THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

It was the great North Riding fair for the sale of unbroken fell and dale ponies, and was attended not only by farmers and dealers, but also by Durham mine owners, who bought their pit ponies at Brough, and tradesmen from the industrial areas of the West Riding who needed van ponies. Above all, Brough Hill Fair was the great rallying place for North Country gipsies, who seemed to set the hill ablaze with their gay costumes and garishly painted caravans. And in fact at the end of the fair they sometimes did set the hill ablaze, for if there was a moon, and the night was fine, they would light huge bonfires and dance till dawn.

Addison/Fairs