While this empty calendar has come about for understandable public health reasons, the Government’s roadmap to ending lockdown restrictions offers hope of a return to normality this summer – if Covid cases continue to fall and the vaccine rollout is a success.
Importantly, most social contact rules could be eased outdoors from May 17, while ‘all legal limits on social contact’ could be removed from June 21.
The changes may come too late for the Derbyshire County Show, which has announced it will not take place in 2021, but will be back on Sunday, June 26, 2022, it bodes well for many events in Chesterfield and the Peak District.
Here are nine of the best to look forward to.
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1. Rail Ale, Barrow Hill Roundhouse
After being cancelled in 2020, Rail Ale, Barrow Hill Roundhouse's very own real ale festival, returns for 2021, from September 9-11. See railalefestival.com Photo: Jason Chadwick
2. Chesterfield Walking Festival
Chesterfield Walking Festival is due to take place from June 26-July 4. A spokesman said: "Lockdown restrictions will have eased so come along and enjoy the Chesterfield area on foot." See visitchesterfield.info/whats-on/walking-festival Photo: Rod Aughton
3. Chatsworth Country Fair
Tickets are on sale for this year's Chatsworth Country Fair, which runs from September 3-5. See chatsworth.org/events/chatsworth-country-fair Photo: Rachel Atkins
4. Peak District Challenge
This trekking challenge, offering five levels of difficulty for hill walkers and runners, has been organised by Wilderness Development since 2013. Its website, peak-district-challenge.com, says the event is going ahead on September 17 and 18. Photo: Jason Chadwick