Businesses to close as Wellingborough village communities prepare for horse fair

Horse fairs have been held in the UK for centuries
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Great Doddington and Wollaston residents living close to the site of a horse fair which is set to take place over the bank holiday weekend are preparing for the influx of visitors.

Some businesses and shop owners have announced that they will be closing over the weekend of the fair, that is to take place on a site in Hardwater Road between Wollaston and Great Doddington.

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Gates to nearby fields leading to the site close to Summer Leys Nature Reserve have been blocked off as a precaution with piles of manure, vehicles, trees and hay bales.

Amit Patel, from Whibbleys News Food and Wine in High Street, Wollaston, said: "We were closing anyway because it is my wife's 40th birthday. It happened to be that weekend.

"We are the nearest shop to the event. We will close on Thursday at 2pm and re-open on Tuesday.

"It is the talk of the village. A lot of people are concerned and everyone is worried."

Wollaston's Croyland Pharmacy will be opening as usual.

Gates have been blockedGates have been blocked
Gates have been blocked
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A staff member said: "People are disappointed. For the residents it is the spread of Covid - it is still out there. They are worried that Covid will be brought into the village."

Wollaston Courtyard, home to seven business units, will be closed by manager Kevin Graves.

He said: "All of the businesses have had to follow the government guidelines. If it was a rave it would be closed down. We are appalled that the event is going ahead without the permission of the authorites."

Some businesses the other side of the Nene valley in Great Doddington will also be closing.

Great DoddingtonGreat Doddington
Great Doddington
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One resident said: "The general consensus is that everyone is concerned and worried. Some of the residents are up in arms. The Appleby Horse Fair was closed due to Covid laws so why is this not being closed down?"

A member of the traveller community who contacted the Northants Telegraph said: "If we follow social distancing regulations there's no problem. There's no story here."

About 40,000 visitors regularly attend the annual Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria, but the June gathering of Gypsies and travellers was cancelled, for only the second time in 250 years, because of coronavirus. The event has existed under the protection of a charter granted by James II since 1685.

As well as an opportunity to buy and sell horses, fairs act as a celebration of traveller heritage and culture.

The entrance to Summer LeysThe entrance to Summer Leys
The entrance to Summer Leys
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