Kentish Express Ashford & District
Second festival gets cancelled
A popular festival expected to be attended by thousands of people has been cancelled amid fears over the coronavirus.
Just one month after announcing the second Spirit of Tenterden was set to go ahead this August, the team behind the event have now pulled the plug.
They say financial issues and concerns over crowd safety are the main reasons behind the U-turn.
Organisers are now in the process of contacting those who were lined up to perform or participate, including marquee companies, more than 30 bands and 26 stallholders.
Festival chairman Justin Nelson said: “It was becoming more and more difficult to plan for this year’s event, as there is so much uncertainty about rules surrounding lockdown.
“Although we’ve been delighted that we are due to receive a donation of more than £300 from the green token community causes scheme run by Waitrose, we won’t be able to hold some events, including a race night and Thai evening, which would have generated essential funds.
“In addition, nobody yet knows what the situation will be later this summer in terms of social distancing, and with some 3,000 people turning up to last year’s event, crowd safety is obviously at the top of our priorities.”
The festival - which was put on for the first time last year - was scheduled to be held on the town’s Recreation Ground from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23.
Visitors would have been entertained by live musical acts, a beer and real ale tent, gin and wine bars, street food, antiques and collectables, arts and crafts, open mic performances and a dog show.
But organisers say they are already planning the event for next year.
Mr Nelson added: “We appreciate people will be disappointed, but we are planning ahead to hold a bigger event next year, and have booked the dates - Friday, July 2 to Sunday, July 4.”