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Organisers of one of Kent's most popular events have announced it will go ahead this summer - but with a difference.
Broadstairs Folk Week typically attracts thousands of visitors to the Thanet town every August, but uncertainty surrounded this year's festivities.
The festival, which was cancelled last year for the first time in 54 years, sees music and entertainment take place across the town, both indoors, in venues such as pubs, and outside.
Last month organiser Jo Tuffs had said they were feeling cautious but hopeful about the 2021 event and had pencilled in August 6 to 13 for the week-long festivities.
Now she has confirmed that with the success of the Covid vaccine roll-out and the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, the team will be able to run Folk Week this year.
"It will be different," she said.
"Indoor events will not be permitted until the very end of the roadmap around June 21. Any slippage of these dates will impact Folk Week which will begin on August 6.
"So, we have decided to plan a mainly outdoor festival this year, using venues and spaces that will allow us to implement social distancing, should it still be required.
"We hope to be as flexible as possible in the coming months before Folk Week, but ask for your understanding if there are changes in 2021; there is a reason behind them that we know all too much about.
"As part of that plan, we have approached Thanet District Council for permission to use part of the Memorial Recreation ground for an outdoor stage and they have recently given us the go-ahead for this, subject to satisfying the usual health and safety rules, as well as the extra Covid safe ones.
"There will also be a revamped craft and music fair on Victoria Gardens and a Folk Week campsite at Dane Court School.
"It’s been so frustrating for all of us in the past year not to be able confirm any element of the festival and there is still an awful lot to do to get this year’s Folk Week organised."
She admits it usually takes a year to put the event together and by this time, in normal years, they are already selling tickets and the format of the festival is in place.
"We don’t have all the answers, the artistic line-up is yet to be confirmed, our website has to be updated with 2021 ticket prices and more information, and we need to recruit a lot of volunteers to help us," she said.
"The thing that has kept us going is the support that we have had from our wonderful Friends of Folk Week, government grants, support from the Broadstairs & St. Peter’s Town Council and the Arts Council."
She said more details about the festival and tickets will be released over the coming weeks.
"We will continue to be guided by the steps in the government roadmap, but are looking forward to welcoming you back to Broadstairs for a fantastic, safe event, where we can listen to live music, meet our friends and spread some happiness," she said.
