Virus sparks cancellations and event postponements

Most of the events on Kintyre’s social calendar have been cancelled or postponed to slow down the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

This week the majority of immediate, and some future, events were cancelled. This is in line with government advice to adhere to social distancing measures, particularly for those who are at an increased risk. This includes people aged 70 or older, people with specific underlying health conditions, and those who are pregnant.

Last weekend many of the events in the Courier’s diary were called off – the Monday Social Club tea dance, a Salvation Army coffee morning, Kintyre Chorale’s concerts at A’Chleit and Southend, and two football matches. This trend continued into this week, with cheque presentations, coffee afternoons, flower festivals and quiz nights also cancelled.

Kintyre Music Club’s concert featuring Ugly Bug Ragtime Three, which was scheduled for this evening (Friday), has also been called off.

While there are bound to be more, we have put together a list of some of the events which were to have taken place in the coming weeks and months but have been affected.

Carradale Music Festival - postponed. After initially hoping this year’s festival, on April 10 and 11 could go ahead, the Carradale Music Festival committee has postponed it until a later date.

A spokesperson said: ‘We are currently confirming dates in which we hope to reschedule the event and will have this information to you within the coming days.

‘Ticket buyers have now all been informed via email about the situation. All tickets will be transferable to the rescheduled date. Please keep an eye on our social channels next week for more details.

‘If you are unable to attend the rescheduled date and you require more information on getting a refund, please do not hesitate to contact us at carradalemusicfest@gmail.com.

‘Thank you for your continued support and for understanding our decision.’

Gintyre – postponed. Due to the ongoing coronavirus situation, the Gintyre committee has made the ‘difficult decision’ to postpone this year’s event, meant to be taking place on April 18, until September 12.

All tickets purchased to date will remain valid.

A spokesperson said: ‘We suspect we will all need a large gin by then!’

Campbeltown Malts Festival – cancelled. Campbeltown Malts Festival scheduled to take place from May 19 to 22 has been cancelled after much consideration and consultation. Ticket holders will be offered full refunds.

As a preventative measure, all three distilleries involved in the festival – Springbank, Glengyle and Glen Scotia – have made the decision to close their shops and visitor centres and will not be conducting any tours or tastings until further notice.

Kintyre Music Festival – cancelled. From June 1 to June 6, this year’s Kintyre Music Festival, which involves primary school children from Mid Argyll to Kintyre, has been cancelled.

A spokesperson said: ‘Due to the coronavirus crisis, we’ve had to cancel all competitions and events.

‘We are terribly, terribly sorry but it’s the way it has to be unfortunately – we have to keep the children safe, as well as the mums, dads and grandparents who support us and make up our audiences.’

See the Kintyre Music Club Facebook page for updates.