Latest news with #KirkbyLonsdale
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Residents demand answers over ongoing footpath closure at beauty spot
Residents came together at a council meeting to air their frustrations at the ongoing closure of a footpath to a beauty spot. Kirkby Lonsdale residents turned out in large numbers at the town council meeting to hear from councillors and local MPs about plans for the footpath which has been closed for almost four years. Notice was given in November 2021 that the 140m stretch of the public footpath at Ruskin's View would be closed for repairs after a landslip left the path dangerous to the public. Residents were told last month that the footpath would not be reopened as originally planned with the new target date in November 2025. A resident present at the meeting said: 'There is extreme dissatisfaction despite continuing expenditure that the footpath across the Brow remains closed. 'I volunteered to give advice to the Town Council since retiring from a career in management on construction and civil engineering projects. I was invited to become a member of the Town Council Technical Team which is headed by a consultant with no professional qualifications. Unfortunately, due to a constant conflict of opinions, I resigned.' Residents were told that the date for reopening relies on the insertion of boreholes to register movement in the ground - the exact cost of which is unclear with amounts of up to £250,000 quoted during this month's meeting. Read more Dentdale: MP meets with family of sick child hit by road closure Arnside: Silverdale Road closed for 21 days due to burst water main Lake District litter warning after toddler needed stitches Malcolm Perrin, health and safety consultant and head of the town council technical team, set out targets for a longer term plan to prevent further erosion of the river bank, a project that the council estimate will cost £2million. Mr Perrin said: "Our primary goal is to reopen the remaining section of The Brow footpath as soon as possible, building on last year's success when we reopened the first part up to the initial Ruskin's View platform. "For over a year now, we've published monthly Technical Reports on the KLTC website, detailing progress and associated costs. These are available for public review." Concerns were raised about the presence of Japanese knotweed on adjacent land that would need to be accessed for the works to be carried out with residents worried about impact to the water safety on this site. "Both Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam pose a risk of spreading via foot traffic from the River Lune into residential areas," said Mr Perrin. "As part of our duty of care, we're proposing to install a single fence panel to block the narrow track and guide pedestrians around the affected area, rather than through it. "Additionally, I've observed signs of pollution along the river walk between Kirkby Lonsdale and Devil's Bridge since April this year. I've been documenting these findings and have reported the matter to the Environment Agency." The footpath closure will be discussed further at the the next town council meeting on Wednesday, August 20.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Artists to discuss book-length collaboration Wild Folk at special event
Two artists will make an appearance in Kirkby Lonsdale to discuss their new book-length collaboration. Author and artist Jackie Morris, and stained glass artist and illustrator Tamsin Abbott, will be at St Mary's Church on Friday, August 8, to discuss their new book Wild Folk - a collection of illustrated tales featuring such creatures as selkies, silver trout, and the black fox. Valerie Laycock, owner of The Book Lounge and organiser of the event, said: "We're delighted to welcome both Jackie and Tamsin to Kirkby Lonsdale for this truly special event. "We've long been fans of their work, which is not only inspired by the nature of the world around them, but the world of myths, fairytales, and our ancient connections to the landscape." Morris has written and illustrated more than 70 books, including The Snow Leopard, Tell Me a Dragon, and The Unwinding. Morris's works include The Snow Leopard, The Ice Bear, Song of the Golden Hare, and Tell Me a Dragon, as well as the 2017 collaboration with Robert Macfarlane, The Lost Words (Image: Seven Fables) The Lost Words, her 2017 collaboration with Robert Macfarlane, aimed to reintroduce nature-based words into children's vocabulary, and was praised as a "cultural phenomenon" and an "instant classic." Abbott, a stained glass artist based in Herefordshire, draws inspiration from the British landscape, folklore, and fairytale. Her work is created using mostly glass from the last remaining manufacturer of mouth-blown sheet glass in the United Kingdom. She is a member of the British Society of Master Glass Painters, and has exhibited at the Museum of British Folklore, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, and numerous other UK galleries. Abbott's work is inspired by the orchards, hills, woods, plants, birds, and animals that grow and live around her Herefordshire home (Image: Seven Fables) Morris said: "It is very special to be able to bring Wild Folk to Cumbria, a county of such stunning nature as well as a rich tapestry of folklore." Abbott said: "This book is born out of friendship and faith; a conviction that we could make something very special together born out of trust, excitement, and a little madness." Tickets are available at
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Travellers start the party early: Gypsies race wagons down tiny village streets, wash their horses in the river and make last-minute preparations ahead of Appleby Fair
Gypsies raced their wagons down tiny streets and washed their horses in the river as they made last minute preparations ahead of the Appleby Fair tomorrow. Locals in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, have been bracing themselves for chaos as thousands of travellers from across Europe flocked to the town ahead of the six-day event. In footage posted on social media, a line of Gypsies on horse-drawn carriages are seen galloping down a road causing traffic to come to a snail's pace. In a video titled 'Appleby 2025 so far', a toddler is seen being held by his mother on the back of a horse. Gypsies have also been washing their horses in the River Eden as part of a long-held tradition to prepare them for sale and to cool them off. The fair, which attracts crowds of up to 10,000, will feature horse riding, horse trading, traditional music, dance performances and shopping stalls. The 250-year-old fair billed as the largest traditional gathering of the community in Europe. A special police task force has so far dealt with offences of burglary, criminal damage, racist abuse, knife crime and faced a torrent of criticism after finding it necessary to handcuff a 10-year-old boy. The surge in crime around quaint Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria is causing anxiety among locals because the fair isn't even due to start until Thursday. So far local sporting venue, Kirkby Lonsdale Cricket club, has seen its pavilion smashed up, as no windows remain in the wooden structure. There has been petty vandalism at a campsite and a knife waved during a confrontation between locals and traveller children. All the complaints have led the police to the makeshift camp in a layby at the town's Devil's Bridge where dozens of caravans have congregated ahead of the fair in Appleby, which is 40 miles away. A field has been handed over by the town for the gypsies to graze their horses as a safety measure to make sure they aren't causing a hazard tethered on roadside verges. Locals said they have never seen so many Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people descend on the town so early. And that may well be down to the successful clampdown in nearby Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria's Eden Valley. For years the town was the focus of the pre-fair gathering but in the recent past locals have fought back, closing down services and pubs and shutting off the places where travellers would usually set up camp. One Kirkby Lonsdale local told MailOnline: 'They seem to have descended on us this year and have come earlier and in bigger numbers than we have seen before. 'There have been problems caused by gypsy children in the town centre and closer to the camp they have set up in a layby.' Cumbria Police has warned motorists to expect slow-moving traffic in the next two weeks because of the Appleby Fair. Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin of Cumbria Police – Police Gold Commander for Appleby Horse Fair – said: 'Public safety is our number one priority for Appleby Horse Fair which is why we are encouraging all road users to be cautious and vigilant on the roads. 'Drivers need to be aware that the likelihood that they encounter slow-moving traffic is high so please pay extra attention when travelling around the county. 'I ask people to pay particular attention when driving on the A66, where there is the potential for fast-moving traffic to encounter slow-moving, potentially horse-drawn, vehicles. 'Please take extra care, be patient and plan ahead and set off early. Let's make sure everyone reaches their destination safely.'
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Thousands of travellers descend on Appleby Horse Fair with gypsy wagons, trailer trucks and caravans sparking traffic chaos and clogging up roads
Thousands of travellers have descended on a village in Cumbria in their horse-drawn wagons ahead of the annual Appleby Hose Fair. The six-day event, which takes place every year, sees as many as 10,000 people flock to Appleby, Westmorland, for a fair featuring horse riding, horse trading, traditional music, dance performances and shopping stalls. The major event will commence on Thursday, June 5 this year, although many have already sparked traffic chaos and clogged up roads in a bid to arrive before thousands of others. Videos posted by travellers on social media show people flocking to the area with their horses, slowly moving along country lanes. Meanwhile, other footage shows row upon row of caravans parked along grass verges as travellers race for the good spots ahead of kick off on Thursday. One person uploaded a video captioned 'not long now Appleby', showing their journey through a stretch of parked-up mobile homes. Another video titled 'why be sad when it's Appleby this week' shows carriage after carriage running along the road. A special police task force has so far dealt with offences of burglary, criminal damage, racist abuse, knife crime and faced a torrent of criticism after finding it necessary to handcuff a 10-year-old boy. The surge in crime around quaint Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria is causing anxiety among locals because the fair isn't even due to start until Thursday. So far local sporting venue, Kirkby Lonsdale Cricket club, has seen its pavilion smashed up, as no windows remain in the wooden structure. There has been petty vandalism at a campsite and a knife waved during a confrontation between locals and traveller children. All the complaints have led the police to the makeshift camp in a layby at the town's Devil's Bridge where dozens of caravans have congregated ahead of the fair in Appleby, which is 40 miles away. A field has been handed over by the town for the gypsies to graze their horses as a safety measure to make sure they aren't causing a hazard tethered on roadside verges. Locals said they have never seen so many Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people descend on the town so early. And that may well be down to the successful clampdown in nearby Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria's Eden Valley. For years the town was the focus of the pre-fair gathering but in the recent past locals have fought back, closing down services and pubs and shutting off the places where travellers would usually set up camp. One Kirkby Lonsdale local told MailOnline: 'They seem to have descended on us this year and have come earlier and in bigger numbers than we have seen before. 'There have been problems caused by gypsy children in the town centre and closer to the camp they have set up in a layby.'
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'Nothing keeps them at bay..' Furious locals turn their villages into FORTRESSES as thousands of travellers descend for controversial Appleby Horse Fair with police already being forced to handcuff a 10-year-old boy
Villages are being turned into fortresses ahead of Europe's biggest gypsy gathering - but this year the chaos has already begun. Weary locals are used to the disruption and disorder that accompanies the annual Appleby Horse Fair, but are bracing themselves for trouble as, in some areas, the influx of an anticipated 10,000 travellers has started early. A special police task force has so far dealt with offences of burglary, criminal damage, racist abuse, knife crime and faced a torrent of criticism after finding it necessary to handcuff a 10-year-old boy. The surge in crime around quaint Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria is causing anxiety amongst locals because the fair isn't even due to start until Thursday June 5th. So far local sporting venue, Kirkby Lonsdale Cricket club has seen its pavilion smashed up, as no windows remain in the wooden structure. Residents of the historic town have also been threatened and intimidated. There has been petty vandalism at a campsite and a knife waved during a confrontation between locals and traveller children. All the complaints have led the police to the makeshift camp in a layby at the town's Devil's Bridge where dozens of caravans have congregated ahead of the fair in Appleby, which is 40 miles away. A field has been handed over by the town for the gypsies to graze their horses as a safety measure to make sure they aren't causing a hazard tethered on roadside verges. Locals say they have never seen so many Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people descend on the town so early. And that may well be down to the successful clampdown in nearby Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria's Eden Valley. For years the town was the focus of the pre-fair gathering but in the recent past locals have fought back, closing down services and pubs and shutting off the places where travellers would usually set up camp. One Kirkby Lonsdale local told MailOnline: 'They seem to have descended on us this year and have come earlier and in bigger numbers than we have seen before. 'There have been problems caused by gypsy children in the town centre and closer to the camp they have set up in a layby.' And now the local cricket club, nestled in a picturesque setting, on the edge of the town has been left with no windows after the pavillion was smashed up. Cumbria Police say three 10-year-old boys - only just within the age of criminal responsibility - were arrested over the attack as part of the wider Appleby Fair policing operation. A cricket club spokesman raged against the 'mindless thuggery' and described the damage caused as 'heartbreaking.' The club posted on its social media channels: 'We have had serious vandalism and attempted vandalism at KLCC. 'So many people have worked hard to get the pavilion safe, and enjoyable for cricketers, Sedbergh School kids, our new ladies team, and all of our supporters. 'The clubhouse now just looks awful, with damage inside from a broken window from an attempt to break in, and now the boards we've had to put over all the windows. But travellers simply smashed down a fence and drove across the verge to occupy the site, leaving a trail of damage behind 'The stress this causes from absolute mindless thuggery, to no actual gain is heartbreaking for all involved. So if you do happen to be going past, and have a look at the eyesore of boarding, or see anyone trying to damage, please get in touch with us or the police. 'As always, we will come back from it, rebuild, and show strength as a club. Cumbria Police have been incredibly helpful, and have an investigation ongoing, hopefully we can find out who is causing us so much pain.' There were also problems at Woodclose Park caravan site where police investigated reports of criminal damage and the racial abuse of a security guard. It was reported that a group of traveller children had been abusive to staff and when asked to leave the park's reception set off fire extinguishers. A spokesman for the park said: 'The matter has been dealt with by the police.' In an earlier incident police detained and handcuffed two traveller children after a penknife was produced in front of a shocked local on a riverside path. The police action in the layby at Kirkby Lonsdale was captured on video by the boys' mother, showing one of her sons in tears tethered by the wrist to a policeman. The mum posted: 'Our boys were put in handcuffs on the basis of False allegations! Pure abuse of power and provoking behaviour! Bullying 10 year olds! 'You wouldn't see them doing this to anyone other community! And they wonder why our children are afraid of them, this could of been handled in a completely different manner!' A Cumbria Police spokesman said: 'Cumbria Police are aware of concerns being expressed on social media in response to the handcuffing and search of two boys at Kirkby Lonsdale. 'At around 11:30am on 22 May 2025 Cumbria Police received a call for service from a member of the public reporting a group of boys on the path by the River Lune one of whom threatened the caller with a penknife. 'Officers carried out a search in the area and located two boys based on the descriptions provided. 'Due to the report of a knife, the boys were handcuffed for their and officers safety while the searches were completed. A search was carried out and no knife located, and the handcuffs removed. Officers continue to engage with people in the area. 'Stop and search will be used as appropriate to ensure the safety of all communities as we work to ensure everyone has a safe Appleby Fair.' It is understood the family involved were asked to move on from Kirkby Lonsdale. An attempt by the town's business park to prevent travellers occupying their car park was made, with shipping containers placed at either end of the plot on the outskirts of the town, but ultimately failed. Travellers simply smashed down a fence and drove across the verge to occupy the site, leaving a trail of damage behind. Meanwhile nearby locals Kirkby Stephen is hoping the travelling will 'get the message' they're not welcome A local farmer said: 'You do everything you can to keep them at bay but they don't care, they'll take the law into their own hands and we have to clear it up when they're gone. 'Even if we hammered big posts into the ground to keep them out they'd just come along with a chainsaw, fell them and use the timber for firewood. 'I've had horses let into my fields of barley before. The horses got fed but the crop has been ruined.' At Devil's Bridge piles of rubbish and gas canisters were dumped at the roadside as some gypsies left to continue their journey towards Appleby. For the second year in a row every pub in Kirkby Stephen will close - some this weekend and some from Monday onwards - with only the community-owned sports and social club staying up to serve alcohol. Staves have been hammered deep into roadside verges with signs on making it clear that horses and caravans are not to park there. And if - as has happened in previous years - the staves are uprooted, deep trenches have been cut into the verges to make it impossible to park a caravan without the danger of tipping over. Railings along the high street have been covered by boards decorated with artwork by local kids so that horses can't be tied up along the busy A685 through the town. As one local put it: 'Kirkby Stephen is closed to travellers and we hope they're getting the message.' When it begins next week the event is expected to see 30,000 visitors roughly, 10,000 of them from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community. In its 250 year history the fair has only been cancelled twice, the first in 2001 during the foot and mouth outbreak and the second in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. The gathering is billed as the biggest traditional gypsy fair in Europe and has developed traditions that take place every year. Gypsy horses are washed in the River Eden in Appleby and trotted up and down the 'flashing lane' - a closed off rural road - before being haggled over and bought. There is a market on Jimmy Winter's Field with stalls selling everything from fashion to horse-related wares. The fair is held outside the town of Appleby, at the point where the old Roman Road crosses Long Marton Road, on Gallows Hill, which was named after the public hangings that were once carried out there. It was once thought the fair originated from a royal charter to the borough of Appleby from King James II of England in 1685, although more recent research has found the charter was cancelled before it was ever enacted. The gathering is sometimes known as 'the New Fair' because Appleby's medieval borough fair, held at Whitsuntide, ceased in 1885. The 'New Fair' began in 1775 for sheep and cattle drovers and horse dealers to sell their stock. By the 1900s it had evolved into a major Gypsy/Traveller event which brought families from across the UK and Europe.
