The Sutton Beast race and all Sutton Feast’s events up to July 2020 are the latest community to be cancelled.

Ely Standard: March Summer Festival has also been cancelled this year.March Summer Festival has also been cancelled this year. (Image: Archant)

Organisers say they are considering a new date for the Sutton Beast, which was set to take place on June 7.

But Sutton Feast has cancelled all planned events until July 2020, including The Dog Show, Gault Day and Last Night at the Proms.

In a statement released on its Facebook page, Michelle Bird, race director said: “Sutton Beast tamers and makers, it’s with regret that given recent events with Coronavirus, we, Sutton HQ and the Sutton Feast committee are cancelling the Sutton Beast this June - it’s been suggested the virus will be at its peak around then and we want to ensure we put everyone’s health first.

“We are looking at this now and deciding whether postponing is an option. We would ask that all those who have entered, not to panic, please give us a week to make a decision.

“Of course, we will refund everyone who has entered if we need to or if you were unable to make the new date. We would like to take time to establish the best way forward.”

Anyone who has entered the race will be contacted within the next seven days about next steps.

She added: “Everyone who works on the beast is a volunteer and we cherish the support we have for such a small local village event, we are sad to have to make this decision.”

Meanwhile, the St George’s Fayre in March was due to take place on April 26 - but the decision to cancel was made on Monday afternoon.

Councillor Jan French said: “We’re obviously waiting for the government’s statement this afternoon, but we’re only a few weeks away and things aren’t going to get any better.

“It’s a shame because we have already printed the programme - but as a committee we had to make a decision sooner rather than later.”

Earlier today, the March Summer Festival was also cancelled. It was due to take place on June 12-14.

A statement from March Summer Festival Committee posted on Facebook read: “We are actively monitoring and following advice from Government and Public Health England about the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Based on the latest advice, we have decided to cancel this years Festival in the interest of staff and public safety. “Some may feel we are being pre-emptive but we owe it to all the participants, performers, suppliers and you the public to be aware of the situation.” It added: “Thank you all for your support and we hope to see you at next year’s Festival. Please stay safe.”

From regular get-togethers in village halls to larger annual events, organisers themselves are making the difficult decision to cancel.

Other events have also been called off.

Ely

• Sutton Beast on June 7 - but organisers are considering a new date.

• All Sutton Feast events until July 2020, including The Dog Show, Gault Day and Last Night at the Proms

• Haddenham Sports and Social Club have cancelled their Sunday night sequence dancing, this Wednesday night bingo and Friday night bingo until April 1.

• Orchard Care Home’s open day on March 27.

• Prickwillow Engine Museum was due to hold its first event of the year on March 21 - but this is now cancelled.

• Ely Choral Society’s African Sanctus concert on April 4.

• Ely Guild of Woodturners Hands-On Day April 18.

Littleport

• Littleport Flower Club plans to hold its next meeting on June 19 with a plant sale, having decided to postpone its March, April and May meetings.

March

• The Arts and Craft Fair at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel in March has been called off this Saturday (March 21).

• Fenland Archaeological Society’s next presentation on March 25. The talk on the Iron Age hoards from Snettisham, Norfolk will be rescheduled for the autumn.

• Neale Wade Sports Association’s annual event will now be held in October, and not on April 4 as originally planned.

• Boogie Tots dance and singing group in March is cancelled until further notice.

Wisbech

• Fundraising bingo usually held in Parson Drove, near Wisbech will not take place during March.

• Boogie Tots dance and singing group in Wisbech is cancelled until further notice.

Elsewhere in Cambridgeshire

• Thriplow Daffodil Weekend is cancelled on March 28 and 29.

- If you would like us to list your cancelled community event, then please email louise.hepburn@archant.co.uk with details.

- To get the latest coronavirus updates in Cambridgeshire and Fenland, join our Facebook group