Christmas markets in Northumberland have been cancelled or rescheduled ahead of Storm Bert arriving.
Markets were planned at Ford and Etal and Alnwick over the weekend, but a yellow wind warning has been put in place for Northumberland with Storm Bert expected to bring winds of 50-60 mph.
Blyth Christmas Market and Lights Switch-on has been partly cancelled, with some parts rescheduled – the Christmas lights will still be turned on as planned.
Ford & Etal Estates said it was a “difficult decision” to cancel its Christmas Market this coming weekend, while Alnwick Markets has also decided to cancel its two-day event.
Shannon Denson, Visitor Services Manager at Ford & Etal Estates commented: “We did not want to cancel the market, but we have to think of the welfare of our visitors, the traders, the entertainers and the volunteers who make this event possible. We hope everyone can understand.”
A spokesperson for Alnwick Markets wrote on social media: “Due to very extreme weather at the weekend. We have made the decision to cancel the Christmas Market on Saturday and Sunday. We had looked at other options but this was the best decision.
“There had been months of planning for this weekend, so we are all disappointed.”
A spokesperson for Blyth Town Council said the planned market on Market Street has been cancelled, with some stall distributed to the Library and St Mary’s Church Blyth.
It added: “The children rides and snow globe have been cancelled. The Reindeer have been rearranged for the following weekend Saturday 30th November.
“The Christmas Fair will continue to take place and Community Voices Choir will be performing in the Church at 2pm. At 4pm there will be a Wind Band and Choir singing by Yamaha Music School – Northumberland in the Church.
“Blyth Library will be open from 9am until 5pm for Crafts and Story Telling. CVA Hub on Market Street will host Santa’s Grotto from 12pm until 4.30pm along with free face painting.
“There will also be characters around the town, but you may find these in the shops as well as the Church, Library and CVA. The Lights will still be turned on the tree at 5pm.
“We are very disappointed to have to make these changes so late on, but safety of the town residents and visitors is paramount.”
A yellow wind warning has been put in place from 5am until 7pm on Saturday, November 23, affecting some coastal parts of the North East including seaside areas of Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Gusts of 50-60mph are expected in many parts of the warning area and could reach 70mph along the coast, which are likely to cause spray and large waves that will affect coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities, the Met Office warned.
Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are also expected as Storm Bert hits, with anyone planning journeys on Saturday urged to check travel conditions and timetables in order to amend plans if necessary. The wind warning will be in force alongside a snow and rain warning covering the whole North East region from 4am on Saturday until 9am on Sunday as the wintry weather persists.
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northumberland-christmas-markets-cancelled-storm-30426408
