APPLEBY FAIR - the greatest Gypsy & Traveller gathering
by Rupert Sagar-Musgrave, with introduction by Bill Lloyd
The book presents almost 130 images from the biggest gathering of Gypsies and Travellers in the UK – the annual Appleby horse fair in Cumbria.
Through keen observation, the comprehensive series of photographs taken over a six year period, convey the energy and spirit of the fair with candid immediacy. Moments of quiet reflection contrast flashes of movement. Subjects include the washing of horses in the river, groups in town, speeding horses on the trotting lane, shoppers in the stalls and horse-drawn Gypsy wagons and motorised caravans in the camps.
The fair is one of the oldest and largest horse fairs in Europe. Gypsies and Travellers have been gathering here since 1685, when a royal charter was granted. An assortment of horse-drawn wagons and motorised caravans
set up camp on the hill outside town. Each day horses are led down to the River Eden to be washed and groomed ready for the day’s trading. Thousands of settled visitors also come, to see the horses, browse the stalls, and picnic on the riverbank.
The introduction by Bill Lloyd is an informative essay about the fair past and present. Bill is a second generation authority on the fair and member of its co-ordinating committee, as well as part time farmer and travelling musician.
Copies ordered directly through Armus are signed by the photographer.
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