Grantown's mega truck fest is off
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The organisers of Truck in2 Grantown have announced the cancellation of the 2020 festival after a long fight to find a suitable date.
On behalf of the charity-boosting event, Martin Grant told the Strathy today (Friday, June 26): "It's desperately sad news after all we had done to arrange and re-arrange the festival, but we really do have to be sensible with human lives."
The May date had initially been put off until later in the summer, in the hope that Covid-19's grip would officially have been relaxed.
Saturday August 22 was deemed the most likely, but the organisers held a socially-distanced meeting this week and had to post:
"We have no option but to sadly cancel this years show."
Mr Grant explained: "Our event is covered by a licence granted by Highland Council, they have been excellent guiding us the last couple of years.
"Health and safety is a huge part of our show. With Covid-19 still amongst us we can not guarantee that any measures we put in place would safe guard people 100 per cent.
"The health and safety of every exhibitor, visitor and members of our team are far more important than the show."
He told the Strathy: "The council were terrific with us over the problem, suggesting health and safety ideas which might have given us a better chance, but in the final analysis we have to concede that it's not worth taking the risk.
"We do have to take into account the community of Grantown and surrounding area.
"It's been a very trying time for the team, discussed in length, but as we've put on our Facebook page, sadly the cons far out way the pros.
"I know that everyone will understand and, to be honest, the initial responses we have had are very supportive.
"At the same time, it's all very frustrating. We were going to see over 200 wonderful trucks come from all over British and further, to parade through the Strathspey capital this year. It was going to be a whole lot of fun while, of course, raising money for all sorts of local charities. But think of it, at the last minute, after they had all made their long journeys here, we might well have had to cancel it then. We have to avoid that situation.
"Just think, if it had all gone wrong, Truck In2 Grantown would have been be finished for ever. There's too much at stake here."
Mr Grant assured his truckers and supporters that the event was already pencilled in for May next year: "All 2020 entries now automatically transfer to 2021"
