Irvine’s Carters have confirmed the inevitable - the Marymass parades won’t take place for the second year amid coronavirus uncertainty.

The parades, greasy pole and crowning ceremony once again won’t be going ahead – with hopes some of the third party annual events could still take place along with virtual celebrations.

Organiser Andy Tremble told the Times: “At the end of the day the council pull the strings with the licences so I can’t see anything happening this year.

“With the state of the pandemic it would probably be impossible but it won’t stop folk doing their own thing at people’s houses.”

 

The Marymass festival committee said: “Due to ongoing restrictions Irvine Carters Society have taken the unavoidable decision to cancel this Year’s Forth Port Parade and Captain’s parade including the moor activities.

“After considering all possible options and in discussions with our partner’s with much reluctance we must conclude that due to the continuing long list of unknowns [it] would not be possible to hold this year’s festival.

“The health and wellbeing of the Irvine community is of paramount importance to us and in the currant climate both Irvine Carter’s and the Marymass Festival committee would be unable to guarantee that they could comply with all necessary requirements in order to make the events safe for all. Therefore cancellation has been the only option.

 

“We would support those third-party events during Marymass that could comply with all the relevant guidance and restrictions.

“Irvine Carter’s Society and the Marymass Festival Committee are planning to build on last year’s virtual Marymass by hosting online events again during August. We hope that the Marymass community will rise to the occasion once again."