THE 50th anniversary show of Gargrave Art Exhibition was just one of so many events to fall victim to the coronavirus pandemic.

The exhibition committee took the early decision to not hold the event this year, and to postpone it until 2021.

In the meantime, its members are already planning ahead for an even more special 50th anniversary and is looking forward to when they can run art workshops for young people, after receiving a grant from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

The Young @ Art workshops, aimed at young people in Gargrave and Malhamdale area to introduce the arts as viable employment option, will be rescheduled to a later date.

Sarah Kirk and Shelia Bamford, co chairs of the Gargrave Art Exhibition Committee, said : “Covid-19 has brought with it a high level of unpredictability and has had an enormous impact on our way of life. It is very disappointing to postpone the 50th anniversary show, but looking on the positive side, the postponement until next year will mean we have more time to stage an even more successful celebration”.

The 50th anniversary will showcase talent including the work of Rathmell artist and graphic designer Margaret Swift, whose portrait of Ted, the Border Terrier was voted best in show at last year’s exhibition.

To find out more about the history of the show and the work of Gargrave Art group, visit: .gargraveart.wordpress.com . Anyone interested in exhibiting in the exhibition should email gargravearts@gmail.com. Details of the workshops are on the website.