Bucks County Show cancelled for second year running
The 2021 show was scheduled to take place in August
Bucks County Show has been cancelled for the second year running because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 2021 show was scheduled to take place on Thursday, 26 August.
Efforts are now reportedly being turned to next year's show, the dates of which will be confirmed later in the year.
Steve Alexander, chairman of Bucks County Agricultural Association, confirmed the news "with much regret and sadness" in an online statement.
He said that while the vaccination programme is "progressing well and should be commended, it has nevertheless become increasingly evident that it would not be prudent to hold the Bucks County Show this year":
"This has been a very difficult decision to make, however, as our pre-planning for the 2021 event would now be starting to reach key deadlines for confirming major contractors and the committee have felt that no other option than to make this decision now and focus our efforts on the 2022 show.
"Sadly, the health and safety, operational and financial risk would simply be too great for us to run this year.
"Our priority therefore has to be to safeguard the viability of the much loved event for future years."
He added that "not running the show again this year is the right and responsible thing to do on all counts", but offered their "sincere apologies to all involved".
Responding to the news, Country Land and Business Association South East Regional Director, Michael Valenzia said:
"The Bucks County Show is a flagship event in the agricultural calendar and to hear that it won’t go ahead in August as planned is sad, but entirely understandable given the current uncertainty regarding events and potential COVID-19 related restrictions.
"The health and safety of everyone involved must come first.
"Many rural businesses rely on the show as an opportunity to demonstrate their fantastic products and services to thousands of people in Buckinghamshire and the wider region.
"The CLA is supporting its members, who are a range of farmers, landowners and rural businesses, through this difficult time with the latest advice and information regarding coronavirus.
"We are also holding regular calls with government officials and lobbying on issues the industry needs to be reviewed to support them through these uncertain times.
"The rural sector is exceptionally resilient however, having faced more than its share of adversity in the past.
"I have every confidence the Bucks County Show will bounce back and we can’t wait to be part of it once again in 2022."
Updates will be posted on the Bucks County Show website.