“Tragedy” – developers move onto the site of oldest horse fair in England
Yorkshire - The organisers of Lee Gap Fair, believed to be the oldest horse fair in England, are looking for a new site after developers finally moved in to build houses on the old site in West Ardsley.
The Lee Gap Fair, organised by members of the Travelling community, is one of the oldest chartered fairs in England, dating back over 800 years. It is believed to have been chartered by King Stephen in 1139, making it England's oldest horse fair.
The terms of the 800-year charter mean that the fair is allowed to be held within an ancient parish boundary around the West Ardsley area.
“It has finally happened the diggers have moved in,” wrote Sarah, one of the Lee Gap organising committee members in a Facebook post announcing the news.
“We are still working on finding an alternative land to hold the fairs but as of yet we’ve found nothing suitable within the parish boundaries to keep the oldest fair going,” Sarah continued, adding that she would keep everyone updated on the Lee Gap Fair Event Facebook page.
The fair traditionally took place from the 24th August to 17th September but in modern times it took place on those days only with a gap in the middle, with the 24th known as First Lee and the 17th as Latter Lee.
The Travellers Times understands that Lee Gap Fair has been under threat for a couple of years after the land was earmarked for housing and brought by developers, but campaigning work manged to keep the fair going on the site until the diggers finally moved in.
Members of the Gypsy and Traveller community and their supporters were quick to react to the bad news.
“Nothing short of a tragedy,” said Shelley, commenting on a post about the bad news on the massive Romany Heritage Facebook page. “And a further example of the lack of consideration for Gypsies,” she added.
“This is like taking our rights away – nothing new,” commented Julie on the same post.
Local West Yorkshire Gypsy/Traveller charity Leed GATE has been going to Lee Gap Fair for many years, where they set up a stall.
“It’s so important is able to continue in some form within the parish boundaries as listed in the charter,” they wrote in a statement released on Facebook.
TT News
(Lead photo: Composite image, both photographs © Lee Gap Fair)