ORGANISERS of the Neilston Cattle Show have cancelled this year’s event amid fears over the spread of coronavirus.

The show had been scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 2 at the Holehouse, in Uplawmoor Road.

Ronnie Melrose, president of the Neilston Agricultural Society, posted a message on the event’s Facebook page today which states: “With the forthcoming announcement in Scotland, to cancel events of more than 500 people, we have taken the difficult decision at our show meeting on 12th March, to cancel the 2020 Neilston Cattle Show.

“Our show depends on high visitor numbers for much of our income, and with current guidance on avoiding crowds and close proximity to people, it would not be practical to enable adequate separation in most of our popular exhibits. We also expect the current environment will increasingly discourage attendance at our type of event.

“While we are still seven weeks away from show day, by cancelling now, we can avoid some major costs and reduce our outlays, which will ensure we can continue to run the Neilston Show in future years.

“I’m sure there will be many organisers, competitors, supporters and visitors who will be disappointed by this news, and I sincerely hope we will be able to put on a bigger and better Neilston Show in 2021.”

The decision to cancel the annual event comes after Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs at First Minister’s Questions yesterday that it would be “inappropriate" for the country to "continue as normal.”

Ms Sturgeon is to recommend the cancellation of gatherings of more than 500 people across the country, in a bid to protect frontline services, starting from Monday.

The cancellation is further evidence of the precautionary measures being taken in East Renfrewshire and elsewhere to combat the coronavirus threat.

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