A SERIES of drop-in events are being held for South Lakes residents who want to know more about arrangements for this year's Appleby Horse Fair.

The annual horse fair runs from June 5-11, attracting around 10,000 gypsies and travellers as well as up to 30,000 visitors, transforming the town of Appleby.

South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) works with partner organisations, including the county council, police and neighbouring local authorities, to manage the migration of fairgoers through the district on their way to and from the event.

SLDC staff organise temporary stopping point sites for both traditional ‘bowtop’ caravans and motorised caravans along routes to Appleby.

In addition, SLDC enforcement officers and police officers will be undertaking daily ‘verge patrols’ to check for any litter problems on roads and to ensure that motorised caravans are not parking anywhere other than the temporary stopping points (bowtops are allowed to camp on the roadside).

The temporary stopping points in South Lakeland are available from Tuesday, 27 May, to Thursday, 5 June, and following the fair from Monday, 9 June to Friday, 13 June, at the following locations:

• Devil’s Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale

• Middleton Common, near Sedbergh

• Rawthey Bridge, Cautley, near Sedbergh

• Scrogg Bank, Sedbergh

SLDC's principal street scene officer Neil Meakins said: “Through our arrangements leading up to and during the fair we want to ensure the movement of Gypsies and Travellers through the district is safe and enjoyable for everyone and to reduce the impact on the environment.

“The drop-in meetings that start this month are an opportunity for residents in South Lakeland communities to speak to SLDC officers regarding any concerns, issues or ideas relating to the horse fair arrangements.’’

A ‘Pre-Fair’ drop-in event has already been held in Kirkby Lonsdale and a three-week series of daily meetings in Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh in the run up to, during and after the horse fair starts this week.

All meetings are between 10am-11am on the following dates:

• Tuesday, 27 May: Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale

• Wednesday, 28 May: Community Offices, 72 Main Street, Sedbergh

• Thursday, 29 May: Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale

• Friday, 30 May: Community Offices, 72 Main Street, Sedbergh

• Saturday, 31 May: Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale

• Monday, 2 June: Community Offices, 72 Main Street, Sedbergh

• Tuesday, 3 June: Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale

• Wednesday, 4 June: Community Offices, 72 Main Street, Sedbergh

• Thursday, 5 June: Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale

• Friday, 6 June: Community Offices, 72 Main Street, Sedbergh

• Saturday, 7 June: Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale

• Monday, 9 June: Community Offices, 72 Main Street, Sedbergh

• Tuesday, 10 June: Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale

• Wednesday, 11 June: Community Offices, 72 Main Street, Sedbergh

• Thursday, 12 June: Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale

• Friday, 13 June: Community Offices, 72 Main Street, Sedbergh There will also be a ‘Post-Fair’ debrief drop-in on 8 July at Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale, from 4pm to 7pm.

Anyone who can’t make the drop-in meetings but would like to raise any issues can contact the streetcare team by emailing: info@southlakeland.gov.uk, or by calling 01539 733333.

For more information about Appleby Horse Fair visit: www.applebyfair.org