Jethart Callant's Festival
Jethart Callant’s Festival Statement 25th January 2021
Following full and careful consideration of the restrictions in relation to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, Jethart Callant’s Festival Committee have decided there is no alternative available but to cancel the 2021 Festival.
The Committee received guidance and advice on Friday 22nd January from the Chairman of the Scottish Borders Multi Agency Safety Advisory Group (SAG) explaining that the Scottish Government's strategic framework setting out the five-level protections will continue throughout the remainder of 2021.
It would appear that the Scottish Borders would have to be in tier zero or tier one for consideration of ANY form of attended event, whether indoors or outdoors, to take place and there would be strict controls applied around both the numbers attending and the event format itself. Should restrictions sit at tier two or above within the Borders, events would not be permitted.
The Committee decided that, at this stage, it is too early to predict any changes to the tier system from the vaccination programme but remain hopeful that as it progresses there may be an opportunity for curtailed events to take place later in the year.
Last year’s Committee remain fully committed to producing another virtual Festival which although not the same as the real thing, certainly kept our Festival spirits up and was very well received by Jethart folks from all over, including those overseas.
We are extremely disappointed to have to cancel for a second year, but as event organisers, our main priority has to be the health and safety of the public.
Given these circumstances there will be no Callant declared for this year and our 2019 Callant and Henchmen will continue in the roles.
We can only hope that 2022 will allow us to get back to normal.
Stay Safe,
Bob Macdonald, Convenor
Following full and careful consideration of the restrictions in relation to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, Jethart Callant’s Festival Committee have decided there is no alternative available but to cancel the 2021 Festival.
The Committee received guidance and advice on Friday 22nd January from the Chairman of the Scottish Borders Multi Agency Safety Advisory Group (SAG) explaining that the Scottish Government's strategic framework setting out the five-level protections will continue throughout the remainder of 2021.
It would appear that the Scottish Borders would have to be in tier zero or tier one for consideration of ANY form of attended event, whether indoors or outdoors, to take place and there would be strict controls applied around both the numbers attending and the event format itself. Should restrictions sit at tier two or above within the Borders, events would not be permitted.
The Committee decided that, at this stage, it is too early to predict any changes to the tier system from the vaccination programme but remain hopeful that as it progresses there may be an opportunity for curtailed events to take place later in the year.
Last year’s Committee remain fully committed to producing another virtual Festival which although not the same as the real thing, certainly kept our Festival spirits up and was very well received by Jethart folks from all over, including those overseas.
We are extremely disappointed to have to cancel for a second year, but as event organisers, our main priority has to be the health and safety of the public.
Given these circumstances there will be no Callant declared for this year and our 2019 Callant and Henchmen will continue in the roles.
We can only hope that 2022 will allow us to get back to normal.
Stay Safe,
Bob Macdonald, Convenor