Big event plans washed out – and others at risk

Aug 20 2008 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

THE NORTH East was last night left hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket after two showpiece events were cancelled.

Durham’s Riverside ground was today due to welcome 16,000 cricket supporters who had paid up to £65 each for their tickets.

And thousands more music fans had shelled out £35 to watch Girls Aloud perform a charity concert at Beamish Summer Festival this weekend.

But organisers of both events had to cancel them as heavy rain continued to drench the North East – with showers forecast to go on over the next few days.

More bad news could follow before the weekend with the big race meeting at Newcastle now under threat. Organisers said they would inspect the course today to see if Friday’s races could go ahead.

Organisers of the Girls Aloud gig, which was to take place in the grounds of Beamish Hall Country House Hotel, last night spoke of their devastation. Proceeds had been due to go to children’s special needs charity Hope 4 Kidz.

Spokeswoman Viv Watts said: “I am completely distraught at what has happened, but the grounds have been examined this morning and it is absolutely impossible for a stage to be built in these conditions.

“Even if the rain stops now, there isn’t enough time for the ground to dry out and the stage to be erected.

“For us to have been lucky enough to get the country’s hottest band to perform and then have to call it off at the last minute is just devastating.”

Cricket fans will be reimbursed for missing today’s international Twenty20 game against South Africa. But Durham County Cricket Club was left to count the cost of potential food and beer sales.

The region will also lose international exposure, with the game due to be networked live from the picturesque ground to South Africa as well as Britain.

Hotels, bars and restaurants across the North East will also lose. North East Chamber of Commerce policy director Andrew Sugden said: “This is going to disrupt the plans of a whole host of businesses, including the hospitality industry associated with the events.

“It’s always a blow when the North East isn’t able to deliver, but we have to remember that the weather is out of our control and this is a problem that is affecting other parts of the country as well.”

The match became the first Twenty20 international to be called off after umpire Nigel Llong inspected the ground yesterday afternoon and declared it unfit.

An England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman said: “An early decision was taken because the weather forecast was poor for the next 24 hours and to prevent spectators making an unnecessary journey.” North Durham MP KevanJones said: “It’s a major blow, not just to the cricket club, but also to the region.”

Newcastle City Council still hoped the annual Mela Festival of Asian culture and arts would take place in Exhibition Park. And organisers of Glendale Show, on Bank Holiday Monday at Wooler, said they were determined it would not be cancelled for only a fourth time in 116 years. Secretary Sarah Nelson said: “I am happy to say the show is definitely going ahead. We have a gravel-based ground with excellent drainage and it’s not a mud bath by any stretch of the imagination.”

Anyone with a ticket to Girls Aloud from a ticket agency should apply direct for a refund. If you have one from Hope 4 Kidz, return it recorded delivery with your details to Hope 4 Kidz, Pennywell Industrial Estate, Sunderland SR4 9AR.