The organisers of one of Cornwall's biggest food festivals have revealed they have had to close a section of the event layout this year to prevent further damage.
With just 11 days to go until Porthleven Food Festival, organisers of the popular event and council members have decided that Moors Field will not be used during the three-day festival, which will take place from Friday, April 26 to Sunday 28.
Due to the severe amount of rainfall over the past few months, the field has become waterlogged with large puddles, therefore would not be suitable to use this year out of fears of further damage.
The field has been predominantly used for many years as the base for family attractions and events including small fairground rides, games, a bouncy castle, live music, and stalls.
A Porthleven Food Festival spokesperson explained that despite the field not being used this year, organisers will be making a donation to the Moors Field Fundraiser.
They said: "The production company who curate the festival has decided not to use the Moors Field due to the heavy rainfall we’ve had in recent weeks.
"They want to ensure the Moors Field isn’t churned up to the detriment of Porthleven so have worked really hard to re-site some of the festival layout at the last minute to keep the full programme available to visitors.
"The festival is also supporting the Moors Field Fundraiser, by making a donation and encouraging visitors to also contribute too, if they’re able.
"The festival’s offering remains a full programme of events available over the three days so the visitor experience is unaffected - heaps to enjoy."
You can see more on the fundraiser here: porthlevenfoodfestival.com/moors-field-fundraiser/.
It has also been confirmed that traders who have used the field in previous years have now been allocated a different pitch around the harbour front.
Porthleven mayor Cllr Mike Toy told the Packet that the council who are trustees of the ground have to make sure that the ground is looked after for it to be used for the rest of the year.
He also mentioned more about an alternative location for traders and attractions.
He said: “There will be the main tent on the Harbour Head again and behind the Harbour Hotel (Harbour Inn) there is a car park which will be used for food tents.
“There will be bits and pieces around the harbour as usual.
“It’s all still going ahead but it will be more concentrated around the harbour this year.”
Cllr Toy also said that the council is more than happy for the festival to go ahead, but with thousands of people attending over three days, he is fearful of the grounds at Moors Field becoming 'like Glastonbury,’ which throughout the years has become notorious for its waterlogged fields and treacherous conditions.
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