AN event that was due to kick off the 200th birthday celebrations of a Gwent town has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Blackwood Miners’ Institute was due to hold an event of talks on the history of the town on Saturday, April 4 - but the Blackwood Bicentenary Committee have postponed it, and all events due to be held “for the foreseeable future.”

MORE NEWS:

In an open letter, committee chairman and Blackwood town mayor Cllr Gerten James wrote: “To all, it is with great regret that we have had to postpone all events within the foreseeable future.

“It was all ready to be kickstarted with a presentation on April 4 by Pontllanfraith and District Local History Society entitled The Story of Blackwood – 200 Years of History and Progress. Unfortunately, due to the current coronavirus pandemic, the likes of which we haven’t seen in generations, Blackwood Miners’ Institute has closed its doors to all functions, rehearsals and room hires – this being completely in line with government advice on social distancing.

“Our main reason for the mass postponement of all events is for the health and wellbeing of the whole community and we would not wish to inadvertently put the health of anyone at risk.

“I am sure everyone will be understanding of this unprecedented situation and will bear with us as we try and reschedule events later in the year. We will let everyone know as soon as possible when we are able to start up our celebrations, until then take care and stay safe.”