We are writing with heavy hearts to share the news that we have taken the decision to cancel our Spring Festival next month.

Needless to say, this is not a decision that has been taken lightly, and until very recently we had thought that our timings and numbers might just make it possible for us to go ahead, but as the fast-changing situation has evolved it has become clear to us that this would be irresponsible, inappropriate and – by that point – almost certainly impossible.  Of paramount concern has to be our responsibility towards the health of our audience, volunteers, and artists: we could not with a clear conscience proceed with an event that requires travel across the country, involves people mingling closely and repeatedly, and which includes a significant number of people who fall into the particularly vulnerable bracket. Having taken all appropriate advice, and in consultation with our trustees, we are therefore clear that this is the only sensible way forwards.

All tickets purchased online will be refunded automatically through TicketSource, our ticketing system.  Those of you who purchased tickets in person, by telephone or post can obtain a refund via the box office, Beverley Tourist Information Centre, from Wednesday of next week.

This is an extremely precarious time for all musicians, many of whom have faced a brutal week of cancelled work and face crippling loss of income over the coming weeks and months.  If you are in a position to do so, we would be enormously grateful if you would consider donating your refunded ticket money to New Paths, in order that we can go some way to paying our artists a cancellation fee in recognition of their time set aside and the hard work that has already gone into preparing what we know would have been beautiful and memorable performances.  Donations can be made through our secure online payment system here: