Blantyre Community Committee has issued a statement this evening. Here in full:
“After careful consideration and in light of the developing Coronavirus pandemic, Blantyre Community Committee has tonight with some regret, decided to cancel the planned Summer Gala Weekend.
This follows yesterday’s announcement from the Scottish Government for bans on events with more than 500 people. We also felt given the current circumstances and the predicted escalation of disruption, it would be better to make the decision now in the interests of public safety and to avoid spending our fundraising monies and not being able to recover those sums later. As a small committee there is a tremendous amount of work in planning the Blantyre Gala Weekend and this new uncertainty is obviously outwith our control. We can, however revisit this in the coming months hoping that the situation will improve or becomes clearer.
Cancellation is for the whole Blantyre Summer event, including Live Near Livvies, the Gala Day and Dance Through the Decades party. As such, no bookings for market vendors, entertainment acts or party tickets is possible.
It is hoped the Christmas Switch on Event will take place as normal and the gala will return in 2021.
We know this will be disappointing for many people and feel that same sentiment. We thank you for your understanding and ongoing support of this popular local event and we look forward to more normal times returning in due course.”
