Storm warning sees country park events postponed

The fields normally used for extra parking have become unsafe due to bad weather

"Christmas isn't cancelled", is the message from the manager of a Nottinghamshire National Trust property forced to delay its festive fayre.

Clumber Park's Christmas Fayre, National Trust 10k Run and second-hand bike sale have been called off this weekend.

Rob Holder said the move was "the last thing we wanted to do" but frozen ground, combined with forecast heavy rain on Saturday, meant the fields used for overspill parking would not be safe.

But he emphasised the fayre and bike sale had been rescheduled for 7 and 8 December and the site itself would still be open this weekend.

The park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the East Midlands

Clumber Park, the site of a major stately home, is the region's most popular attraction, recording 644,088 visitors in 2023, according to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions.

Mr Holder said: "As a charity we rely heavily on visitor business to support our conservation work across the Grade I listed park and garden.

"So restricting access and reducing our offer at such a busy time is the last thing we want to do."

After heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, Storm Bert is likely to dump a large amount of rain on Saturday and for big events, Clumber uses grass parking.

Mr Holder said: "That is not a good mix, especially when you add in thousands of cars and tens of thousands of visitors.

"But the safety of our visitors is front and centre, so there really is no other option."

Limited hard standing parking will still be available this weekend and staff emphasised there were a number of other events planned in the run-up to Christmas.

Also affected is the official switch-on for Newark Christmas lights, due to take place on Sunday, which has also been cancelled due to the weather, though the indoor artisan market will go ahead.

The scheduled market and stage events will now be held on 8 December, organisers said.

Additionally, the Worksop lights switch-on is being moved from Saturday to the following Wednesday.