Glamorous travellers have begun downing beers and taking their horses for a splash in the river as festivities got underway at the Appleby horse fair. 

Around 30,000 visitors from all over Europe have descended on the small town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, after arriving in trains of caravans, cars, and carts for the annual festival. 

Rows of shops around the town, which is usually home to around 3000 residents, have been closed as well as cafes and even the local library. 

There has been a steady build up of groups in the town, with some lads, donning designer and expensive outdoor clothing, spotted enjoying a pint, while groups of girls have take to the streets sporting full make up and glamorous hair does. 

Travellers are congregating on the blockaded The Sands road which runs parallel to the River Eden, where a steady stream of riders have been taking their horses into the water. 

It comes as Cumbria Police issued an appeal for calm during this week’s fair, with a noticeable police presence keeping local residents’ driveways and properties free from tethered horses. 

Travellers are continuing to arrive in Appleby and there is steady build up of groups in the town centre. 

The Tastes of Eden cafe and the Age Concern charity shop and The Salon hairdressers on Low Wiend have all shut up shop for the duration of the fair. 

A launderette on the same street had been opened earlier today but the owner has not put ‘closed’ sign up after a group of young lads damaged the door.

Appleby Library, on the same street, is also shut for the week along with businesses including the Crown and Cushion pub at the bottom of Boroughgate, a travel agents, pet shop and gift shops. 

Meanwhile, the Public Hall has opened its doors for travellers to set up stalls selling Romany and gypsy memorabilia. 

Groups of lads, dressed in Boss t-shirts and jumpers and matching track suits, and girls, with full make up hair does, have been seen strolling through town all day. 

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

Food stalls flogging burgers, chips, hot dogs, curries, doughnuts, giros and other fast food have lined the streets with some young mums shopping for handmade smock dresses selling for as much as £195 each. 

Other stalls have been selling baby glamour wear, and baby blanks, as well as washing basins, water pales, workwear, designer shoes, and faux designer goods.

Another stall was seen selling canaries and finches in cages, beside a horse tack vender. 

People have also been gathering on The Sands road which runs parallel to the River Eden, where people have been riding into the water. 

Judging by the shocked expression on one female rider’s face as she rode tummy then chest high into the river, it is colder than it looks.

World Horse Welfare representatives and RSPCA inspectors are are also presenet at the fair, along with police officers, to check on the well being of the ponies and horses.

Drivers are being stopped if the inspectors think the horses are being mistreated or are carrying an injury.

A mile and a half out of town, in a farmer’s field, the caravans and motor homes have been parked up amongst the horse boxes, 4x4s, pickups and other vehicles.

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.

As well as the Crown and Cushion pub at the bottom of Boroughgate, a travel agents, pet shop and gift shops, where as The Tufton Arms Hotel is open but only to residents.

Groups of boys in Hugo Boss t-shirts and girls daubed in Christian Dior and Chanel have also been spotted strolling through town shouting in strong traveller accents. 

As it is clear they have dressed up for the occasion; with new hair dos, nails andgirls in full glam, while the boys have also been to a barbers 

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.