Folk festival falls victim to Covid

The band Smugglers performing during a previous event at Hull Minster

A city centre folk music festival planned for next month has been postponed due to logistical difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers have said.

Folk in Hull had planned a day of music and activities around Trinity Square on August 14, but have now to had to pull the event.

The group said in a statement: “After the sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in Hull in recent weeks, a number of the charity’s trustees are currently having to self-isolate, and, following advice from Hull City Council, the board has taken the difficult decision to postpone over fears that the situation is likely to get worse before it improves.

“With building work on the Minster’s new visitor centre continuing at the same time as the venue hosts the Trinity Beer Festival, Folk in Hull felt that it could not adequately ensure the safety of its visitors in light of the worsening Covid situation.”

Chairman Steve Gardham added: “Postponing to a later date is not what we wanted to do, but it will give us more time to see how the current situation pans out and we feel it’s better to be safe than sorry.

“We apologise to our performers and audiences, and we hope they’ll understand how difficult it is to organise events in the current climate.

“Rest assured all the money generously donated to our online fundraiser will still go towards this event, when it takes place, and towards the return of our flagship Hull Folk and Maritime Festival next year.”