Western Daily Press (Saturday)

Covid-19 cancels Dunster Show

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ORGANISERS of one of the West’s biggest one-day agricultur­al shows have cancelled this year’s events, amid uncertaint­y over coronaviru­s restrictio­ns.

The Dunster Show, which had been due to take place in August, will now not return until 2022.

The show, held on the lawns below Dunster Castle, near Minehead in Somerset, pictured right, was due to host its 174th event on Friday, August 20.

But in a statement published on its website, chairman Roger Richmond and the board of trustees of the Dunster Show Society said the decision to cancel was “with great sadness” and one that had “not been taken lightly”.

“Even taking into account the latest statement from the Prime Minister, the current situation with Covid-19 and the uncertaint­y of restrictio­ns on gatherings and of how long it will take to get back to some form of ‘normality’ have made it very difficult to run this year’s event,” it states.

“Planning for a show continues throughout the year, involving considerab­le financial outlay, and the committee consider that the risk to the finances of the charity is too great.

Whilst this news is disappoint­ing for everyone, we are sure that you would agree that the health, safety and wellbeing of our traders, competitor­s, members, sponsors, volunteers, visitors and local community is of paramount importance.”

It adds: “The continued support of the membership has been vital to the survival of the Dunster Show Society and the committee express their gratitude to each and every one for their continued support during these unpreceden­ted times, allowing the committee to provide bursaries to our existing students and donations to our charities.

“We look forward to seeing everyone on Friday, August 19, 2022 for an even better Dunster Show and hope and trust that the world is in a better place by then.”

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