THE popular annual arts showcase that is the Caerleon Festival has been called off this year, amid the ongoing threat from coronavirus.
This year's event was scheduled to open on Thursday July 2 - with an opening ceremony and performances at the Hanbury Arms Quay - and would have culminated with multi-event Big Free weekend on Saturday and Sunday July 11and 12.
But organisers have concluded that the ongoing threat from coronavirus, and uncertainty over how long it will continue, mean that the best course of action is to postpone the festival.
Tim Davidson, who chairs Caerleon Festival, said in a message on the festival website that the decision has not been taken lightly, but "we have concluded that the safety of all - the public, performers, exhibitors, organisers, volunteers, stewards and the community at large - cannot be ensured".
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But the aim will be for the festival to return in 2021 "when hopefully the threat to health has passed".
He added that the planning for the 2020 festival will now form the blueprint for the 2021 event.
Tickets for this year's festival will be refunded, and further details are available at www.caerleon-arts.org/2020/03/coronavirus-latest-update/
- A Caerleon Festival-linked concert featuring folk singer and musician Daoiri Farell - scheduled for Thursday March 26 at Llanhennock Village Hall - has also been called off.
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