IN the wake of the government’s announcement advising people to avoid unnecessary social contact and travel events have been cancelled to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Organisers in their droves have made the decision to postpone events until later this year, these include:

  • The Army Training Regiment freedom parade in Winchester was called off last Saturday. The Sir John Moore Barracks-based unit was due to have marched from Peninsula Barracks down the High Street before parading at the Broadway to be inspected as well ComCon, the comic convention due to have been held in Winchester Discovery Centre on Jewry Street.
  • The Winchester-based Southern Voices Concert on April 4 in Netley Chapel has been cancelled. The choir says it hopes to perform the same concert in the autumn but at another venue in all probability.
  • Winchester City Centre Partnership and Winchester Business Improvement District have postponed their annual general meting due on April 1 in the city Guildhall. The organisations have said that it will be rescheduled for July 1 with details to be confirmed.
  • Winchester parkrun has been cancelled, as events across the UK are called off. David Howells, member of the Winchester parkrun core team, said: “Initially, this closure will be in place until the end of March, however this is largely to bring all parkrun countries into the same time frame and we very much expect closures to continue through April at least."
  • Winchester Muslim Cultural Association (WMCA) has decided to cancel Friday jummah prayers in the Guildhall until further notice. Muslims living in and around the city have gathered on Friday afternoons in the Guildhall to perform the obligatory congregational prayers for past 20 years.
  • Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Club has announced that following recent government guidelines it has taken the decision to cancel its forthcoming events. The organisation was due to host a fashion show this month and planned to raise money for the MS Society.
  • The carnival, which organised by Bishop’s Waltham Rotarians, has become an annual town fixture in the local calendar that local families really look forward to has been forced to cancel. The Tour of Legends Classic Car event has also been cancelled.
  • Alresford Country Market has decided to close its doors given government guidelines.
  • Marwell Zoo has closed to visitors until further notice.
  • The Watercress Line, operated by the Mid-Hants Railway between Alresford and Alton has suspended its train services.
  • The Big Sleep Out fundraiser for the Trinity Centre, Cathedral Close, on Friday May 15 has been called off. It is a major event for the charity that works with the socially excluded.
  • Any other events that have been postponed or cancelled let us know, news@hampshirechronicle.co.uk.