Heavy rain forces festival cancellation
Moretonhampstead Festival of food and drink has been rained off despite not due to take place for another six weeks.
The Organising Committee of the festival took the decision to cancel the Festival due to the exceptional level of recent rain making the fields used for parking unsafe for users.
Bob Small the festival’s lead organiser explained the decision of the committee: “Even if we had six weeks of no rain from today the fields would still be far too wet.
“The ground on the fields would be unsuitable, unsafe, possibly even dangerous to use.”
Festival organisers have sought a number of possible alternative sites but have had no luck in finding a workable solution in the local area.
The decision to act quickly in cancelling the festival rather than waiting to see if conditions improve was made to give exhibitors and producers time to make alternative arrangements.
“Many producers start making the food before the festival.Certainly days and weeks in advance and we didn’t want to cancel it last minute.” continued Bob Small.
The festival has been running successfully for the last 5 years and had proven popular both with producers and the public getting visitors from across the South West.
Bob Small said: “We didn’t make this decision lightly, it very disheartening for us and I’m sure for many other people as well.”
“Clearly we have a duty of care for everyone, visitors and volunteers, using the site.”
The rain is expected to stay around for the near future as the met office issues further weather warnings for rain this weekend.
Heavy showers are expected in Devon throughout the day today and again through much of Sunday.
The Met Office’s chief Forecaster writes: “Another active Atlantic frontal system is forecast to cross the UK during Sunday, linked to a deep depression near northwest Britain.
“Rainfall accumulations of 15 to 25 mm are expected quite widely, much of this falling in 6 to 9 hours. Gales will be an additional hazard, with gusts of 50 to 60 mph in places.”
