LYMM May Queen, Lymm Festival and the annual Transport Day have all been cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Kath Buckley, Chair of Lymm May Queen said: “Due to the ever-evolving situation with the Corona Virus and having taken on board the advice from the Government, Public Health England and the NHS we have been left with no other option but to cancel Lymm May Queen 2020.
“I know this is very disappointing for all those children who were expecting to take part, and all the organisations who have supported us by planning to book stalls and take part in our procession. However, we feel that it is the correct decision as we have to put the health and well being of all who would have taken part as our priority in these challenging times.
“Having spoken with members of the committee we are proposing to go ahead with the same theme, programme design and the same May Queens for next year.
“So hopefully both our May Queens, Charlotte and Leah, will be able to take part next year.”
Meanwhile the annual Lymm Festival that takes place for eleven days at the end of June has also been cancelled.
A few days ago the Festival Committee announced the cancellation of their ‘Winter Warmer’ craft event for children that should have taken place at the Village Hall this Saturday.
Chairman of the Festival Committee Ian Marks said: “We have been reviewing the situation carefully in recent weeks hoping something might improve. However it is now abundantly clear that the Virus will be with us for many weeks and the position is deteriorating. We are bitterly disappointed after all the preparatory work that has been put in by the organising team of volunteers.
“Two choral events have been cancelled in the last few days because rehearsals of the choirs have had to be stopped. Two sponsors have had to pull out because of the effect of the virus on business. Some venues would probably not be available and people would not want to mingle with others at a big outdoor event like our Foodfest. The public would not want to buy tickets for performances leaving us no choice.
“Our task now is to contact performers, event organisers, venues and sponsors to let them know of our decision. This will take us a few days but I would like to assure anyone such as a sponsor that any money they have paid to the Festival will be refunded.
“We have liased closely with our colleagues who run Lymm Transport Day and they have been forced to cancel this event too.”
Lymm Transport Day organiser Alan Williams said: “In the light of the guidance given by the government over the past 48 hours and the increasing understanding of just how long the coronoavirus issue is likely to be with us we have concluded that there is no alternative but to cancel the June 28th event now.
“A huge amount of work had already gone into preparing for the day for which I thank our management team.
“If you are a trader, exhibitor or sponsor who has paid us a fee to be at the event it will be returned. Please bear with us while we sort all that out.
“We will update our website again as soon as we have any further news but facebook.com/lymmtransport will also be updated regularly.
“Keep well and put June 26th 2021 in your diary.”
