Statement on the rights of Gypsy and Traveller people travelling to Appleby

"The passing through of all Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people on the way to Appleby has continued for centuries, most often with the support of local people and without issue. We staunchly stand by this tradition, no matter how people intend to travel. 

Two days ago we were made aware by a journalist of a “Traveller Gypsy Roma Plan Document” for the first time, which was written and published by Gargrave Parish Council. We had attended a community conference meeting with them in early May.

It included our name and that we’d given “backing and firm support” to all measures in it, including blocking off land with fences and blocks or “target hardening”. 

We had never seen the document before and did not indicate any support for these measures.  

The plan document has led to increased negative media representation of Travelling communities, which we firmly stand against. 

It has also meant our resources and capacity have been stretched as a charity and stress and worry for our staff and communities.  

We were originally invited to attend the community conference meeting by an organisation, Restorative Solutions, with North Yorkshire councillors, North Yorkshire police and Gargrave parish council brought together by the North Yorkshire Council’s Deputy Mayor’s office, to bring communities together and find positive solutions.  

We attended in good faith - aiming to support the upkeep of important community traditions and the right to pass through and stop. We made suggestions including 3 days of rest for horses, providing water, toilets and rubbish facilities and crucially - welcoming and negotiating with all families.  

We are shocked at the Gargrave Parish Council plan which is divisive, fear mongering and heavy-handed. We have now been successful in getting our name and any mention of our support removed from the document and corrected. 

We have been in contact with North Yorkshire Police and our understanding, as of 22nd May, is that the policing presence will be low key over the next few days with community staff there to offer support and information to those stopping over this bank holiday weekend. We are in contact with all appropriate parties involved, including the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire to build towards a more positive response. 

We hope for and look forward to another brilliant Appleby Fair for all those attending, this year and into the future.