Horses and Courses
For those who haven't been to Paddock Wood horse fair at Horsemonden, Kent, in a few years, last Sunday's event might have come as a shock to the system.
The fair used to be awash with market stalls selling everything from fancy baby clothes to huge, flash sets of stainless steel water churns.
And there used to be enough beer flowing to fill most of those churns, too.
In 2009, the fair has a new, clean and thoroughly traditional image.
Romany Gypsy Billy Boyle said "I'm 67 years old, and this fair's been going for over a hundred years. Maybe even more.
"My Mum used to work on a farm nearby, and she used to walk along the railway lines to come here.
"I've been here every year, I haven't missed it once.
"Years ago some people had old lorries, but a lot of people didn't have much. There'd be fifty or sixty trollies going in every direction, all with loads of people on them.
"They'd all be drinking. The beer used to come in barrels, barrels of beer.
Nowadays the beer has stopped flowing in Horsemonden, and every pub in the village closes for the day.
"The fact that it's a dry event is fantastic", said Kent Police's inspector in charge of policing Horsemonden. And it doesn't stop people having a good time.
"I've been chatting to people who've come from all around the country to attend Horsemonden. It really is a popular event. There is no market now, it's all horses and ponies, and that is historically what it's been about.
One unbroken tradition certainly remains, as young Gypsy men and women trot their horses through the village to show them off to potential buyers.
As always, a few of the riders seem keen to go faster than safety permits: nowadays, though, the police seem able to handle things with a smile.
"We've got a couple of issues with a bit of speeding on the public highway, but I'm sure if we can have a word with those few young men all will be sweetness and light", says our Inspector.
"This year has been particularly good. It's all come together well. There's been good liaison between the Travelling community, the local council, and the police.
Clearly this good liaision wasn't enough to stop a local Councillor resigning in protest at discrimination about Gypsies at the fair. But it seems that in terms of the approach to policing the event, progress has been made. The benefits of a small and non-threatening police presence are clear for everyone to see.
Staff from Diabetes UK and the British Red Cross were also on hand to offer health advice to people from the Travelling community.
"We can teach first aid skills that can then be passed on in the community, said Paul Barnes of the Red Cross.
"You don't always need to call a doctor, or an ambulance, or go to A&E. We can train people so they can help themselves and other Travellers to look after their health and safety.
Katie Collier works for Diabetes UK, who put special effort into helping raise awareness of the disease amongst Gypsies and Travellers.
"If you talk to any Gypsy or Traveller they will know someone within their family who has diabetes", said Katie.
"This can be related to diet and lifestyle. We try to help people spot what the symptoms are.
"With Travellers, Diabetes doesn't always get caught early enough for them to be able to manage it. They probably go to hospital when they've got advanced complications.
With health professionals taking the time to attend Gypsy events like this one, it's hoped that Travellers can start to help themselves to combat health inequality. We have as much right to good health as anyone else.
And the good atmosphere at this year's Horsemonden goes to show that you can go easy on your liver, stay out of trouble, and still have a great time at the fair!