Rescheduling events as a mark of respect
Maidenhead: Events cancelled following death of the Queen
A number of events planned for the Royal Borough have been rapidly rescheduled or cancelled as a mark of respect following the death of the Queen.
The weekend (September 1011) had a packed agenda of events, but many were called off following the announcement of Her Majesty’s death on Thursday, September 8.
Maidenhead Town Show was due to take place on Saturday, September 10.
The event, planned to take place in the Nicholsons
Centre, runs each year and aims to provide 'all the fun of the fair' and celebrate local creativity of all kinds with competitions, performances, a craft market, and a dog show.
It has been postponed until next month.
The organisers said in a statement: “As we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and join the nation in mourning Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, we have reached the decision to postpone the Maidenhead Town Show.
“Although it’s a community event, we have postponed the Town Show until October 22, when we feel is a more suitable time to celebrate Maidenhead.”
Football matches were called off at the weekend, but resumed this week as Maidenhead United traveled to Boreham Wood last night.
Rugby games were allowed to go ahead, with players and supporters paying their respects as Bracknell took on Maidenhead on Saturday.
In Windsor, two big charity events which were scheduled for Sunday, September 11 were called off, with logistical reasons coming into play as huge crowds descended on the town to pay their respects.
The Windsor Memory Walk, organised by the Alzheimer’s Society, will now take place on October 2.
The Big Blue Bike Ride for Prostate Cancer UK, which would have passed through roads that were closed following the Queen’s death, is now expected to take place in spring 2023.
However, a number of events did still go ahead, with organisers choosing to pay tribute as part of proceedings.
Cookham Dean’s Gravity Grand Prix (see p24-25) took place on Sunday, while the show still went on for both the Holyport Village Show and
Cox Green Horticultural and
Craft Show on Saturday.
The Maidenhead Waterways Fun Day, organised by Friends of Maidenhead Waterways and Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club, was due to take place this Saturday (September 17)
It has been postponed until next year.
Official guidance states, providing there is no ‘direct clash’, the holding of events during national mourning is at the discretion of the organisers.
As such, following discussion with community groups, organisers have deemed it ‘inappropriate’ to hold the fun
day under the current circumstances.
Richard Davenport, chair of the Friends of Maidenhead Waterways Trustees, said: “We will review the options to reschedule the Waterways Fun Day, likely a date in the spring, and look forward to welcoming the community then.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who have put so much time and effort into the event arrangements over the last few months; as well as the stallholders, entertainers, sponsors and water activity providers.”