WE popped into Netto recently and a couple of well-weathered, roughly-dressed people were at the checkout behind us. They were late middle-aged and both were in serious need of dental attention.

Amongst their shopping were several really big tins of dog food.

Wife Sylvia said to the man: "By Jove, those must be heavy."

"Oh," said the man, "we have to feed the animals."

I asked how many and he said: "Three dogs." I then asked: "Any 'osses?" "A couple of Shetlands,"

he said.

"Do you get up to Appleby," I asked. "Yes, some years," he said.

"Yarm?" "Yes, I like Yarm," he said. "You get all around the country, don't you," I said. He told us they were on a nice crossroads near a village we know.

"You don't want for owt, do you?" "Nowt," he smiled.

He then said: "Folks think they have everything with a bit of money, and they have nothing. We have everything, and folks think we have nothing."

Appleby and Yarm are annual horse fairs attended by travelling people from across the country.

There used to be one at Topcliffe, too.

George Appleby, Clifton, York.