Hundreds of travellers arrive in Wickham for the annual Wickham Horse Fair, described by outlets as a long-running event dating back about 750 years. The fair takes place every year on May 20, with the village located a short distance from Portsmouth. According to reporting, scores of Gypsy and Roma travellers attend the fair, bringing horses and related activities that form the basis of the event.
As the fair draws near and visitors arrive, local residents and the community take measures to manage the influx. One reported response includes closing roads around the village and putting in place temporary arrangements to deal with increased traffic and activity during the event.
The sources focus on the scale of attendance and the traditional nature of the fair, along with the practical steps taken locally to accommodate the large number of visitors. They present the road closures as part of day-of operations tied to the gathering rather than as a specific response to any single incident.
