THIS year’s Keighley Show has been cancelled.

Organisers had hoped that the event – among the last agricultural shows on the calendar, in September – could have gone ahead.

But uncertainty over what Government coronavirus restrictions will still be in place this summer has forced Keighley & District Agricultural Society to abandon its plans for the September 5 extravaganza, at Marley playing fields.

“It had become increasingly clear that staging an event which follows the Government advice and abides by whatever restrictions are in place at that time would be extremely difficult,” said show chairman, Will Mitchell.

“The safety, health and wellbeing of our visitors, exhibitors, members, volunteers and other supporters is paramount.

“Whilst the Government’s plan from May into early July has been set out, the way forward for the following six to eight weeks in the run-up to show day is not as clear as we had hoped it would be by this stage.

“Each show takes over six months of planning – booking services, trade stands and attractions, and encouraging our hundreds of exhibitors to get something ready to enter in the many competition classes.

“Even if there is more easing of restrictions over the summer, we would not have sufficient time to stage the show at such short notice.”

Treasurer Will Twigg said that also, the society couldn’t spend more money at this stage if there was a risk the show wouldn’t go ahead.

“As a registered charity we have an obligation to protect the society financially,” he added.

“At the beginning of this year we paid out the usual deposits for some of the booked services and attractions, but under the current circumstances we cannot risk spending more money when our main source of income to offset the costs comes from people attending, exhibiting, sponsoring and supporting us on show day.

“Clearly we shall not be seeking sponsorships etc for the 2020 show from our regular supporters, but we do have an online donation link via our website – keighleyshow.co.uk/index.php/3/ – if anyone would like to make a contribution, however small, to help offset the costs already incurred.”

Mr Mitchell said the decision to cancel had been taken “with a heavy heart”.

However in a message to the public, he vowed: “We will be back with a bigger and better show on Saturday, September 4, 2021, and look forward to seeing you all then!

“We send our good wishes to all our supporters and hope everyone stays safe.”