By Hayley Robinson

Anger has erupted over a two day event which is set to take place in Iwade next month.

Villagers fear that thousands of gipsies and travellers will descend on the small village when the Kent Horse and Auction Fair is held at Raspberry Hill Farm, in Raspberry Lane, on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11.

Residents claim they only found out about the event after it appeared on the Travellers Times website and the details were spread via word of mouth.

The annual Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria attracts travellers from all over the British Isles and sees the small town of 3,000 people occupied by 45,000 on the main days of the week long event.

Mother of two Chrissy Craycraft, 30, from Iwade, said: “I’ve heard there’s going to be over 100 stalls . I want answers. Who advertised it? How many people is it likely to attract?

“The village is so small are the highways going to be blocked up? Then there’s the clean up after the event - how much is that going to cost?"

Mum-to-be Kelly Hollands, 30, from Iwade, said: “I’ve even heard there will be cart racing up and down Ferry Road so how’s that going to affect access to the village?

“The other worry is about them staying after the two-day event and is this event going to be held every year?”

Mid-Kent police only became aware of the event last week. Officers are now liasing with the organiser.

Insp Evan Jones, of the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Team, said: “We need to know the size and scale of what he has planned and the kind of activities that will be taking place. We can decide whether he needs a licence to hold the event and what policing measures we need to put in place.

“As always our priority is ensuring public safety and making sure that the event causes minimal disruption to the local community.”

Organiser Kevin Harrington says the event is aimed at anyone in the equestrian business, not just travellers, and has been advertised in various places.

He said: “I don’t want people pulling up on people’s bits of land, if that happens it causes me a problem.
“Mention the word Gipsies and people panic. They think they’re just going to turn up but that’s not always the case.

“To be honest most of the people that turn up will be from Sheerness, Sittingbourne, Maidstone and Medway. I don’t want residents to worry about it. This trade fair is for all those in the equestrian business. I’m trying to get something good going and I want the community to enjoy it.

“We’re going to stop the traffic coming through the village by putting signs up taking them through Ridham Dock.”

Mark Burgess, landlord of The Woolpack pub, in The Street, Iwade, said: “I don’t think the organisers will want any trouble as it would mean they couldn’t come back.

“Businesses could do well out of the event, especially mine if there isn’t a beer tent there but I will be giving customers plastic drinking cups if they go outside.”

What are your feelings about the Kent Horse and Auction Fair? Email sittingbourne@thekmgroup.co.uk