The 2020 Keswick Show planned for August bank holiday has been cancelled – the fifth time in the last nine years the event has had to be called off.
The show’s executive committee met online this week and said its decision, forced by the coronavirus pandemic, was “very disappointing.”
Secretary Judith Hildreth said organisers had listened to government advice and although the show was not due to take place for more than three months until Monday 31st August, there was little likelihood that social distancing restrictions would be lifted.
Mrs Hildreth said: “It was a difficult decision to make but public health and safety has to be our number one priority. We just don’t want to put all those volunteers, traders, stewards, competitors and visitors at risk.
“I have already contacted many of our regular traders and competitors who were not surprised but all are very disappointed, as are all our committee members. However, all have said they understand and will be back to support us next year.”
She said the committee had waited as long as it could to make a final decision but would have needed to start ordering marquees. “At this stage we have only paid out minimal expenses. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year on August 30 2021,” she added.
Keswick Show was founded in 1860 and it is a traditional agricultural show but in a tourist area, which means it draws big crowds. One of the oldest shows in Cumbria, it has had a difficult run in recent years.
The event used to be held at Crossings Corner, Keswick, but in 2014 it moved out of town to two fields at Braithwaite Bridges after back-to-back cancellations because of the weather. The first two years at its new home were successful but then floods and rain meant more cancellations in 2016 and 2017. The loss of the 2020 show after successful events for the last two years means that since 2007, it has been cancelled seven times because of the weather or damage to the show fields.
