Decision made 'with a heavy heart'

This year’s Larmer Tree festival has been cancelled.

The event was due to take place on the Wiltshire-Dorset borders on the weekend of July 16 to 19.

Comics taking part in what would have been the 30th annual event included Mark Steel, pictured, and Suzi Ruffel, while the music stage was to be headlined by James, Frank Turner and James Savoretti.

The Latitude Festival – a bigger event for comedy fans – is due to take place over the same weekend, but no decision has yet been taken on whether it will go ahead.

In a statement, Larmer Tree’s organisers said they made their decision with ‘a heavy heart’.

They said: ‘We were so looking forward to welcoming you all back to Larmer Tree Gardens in July, but given the pandemic status of Covid-19 and the unprecedented uncertainty surrounding events we feel cancelling is the right thing to do. Your wellbeing and that of our amazing staff, invaluable volunteers, artists and the local community are paramount and the decision to cancel now has been made with everyone’s best interests in mind. 

‘Making this call now will allow us to minimise the impact on a large number of people as they plan the difficult weeks ahead, including the cherished community that has made Larmer Tree happen year after year. 

‘Most importantly it will enable us all to focus our efforts on protecting the vulnerable in our society whilst not placing further pressures on the NHS and emergency services.  

‘The decision to take this extraordinary step has been a very difficult one. We’re so sad not to be able to bring you the festival we all love. Rest assured we will be offering refunds to all ticket purchasers.’

Other comedians due to take part included Sindhu Vee, Ahir Shah, Sara Barron, Phil Ellis,  Olga Koch, Jarred Christmas and Elf Lyons.

Published: 15 Apr 2020