Storm Darragh: Town council cancels Bishop’s Stortford Christmas Fayre

Bishop’s Stortford Christmas Fayre on Saturday (December 7) has been cancelled following a Met Office forecast of very high winds and rain.

Cllr Miriam Swainston, leader of the town council, which organises the event, said: “With enormous regret, but with due regard for the safety and comfort of visitors and stall holders, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council has taken the sad decision to cancel the Christmas Fayre on Saturday.

“This is due to the Met Office yellow warning of high winds, very high wind gusts and rain.

“As leader of the town council, safety must be our paramount concern, and I fully support this decision.”

The newly-named Storm Darragh will affect large parts of the UK from tomorrow afternoon. The Met Office yellow warning covers a 39-hour period from 3pm on Friday until 6am on Sunday.

The fayre was set to take place from 9.30am to 4.30pm across North Street, Market Square, Potter Street and South Street.

Each year, the council pays for a traffic order so that the area can be pedestrianised for the event.

Over 100 stalls were expected to complement the regular traders from the town’s Thursday and Saturday markets and the monthly farmers’ and craft market.

The town council had also planned a variety of music and family entertainment.

However, Santa and his elves will still be giving out goody bags to children from his grotto at the North Street office of estate agent Intercounty, raising money for Isabel Hospice, while the adjoining Fine & Country office will host the charity’s fundraising teddy bear tombola. Both events from 10am to 3pm.

According to the Met Office, Storm Darragh follows a period of unsettled and squally conditions. A large area of low pressure is expected to bring strong winds to much of the UK.

Jason Kelly, Met Office chief forecaster, said: “Storm Darragh is an evolving system and will bring several hazards, including wind gusts of up to 70-80mph around western coasts, especially from Devon and Cornwall to south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“Wind speeds in inland areas will be slightly reduced, with maximum gusts expected to reach 60-70mph.”

“A series of yellow weather warnings will remain in force until Sunday. On Saturday an amber weather warning for wind is in place to cover the areas at risk of the greatest impacts from Storm Darragh.”

He added: “Today we will see bouts of heavy rain and squally winds moving eastwards across the UK, with the bulk of the rain moving away from the UK by late evening. Tonight will remain largely dry with clear skies ahead of Storm Darragh, which will begin to impact Northern Ireland Friday evening.”