The team who organise Liskeard’s popular annual event the Ploughman’s Festival say that they have reluctantly had to take the decision to cancel this year’s event due to the continuing uncertainty over the COVID situation in Cornwall.

This year’s event was due to have been held on Saturday, August 14.

In a social media post addressed to ’the lovely folk of Liskeard and district’, Viv Twornicki of the festival team has announced today (Thursday): "The Ploughman’s Festival Team have been working hard over the past 18 months to organise the big summer celebration we have grown to love. Bringing you a fun, family friendly event, free to all, will always be our main priority, but sadly we no longer feel it is possible to do so this year.

"Therefore with heavy hearts we have taken the reluctant decision to cancel our festival, due to take place on August 14th.

"Although the majority of legal restrictions are to be lifted on July 19th, the current COVID situation in Cornwall, and the additional safety measures we would feel compelled to take to ensure everyone’s safety - coupled with the risk that one or more of our small organising team could get the ’ping’ and be asked to self isolate - would make it extremely difficult for us to operate. Also the additional risk of a last minute cancellation, due to the uncertainty of the COVID situation in the county by mid August, where cases hopefully could be down, or equally spiralling, would put the festival under financial pressure.

"Our priority is the health of our community and to keep the event safe for the future.

We know there will be a lot of disappointment, none more so than for ourselves, but we hope you understand this difficult decision.

"Our heartfelt thanks go to Liskeard School who have been working with us to provide a fantastic new festival site, our wonderful sponsors, the bands, staging company, entertainment providers and stallholders, and volunteers, for their patience and understanding.

"Keep safe One and All and have a good summer and we look forward to an EPIC EVENT in 2022!

"Much love from the Ploughman’s Team xxx"