Travellers have descended on Wickham in Hampshire despite the official cancellation of this year’s horse fair due to the coronavirus crisis.
Around 25 caravans parked up overnight close to the small town in Hampshire, but were disappointed to find a heavy police presence in the area, reportedly stopping travellers from trading their horses.
The organisers of the annual Horse Fair confirmed it would not take place this year to help contain the outbreak of COVID-19.
Two men ride on a pony and trap in Wickham, Hampshire, on May 20, despite the horse fair’s official cancellation
Around 25 caravans parked up overnight close to the small town in Hampshire (some of the caravans pictured)
The horse fair itself dates back to the year 1269 and has been running annually for almost 800 years
A heavy police presence in the area is reportedly stopping travellers from trading their horses
Winchester City Council and Hampshire Constabulary confirmed they fully supported the decision ‘to ensure the health of all members of the community.’
There were fears earlier this month that the royal charter for the fair would be cancelled if no-one attended this year’s event, but this was debunked by the local council.
A council statement said: ‘We are aware that concern has been expressed that the royal charter for the fair requires that some people must attend every year to preserve the right to hold the annual event and would like to make clear that this is not the city council’s interpretation of the charter rights.
‘Therefore, the right to hold the event in future years will not be affected by its cancellation this year and there is no requirement for anyone to ‘maintain’ the charter.’
‘Please do not to come to Wickham on May 20 to attend the event, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, remember – stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.’
The fair is one of two highlights of the horse-riding calendar which also includes the famous Appleby Horse Fair which usually takes place in June.
The Appleby event has also been officially cancelled.
The event near Fareham, near Portsmouth,usually attracts over 1,000 visitors.
As part of festivities at the fair, participants and visitors sell horses and some will take part in the horse run. There’s also a funfair and market stalls.
The horse fair itself dates back to the year 1269 when Roger De Syres obtained a royal charter from King Henry III and has been running annually for almost 800 years.
MailOnline have contacted Hampshire Constabulary for comment.
The travellers’ appearance in Wickham comes days after other travellers moved onto a picturesque nature reserve in West London, sparking heated opposition from residents.
Eight caravans and motorised homes, plus an assortment of other vehicles have been illegally camped out on Ham Lands nature reserve in Ham, south west London for the past week.
Locals living close to the beauty spot, at the heart of the ‘best village in London’, say they have been told by Richmond upon Thames council that the new arrivals cannot be removed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
They were told that the government had asked councils to allow travellers to stay on council-owned land, to enable them to access vital healthcare during lockdown – provided that they adhere to the law.
There were fears that the royal charter for the fair would be cancelled if no-one attended this year’s event, but this was debunked by the local council
The caravans parked up in glorious weather near to an empty children’s playground
A man checks his trailer in Wickham on May 20 as police and bystanders watch on in the town centre
Many of the caravans parked with large gaps between them as people sat outside enjoying the good weather
A horse box makes it’s way through the streets of Wickham. Police are reportedly stopping travellers from trading horses
The event near Fareham, near Portsmouth,usually attracts over 1,000 visitors (pictured police keeping watch)
The fair is one of two highlights of the horse-riding calendar which also includes the famous Appleby Horse Fair which usually takes place in June
As part of festivities at the fair, participants and visitors sell horses and some will take part in the horse run
Some police officers waited in their vehicles while others gathered by the side of the road in the sunshine