Light And Life Gypsy Church gathering at Carlton Towers, near Selby, ‘much bigger than expected’ - Yorkshire

From the Press

THOUSANDS of Travellers and Gypsies left a North Yorkshire stately home yesterday after a week-long gathering.

People began arriving for the meeting of the Light And Life Gypsy Church at Carlton Towers last Friday. By the end of the week an estimated 3,000 worshippers were on the site.

Yesterday, North Yorkshire Police put in place a traffic management plan with the organisers of the Christian event, which dictated an exit route for the visitors.

David Jones, a minister with the church, told The Press this week: “A lot more people have come than we anticipated. We didn’t know how many exactly.”

A spokeswoman for Carlton Towers said Lord Gerald Fitzalan Howard attended a meeting of Carlton Parish Council on Tuesday, and offered to recompense the village the full land hire amount received for the event, totalling £4,000.

She said: “Carlton Towers deeply regrets the disruption which has been felt by the villagers of Carlton due to the Christian Convention held in the park this week.

“The event was booked in good faith having looked into all references offered. However, the attendance has far exceeded our expectation and in hindsight more research should have been done on our part into previous events.” The Press contacted Mr Jones yesterday, but he declined to comment.

A police spokeswoman said most of the visitors to the site had left by about 3pm, following the traffic scheme. She said: “The plan went smoothly and no incidents have been reported. A few visitors remain at the site to clear up following the event. North Yorkshire Police have scaled down the reassurance operation but will maintain a visible presence over the weekend.”

see also: The Selby Times - Carlton Towers donates Travellers cash to village

The Telegraph - Lord of the Manor apologises to villagers for allowing Christian Travellers convention

The Mail Online - Villagers ‘in fear’ as thousands of Gypsies descend on grounds of stately home for week-long Christian festival