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Pack Monday called off due to COVID

blackmorevaleSeptember 25, 20200 Comment0

Townsfolk have reacted with sadness, yet understanding after one of the biggest annual Sherborne events was called off.

Pack Monday was due to be held on October 12, with scores of stalls and traders set to descend on the town.

Pack Monday is one of the UK’s oldest fairs and thousands of people pour in to enjoy the event. But this year organisers say they have had to make the “difficult decision” to scrap their plans. They said:

“With the increase in national positive cases and increasing local lockdowns, combined with ever changing government guidelines, hosting the event this year without adding any adverse risks to the local population was not possible despite the best efforts of all involved.”

Pack Monday Fair traces its origin back as far as 1790 and is traditionally held on the first Monday after October 10. The organisers added: “The event pulls in traders and visitors from all over the country and this was one of the main considerations leading to the cancellation.”

They had tried to overcome the obstacles posed by Covid- 19, including spacing the stalls out, but ultimately decided the difficulties would affect the quality of the event too much. When they announced the cancellation on social media the public were quick to show their support.

Della Way said: “With visitors and traders coming from across the country, it is the correct decision. I look forward to Pack Monday 2021, when hopefully life is near normal again.”

Chris Ratman said: “Sorry to hear that, such a great event. A sad but right decision.”

And Debbie Karabina said: “Thanks for the update and for doing your best to keep The Town safe (in) such strange/adverse conditions. Looking forward to 2021 and especially the bands!”

Others described it as a ‘difficult’ decision, but the right one. Next year’s Pack Monday event will be held on October 11.