Big Cowdenbeath civic event is victim of virus crisis

The Gala Committee announced their decision last night and it means that the big civic day planned for Saturday June 20 has become a victim of the coronavirus crisis.

The committee has been thinking long and hard about what problems the continuing increase in the the virus cases are causing. On Saturday they posted: "With many groups already taking the decision to postpone or cancel their upcoming events we are continuing to closely monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

"The health and well being of the Civic Week team and the community will be at the centre of all the decisions that we will need to make over the next few weeks".

But last night the decision to cancel was announced.

Said a statement on the committee's Facebook Page: "In light of the escalating Coronavirus/Covid 19 situation, and the Scottish Government's advice on mass gatherings, we have unfortunately had to make the tough decision to cancel the annual Children's Gala that was due to take place on Saturday 20th June.

"There is no one more disappointed than us but the health and well being of the Civic Week Team and the community takes priority above all else.

"Please continue to follow advice from the Government, look out for each other and don't stock pile - it's not cool. Stay safe everyone - we can do this."

It will be a big disappointment to schoolchildren of the town, but while the big day is just under three months away the early indications are that even if there was to be a big improvement in coronavirus crisis it may still not be possible to hold an event which sees more than 2,000 people descend on the Beath High School playing fields.