DESPITE expressing high hopes and confidence that the event would be able to go ahead, organisers of the Orsett Show have announced that the 2020 event has now been cancelled.

Last week Thurrock Nub News previewed yesterday's national 'virtual agricultural show and reflected on plans for this year's event at Orsett but now it is off.

In a statement the show's secretary, Georgina Clark says: "It is with deep regret that Orsett Horticultural & Agricultural Society have to announce that this year's show, due to be held on Saturday, 5 September, has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

"This was an extremely difficult decision for the organisers to make but in the current uncertain times our priority is to ensure that the health and safety of everyone working and attending the show are not compromised in any way.

"We would like to thank all our sponsors, traders, exhibitors and service providers for their support over the years and we will be contacting them as soon as possible in respect of any commitments already made for this year.

"As you can imagine, this is a great disappointment for everyone involved with organising the show but we look forward to welcoming you to our 2021 Show on Saturday, 4 September."

Paul Dale from the Port of Tilbury the main sponsors of the Orsett Show said: "Whilst disappointing, let us use this time to plan for 2021, where we can have a bigger show that celebrates Thurrock's Community Spirit and encourages people to support one of the UK's oldest Country Shows."

Georgina concluded: "Thank you to all our visitors over the past years and we look forward to giving you a great Family Day out next year."

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The annual event, one of the highlights of the summer in Thurrock, which has a history going back to 1895 and, with the exception of the two world wars, has run continuously since then - originally in the grounds of Orsett Hall then at the Showground.