ONE of the most popular classical music events in Oxfordshire has been postponed because of coronavirus.

The Blenheim Palace Battle Proms Picnic Concert would have been held on August 22 but has been called off. Tickets will remain valid for next year’s event, to be held on July 3, 2021.

The event has been a popular fixture for thousands of music lovers who picnic on the lawns of the Woodstock stately home and enjoy fireworks, military displays, canons, cavalry charges and Spitfire flyovers. This would have been the 16th event.

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Battle Proms Event Director Adam Slough said: “It is with much sadness that we must announce that the Blenheim Palace Battle Proms will be postponed until 2021. We have a loyal and dedicated audience, many of whom attend our concert annually, and know that this will be as much a disappointment to them as it is to us. However, the health and well-being of our audience, volunteers, performers and staff are our top priority so we have taken the decision to postpone our Blenheim Palace concert until summer 2021.”

Tickets will automatically be carried over to next year’s concert though refunds are available for those who would rather cancel their booking.

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Ticket holders who choose to support the Battle Proms by rolling their booking over will be entered into a draw to win a VIP package for next year’s event with private marquee, picnics, wine and backstage tour with conductor Douglas Coombes. There will also be 10 runner-up prizes of a free pair of tickets.

Mr Slough said: “By carrying their tickets over our audience will be helping to ensure that the Battle Proms will be here for many more years to come and as a thank you we will enter everyone who does so into an exclusive prize draw to win a VIP Battle Proms experience.”

The event has raised over £450,000 for armed forces charities and would this year have been backing SSAF. More from battleproms.com.

Mr Slough added: “The year really won’t be the same, but we are already busy planning for 2021 and looking forward to welcoming people back. We will all be ready for a summer celebration like never before.”

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The Battle Proms team, who have raised over £450,000 for armed forces charities in recent years, are also asking people to consider supporting SSAFA - which was expecting raise over £50,000 through its association with the Battle Proms series this summer.

James Grant, Head of Corporate Fundraising & Events at SSAFA said: “It is with a heavy heart that SSAFA heard this news from the Battle Proms. We are so fortunate to have been their charity partner since 2018 and we are incredibly grateful to the generous Battle Proms audience who has helped SSAFA raise more than £120,000. We are sending our thoughts and best wishes to everyone in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are very much looking forward to resuming business as usual and to seeing you at the Battle Proms in 2021.”

SSAFA had set up a page to welcome donations from people who would have attended the Battle Prom and donated at the concert, or indeed from anyone who wishes to support its work.

Go to battleproms.charitycheckout.co.uk

Musicians such as the New English Concert Orchestra, who have been performing with the Battle Proms for over 20 years, are also facing a tough year. You can support musicians by visiting the Help Musicians charity website at helpmusicians.org.uk