Travellers descend on Wickham in defiance of ban on horse fair forcing roads and pubs to shut
Travellers descend on Wickham to hold ‘small symbolic event’ in defiance of ban on 750-year-old horse fair forcing roads and pubs to shut as police watch on
- Crowds of travellers turned up for the illicit event despite it being cancelled as a result of the Covid pandemic
- It is the second year in a row that travellers have defied the ban to attend the fair after it was cancelled
- The Wickham Horse Fair is a historic event that dates back to 1269 and usually attracts crowds of thousands
Crowds of travellers have descended on Wickham in defiance of a ban on the village’s historic 750-year-old horse fair that had been cancelled because of the pandemic.
The Wickham Horse Fair, which usually attracts thousands and dates all the way to 1269, had been cancelled for the second consecutive year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
But, after reaching an agreement with Hampshire Constabulary, a ‘small symbolic event’ was authorised to take place, although it appears dozens have turned up with their horses.
Signage had been placed on all main routes into the village of Wickham, Hants, but that didn’t stop dozens of travellers bringing their horses for the annual event.
At least 60 people were understood to have been at the event this morning, but it is not known if more have arrived since.
Police this morning admitted that more people turned up than planned and they were trying to deal with the excessive spectators who had arrived.
They repeated warnings for the public to stay away from the area. Officers also imposed a section 35 order this afternoon in a bid to disperse the crowds.
Crowds of travellers have descended on Wickham in defiance of a ban on the village’s historic 750-year-old horse fair
Theevent had been cancelled as a result of the pandemic over concerns they could aid the spread of coronavius
A lively horse can be seen on a lead reing in front of a police car amid increased patrols in the Hampshire town
The historic horse fair was cancelled for a second year in a row – with travellers defying the attendance ban also for a second year running
But traveller families descended with their horses on the Hampshire town in defiance of the ban on attending
The event was called off in March after a consultation between representatives of the event, the local police force and members of the City and County council.
A small symbolic event was due to take place involving ‘one or two horses’ to maintain the tradition of the festival.
But pictures show dozens of people in the town, despite the advance warnings not to attend.
Roads into the village were said to have been completely blocked as police tried to disperse the crowds which had initially gathered in the square.
Some pubs also closed their doors ahead of the event, including The Hampshire Bowman in Bishop’s Waltham, according to one local newspaper.
Laura Haste the manager of The Square Cow pub which directly faces the crowds of travellers who are gathered into an area just off the square, argued that crowds were always to be expected for the fair – even though it was supposed to have been cancelled.
The 53-year-old mother-of-three said: ‘We closed yesterday tea time. Once we realised the cancellation was going to be ignored, we decided to close for the day.
‘We were in the midst of a national lockdown last year when the event wasn’t on, but this year it was always going to be harder to stop people from coming.
‘But it has affected trade in the square today. We have been really busy all this week before today – things were just starting to get going again.
‘I think it was always inevitable that it was going to happen today, because they missed it last year and it’s a tradition that has gone back centuries.’
Police patrols have been increased in the Wickham area as people have attended the event despite the advance warnings not to
Signs around the town warn people that the event has been cancelled amid the pandemic to prevent further people turning up
Crowds were seen alongside dozens of horses tied to fences next to homes in the area as horse trailers can be seen in the background
Hampshire Police confirmed they had increased patrols in the area, and officers will ‘use enforcement action’ if necessary
Roads in and out of the town were reportedly blocked as police tried to control the numbers of people coming to the fair
Shops which usueally expect a lot of business around the time of the fair also reported it being fairly quiet – despite larger crowds attending than expected.
Peggy-Ann Smith, who has Sienna’s Baby Boutique in The Square for ten years, said the horse fair usually attracts a lot of business – but this morning has been quiet.
She told Portsmouth News: ‘There’s no fun fair or stalls to attract families. It’s always a busy day for us. But today, it’s a different atmosphere.’
She expressed concerns over the heavy police presence, adding: ‘It feels like the police have made it dangerous. They have packed everyone in.’
Visitors to the fair can normally buy and sell horses, participate in the ‘horse run’ and buy wares from the market stalls which line the streets.
The horse fair is a historic event and is one of the main horse events in the travellers’ calendars
A small pony was among those that had been taken to the event – where travellers traditionally buy and sell as well as race horses
Traveller families are thought to have began gathering at Wickham Horse Fair since 1269 – over 750 years
A small symbolic event was due to take place involving ‘one or two horses’ to maintain the tradition of the festival
A man is pictured leading a brown coloured horse away on a lead rope from the fence where other animals are tied
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘The Wickham Horse Fair was cancelled earlier this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
‘Together with our partners we are facilitating a symbolic event that can be safely managed within the space available, and in accordance with the current Health Protection Regulations.
‘We are aware that a number of people, along with vehicles and horses, have arrived outside of the pre-arranged symbolic event. Our officers are on scene and working with our partners to manage this.
‘Road closures are in place on the A334 from the junction with School Road until Titchfield Lane. There are also closures at Mill Lane and Bridge Street.
‘The road closures are in place to maximise public safety, and not to facilitate the cancelled event.
‘There is a filtering system to allow traffic through whilst maintaining the safety of motorists.
‘We would ask that people take an alternative route where possible, and thank you for your patience as we work with our partners to manage this situation.
‘This is a dynamic and ongoing situation that we are working on resolving.
‘We again remind you that Wickham Horse Fair has been cancelled, and ask that no one attends with horses or vehicles outside of the small symbolic event already agreed.’
One local resident, who asked not to be named, told Mail Online: ‘There’s a lot of people and horses out there and quite a heavy police presence.
‘It was meant to be cancelled this year due to Covid but people have turned up anyway’.
Traveller families are thought to have began gathering at Wickham Horse Fair since 1269.
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 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 when Roger De Syres obtained a royal charter from King Henry III and has been running annually for almost 800 years.
The event near Fareham, near Portsmouth, usually attracts over 1,000 visitors
Traditionally there are horse races and a fairground at the Wickham horse fair – but events such as these were not due to go ahead this year after the fair was cancelled
Horses have been tied up by ropes to the metal fence as spectators and bystanders attended the event to view them
An old lady with a walker was among the crowds at the fair as horses can be seen in the background of the scene
But this is the second year the event was cancelled as part of measurs to stop the spread of Covid
Police patrols can be seen in the area keeping an eye on the horse fair activities
A lively horse can be seen trotting along the road with several horse trailers seen in the background
Police are patrolling the area to ensure Covid restrictions and social distancing measures are followed
Police tried to disperse the crowds which had gathered in the square as dozens of people attended the event
But this is the second year the fair has been cancelled as a result of Covid – and also the second year that traveller families have defied the ban on attending.
Last year aound 25 caravans parked up close to the small town in Hampshire.
They were disappointed to find a heavy police presence in the area, with officers reportedly stopping travellers from trading their horses.
Ahead of this year, Hampshire Police said: ‘We will be facilitating a symbolic event that can be safely managed within the space available, and in accordance with the current Health Protection Regulations.
‘This event will be small and attendees have been agreed in advance.
‘For public safety reasons we request that no one attends with horses or vehicles outside of what has already been agreed.
‘We have increased our patrols in the area, and officers will engage with those in attendance and use enforcement action where necessary and proportionate to do so.’
Authorities have said that they expect the event to take place as normal in 2022.
A lad can be seen in a racing carriage pulled by a grey horse with an ornate bridle and harness
Police can be seen on the scene where the carriages have been going up and down the street
A group of men and younger boys were seen gathered near a number of horse trailers parked up in Wickham
A horse tossed its mane as it was led by a rope through the crowded area of Wickham amid reports that up to 150 people attended
