COVID-19: Appleby Horse Fair 2020 will not take place - don't travel to Cumbria

People in the Gypsy and Traveller community and the settled community are being thanked for their understanding following the news the 2020 Appleby Horse Fair will not take place.

The announcement was a made a month ago by the Appleby Horse Fair Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group.  

Gypsy and Traveller representative on MASCG Billy Welsh said: “The reaction we have seen to the news that the Fair will not go ahead this year has been disappointment but understanding.

“To go ahead with the event would have put the health and lives of people in the Gypsy and Traveller community and the settled community at risk and people have accepted that.

“What it is also important that people do not do is consider any other type of ‘mini’ trip to the county to meet up with family or friends – whether at Appleby or elsewhere in the county. People shouldn’t be coming anywhere near Cumbria.

“Everyone needs to stay home to protect their own families, other people and the NHS.”