Festivals and events cancelled
MORE Huddersfield events have been cancelled because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Yesterday, Huddersfield Literature Festival – planned to start later this week and due to be headlined by dance star and author Anton Du Beke – and Shepley Spring Festival, a popular folk festival, were both axed.
The annual Kirklees Business Conference, due to be held tomorrow at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield, was also postponed. Talks were underway about alternative dates.
Last Sunday, Huddersfield’s St Patrick’s Day parade was cancelled.
Organisers of the Shepley Spring Festival announced their “unavoidable decision” on social media.
They said: “As disappointing as it may feel for everyone connected with the festival, we are aware that this situation is going to be difficult for the live music industry, with many selfemployed musicians, technicians, agents, etc impacted.
“We therefore encourage our festival-goers to support the artists you enjoy in whatever way you can.”
It is hoped the festival will return in 2021.
Huddersfield Literature Festival director Michelle Hodgson said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that this year’s festival will be cancelled.
“Although we were able to run several successful pre-festival events, we feel that we have to take this global pandemic seriously for the sake of our authors, performers, audiences, festival team and volunteers.
“We had hoped to be able to support authors, performers, booksellers and suppliers again through our events this year, and we are devastated to be in this position after all our hard work and planning.”