Images of Travellers' Lifestyle
Stow-on-the-Wold Fair, Gloucestershire
The horse fair at Stow-on-the-Wold in Gloucestershire takes place in May and October each year. It is centuries old, starting originally as a hiring fair in the middle ages when farm workers would be employed for the coming year.
Nowadays it is mainly a horse fair organised and run by Gypsy Travellers. Families arrive up to a week before the fair day, always a Thursday, to meet old friends and relations. On fair day, horses are displayed pulling trotting carts up and down the road and deals are struck. On the field stalls sell a variety of goods and traditional crafts are demonstrated. Crowds of people, both Traveller and non-Traveller flock to the fair for an enjoyable day out.
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Families arrive up to a week before fair day to meet friends and families. | 2
Modern living trailers can be seen alongside traditional decorated carts |
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On fair day the ground is packed with people | 4
Buying and selling horses is the main business of the day |
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The horses are put through their paces on the lane by the field. | 6
The horses are displayed pulling trotting carts. |
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Stalls sell a variety of goods including stainless steel ware and fine china. | 8
Carving wooden flowers is a traditional Gypsy Traveller craft. |
