Stop cancelling Xmas!

Markets and carols axed as officials cite ‘Covid risks’

CHRISTMAS events across the country have been cancelled because of Covid despite pandemic rules no longer being in place.

Dozens of areas have seen festive markets, Dickensian fairs, Christmas light switch-on celebrations, carol concerts and Santa’s grottos scrapped by ‘overcautious’ officials.

Daily Mail research has found at least 30 localities where events have been mothballed, but the true number is likely to be much higher. In some areas, decisions were made months ago not to run any events because of ‘Covid 19 uncertainties’ even though many are outdoors.

Organisers elsewhere have got cold feet just weeks before planned celebrations.

This is despite workplaces, pubs, café, restaurants and shops all running as normal.

Last night the cancellations were criticised by parent group UsForThem. Cofounder Molly Kingsley said: ‘These events are often rites of passage for children and for them to be cancelled two years in a row, and at a time when adults are by and large enjoying a fun and normal run up to the festive period, is no longer simply unfair, it’s cruel.’

In Bath, the Christmas Market – which usually attracts 400,000 visitors and brings millions of pounds to business – has been cancelled. The council said recruitment issues caused by Covid and Brexit meant it cannot safely manage the market this year.

Nottingham city council said it had turned Christmas lights on without publicising it to stop crowds gathering. Lights ceremonies were scrapped in Southend, Cambridge, Ely and York. The Grassington Dickensian Festival in North Yorkshire

has been ditched in favour of two ‘safer and more prudent’ markets for locals. The Lions Club charity carol concert in Fleet has also been called off because of Covid. Paultons Park in Hampshire has closed its Santa’s grotto, in favour of an appearance in a covered outside area to give children access to Santa ‘in a comfortable fresh air setting’.

Other areas with cancelled or scaled back events include Slough, Faversham in Kent and Ambleside in the Lake District.