The Royal Isle of Wight County Show has announced that this year’s already postponed event will not be taking place at all in 2020.
The postponement, which was announced in March, said that the show that was due to take place last month but had been pushed back until 30th August.
Now, due to the continued uncertainty about the coronavirus pandemic, organisers have taken the tough decision to cancel the event until 2021.
Everyone who had already paid for a place at the show will now be contacted and offered a full refund.
Graham Biss, County Show Chairman said:
“We have watched as other Isle of Wight events have been cancelled and unfortunately we have now followed suit. Thank you to everyone who has helped us to make this difficult decision. The health and wellbeing of all our volunteers, exhibitors and visitors was our number one consideration”.
Responding to the cancellation, Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Regional Director Michael Valenzia said:
“The Royal Isle of Wight County Show is a flagship event in the agricultural calendar and to hear that it won’t go ahead in August as planned is sad to hear, but entirely understandable given the current national situation with the coronavirus outbreak. The health and safety of everyone involved must come first.
Article continues below this advertisement “Many rural businesses rely on the show as an opportunity to demonstrate their fantastic products and services to thousands of people in the region.
“The CLA is supporting its members, who are a range of farmers, landowners and rural businesses, through this difficult time with the latest advice and information regarding coronavirus. We are also holding regular calls with government officials and lobbying on issues the industry needs to be reviewed to support them through these uncertain times.
“The rural sector is exceptionally resilient however, having faced more than its share of adversity in the past. I have every confidence the show will bounce back and we can’t wait to be part of it once again.”
The Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society hopes to be able to support the Island’s recovery by making the 27-acre County Showground available for use by other organisations. The Society looks forward to welcoming the Let’s Buy Local open air markets to the County Showground on Sunday 5th and 12th July. Based upon the current advice and guidance open air markets are considered to be low risk activities.
Next year’s show will take place on 4th July 2021.
