Coronavirus: Latest news on Cleckheaton's famous festival

Organisers of Cleckheaton Folk Festival have provided a latest on whether the event will go ahead as planned.
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Cleckheaton Folk Festival organisers have taken the decision to postpone this year’s event for 12 months due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The festival has already contacted all the artists that were booked for 2020 and announced the line-up will be the same for 2021, which will still be listed as the 33rd festival and will take place on the designated dates.

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Festival Director Dave Minich said: “Our organising committee, our volunteer stewards, most of our ticket paying audience and many of our artists are in one of the listed vulnerable groups. I have had the feeling recently that the fear of this pandemic has been rising and the uncertainty is causing distress.

David MinichDavid Minich
David Minich

"In spite of our optimistic outlook we're sad to report that the 33rd Festival will have to be postponed until next year.

"We have thought long and hard before making this decision but in the interests of safety for our artists, stewards and all our visitors we feel it is the right thing to do.

"We have already notified as many as possible before we made this public."

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However, the organisers have retained all the artists for a new date of: July 2, 3, 4 of next year (2021).

Cleckheaton Folk FestivalCleckheaton Folk Festival
Cleckheaton Folk Festival

"So please put it in your diaries, on your calendars, in your to-do lists but whatever you do make it a date for us all to meet again in healthier circumstances," said Mr Minich.

"Postponement seems to be the only way to alleviate the fear and reduce the levels of stress being felt at this terrible time."

The festival has contacted all the artists that were booked for 2020 and announced the line-up will be the same for 2021, which will still be listed as the 33rd festival and will take place on the designated dates.

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During late 2019 the festival's organisers were fortunate enough to have gained Crowdfunding in the Kirklees Council Growing Great places scheme.

The money raised was to finance most of the street entertainment and parade costs.

Mr Minich said: "It's our intention to use these funds to support our 2021 festival in the same way and once again thank everyone who responded in any way to that brilliant campaign and helping to make it so successful.

"As always, we're on the lookout for volunteers to join our band of organisers to help with preparation of the festival."

If you would like to be further involved, then get in touch by emailing [email protected] giving a brief outline of who you are and how you may be able to help.