STATEMENT FROM NEW ROMNEY COUNTRY FAYRE COMMITTEE

We are extremely sorry to announce that we have had to cancel this year’s New Romney Country Fayre, scheduled for Saturday 25th July 2020. 

Clearly, this is not a course of action we have taken lightly, but the Coronavirus outbreak has brought unprecedented times.  Following the new government measures announced this week, as well as guidance we have received from the Emergency Planning Dept at NHS England, this is our only viable option.

This decision is devastating for us, as we were so looking forward to welcoming our visitors and participants to this year’s Fayre.  We understand how much pride people take in our community event and we are extremely sad to have to call it off for the first time in its 25 year history.

We would like to extend our sincere apologies to all our supporters, as well as the community of New Romney, for the disappointment this decision will cause.   However, we have to put the safety and wellbeing of our visitors, stallholders, performers and volunteers first.

We will be contacting all those who have made financial contributions towards this year’s Fayre in due course to offer refunds or to ask if they would like to have stall deposits, donations, etc rolled over to 2021.

Even if the situation across the UK has improved by July, much of the planning and organisation of the Fayre should be taking place now.  If we were to make further financial commitments and then had to cancel at short notice, this could put the long-term survival of the event in jeopardy.  A number of our committee members are over 70 years of age and/or have significant health problems, meaning we have to prioritise the wellbeing of our volunteers.

This is not the end of the Country Fayre – we will be back with a vengeance next year to once again stage an event the whole town can be proud of.  Please put Saturday 31st July 2021 in your diaries now and we will come together once more to celebrate New Romney’s legendary community spirit.

In the meantime, we send our support and best wishes to the whole community at this very difficult time.

New Romney Country Fayre Committee

19th March 2020

Tel:  01797 363981 

E-mail:  candfwire@btinternet.com