Traditional show is latest to join list of cancellations
ORGANISERS of the Woolsery Show have confirmed with “regret and reluctance” its cancellation for this year due to ongoing uncertainty around coronavirus restrictions.
One of the South West’s most traditional one-day agricultural shows, the 2021 event was set to take place on Monday, July 26, at Clovelly Court, near Bideford in North Devon.
The latest in a string of local events which have been called off this summer, the decision to cancel the Woolsery Show for a second consecutive year was announced on the show’s social media channels.
A statement released by the Woolsery and District Agricultural Show Committee said: “It is with enormous regret and reluctance that the Woolsery and District Agricultural Show Committee has had to cancel this year’s show on July 26, 2021. The Covid-19 guidelines that must be followed for outdoor events, make it very difficult or impractical to plan and hold the wonderful show that we are all used to.
“Whilst the Covid-19 situation has improved considerably, there is still uncertainty on what the situation might be at the end of July and we certainly don’t want to put anybody at risk in these unusual times.
“The Show Committee would like to thank everybody, particularly our sponsors, traders, exhibitors, volunteers, the local community and our patron, the Hon John Rous, Clovelly, who all continue to support Woolsery Show.”
The statement adds: “The next show will be on Monday, July 25, 2022 and we look forward to welcoming everyone back then. If you have a trade stand booking with us, we will automatically roll it forward to 2022 or please get in touch with woolserytrade@hotmail.co.uk if you would like a refund.”
In a further blow for the region’s agricultural community, the Kingsbridge Show has also pulled its 2021 event for the second year running due to Covid-19.
The popular one-day show, which traditionally rounds off the busy summer season, was due to be held at Borough Farm on Saturday, September 4.
Commenting on the cancellation, Angela Smaridge, chairman of the Kingsbridge Show, said in a statement: “It is with much sadness that we have to announce that this year’s show on Saturday, September 4 has been cancelled. Our directors and committee met recently to discuss the implications of holding a show this year and it was felt with all the uncertainties surrounding Covid-19 that the best course of action was to cancel.
“Although the vaccine roll-out is encouraging, there are many safety guidelines we felt were too difficult to implement; the health and safety of our committee and many volunteers and the local community was uppermost in our minds. On a more positive note, we will welcome all back next year on Saturday, September 3, 2022.”
‘There is still uncertainty on what the Covid situation might be at the end of July’