EVENTS across Ryedale are being cancelled or postponed following the coronavirus pandemic.

Following the latest Government announcement to stop all non-essential contact, including visits to pubs, theatres and restaurants, a large number of activities in the area will now not be going ahead in the foreseeable future.

Helmsley Arts Centre has closed until further notice and the planned production of Oliver! by Ryedale Youth Theatre (RYT) next month has been postponed until October.

A spokesperson for RYT said: “The trustees and the committee have decided that it is in the interests of both our audience and everyone in RYT if we make the decision now to postpone the show until October 2020.

“We know this will be very upsetting for a lot of people, and it is not a decision we have come to lightly. However, we need to be considerate not just of our members, but of our large and committed loyal audience who are now being advised to stay isolated as much as possible.”

While schools currently remain open as we go to press, school trips, concerts and parents’ evenings have been cancelled or postponed.

Rob Williams, head teacher of Malton School, said trips to the Battlefields and Mayenne would not now go ahead.

He said: “I am very sorry and disappointed that the trip will not be able to go ahead this academic year, but clearly the health and well-being of all the students, staff and their families is the top priority.”

A number of charity events have also had to be cancelled.

Ian Hughes, who helps run L.I.A.M, which was each set up in response to the death of Liam Miller from Terrington in 2015, said: “We are sad to say that in line with the Government’s advice, planned charity fundraising events are being postponed until further notice. This unfortunately includes this Friday’s quiz night at Terrington Village Hall organised on behalf of the charity. Stay safe everyone.”

For more information on cancelled events, go to gazette@gazetteherald.co.uk