The fate of this year’s Appleby Horse Fair is still uncertain as there are ‘further issues which need to be considered’.

Appleby Horse Fair is unable to go-ahead on June 3 due to the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, which prevents large-scale gatherings until June 21 at the earliest.

Appleby Horse Fair Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group (MASCG) has said it is considering holding the fair later in the year but is still to announce its official decision on the annual gathering.

On Monday, chair of Appleby Horse Fair MASCG Les Clark said: “The MASCG has considered the public health, resourcing, and community relations aspects of a number of different alternatives regarding whether or not the fair takes places this year.

“However, there are further issues which need to be considered and more parties which need to be consulted before a decision can be reached in respect of the 2021 fair.

“Another meeting will be held by the middle of April, following which we hope to be in a position to provide further clarity.”

One Appleby councillor has said that, unless there are concrete laws which prevent visitors from coming to the town, Appleby could see a repeat of last year when some still attended despite the advice from the multi-agency group not to.

Scores of travellers arrived in Appleby this weekend even though the annual horse fair had been cancelled. June 7, 2020.

Scores of travellers arrived in Appleby this weekend even though the annual horse fair had been cancelled. June 7, 2020.

Councillor Andy Connell said: “If there is nothing in the law to prevent them, all that the multi-agency can do through its contacts in the gypsy traveller community is advise.

“And they haven’t yet decided on what advice to give.

“Last year, when some people did come, it was a bit pointless; there wasn’t much for them to do except go home again, which they did and there weren’t any particular issues.

“If there is nothing in law preventing large groups of people congregating, that makes it more difficult for us to tell them they can’t come.”

Appleby’s mayor Gareth Hayes said: “The need to collect more data, information and opinion in line with the ever-evolving Covid situation before making a much-needed firm decision is both respectful and rightly cautious.

“We all have a really busy and potentially crowded summer ahead and keenly depend on MASCG to make the most fitting call.”