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Mar 2021

Last Updated: 04/03/2021

Community

Masham Steam Rally postponed due to covid

by John Plummer

| 04 Mar, 2021

The event was not due to be staged until July 17 and 18, after lockdown restrictions are lifted, but the organisers say there is still too much uncertainty to proceed.

Masham Steam Rally

This year's Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally has been postponed due to covid.

The event was not due to take place until July 17 and 18, after lockdown restrictions were lifted.

But the organisers said there were "still too many uncertainties to proceed".

The two-day event, which raises money for Masham Town Hall, is one of the highlights of the summer not only in Masham but the wider Harrogate district. It attracts 4,000 to 6,000 visitors.

This will be the second year running that covid has forced its cancellation.

A statement by the rally committee and trustees of Masham Town Hall said:

"This has been a very difficult decision to make, especially as the next rally to take place will be the 55th anniversary event.

"However, as our planning for the 2021 event has now reached a critical stage and notwithstanding that the dates announced by the government are not set in stone, there is still a lack of detailed health and safety guidance and information on what restrictions will be in place for public outdoor events of the scale of the rally."

The statement adds rally finances are in "a very strong position" and to commit to spending on an event that might not take place would be "foolhardy and not within keeping with charitable financial governance".

https://twitter.com/VisitMasham/status/1367486013581516818

The next rally is now due to be staged on August 16 and 17 2022.

The rally committee is looking for "innovative ways to celebrate and focus on out fabulous industrial, agricultural and food heritage" on the weekend when this year's event was due to take place, and has appealed for suggestions.

Masham Sheep Fair is still due to go ahead on September 25 and 26.

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Masham Steam Rally postponed due to covid

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