Doubts cast on chances of Bamburgh Festival going ahead this summer

The chances of the event taking place in August in the light of the coronavirus pandemic were discussed by Bamburgh Parish Council.

Chairman Barbara Brook explained that she had received an email from festival committee member Ralph Baker-Cresswell asking for views on the feasibility of holding it.

She said: "My view is that it looks like it could be quite difficult this year and perhaps everyone should be planning for 2022 when hopefully it will be a little surer.”

Cllr John Mackey suggested putting a decision on hold until the spring but working towards a smaller scale event.

Cllr Kirsty Dobson agreed: “I’d love it to go ahead but so much work goes into the organisation of it that I think it’s probably a step too far.”

Cllr Andy Bardgett said: “I suppose it depends a bit on what happens with restrictions such as second homes and the hospitality business but I think there’s so much uncertainty that it’s probably better to wait and plan for 2022.”

Cllr Kate Morton added: “There are two sides to it because there are a lot of small businesses and cottage industries relying on things like this to go ahead. Maybe it’s something we can scale down and do something at the last minute but planning something on a big scale is pointless because no-one knows what is going to happen.”

Last year’s event was called off in April.

The inaugural Bamburgh Festival – an amalgamation of the village show and fair – was held in 2019.

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