Corby Highland Gathering and carnival both cancelled

Organisers of both Corby Carnival and the town’s popular gathering were forced to call off the events last night.

The ongoing coronavirus crisis has made it impossible for the events to go ahead this summer.

The Gathering has been due for take place on the first weekend in July. Organiser Mark Pengelly said: “It is with great sadness that Corby Highland Gathering 2020 will be cancelled.

“Given the current global situation and unprecedented uncertainty, we don’t feel we could ask companies to sponsor our event, but without sponsorship, we don’t have the funds to enable the Gathering to go ahead.

“We would like to thank the few companies that had already committed to this year’s event.

“This has been a very hard decision we have had to make and would appreciate your understanding. We know this will be equally disappointing for everyone who looks forward to the event, but we hope we will be back with your full support in 2021.

”Finally, Corby Highland Gathering would like to wish everyone the best, stay healthy in these difficult times, keep following us for updates on 2021 and we look forward to welcoming you all back next year.”

More details on who to contact are available on the gathering’s {https://www.facebook.com/CorbyHighlandGathering/Facebook page|}.

Meanwhile, Corby Carnival’s committee also found themselves with no choice but to cancel.

A statement said: “It is with great sadness and regret, that Corby Carnival Association have taken the very difficult decision to postpone this years carnival in the interest of public safety during the current climate.

“Although the Carnival is not until July, Corby Carnival Association have said that entertainers, majorettes, dancers, bands, stalls, lorries etc all have to be organised and booked now – but they feel that it is unfair to put that kind of commitment and pressure on all the vendors and all those organisations, schools and groups right now in these very uncertain times.

“Corby Carnival Association have made the decision to now concentrate their efforts into putting on a bigger, better and successful Christmas event complete with parade and this will take place in December assuming we have had the ‘all clear’ by then.

“Corby Carnival Association are very sorry and very sad at having no choice but to make this decision, but hope that the public understand and will continue to support the Corby Carnival. Thank you everyone and please stay safe.”