By Wickham Festival organiser defends decision to not cancel
The organiser of Wickham Festival in Hampshire, has recently had to defend his decision to not to cancel this year’s event despite the current concerns about the coronavirus crisis.
The festival usually attracts around 7,000 people each day and is due to take place on the 6th – 9th of August.
The festival’s organiser Peter Chegwyn has insisted all he was doing was “keeping options open” ahead of the next government lockdown review, which is taking place on Thursday.
Chegwyn said:
“If it goes ahead it’ll be on a smaller scale than usual and it will be Covid-secure with all possible safeguards.”
The revised event is expected to showcase live entertainment and an outdoor market with arts and crafts.
Angie Clear, chair of Wickham Parish Council, has said residents were questioning why the event had not been cancelled when other local events have been called off or rescheduled for next year.
Angie Clear said:
“To ask them to accept thousands of people in August is a bit much… I hope Mr Chegwyn does make the correct decision.
“We will welcome it back with open arms next year because we thoroughly support it… but this year is very different.”
Mr Chegwyn said:
“I completely understand their views. I wouldn’t go to an event at the moment, but eight weeks time could be very different.”
“It is possible to do a socially distanced event much safer than people who are on the beach or in parks every weekend.
“I’m not going to risk myself, I’m 64 and diabetic. I’m certainly not going to risk anyone else.”
The final decision if to go head with the festival will be made on the 1st of July.
Van Morrision, Waterboys, and Leo Sayer are currently listed to play the festival.
Ticket holders who decide not to go will have their tickets carried over to 2021.
