Gypsy Travellers Suffer Prejudice From Local Snobs - 600 Year Old Stow Horse Fair

Romany travellers and Gypsies horse trading.

The Stow Horse Fair, held in the picturesque town of Stow-on-the-Wold in Gloucestershire, England, is a biannual event steeped in history and tradition. Dating back over 500 years, this fair is one of the oldest of its kind in the country, originally established to cater to the local agricultural community. It takes place every May and October, attracting traders, Irish Travellers, Gypsies, horse enthusiasts, and curious visitors from far and wide.

The fair's primary focus is on the buying and selling of horses, particularly cobs and other traditional breeds. The atmosphere is vibrant and bustling, with rows of horses tethered along the streets and in fields, awaiting inspection by potential buyers. Beyond the horse trading, the fair also features a variety of stalls selling tack, equestrian equipment, and other rural wares. There are often additional attractions such as fairground rides, food stalls, and demonstrations, adding to the lively, festive ambiance.

A unique aspect of the Stow Horse Fair is its cultural significance to the Romani community, who have been integral participants since the fair's inception. For many, it is not just a market but a social gathering, a place to meet family and friends, and to celebrate their rich heritage. The fair encapsulates a blend of commercial activity and deep-rooted cultural traditions, making it a distinctive and enduring event in the British countryside calendar.

Gypsies and Traveler communities in the UK are diverse groups with rich cultural heritages, comprising Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers, Scottish Travellers, and other groups. These communities have distinct histories and traditions, often characterized by a nomadic lifestyle, though many now live in permanent or semi-permanent sites.

Romany Gypsies, originally from northern India, have been in the UK since the 16th century. They have a unique language, Romani, and a culture that includes strong family ties, traditional music, and crafts. Irish Travellers, another significant group, have their own language called Shelta and traditions linked to their Irish heritage. Scottish Travellers, also known as Nachins, have a long history in Scotland, with a culture rich in storytelling and music.

Despite their vibrant cultures, these communities often face significant challenges, including discrimination, difficulties accessing education, healthcare, and adequate housing. Legal issues surrounding land rights and the availability of authorized sites for caravans are ongoing concerns. Many Gypsies and Travellers feel their way of life is misunderstood or marginalized by wider society.

Efforts to promote understanding and integration are growing, with advocacy groups working to preserve their rights and cultural heritage. Celebrations like Appleby Horse Fair and Stow Horse Fair are crucial cultural events that highlight their traditions and foster a sense of community. These fairs are not only important for social cohesion within the communities but also serve as a bridge for greater awareness and appreciation from the broader public.

[scumdeluxe]

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[IbizaDreamer]

They get banned from wherever they go for legit reasons. Violence, damage, theft and fly tipping. Lovely people

[pablolowenstein]

You will never, ever hear the travellers take responsibility for their actions. They live in a perpetual 'victim consciousness' and they hate being called out for it.

[grwuk]

For all the bleeding hearts defending the travellers. Try living close to them for any length of time and see how you feel then.

[gee]

The fact that the RSPCA need a police escort tells you all you need to know about these people.

[SLonxxxx]

If there wasn't shoplifting, fighting AND they also learned how to clean up after themselves, id say the town would stay open.

[anthonymarch-tifq]

Turn up, act like animals, pinch anything not Nailed down.... then they want Respect???😮

[azillliasmith]

"Its a free country" it is for you love ....😬 others have to pay for stuff and pay taxes too...

[trucker]

The only traveler that has never stolen anything is the one not yet born.

[kingcarp]

It’s not hard to work out the shops and pubs have closed for a reason

[iftyrahman]

i work in a restuarant and we have gypsies living in the area, one night a gypsies boy come with his mum to order a takeaway, before he left the restuarant he said why the other staff was talking to his mum for, he came back 20mins later with 4 others with machetes and knifes, the staff saw them come and told the other guy to run, they tried to kill him, they looked everywhere in the restuarant and the back of the restuarant, luckily he escaped, one of them put a knife in my face saying where is he, they threatened all of us, if we go to the police he will burn the place down, we got them on cctv and the police was called, case is still pending, we are not gona let this go until these scumbags are in prison

[heartofoak]

Travellers, Gypsies, call them what you like they are still a public nuisance. The same thing happens every year in Appleby in Cumbria for the horse fair. There is, however, legitimacy to this gathering by way of The Royal Charter granted by James II in 1685. The gathering causes similar disruptions that Stow experiences, resulting in the expense of a very large Police presence. I have no objection to anyone having an alternative lifestyle so long as it is led in a lawful and peaceful manner. But that is the rub it very rarely is.

[nckweeks]

It might just be a coincidence but our allotment sheds only seem to get broken into when the gypsies are staying locally. The area they like to camp on has been fenced off for the last 9 months and our allotment sheds haven't been broken into for 9 months.

[Trickytrees]

the security guard should answer your question. My local Tesco express had to have 2. Kids just walked in, as young as 3 and emptied the magazine and sweet racks. The adults stole all the meat and booze. They are ingrained with their thievin and if you complain, they call you racist.

[wontbelongnow]

Its never the travellers fault for anything they do wrong.

[borisfargo]

Reap what you sow…

Theft, criminal damage, violence, fly tipping

[simonvalentine]

I’ve worked there and seen the mess left behind it was disgusting and witnessed the stealing and mess left in the local shops

[keithgoodrick-meech]

The problem is, because they are nothing but trouble. Ask PC Harpers widow.

[jessestone]

I went there once and i noticed a total disregard for the locals by the majority of the travelers so really they deserve what they got and have spoilt it for themselves

[rodneyallister]

You should respect people towns the people pay council tax
These traveling people
Pay no tax the steal from hard working people and make a mess off the country side