Wickham Festival organisers hope event will still go ahead this summer despite coronavirus pandemic

Wickham Festival is due to be held from August 6-9 in the field off Blind Lane, featuring global superstars such as singer-songwriter Van Morrison, as well as Seth Lakeman, Leo Sayer and Nine Below Zero.

But due to the coronavirus pandemic, mass gatherings are forbidden and large-scale events across the country have either been cancelled or postponed.

However, the organisers of Wickham Festival are hoping that their event will still be able to take place.

In an update posted to the festival’s Facebook page, organisers said: ‘Our festival can only go ahead in August if, by then, it's felt safe for it to do so.

‘None of us know yet when those restrictions may be lifted and in what way.

‘No-one knows where we will be in 15 weeks’ time. If we can go ahead in August we will, with contingency plans in place to help ensure public safety.’

If government restrictions are not relaxed in time for the festival, it will be postponed until August 5-8 next year.

If it does go ahead and people are unable to attend, their tickets will also roll over to next year.

‘We will keep alive the hope of staging this year’s festival for as long as we can,’ organisers said.

‘But [we] will have to take a final decision by July 1 at the very latest.’

For more information, go to wickhamfestival.co.uk.

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