Three arrests at Stow Gypsy Horse Fair

4:25pm Friday 16th May 2008

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THOUSANDS of people descended on the quiet market town of Stow-on-the-Wold this week for the first of this year's biannual gypsy horse fairs.

The heavy rain did nothing to deter visitors in the morning despite the site quickly descending into a mudbath.

"For such a big event it all really went to plan."

Police spokesman

The gypsy horse fair has taken place in Stow every year on the closest Thursday to the town charter. It dates back hundreds of years and now regularly attracts visitors from all over the country.

As usual a heavy police presence was deployed with dozens of officers on the streets and two police horses patrolling the fair and around the town In the afternoon two juvenile girls were arrested after a fight broke out in the town's market square.

Police also reported that one man was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs and six vehicles at the event were found to be uninsured.

A mobile phone was also stolen after it was left unattended on a table at a stall but police still hailed the event was a success.

A spokesman said: "We were really happy with how it went. It passed peacefully and without any major problems.

"For such a big event it all really went to plan."

Originally Stow Horse Fair was for horse trading which is still very much a part of the day.

Commissioner for the Gypsy Council and former Stow Mayor, Vera Norwood, said: "Everybody crowds round the bottom of the field and the horses are sold for any amount that the seller is willing to accept.

"The tradition is that the price is accepted with a hand clap by the seller which means the promise has been made and when the person hands over the money the gypsy hands back £50."

The next gypsy horse fair will take place in October.