WHITCHURCH will not rock to the sounds and sights of the Blackberry Fair this year, with the event cancelled amid the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19.

The cultural and artistic event has been held in Green End and High Street every autumn for the past 12 years, and typically has heavy involvement from the town’s various organisations and group.

This year’s event initially faced the possibility of not going ahead because of funding issues, with the organisers turning to crowdfunding to make up for losing out on support grants.

In December event organiser Steve Chapman paid tribute to the long-running event, for which 2019 could have been the final running.

A campaign was launched to save the day, including support from Tesco’s Bags for Help.

The funding targets were reached and this year’s event was once again due to take place, before being cancelled because of the impact of Covid-19.

Mr Chapman confirmed the news of the cancellation but hoped it would return in 2021..

“None of us need reminding what a strange year 2020 has turned out to be for everyone,” said Mr Chapman.

“With such uncertainty in our midst, Whitchurch Blackberry Fair has finally and reluctantly decided to hang up its hopes for this year’s autumn street festival.

“Like all big events it takes months of planning, fund raising, painting and preparing.

“The team behind it all along with the plethora of wonderful friendships made and support attracted have together invested over 12 glorious years helping to put our wonderful market town of Whitchurch firmly on the cultural map in north Shropshire.”

Mr Chapman said he hoped the event would be able to return for 2021.

“We set out to show the positive power of working together as a community and on that score certainly won’t be giving up,” he added.

“Like other fairs and festivals around the country we remain committed to the artists and acts we’d approached for 2020 and look forward with real hope to a happy and healthy 2021 when we can all get back onto the street for that big warm Blackberry Fair hug.

“So until the next time, let’s keep on daring to be different.”