: SWNS)
Gargrave, often a pit-stop for travellers on their way to Appleby, is strategically located as the last village before a 70-mile journey through the Yorkshire Dales on the A65.
The tradition dates back to 1685 when King James II granted a charter for the event.
Greg emphasised the cultural significance of the event, stating that gypsies have been passing through the town for “hundreds of years” and that it is “worth protecting”.
However, Greg disclosed that last year they experienced an unprecedented number of travellers, with some staying for up to five days.
The aftermath of Appleby horse fair (Image: SWNS)
A particularly affected spot was a 100 square metre triangle of green space near South Street, nestled within a densely populated residential area.
He explained: “People were looking out of their windows and bedrooms and seeing the caravans parked up and were spared nothing.
“The council was caught off guard by the sheer numbers – we received a number of complaints.”
Other areas impacted included the northern end of High Green and the vicinity of ‘Gotha Mill’ on Middle Green.
Appleby horse fair is the biggest in Europe (Image: SWNS)
In a proactive measure to avoid the chaos of previous years, the council has initiated an extensive action plan for June 2024, meticulously developed months ahead.
The council engaged in a robust community consultation in the form of two public meetings and held a bespoke professional session featuring mediators from Restorative Solutions, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Council, and Leeds GATE, a liaison organisation for gypsies and travellers.
Greg Butt MBE (Image: undefined)
A comprehensive strategy is set to unfurl, executed collaboratively by the parish council, North Yorkshire Council, and local police, ensuring their presence in the village from May 23 to June 2 between 8am and midnight.
Designed to curtail the encampment zones within the village to manageable proportions, the council endeavoured to confine travellers to their longstanding site on Mill Lane.
The river (Image: SWNS)
An expenditure of £15,000 marched forth in March 2025 to erect permanent barriers around the targeted locales, supplemented by “temporary” concrete buffers at strategic points starting from Church Lane through to Middle Green.
Local entrepreneur Greg attests that despite predictable strains, like shoplifting incidents at the Co-op last year, commerce will persist undeterred with doors open at shops, eateries, and watering holes.
Furthermore, public conveniences will stand accessible, serving travellers nestled in the heart of the village.
The green where caravans usually stop for the fair (Image: SWNS)
Greg optimistically revealed that the early passing-through travellers have shown cooperation while affirming: “We just have to manage everything appropriately and instil some resident confidence.
“The Leeds GATE group are understanding and agreed that those who cause issues will be dealt with through the law.”
Travellers traditionally drive horses through the river (Image: SWNS)
Social media has been abuzz as residents took to Facebook, sharing their worries.
One resident commented: “No problem with travellers visiting if they cleaned up after they left and didn’t mysteriously cause an unexpected blip in thefts (total coincidence obviously).
“It’s irrelevant who they are, everyone should respect our village and residents.”
Another added their perspective: “They were journeying to this space way before the houses were there.
“Why show such prejudice towards people who historically have taken the same route to the same place -the residents need to move or welcome them.”
Aftermath of the horse fair (Image: SWNS)
Addressing the concerns, Karl Battersby, North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director of environment, stated: “Every year, we work closely with parish councils and police and introduce these measures to ensure Appleby Horse Fair can run smoothly and minimise disruption to the local community.”
He further elucidated, “We engage with residents and visitors to ensure the event is well-managed, which includes providing temporary stopping places, increasing police presence and addressing issues raised by the community.”
Leeds GATE has been invited to give their remarks on the matter.