ORGANISERS of Yarndale, Skipton’s annual festival of yarn and creativity, have confirmed that the event cannot take place in a physical form at the town’s auction mart this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

One of Yorkshire’s largest yarn festivals, Yarndale, now in its eighth year, had been expected to attract up to 8,000 visitors to Skipton from the UK and across the world over the last weekend in September.

It joins other annual events, due to have taken place earlier in the year that have been cancelled because of the virus, such as Skipton Gala, agricultural shows and music and film festivals, scarecrow festivals and Malham Safari.

In a statement, organisers of Yarndale Festival said that it was “hugely disappointing” that it would not go ahead as planned.

However, determined to support its passionate and committed army of supporters, the team behind the event is looking at ways it can share it online and is working on finding the right platform to stage a virtual ‘Yarndale Digital’ over the last weekend in September.

Organiser Emma Sandoe said: “We had been progressing with plans to deliver our festival at Skipton Auction Mart, but as the pandemic plays out across the UK, it has now become clear that holding the event in 2020 isn’t going to be possible.

“However, we have a very passionate and committed community of crafters who we don’t want to let down and this is why we are asking them to join us that weekend to enjoy the wonderful spirit of Yarndale online.”

She added: “Furthermore, we are very keen to support all of our exhibitors who are the mainstay of the show as well as our chosen charity, Martin House, and we are currently working out ways to do that.

“We are also hoping to turn this situation into a positive opportunity by making connections with others who may not have been able to visit in person and by sharing something of the show experience for people to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.

“We are looking forward to exploring all these new avenues.”

People who have already purchased tickets will be contacted by the organisers over the next few days.

For more information about Yarndale Digital, visit: www.yarndale.co.uk and follow the festival’s social media channels.