Appleby Horse Fair: Mountains of Rubbish and 30 Arrests Mar Annual Gathering

Appleby Horse Fair Leaves Trail of Rubbish and 30 Arrests Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria – The annual Appleby Horse Fair, a week-long gathering of Gypsies and Travellers, concluded leaving behind a significant amount of rubbish and debris across the fields. Drone footage captured by Sky News reveals a landscape littered with plastic bags, discarded furniture, and cardboard boxes. The scene is further marred by a burnt-out white Ford Transit van, adding to the visual impact of the environmental aftermath. "A major gathering of traveller community left fields covered in rubbish and debris," a Sky News report stated, highlighting the scale of the cleanup operation now underway. The local council and volunteer groups are working to restore the affected areas. Adding to the challenges, Cumbria Police reported 30 arrests made before the fair even began. A spokesperson stated, "The arrests were primarily for road offences related to the influx of vehicles associated with the fair." This suggests significant logistical and safety concerns surrounding the event. Despite the negative aspects, the fair is a significant cultural event attracting around 40,000 attendees. The cleanup operation serves as a reminder of the need for responsible waste management and improved planning for future events.