They're not horsing around! Woman takes her steed for a ride through the river as travellers pitch up their caravans on first day of Appleby fair - but locals fear trouble ahead

Festivities are well underway at Appleby horse fair as travellers pitch up and take their horses for rides bareback through the town and river. 

The small town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria is usually home to around 3000 residents but this week will see this figure balloon to more than 30,000 as visitors from all over Europe flock to trade goods there. 

The surrounding fields have become adorned with both modern caravans and the traditional Romany horse drawn green canvas bow caravans.

As one woman rode her horse bareback through the River Eden, which runs directly through the centre of Appleby, as others wash their animals there to prepare them to be traded. 

It comes as Cumbria Police issued an appeal for calm during this week's Appleby Horse Fair.

Rumours appear to be circulating in Appleby and on social media that townsfolk want to 'barricade' the main roads to stop Gypsies and Travellers arriving for the annual event.

Over claims it ruins their livelihoods and want to stop the thousands of people who are due to flood the event.

An anonymous post on Facebook asked if anyone had 'a spare couple of hours to block the town on Saturday morning….It needs to be a proper protest…We need to stand in force against the lot of them.'

Rows of shops have closed in the town since this morning from Tastes of Eden cafe and the Age Concern charity shop to the local hairdressers on Low Wiend and the town library.

Groups of youths in their best clothes have also been spotted strolling through town shouting in strong traveller accents, and braiding a piebald horse's mane.

A resident passing by said to her friend: 'I'm sick of them already and it's hardly started.'

Cumbria police and the Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group have appealed for calm.

Steph Cordon, group chair and Westmorland and Furness council's director of thriving communities, said: 'We are aware that for many people who live locally, this time of year can be very challenging.

'We would encourage anyone with concerns regarding issues or incidents relating to the fair to report them immediately so that they can be acted upon.

'The policing of Appleby Horse Fair is Cumbria Constabulary's largest policing operation, with officers working in Appleby and the surrounding communities in the weeks leading up to the Fair, as well as during and after to keep people safe.'

Earlier this morning, roads were completely gridlocked as travellers and gypsies headed to Appleby horse fair for the first day of festivities, as locals hope for no trouble this year. 

Trains of caravans, cars, and trucks can be seen snaking down the winding roads of  Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria where the event, which dates back to 1775, will take place until June 12.

However, locals have voiced concerns after last year Appleby Fair saw the highest number of arrests and animal welfare incidents since 2015, and the death of 15-year-old Denis Ward from a head injury. 

The fair sees the town's main street used for showing horses set to be traded as the animals are tethered to railings outside pubs and shops - while visitors park their caravans on both sides of the A685. 

Last year's event caused fury among locals, who reported shoplifting, threats and even urine being squirted through car windows by members of the travelling community. 

It's not like it used to be,' an elderly woman, who declined to be named for fear of retribution, told the Mail last week.

'The travellers used to respect the locals and if they saw any trouble they'd stop it themselves. Now it's turned from a horse fair to a holiday. There's rubbish, noise, fast cars and total disrespect for the locals.'

This comes as police have made at least seven arrests in connection with stolen caravans being brought into the county.

Gypsy and Traveller representatives have supported the police action, condemning accusations that it is 'heavy-handed harassment and persecution'.

They said: 'Anyone who knowingly brings stolen property to Appleby Fair deserves what they get. It is their own fault, and they will get no sympathy from us.'

This year every pub in nearby Kirkby Stephen is shutting its doors, while railings along the high street have been covered with boards to prevent horses being tied up outside Appleby's popular shops. 

Peter Metcalfe who lives with his wife Leslie in north Appleby said: 'If I had it my way, there wouldn't be a fair at all.

'Those who visit have no respect for people's property. Last year, gypsies walked a horse straight into the Crown & Cushion. No wonder all the pubs are shutting this year.'

One local business, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'Things seem to have started badly this year already and even earlier than usual.'

At the beginning of May, farmer Mark Scott was surrounded by travellers who circled around his JCB as he tried to seal off a country lane with boulders.

Mark was subjected to insults and intimidation, with one traveller yelling, 'Kirkby Stephen is on fire, lads'.

Near the end of last month, travellers who had camped illegally on a field en route to the fair were moved on while four stolen caravans were seized by police.