Temporary rest stops in County Durham for the Appleby Horse fair

As in previous years, Durham County Council is establishing Temporary Stopover Stops (TSOAs) along roads traditionally used by Gypsies and travelers en route to and from the fair, for the benefit of both those who use them and local residents, who live along the routes.

The TSOAs are being provided as part of a coordinated response also involving South West Durham Business, the Residents’ and Travellers’ Forum and the Teesdale Residents’ and Travellers’ Forum.

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These include representatives from Borough Council, Town and Country Councils, Durham Constabulary, local businesses, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveler representatives.

The fair will take place on its traditional dates, from Thursday to Wednesday, June 8th to 14th.

Billy Welch, director of Appleby Fair, said: “The fair has returned to its traditional date this year, starting on Thursday 8 June. Durham County Council and Forum Partners have been working very hard to provide good safe stopover areas available two weeks before the fair from Friday 8th May 26th.

“I hope everyone has a wonderful time camping in the stopover areas. Please be sensitive to local residents, keep areas nice and tidy, take care of them and be respectful as we would like to be able to go back there next year.

“We are extremely grateful to Durham County Council and the forum partners for making these areas available to us. You are much needed and appreciated.”

Nine TSOAs are being prepared along traditional itineraries through Teesdale and the South West Durham area. The facilities are open from Friday 26th May to Friday 23rd June.

The TSOAS are located southwest of Durham at:

• Binchester Corner, DL14 8AW
• Tindale Park, DL14 9AE
• Westerton Layby, DL14 8AL

In Teesdale at:

• Picnic area Broomielaw, DL12 8TT
• Delineator Corner, Bowes, DL12 9HU
• Property at Stainton Bank, DL12 8RQ
• Shaw Bank Field, DL12 8TD
• Wackerfield Layby, DL2 3AP
• Winston Corner, DL2 3RW

There is also a TSOA at Gurney Valley, Bishop Auckland, DL14 8RP available throughout the summer.

Shirley Quinn, Chair of South West Durham Residents’, Business and Travellers’ Forum said: “Appleby Fair is a historic annual event and we welcome the GRT communities to County Durham to enjoy activities with fellow travelers and locals.

“Durham County has a welcoming and inclusive attitude and supports communities throughout the summer, with one all-summer stopover and nine temporary stopovers during the Appleby main period, four of them in southwest Durham.

“Partners including Parish, City and County Councils, the Police and the Gypsy and Traveler communities are working together to ensure everyone, both visitors and residents, can enjoy this drive through County Durham.”

Council officials will visit the TSOAs on a regular basis.

Owen Cleugh, the Borough Council’s public protections manager, said: “We have worked with our partners to prepare Gypsies and Travelers for travel to and from Appleby – for the benefit of all.”

“The provision of rest areas will benefit both Gypsies and travelers who have access to the sites, and also aims to reduce the number of unauthorized camps that can pose a problem for residents and businesses.”

“We would like to encourage those traveling to and from Appleby Fair to take advantage of the TSOAs provided.”

Representatives from other organizations in County Durham will also visit the TSOAs and non-approved camps to ensure those present are offered appropriate support.

Temporary signs will be posted advising the locations of the TSOAs, as well as “Where to Stay” signage for those stopping there.

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Sergeant Angela Drasdo of the Barnard Castle Neighborhood Policing Team said: “Police and our partners will monitor migration through Teesdale and support our communities.”

“Some residents accept the annual migration of Travelers through Teesdale, but others have concerns about the possibility of trespassing and the settled community may feel uneasy. In reality, this is a diverse community event and not a public police safety event.

“Our collective approach and the pre-planning and preparedness we have undertaken mean that we have experienced a relatively small number of incidents directly related to travellers. Additional police officers have been deployed to provide high visibility patrols in the Dales throughout the period and we will continue to work with our partners to support all involved.”

Those traveling to Appleby can access information on temporary stopover areas on the event website: www.applebyfair.org