Cambridge Midsummer Fair to be postponed

Cambridge’s Midsummer Fair is set to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The decision was taken by the city council and the Eastern region section of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain. The historic fair was due to take place on Midsummer Common from June 23-28.

But uncertainty around continued coronavirus restrictions, and concerns over whether the fair could operate in a Covid-safe manner, prompted the decision to delay.

Charles Barwick, chairman of the Eastern section of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, said: “We have worked very closely with Cambridge City Council and agree at this time of uncertainty it will be safer for everyone concerned to postpone. It may be that we consider running a fair at a later date or failing that we look forward to coming back to Cambridge in 2022, hopefully in safer and more prosperous times.

“We thank all the public for their continued support of this event.”

Fiona Bryant, strategic director at Cambridge City Council, said: “Based on the government’s current roadmap, together with the uncertainties surrounding further potential easing of restrictions, we agree the most responsible decision at this stage is to postpone the fair, until we better understand the full impact of Covid on the safe running of our much-loved, historic event.

“But we very much hope to be able to stage it again as soon as we can be certain it is safe for everyone involved in running the fair or attending it.”

With its 800-year history, the fair is one of the longest-established in England.

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