WITH around seven weeks to go until Appleby Horse Fair, visitors who bring trailers are urged to not to arrive too soon.

Visitors who bring trailers (towed caravans) are encouraged to plan their journeys carefully to Appleby.

“The top priority at every Appleby Horse Fair is always the safety of everyone involved in this unique gathering,"

Superintendent Mark Pannone from Cumbria Police, said.

"This is why we ask Gypsies and Travellers coming to this year’s event to heed the safety advice and to not arrive too early in order to avoid causing problems on the road network.”

This is especially the case if visitors are travelling to the Fair via Alston Moor, as the availability of temporary stopping places there is reduced this year.

"Gypsies and Travellers always responded very positively to our message about not arriving too soon for the Horse Fair," 

Gypsy and Traveller Billy Welch, a member of the Multi Agency Co-ordinating Group (MASCG), who work to make the Fair safer each year, said. 

"This is especially important this year for people who travel along the A69/A686 to Appleby Fair, as Makepeace’s Field near Alston is unfortunately no longer available as a temporary stopping place. So please take account of this when planning your journey to Appleby this year. 

“So if you are bringing your trailer to Appleby please respect the Fair. By doing this you not only help improve road safety, but allow more space on road side verges for grazing and bowtops.”

Eden District Council's Deputy Chief Executive and MASCG Chairman, Matthew Neal said: “The public agencies, local communities and Gypsy and Traveller representatives work continually to improve the safety of this unique gathering and to make it as enjoyable as possible for all concerned.

"Local publicans are again working proactively with the District Council and Cumbria Police through the Voluntary Licensing Charter to help ensure their premises are operating safely throughout the Fair for everyone’s enjoyment.

“Unfortunately this year Makepeace’s Field at Alston is no longer available as a stopping place, so we are working with Alston Moor Parish Council to look for other potential locations for a temporary stopping places for future Fairs. If any local landowners have fields they would like to make available please contact the District Council.”

Appleby Horse Fair starts on Thursday June 7.

Information about temporary stopping places is available at www.applebyfair.org.

To keep up to date on the plans and news for Appleby Horse Fair 2018, visit www.applebyfair.org or check out Facebook MASCG for Appleby Fair or follow @ApplebyFair on Twitter.