THE organisers of Kendal Calling have decided to cancel this year’s event.

The festival was due to take place from July 29 to August 1 at Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith.

In a statement organisers said that despite the event taking place after the Government’s proposed date for lifting Covid-19 restrictions on July 19, a delay in the publication of safety guidance on the running of large-scale events meant aspects of the festival could not be planned.

In a statement, organisers said: “We are so sorry.

“Last Monday saw the delay of the so-called ‘Freedom Day’.

“As Kendal Calling sits outside of this delay, we would still be in a strong position to proceed. But Monday also saw a less publicised delay; the release of the long-awaited research from the Event Research Programme (ERP) and with it, crucially, the publication of safety guidance on how we run events.

“Without this safety guidance, there are numerous aspects of the festival we cannot plan, and which could lay us wide open to last minute unforeseen regulations or requirements which could scupper an already built festival.

“Capacity or density restrictions, track and trace protocol, testing regime, covid certification – a host of unknown actions required yet potentially requested too late to be implemented.”

According to the organisers they were invited to apply to join the next round of the programme-which would allow the festival to take place- however on Saturday night they found out that another camping festival had been chosen.

The statement continued: “Please believe me when I say that we tried our best.

“Despite Kendal Calling having been denied any aid from the Cultural Recovery Fund, Restart Grant or the Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund we have worked harder than ever with a clear goal in mind – to experience the joy and love that the fields we know so well are famous for. I think we speak for us all when I say – we needed this.”

Festival bosses said tickets will automatically roll over to next year’s festival, which will take place next July.

The statement concluded: “We know not everyone will be able to make the new dates, or simply may prefer a refund, in which case they will be made available. Information will shortly follow on this.

“With a love which only grows stronger the longer we are apart.

“Andy, Ben and the KC family x”