The popular annual beer and cider festival in Ross-on-Wye has been cancelled for this year. The event which was to take place during the early May bank holiday has fallen victim to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and advice regarding social distancing.

“It was inevitable, but sad, to realise that we cannot organise and run the Annual Rossbeerfest in May 2020,” said the Chair of Rossbeerfest Committee. The Committee, made up of members of Ross-on-Wye Lions Club and Ross Rotary Club, were well on track with their planning, but decided that they could not continue to plan for the festival this May.

The spring-time event has become known and much enjoyed by hundreds of people over the previous six years. It has been a great event for Ross and brought many visitors to the town and the riverside during the Early May Bank Holiday. The Lions and Rotary Clubs can assure the Community that they are still keen to help those in need and will continue to do so though these difficult times. They are also determined that the Rossbeerfest will not go away and will, eventually, provide friendly fun for all once again.

The organisers of the annual family friendly music festival in Ross, Ollie Fest, which takes place in August, have said they are continuing to plan for the event.

The team posted online: "We can confirm at this time, that the 2020 Event is still going ahead as planned. The festival is currently over 22 weeks away, however, we will be monitoring the situation closely, following official government guidance and working jointly with the relevant Statutory Authorities, Partner Agencies and our Contractors.

We would like to thank you all for your continued support during these uncertain and challenging times. Please be assured that the safety and wellbeing of our Visitors, Exhibitors, Traders, Staff and Contractors is always our primary concern, we wish you all the best."

Many other events, large and small have been cancelled, often at short notice, so always check before you travel.