NSA update on NSA Sheep Event 2020
30th June 2020
It is with regret that the National Sheep Association (NSA) is today announcing the unfortunate cancellation of this years NSA Sheep Event 2020.
The flagship event in the NSA calendar, NSA Sheep 2020, had originally been planned to take place in July but hopes were still in place for the show to go on with the event being postponed to a later October date. However, like so many other events, the difficult decision has now been made to cancel the event entirely for this year, this is due to the ongoing restrictions and concerns surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19), and after taking careful account of the latest Government and Public Health guidance.
NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “All at NSA are so disappointed to have to cancel our most popular of events. We recognise the event provides the opportunity for the sheep farming community to come together for a valuable day of knowledge exchange, a chance to view new and innovative products and to enjoy an opportunity to catch up with friends. But the ongoing Covid-10 pandemic and uncertainty surrounding it have unfortunately left us with no choice but to cancel the event this year.”
The national event will now return to its usual home at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire in 2022, as a biennial event on Thursday 28th July 2022. In the meantime, NSA is now planning new and different ways to deliver some of the seminars, workshops and more that visitors would have enjoyed at the event via webinars and virtual activities.
NSA Sheep Event Organiser Helen Roberts comments: “We were immensely disappointed to cancel Sheep 2020 but we are now working on some really interesting plans to keep our work with the sheep industry alive until we can get back to more normal times. Thinking about this positively we may not be able to do a one-day event, but our emerging plans could be seen as a forthcoming ‘season for sheep farming’. Most of our plans will offer opportunities for the trade, breed societies, and other interested organisations to be involved, to promote their products and offers to the industry.
“The changes that sheep farming is facing will not be put on hold until we can get back together face to face, and it is crucial that we press forward, hopefully with the support of the sector to help our industry through what is a challenging time and to make sure we capitalise on the opportunities ahead.”
Further information on the initial plans for NSA’s increased online activity will be shared very soon but to discuss potential involvement in this and other NSA Activities please contact NSA Sheep Event Organiser Helen Roberts on 07976 803066 or email helen@nationalsheep.org.uk.
