At the risk of attracting more personal abuse -

Grimmy

In court, a shoplifter claims that far more money is stolen by corrupt 'big business', that the police should be out there chasing the 'real villains' and not wasting everybody's time with such small fry. Valid arguments maybe, but no defence.

To make that analogy comparable you have to hold the shoplifter's entire community collectively responsible, dragging up every misdemeanour any of them have ever committed, and threaten their whole way of life while dismissing the big business corruption as normal practice.

I really can't work out your position, Grimmy. If you want Appleby to continue, why do you keep digging out more evidence to demonise the participants? You have painted a picture of horse torturing, sheep stealing, garden polluting, fire engine abusing, rapists who fill in their spare time taking pot shots at RSPCA officers. If it's so awful, why have you been 30 times? Why do you want it to continue? You don't seem to have a good word to say about it.

Then ask yourself which activity would require the least adjustment to bring it within public acceptance: Appleby or horse racing.

Horse racing IS within public acceptance despite the far higher rate of horse fatalities. Ask yourself why Appleby is not. Could it be something to do with the people involved?

All I want is for the Fair to continue - minus the abuse. Is that too much to ask?

Then come up with some positive suggestions instead of giving the opponents more ammunition.