Following government guidance on COVID-19, this year’s Ealing Summer Festivals have been cancelled. Ealing Council has also made the difficult decision to cancel any group events and other activities (such as group fitness training) that were scheduled to be held on local authority land within the borough between now and 31 July 2020.
This follows advice that mass gatherings should not take place, in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Events within the Ealing Summer Festivals programme that this applies to are:
- Greenford Carnival
- CAMRA Beer Festival
- Acton Carnival
- Comedy Festival
- The Ealing Blues and Ealing Jazz festivals.
Councilor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for finance and leisure said: “Our summer festivals are a key part of the calendar year and celebrates our rich and vibrant culture that Ealing has on offer. It is with a heavy heart that we have made the decision for the festivals to be cancelled, but it is definitely the right thing to do.
“If we are going to tackle this awful disease, we need to follow the guidance and stay at home. It really will save lives. Doing this not only protects you and your loved ones, but also means that our key front-line services will be able to look after those most vulnerable.”
The council said it is aware how important these events are to our community, particularly following an extended period of isolation during such an unprecedented time.
Therefore, the council’s events team is currently working on the viability of producing an alternative programme of events in late summer or early autumn. This will be made in line with government guidelines, but the council is committed to do this if it is possible.
Over the next few weeks the council will be asking local residents and community groups to share their favourite bits of Ealing Summer Festivals – bands you have seen, pictures you have taken and, most importantly, what you would love to see happening in the borough this year, and in the future.
For more information about the cancellation or the format of any future events please contact events@ealing.gov.uk
This is a developing situation and future updates will be available on the council’s website.
