Plan for scaled-back Fair Day in Morpeth

A popular summer event is set to return five weeks later than its original date if the Government’s roadmap for easing Covid-19 restrictions happens as planned.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Apr 2021, 17:45 BST

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Enjoying one of the funfair rides at a previous Morpeth Fair Day. Picture by Jane Coltman.Enjoying one of the funfair rides at a previous Morpeth Fair Day. Picture by Jane Coltman.
Enjoying one of the funfair rides at a previous Morpeth Fair Day. Picture by Jane Coltman.

Morpeth Fair Day organisers have made it clear that it would be a scaled-back event because the need to prepare in advance means they do not want to have anything that would result in large crowds standing close together in case it is not allowed or recommended.

But they were keen for the event to go ahead in some form to help cheer the town following a difficult period and support its businesses with the extra footfall.

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The 2020 Fair Day was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. A group had come together to run it as an independent operation – the committee includes John Beynon, Brett Turner of Turners Funfairs and Mark Wilson (catering) – as the Chamber of Trade had decided that it could no longer run the event.

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Morpeth Fair Day is usually held on the second Sunday in June, but John said that the 2021 event will take place on July 18 to take into account the current roadmap that could see all legal limits on social contact lifted by June 21.

He added: “We felt it was important that Morpeth still has an event this summer that people can enjoy together after such a tough time and we are still planning to have the stalls on Bridge Street and Oldgate, the funfair in Newmarket and classic cars at High Stanners.

“However, it will be a scaled-back Fair Day. There won’t be a parade and entertainment stage because we’ve decided that we don’t want lots of people to stand in close proximity to each other. We have contingencies in place if the roadmap has to be extended and we have a good relationship with the relevant Northumberland County Council officers, who have been very supportive.

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“As well as something positive for the town, having an event this year means that people won’t forget about Fair Day.

“We would also love to have local businesses as some of the stallholders and some sponsors. For more information, email me – [email protected].”

Meanwhile, the programme of events for the online Morpeth Gathering is now available at www.northumbriana.org.uk/gathering with Facebook page updates at www.facebook.com/morpeth.gathering

Families looking for Easter holiday activities can find information on the pre-Gathering craft workshop – making dragon masks and puppets.

Related topics:GovernmentMorpeth