Grimmy

I've witnessed horses being kicked, punched, head-butted, whipped, beaten with sticks, run into the ground.

Indeed, the reason I no longer attend is because of the mindless cruelty inflicted on those poor beasts YEAR AFTER YEAR.

I can also tell you that you won't get many eye-witness accounts from the local residents (many of whom are my relatives) because they stay in their homes with all the windows and doors locked during the fair week.

That's the 'reality' of Appleby Horse Fair.

Although, confusingly, later -

I also did not intend to create the impression that there is unremitting animal cruelty

Well. No. Obviusly not.

Besides, the travellers are very adept (having been doing it since 1685) at conducting their activities out of sight of the authorities.

Not just the younger generation today, then?

Where are the dog fighting images? The sheep stealing pics? The drunken fighting photos? The cottages with ivy around the door and human excrement on the lawn?

Where indeed? You said all your evidence was in the public domain.

All I want is for the Fair to continue - minus the abuse.

Got it now?

Well, getting there slowly but you'll have to bear with me. I still find your method a little puzzling and you haven't explained why you want the fair to continue. You don't seem to have a good word to say about it.

Let me know how your campaign goes.