Up to 300 people expected to arrive in Selby at the weekend for annual race - Yorkshire

From the News

UP to 300 members of the Gypsy and Traveller community are expected to gather in Selby this weekend.

Selby Town Council has sent emails to all its councillors to make them aware of an event on Sunday, which will see hundreds of Gypsies and Travellers visit the town and surrounding areas.

Ian Patterson, landlord of the Gipsy Moth in Flaxley Road, said the event had taken place around the town for the last few years, with a large group visiting his pub, and he welcomed the group’s arrival.

He said: “They came last year, passing the pub and just tied their horses up anywhere they could. They were well-behaved and there was no trouble. They emptied all my pop and soft drinks, because so many of them were driving.”

A spokeswoman from Selby Town Council said: “The town council has been informed about the Gypsy and Traveller trotting event, but we have no further information.”

North Yorkshire County Council said it would not condone racing on the public highways, but a spokesman said he was not aware of any planned races.

He said: “I understand it’s an annual event.

“There is nothing official in terms of horse racing, but there is a pub crawl going on around the town, and I understand they will be travelling between the pubs by horse and cart.”

Last month, councillors were invited to an awareness-raising session, to find out more about the lives and traditions of the Gypsy and Traveller community.