Rearranged Shutford Music Festival called off

Organisers disappointed to cancel drive-in event in the face of changing COVID-19 precautionary measures

One of the few remaining live music events for 2020 has been cancelled.   The Shutford Music Festival was due to take place on Saturday 3rd October, but organisers have decided they can no longer push ahead in the face of a second wave of COVID-19 infections looming.

Organiser Rita Livesey told Banbury FM, “There’s a lot of nervousness out there at the moment.   Precautions are changing.   What would happen in two weeks’ time if they change again?

“So although the event was set up with everything in mind in terms of social distancing and safety, we felt that to be fair to people that had booked, but also those that are supporting it in terms of our suppliers and our bands, and to give them notice we decided we had to cancel unfortunately”.

The festival normally takes places in June.   Rather than cancel when lockdown first hit, the team decided to postpone to later in the year and try to arrange the event in a new COVID-19 safe way.   The festival became a drive in event with plans for those attending to park and stay in their own bays where they could enjoy the concert whilst socially distancing from others.

Rita told us she has had a few sleepless nights worrying about the event over the last few days.   She said, “A lot of people [in Shutford] have been locked down and are still locking down.   There is a bit of nervousness in the village as well in terms of getting out and being in the environment with other people”.

Anyone who booked tickets will automatically receive a refund.

For the team behind the Shutford Music Festival they are now thinking about next year.   Rita said, “I’m sure 2021 will be bigger and better.   I’ve spoken to the bands and they are all up for committing to next year”.

Banbury Fm spoke to Rita Livesey from the Shutford Music Festival organising team:

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Published: 18/09/2020 06:00am by Banbury FM Newsteam

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