Stow Horse Fair 'beautiful' and free of trouble - Gloucestershire

From the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard

STOW-ON-THE-WOLD saw hundreds of Travellers descend on a field near Maugersbury Road last Thursday to celebrate the 537-year-old traditional horse fair.

Stow Horse Fair is a chartered event, which is held twice a year, in May and October, and sees members of the gypsy community attend from across the UK to sell and trade their horses and goods.

Gloucestershire Police said last week’s event went well and without trouble.

“The fair was very peaceful and well-spirited and there were no issues of disorder or criminality from our perspective,” said a spokesman.

“The only arrests made were on two boys who stole several cans of soft drink from a local shop. A community resolution was reached in which the pair paid for their goods and apologised to the shopkeeper.

“Our thanks to those who attended and the community for their responsible behaviour and cooperation.”

Field owner Walter Henry also praised the organisation of this year’s event.

“There wasn’t a bit of trouble, everything went lovely, everything was beautiful,” he said.

“It was very busy, there was a lot of people here today. There was a big crowd.”

This fair may have been held for the last time on its usual field near Maugersbury Road, as there are plans for the land to be sold. The fair has been held on the field since 1990.

Developer JRN Properties Ltd hopes to build a medical centre, five houses and a 300-space car park on the site, although no planning application has yet been made.

Stow Town Council has said that if the plans do go ahead, there would be other areas close to the town where the horse fair could be relocated.

A spokesman added: “Planning permission has not even been applied for yet and the horse fair will only move from its current site if permission is granted.

“A proposal has not been made formally to the council. If the horse fair had to move, though, there are plenty of adjoining fields for it to go, if the landowners are prepared to allow it.”