Dalbeattie Civic Daze organisers pull the plug on 2021 festivities due to coronavirus

Dalbeattie has become the first Stewartry community to cancel its summer celebrations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Dalbeattie Civic Daze committee has pulled the plug on this year’s programme as members felt it would not be safe enough for large public events to be held. Chairman Jim Dingwall said: “We could have kept hanging on and hanging on but we were in agreement to cancel it now.

“We are hoping to have a fireworks display on November 5 and if, by some miracle, things have cleared up a lot by the summer we might organise a day but that is very unlikely.”

Last year’s civic celebrations were also a victim of the pandemic but a number of virtual events – including a scarecrow competition and pet show – were able to take place online.

Some activities are being planned this year in a bid to raise some much needed funds, including a sponsored walk from Castle Douglas to Dalbeattie and a fundraising webpage.

Mr Dingwall added: “We are looking at having cancellation fees to pay as the people we had booked for 2020 and then rolled on to 2021 will have to be cancelled.”