Gypsies flout lockdown as 25 caravans pitch up in Wickham for annual horse fair despite event being ‘called off’ over coronavirus
- Travellers have arrived with horses and caravans despite the horse fair’s official cancellation
- Organisers of the annual Horse Fair confirmed it would not take place this year to help contain the outbreak
- A heavy police presence in the area is reportedly stopping travellers from trading their horses
- There were fears that the royal charter for the fair would be cancelled if no-one attended this year’s event, but the local council has stressed that is not the case
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
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Travellers have descended on Wickham in Hampshire despite the official cancellation of this year’s horse fair due to the coronavirus crisis.
Around 25 caravans parked up overnight close to the small town in Hampshire, but were disappointed to find a heavy police presence in the area, reportedly stopping travellers from trading their horses.
The organisers of the annual Horse Fair confirmed it would not take place this year to help contain the outbreak of COVID-19.
Two men ride on a pony and trap in Wickham, Hampshire, on May 20, despite the horse fair’s official cancellation
Around 25 caravans parked up overnight close to the small town in Hampshire (some of the caravans pictured)
The horse fair itself dates back to the year 1269 and has been running annually for almost 800 years
A heavy police presence in the area is reportedly stopping travellers from trading their horses
Winchester City Council and Hampshire Constabulary confirmed they fully supported the decision ‘to ensure the health of all members of the community.’
There were fears earlier this month that the royal charter for the fair would be cancelled if no-one attended this year’s event, but this was debunked by the local council.
A council statement said: ‘We are aware that concern has been expressed that the royal charter for the fair requires that some people must attend every year to preserve the right to hold the annual event and would like to make clear that this is not the city council’s interpretation of the charter rights.
‘Therefore, the right to hold the event in future years will not be affected by its cancellation this year and there is no requirement for anyone to ‘maintain’ the charter.’
‘Please do not to come to Wickham on May 20 to attend the event, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, remember – stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.’
The fair is one of two highlights of the horse-riding calendar which also includes the famous Appleby Horse Fair which usually takes place in June.
The Appleby event has also been officially cancelled.
The event near Fareham, near Portsmouth,usually attracts over 1,000 visitors.
As part of festivities at the fair, participants and visitors sell horses and some will take part in the horse run. There’s also a funfair and market stalls.
The horse fair itself dates back to the year 1269 and has been running annually for almost 800 years.
MailOnline have contacted Hampshire Constabulary for comment.
There were fears that the royal charter for the fair would be cancelled if no-one attended this year’s event, but this was debunked by the local council
The caravans parked up in glorious weather near to an empty children’s playground
A man checks his trailer in Wickham on May 20 as police and bystanders watch on in the town centre
Many of the caravans parked with large gaps between them as people sat outside enjoying the good weather
A horse box makes it’s way through the streets of Wickham. Police are reportedly stopping travellers from trading horses
The event near Fareham, near Portsmouth,usually attracts over 1,000 visitors (pictured police keeping watch)
The fair is one of two highlights of the horse-riding calendar which also includes the famous Appleby Horse Fair which usually takes place in June
As part of festivities at the fair, participants and visitors sell horses and some will take part in the horse run
Some police officers waited in their vehicles while others gathered by the side of the road in the sunshine