THE Covid-19 pandemic has claimed another victim in the shape of Newton Abbot Carnival 2021.

Last year’s event was shelved for the same reason and despite hopes building for this summer, organisers have taken the decision to hold off until 2022.

Committee chairman Cllr Mike Ryan said: ‘Newton Abbot, like many other places last year, lost its annual carnival to Covid, this unseen enemy put us all on hold with hardships, lockdowns and personal sadness, a year none of us wish to see repeated.

‘The carnival committee started this year with high hopes that we would again be able to put on our annual carnival which with the public’s help has in the past raised several thousands of pounds for local charities, but Covid once again has put an end to normal life as we know it.

‘We cannot see the situation with the restrictions on crowd numbers being lifted to such an extent as to allow us to hold the carnival and other associated events again this year, and so we have, with the support of the full carnival committee, made the sad decision that this year’s carnival will not take place,’ he added.

Cllr Ryan said the committee had to consider not only public safety but the purse strings too.

He said: ‘Last year we paid about £1,000 for our events insurance, as it turned out this was not needed, so this year we have decided to save the £1,000 and put our insurance on hold.

‘This to us makes sense seeing we have already decided to cancel our carnival and associated events, it also means we cannot attend other carnivals even if they go ahead.

‘I am sorry that we have had to take the decision to cancel but I am sure people will understand that safety has to be our main concern, we will be back next year hopefully bigger and better.

‘We are also committed to helping with the Town Council’s Christmas events and the Newton Abbot Carnival Committee wishes everyone well, and please stay safe.’