Councillor Karen Greenwood joins Horse Fair MASCG as elected representative

Eden District Council has appointed Councillor Karen Greenwood (Independent Group/Appleby Ward) as its Member representative for the Multi Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group (MASCG) for Appleby Horse Fair, for the remainder of the municipal year.

Councillor Karen Greenwood said: “I am honoured to serve the people of Eden on MASCG in an advisory and consultative role. I have worked every Horse Fair since 2004 at Appleby Tourist Information Centre and believe I can bring another perspective and a depth of understanding of the issues, having worked with locals, visitors, Gypsies and Travellers and Cumbria Police, and the many agencies who work so hard to keep us all safe. I am very much looking forward to this new opportunity.”

MASCG brings together various agencies with statutory roles including local councils, the police and the RSPCA for meetings throughout the year to discuss and co-ordinate activities for Appleby Horse Fair. The primary aim is ensuring the safety of everyone who attends the Fair, whilst taking into account the needs of residents, Gypsies and Travellers and visitors to the Fair. MASCG is not the organiser of Appleby Horse Fair. The Fair is an annual ‘gathering’ with no formal organiser.

Following the 2018 Horse Fair, correspondence was received from a number of parishes and residents asking for the membership of MASCG to be extended to included elected representatives. It was agreed at MASCG’s 26 November 2018 meeting, that the group’s membership would be extended to included elected representatives from Cumbria County Council, South Lakeland District Council and Eden District Council.  

MASCG Chairman Matthew Neal, the Deputy Chief Executive of Eden District Council has written to Cumbria County Council and South Lakeland District Council inviting them to  nominate an elected representative to sit on MASCG.

Chairman of MASCG, Matthew Neal, said: “I look forward to working closely with Councillor Karen Greenwood in the coming months as MASCG carries out its preparatory planning work for this year’s Fair. Having the involvement of elected Members will enhance MASCG’s understanding of issues of concern from local residents and the Gypsy and Traveller community as we work to make the Horse Fair as safe as possible for all concerned.”