Bexhill Carnival cancelled due to coronavirus

The week-long festivities were due to be held from July 19 to 25 this year.

Last year Bexhill’s annual carnival procession was cancelled due to bad weather.

Simon Elford, Bexhill Carnival chairman, said: “It is with great sadness that the Carnival Committee announce the cancellation of this year’s carnival which was due to be held from July 19 to July 25.

“We are in extraordinary times and have been optimistically monitoring the Covid-19 virus developments over the past few weeks, however several factors now stop us proceeding with this year’s preparations.

“After discussions with Rother District Council (RDC), talking to other event organisers and looking at government announcements it is looking likely that all large public gatherings will be cancelled until after August, possibly until the end of the year.

“We are finding that other groups, organisations, and suppliers which help make carnival what it is, have sadly they had to withdraw their support this year due to their own commitments.

“We also need to be mindful about our local businesses who we rely on for their generosity to help us put on the week’s events of carnival.

“This year their funds are going to be tied up with more important things and therefore we feel to best support them we must take a step backwards from asking for their help.

“This has been a very difficult decision for the committee to make after the washout of last year’s carnival, but we promise to keep fighting and keep planning ready to get Carnival 2021 on the calendar. To the people of Bexhill: Thank you for your continued support. Stay home, stay safe.”

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