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Black Deer music festival in Tunbridge Wells is on June 25 to 27 after Covid lockdown restrictions end

A music festival will go ahead this summer - albeit a week late - following the gradual lifting of Covid restrictions.

The Black Deer Festival in Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells, is now scheduled for June 25 to 27.

Before the curse of coronavirus: the festival in 2018.Picture: Louise Roberts
Before the curse of coronavirus: the festival in 2018.Picture: Louise Roberts

This means it begins four days after the last stage of the easing of restrictions, when major events can go ahead and life is set to return to something resembling normality.

The 2021 American and country music festival was originally booked for June 18 to 20.

The organisers announced on Twitter: "Following this week’s Government announcement, Black Deer Festival 2021 will now take place just one week later than scheduled, from June 25-27.

"Thank you to the Black Deer community for all your support during the last year, we really appreciate it.

"We have taken this decision with the intention of delivering you one hell of a (safe) party.

Deborah Shilling and Gill Tee, founders of Black Deer Festival
Deborah Shilling and Gill Tee, founders of Black Deer Festival

"We all need it, hey? Right now, we’re working with all artists & vendors scheduled for the original 2021 dates to reconfirm for the new dates."

The Black Deer Festival's co-founders were adamant about being able to go ahead.

Gill Tee and Deborah Shilling said they were pushing 'full-steam ahead' to have the event for 2021, which is open to 20,000 ticket holders.

Those booked include alternative rock band Wilco, Van Morrison and Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant.

On Monday Prime Minister, Boris Johnson set out the details of the timeline for England’s exit from the coronavirus lockdown.

Last summer before the pandemic. The Shires in the 2019 event
Last summer before the pandemic. The Shires in the 2019 event

This will be in stages, beginning with the reopening of schools and the easing of some socialising restrictions on March 8.

From March 29 up to six people or two households can meet outdoors.

Fom April 12 non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers can reopen and pubs and restaurants can serve outdoors.

From May 17 friends and family can meet indoors and indoor hospitality, including pubs, restaurants and cinemas can open again.

The government hopes to remove all limits on social contact on June 21. By then large events can go ahead and nightclubs can open.

The dates listed are the earliest possible as long as the vaccination programme steams ahead and the virus is sufficiently on the run.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells

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