Lee Gap Fair saved after organisers secure new site just weeks before opening day
Lee Gap Fair will go ahead this year after organisers secured a new site in West Yorkshire only weeks before the historic event was due to take place. The future of the fair had been thrown into doubt when developers moved in to build houses on the former site at West Ardsley.
The fair - believed to be the oldest horse fair in England - will now take place at Thorpe Lower Lane, near Wakefield. First Lee Gap will be held on Monday 24 August, with Latter Lee Gap following on Thursday 17 September. The fair once ran continuously between the two dates but now operates as two one‑day events, with pulling allowed the day before each.
Fair-goers and supporters reacted with delight when the news filtered out through Facebook that the Fair’s organising committee, with the support of the local charity Leeds GATE that a new site had been found in the nick of time.
“Terrific news – the fair cannot be allowed to die out,” commented John on the Lee Gap Fair Facebook page.
“It’s been a long wait to know, thanks for the info,” commented Thelma.
“The Lee Gap Horse Fair committee have worked extremely hard over the last two years, and we've been proud to have supported them to find the fairs new home,” said Leeds GATE in a statement released yesterday.
“Yesterday we visited the new location with our staff and chair of the board, supporting with risk assessment(s) and insurance and have given a financial contribution to enable the fair to continue” they added.
“The fair is so important and must be recognised as Gypsy and Traveller culture and heritage at risk, that needs protection.”
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.
Mike Doherty for Travellers Times News
(Lead photo: A family enjoy First Lee Gap in August 2024. Photo credit: Romany Heritage)