Hundreds of people were left disappointed on Saturday night after the BBC Proms in the Park was cancelled due to a torrential downpour – but hopes are high that Caerphilly can host the event in 2012.
With just 40 minutes before the show was to begin at 7.30pm, heavy rain began to fall. The rainfall saw the main stage damaged and a generator knocked out meaning there was to be no Proms in the Park for the hundreds that had braved the stormy weather.
But hope remains that the BBC will again choose Caerphilly for 2012.
Speaking on the night, Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert said: “There has been an excellent turnout and it’s a great disappointment that it had to be cancelled. I understand the issues were major health and safety concerns.
“It’s a terrible disappointment for the people of Caerphilly, but there we are. I was speaking to the director of BBC Wales and hopefully they can come back here next year.”
Those thoughts were echoed by tenor Wynne Evans, who had been due to perform.
The singer, known for being the face of Go Compare, tweeted: “I hope they ask me (to return next year) and that it’s in Caerphilly!”
The cancellation of the event failed to dampen the spirits of the soaked crowd who sang renditions of Delilah and Cwm Rhondda (Bread of Heaven).
Speaking once the event’s cancellation had been confirmed, Cllr Ron Davies paid tribute to the efforts of the BBC and council staff in getting the event to Caerphilly in the first place.
He said: “These guys have moved heaven and earth to make sure the arrangements were all in place. It’s a bitter disappointment but public safety has to come first.”
Labour’s Caerphilly MP Wayne David also praised organisers.
He said: “It’s just bad luck. The organisation has been first class, the venue is superb. The commitment of the staff and the council was first rate but we have had the worst possible weather.”
In a statement, BBC Wales said: “The decision, by BBC Cymru Wales and Caerphilly County Borough Council, has been made on health and safety grounds, after weather conditions deteriorated too badly for the event to take place.
“The primary concern for both the BBC and Caerphilly County Borough Council is the safety of all those attending and participating in the concert, including the audience, the artists and production personnel.”
One Show presenter Alex Jones, who had been due to co-present the night, tried bring some cheer to the disappointed crowd by revealing that her dance partner for TV show Strictly Come Dancing was James Jordan.
People seeking refunds are asked to contact the Visit Caerphilly Centre for a full refund.
More information will be on the council’s website from 10am on Monday.
I share in the disappointment of the cancellation of this event. My heart goes out to the many people who worked hard to ready the venue for this great occasion. Let us not be mislead, however, that this cancellation was due to extreme weather. The short, sharp, downpour is a typical experience for Caerffili in September.
The real reason for cancellation, appears to be, the generator tripping due to inadequate weather protection of the circuits it served. An additional reason is the, frequently quoted, "health and safety" excuse. In reality this is a concern that ticket holders may sue for spurious reasons.
I hope that this event can be resurrected next year and all ticket purchasers be required to sign an indemnity declaring they will not take legal action if they slip in mud or trip over someone’s deck chair.
I heard from one of the musicians that the tent was leaking too and instruments were in danger of being damaged