Book Review

The Appleby Rai

by Gordon Thorburn and John Baxter

Passing through Hardy country in deepest Dorset a few years ago, I saw a gypsy family encamped by the edge of a quiet lane. They had a traditional waggon, horses tethered nearby, the inevitable complement of dogs, chickens, etc., and a camp fire burning. A few hours later, returning by the same route I was amazed to find that they had gone - leaving no trace of their having been there. To this day it seems an almost dream-like encounter and one which I doubt will ever be repeated now since few gypsies still travel the country in this way...

Gordon Thorburn and John Baxter have beautifully captured this 'dying breed' and their passing way of life in this delightful book. Subject to the prejudices and preconceptions of people wherever they pass, gypsies nevertheless hold a deep fascination for an increasingly urban populace - after all their way of life represents for most of us the ultimate freedom. Gypsies have a long history and have over the centuries evolved their own language and culture - which not surprisingly - given their way of life - centred around the horse - which after all made it all possible. In the text Gordon traces the history of a people which almost certainly originated in India; their whole way of life and the services they were able to offer the communities they passed through. He says "horses, and everything to do with them, go together with gypsies like cigarettes and whiskey and wild, wild women...!" In a world driven by horses the gypsy was a much need person - there was no aspect of life with horses in which the gypsy was not skilled. The Appleby Fair was one of many that grew up around the country where gypsies had the opportunity to socialise and conduct business - especially the buying and selling of horses. It dates back to the mid 17th century and today it is the sole survivor of a long tradition. It is a unique event and people travel from all over the country to attend it and yet undoubtedly its days are numbered... This book provides knowledgeable insight into the myths and mystique associated with gypsies, both in general and in their connection with horses. Lovingly written and full of humourous anecdotes - and some pathos, it contains a message for us all about ourselves and our attitudes to life - especially since we seem to live in an age of ever increasing haste and materialism. John Baxter's wonderful photographs alone would be a good reason to buy the book - they don't merely illustrate the text, but they are an integral and vital part of it, telling their own story. They provide a unique record of an event which is almost certainly doomed to shortly pass into the history books - since it seems that soon all that will remain of it will be memories and photographs... and 'The Appleby Rai'.

Recommended

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