IT has been decided to press ahead with plans to stage the annual Wye Valley Christian Festival at Gorsley Chapel, near Ross on Wye, in spite of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
With what they see as "optimistic signs" that the plague may be virtually eradicated by mid-June, church leaders are restoring plans to hold the festival in the village from August 23-27.
When the foot and mouth epidemic broke out two months ago the five day event was immediately put on ice.
Speaking on the revived plan the Rev John Lewis said: "our church has given pastoral, prayerful and financial support to those experiencing hardship in the countryside because of foot and mouth.
"Farmers in our own congregation have watched and waited anxiously as the disease closed in on the area.
"It would have been totally insensitive and unwise from a practical point of view to have promoted the festival during a period of great worry and uncertainty.
"But we feel the time is now appropriate to confirm that, in faith, the event will take place after all, though there might have to be one or two site modifications.
"I believe this positive news will give a tremendous uplift to the very many people planning to come to Gorsley from many parts of the country."
Centrepiece of the festival – at which the theme will be "spiritual liftoff" – will be the annual flower festival that regularly attracts more than 5,000 visitors.
There will be a 600-seat big top on site for a wide range of activities for people of all ages.
For more details or to make camp site bookings call 01989 720312, or visit website http://www.gorsleychapel.co.uk">www.gorsleychapel.co.uk