Calne Town Council has issued a public apology following the cancellation of this year's Calneval, acknowledging the disappointment caused and promising a full review into the events that led to the decision.
Calneval 2026 was cancelled the day before it was due to take place after the council said the event could not go ahead safely. The decision prompted widespread disappointment across the town and calls for greater transparency over how it had been handled.
In a statement released yesterday, the council said it recognised the impact the cancellation had on residents, schools, community groups, businesses and volunteers who had dedicated months of time, effort and enthusiasm to preparing for the annual celebration.
"We know that many people dedicated considerable time, energy and enthusiasm to preparing for the event, and we are truly sorry for the impact its cancellation has had," the statement said.
The council said it had listened carefully to the feedback received since the cancellation and acknowledged that many residents were seeking clarity over the circumstances that led to the event being called off.
It also accepted concerns raised about communication, event management, volunteer recruitment, governance and the decision-making process, describing those concerns as "entirely valid".
The statement says the council is committed to examining what happened and sharing its findings openly with the community.
As part of its next steps, the council says it is exploring ways to support stallholders and community groups who were affected by the cancellation. It also hopes that the costumes, performances and displays prepared for this year's event can still be celebrated as part of future Calneval activities.
A full internal review will be carried out during September by the council's newly appointed Director of Services, Sally Thurston.
Explaining why the review will not begin immediately, Ms Thurston said she will not take up her post on a full-time basis until September and was not involved in the events or decisions that led to the cancellation.
She said this places her in a position to carry out the review independently and objectively, with sufficient time and resources to establish the facts and identify lessons for the future.
Once completed, the review and responses to questions raised by residents will be presented to councillors at a public meeting before being published on the council's website.
The findings, together with any recommendations, will then be used to help shape the planning and delivery of future community events.
In the statement, Ms Thurston said: "Trust is earned through actions rather than words. While we cannot change what has happened, we can be honest about it, understand what went wrong and ensure that the experience informs how we work in the future."
She added: "The strength of feeling shown in recent weeks demonstrates how much Calneval means to our community, and we are committed to working with you to restore that sense of community pride."
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