This book is an extensively revised second edition of Appleby Gypsy Horse Fair (2015), a groundbreaking study of a long-standing, controversial occasion.
‘For the historian, the complexities of Appleby Fair’s history as unravelled by Connell’s painstaking research make it more even more intriguing’ (Rural History).
‘Not so much history as an excellent example of investigative journalism … an exemplar for those who are trying to research and write up a complex topic’ (Agricultural History Review).
The discovery of relevant primary sources from the 17th to the 21st century meant that some previous unknowns were known, and that conclusions had to be modified in the light of them.
Events in 2018 also changed the author’s original conception of a second edition. Reawakened controversies that impacted on him in his local councillor roles led him to conclude that issues that affecting the present-day fair required more definitive wider understanding and analysis of such issues as:
• the fair’s legal status and the relevance of royal charters, real and imaginary;
• the precise process whereby Appleby Fair began in 1775;
• the changing world of Gypsy/Travellers and their relationship with Appleby Fair;
• the policing of Appleby Fair, past and present;
• the ongoing volatility of mood of both visitors and residents;
• truth, untruth and misunderstanding.
The expanded text of over 40,000 words is based on a far wider base of sources, archival, printed and oral and pictorial. It has Cumbrian forewords: the broadcaster Helen Skelton, who learned her history at school from the author, grew up with the fair; the Kendal-based folk musician Bill Lloyd, has a close association with Gypsy/Traveller families going back generations.
Andrew Connell is an almost-retired teacher of History and Latin, as well as being a parish, district and county councillor: he is a former mayor of Appleby and currently chairman of Eden.
His articles on 18th, 19th and 20th Century politics, power and posturing – all with a Cumbrian connection – have been published in Transactions of C&W, Northern History, Historical Research, Journal of 18th Century Studies, Journal of Liberal History and the Conservative History Journal.

Do not order from the Librarian you must order from direct A.N. Connell: by email to agshistory@gmail.com; by telephone to 01768351847; or by post to 11 Mill Hill, Appleby, CA16 6UR, using the flyer form downloadable from the button above.