Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival 2021 cancelled due to Covid

It is the second year running this much-loved event has been called off.

Eighties stars Toyah and China Crisis were due to headline the 30th anniversary celebrations from June 17-21 in a landmark event hailed the 'best ever' to mark three decades of community festivals.

But the Town Council fears social distancing regulations and the inevitable drop in capacity means this year's event is no longer financially viable.

Lisa Benskin, Town Council clerk, said: "It is a source of sadness for the whole council to cancel the Folk and Boat Festival for a second year.

"However, given the likely ongoing restrictions and the important need to prioritise the use of Victoria Hall for vaccinations above all else, it was a necessary decision to take."

The Town Council initially looked at postponing the event, but in the light of potential social distancing still in place and no certainty that festivals or events can go ahead, they regrettably decided to pull the plug on this year's extravaganza.

READ > Vandals trash remembrance bench at Winsford Flashes

Music lovers will have to wait until next year for the 30th celebrations

The festival relies on on numbers to enable to festival to break even or to make a small profit.

In a statement, the council said: "Any restrictions will impact the number of festivalgoers we can welcome, which could leave the council with a massive liability.

"It is not acceptable to place this burden upon the residents of Middlewich.

"The council must also consider the status of the vaccination centre. The Smash programme at our Civic Hall has so far vaccinated over 10,000 people but we have a long way to go before the population of Middlewich and the surrounding area is fully vaccinated.

"Until further notice the car park is exclusively reserved for the vaccination clinic on vaccination days. As a result, Market Field is unavailable until the vaccination centre is decommissioned.

"The council will be supporting all local businesses and hospitality trade and any events they wish to organise provided they comply with the government regulations at the time."

The 30th anniversary celebrations of the FAB Fest are now set to be take place from June 16-19 next year.