Bank Holiday washout

WHAT a difference a day makes.

From enjoying the sun on Felixstowe seafront on Saturday to a complete wash out on Sunday.

And weather forecasters are warning atrocious downpours which led to the cancellation of some events in East Anglia yesterday could get even worse today.

One of the biggest casualties was the annual StowFest music event in Stowmarket, which after months of planning was called off just hours before it was due to get under way.

Daniel Harvey, public services manager with Stowmarket Town Council, said: “We are all gutted at having to postpone the event and we apologise to all the stallholders, bands and everyone involved for having to take this decision, but we had no choice.

“As well as the risk of causing water damage to the sound equipment there is obviously a big hazard using electrical equipment in the rain.

“Plus it would be no fun for the bands, the performers or the stallholders being out there in the wet.”

He said the event would be re-scheduled.

With many events planned for today's Bank Holiday, it had been hoped the sunshine would make a return - but that does not seem likely.

Jim Bacon, a senior forecaster and managing director of Weatherquest, based at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, said: “Bank Holiday Monday is not looking good.

“During Monday the rainfall could be more and it could be wetter, people will have to accept it's a bust for hot weather this weekend.”

Another event which has been affected by the weather is the Felixstowe Fair, which had already been hit by snow on the Easter weekend.

Stan Harris, the organiser, said: “We won't cancel it. We are going to hang around and see if the weather gets better. We don't just give up and go - we persevere.

“The weather is our enemy. It is something you cannot do anything about.”

Simon Waspe, one of the organisers of the Crowfield Truck Rally at Orwell Crossing, said he was heartbroken the weather had been so bad as the event was to raise money for the East Coast Truckers' Children's Charity.

He said: “We have spent a lot of money on this for all the children's activities and there are no members of the public here. The bouncy castle has flooded and collapsed - it's a wash out. It's a shame because if the sun had shone, we would have made so much money for the children's charity.

“The truckers' enthusiasm is fantastic and the atmosphere is electrifying but no one from the public has come. We were drenched last year and now it's the same again. I guess its third time lucky next year. Last year we had 80 trucks stuck in ditches in the meadow at Crowfield but at least we don't have that this year.

“I'm proud of what we have achieved and thank everyone for their help. About 95 trucks turned up. The weather has just been terrible.”

n. Did you find a way to enjoy the Bank Holiday despite the rain? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

PANEL

THE organisers of a major summer event, which was washed out by torrential rain last year, have vowed it will go ahead today whatever the weather.

Framlingham's Gala event got under way yesterday with a craft fair at the town's historic castle and Bank Holiday festivities are due to take place today at the Castle Meadow from 1.30pm with the gates opening at noon.

There will be a procession of decorated floats and fancy dressed carnival goers from Station Road to the Castle Meadow from 1pm. This will be preceded by a display of classic vehicles.

One of the organisers Shirley Cable said: “We cannot afford to have another year like last year where we had to cancel because the weather was so bad.

“Despite the rain the craft fair was well attended and we are crossing our fingers at the moment that it will not rain like it did last year. Aside from a major deluge at the moment everything is planned to go ahead as advertised.”