Absolutely Appleby, Heidi M Sands. Paperback, 147 x 210 mm, 128 pages inc. 134 photographs. ISBN 978-1-908397-59-1. Now available from Old Pond at £9.95.
The Eden valley is a beautiful yet little-known area of Cumbria except, that is, for one week in June each year when thousands of people flock to Appleby, the old county town of Westmorland.
Appleby plays host to the largest horse fair of its kind in the UK, and possibly the world. As far as spectacles go Appleby Fair is unrivalled: horses are paraded for sale, allowed to run loose in groups, graze the grass verges and almost move at will. For a few short days it is as though the clock has been turned back to a time when horse power ruled the road.
With over a hundred photographs of horses and people on the move, action shots in the ‘flashing lane’, handlers and their horses enjoying the river and some of those quiet and peaceful moments in between, this book provides the reader with an insight into the experience of the fair and all that is ‘Absolutely Appleby’.
Accompanied by introductions and captions, the photos show that Appleby Fair is as much about community and tradition as it is about horses. Beautiful bow-top caravans abound, life takes on a slower pace and friendships are re-kindled.
Heidi M. Sands is an award-winning writer and regular contributor to several rural publications, as well as a professional photographer of countryside subjects. Born and bred in the rural north-west, Heidi lives on the family farm with her Fell ponies and a flock of Herdwick sheep. This is her second book for Old Pond Publishing.
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