THE EIGHTH annual Gwyrddio Penarth Greening (GPG) Penarth Food Festival had to be cancelled this weekend due to bad weather. 

The event was supposed to be held on Sunday from 11am to 4pm at The Kymin in Beach Road, but heavy rain from over the past few days meant the grounds would have been too muddy. 

The festival organiser Anthony Slaughter said that although a couple of stallholders were willing to go ahead with the festival, it would be better to re-arrange.

Mr Slaughter said: "We would like to apologise to anyone who did turn up on Sunday unaware the event had been cancelled. We did everything possible to let people know at such short notice .

"With heavy rain falling persistently throughout Saturday and on into late Sunday morning making the ground underfoot very unsafe, and with high winds predicted, we had no choice but to cancel on safety grounds.

"Setting up the many tents and gazebos in those conditions would have been potentially very dangerous. The decision to cancel was taken following long discussions with the traders, many of which had already indicated their reluctance to risk attending on the day.

"We are as disappointed as everyone that the event couldn’t go ahead, and we are looking at various options for an alternative local food event later this year.

"On a positive note, we are very pleased to confirm that we will be bringing back the popular Apple Day event this year which will be taking place on Sunday, October 21 in Belle Vue Park.

"Several of the traders who would have been part of Sunday’s festival will be taking part in this event.

"Many thanks for all the messages of support we’ve received and to all the volunteers whose ongoing work makes these events possible."