Dentdale residents have voted by more than four-to-one to press ahead with
the dale's annual festival despite the continued threat of foot-and-mouth.
Local farmers have had to watch anxiously as outbreaks of the disease have
occurred in the Lakes to the west, in the Eden Valley to the north and in
the Yorkshire Dales to the East, while businesses in the dale are struggling
to survive as visitor numbers have fallen sharply.
The organisers hope the
festival, which is being held from August 24-27, will provide a chance for
the local's to enjoy themselves and will attract visitors to the area.
Three farmers: two from Garsdale and one from Sedbergh objected to the
festival on the grounds it will increase the risk of a foot and mouth
outbreak in the area.
But the festival committee has been given the backing
of the local farmers, provided precautions are taken.
Keith Owen, Chairman of the festival committee met a representative of
farmers in the Dale, "None of the local farmers have voiced objections.
We've agreed to put out disinfectant mats at strategic points through out
the dale and we'll be spraying vehicles coming into the festival field," he
said.
"Obviously if the situation deteriorates drastically, we will have to
reconsider."
The event kicks off in the evening on Friday 27 August with a disco and a
band in the marquee on the festival field.
A rounders tournament and a
barbecue on the Saturday will followed by "Friendly Fortunes" in the marquee
and a disco.
Sunday features a craft fair and a mixed cricket match between the "Sun"
and the "George and Dragon" with a treasure hunt around the village in the
evening.
The gala is on the Monday 27 August.
It starts with a procession
from the village green followed by sports and a craft fair on the festival
field.
Despite the setback of foot and mouth, the organisers hope to use this
year's festival as the foundation for the future development of the Dent
festival.
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