31/08/2026
*CliffeFest Postponed* – KCA Statement
Hi All,
Following on from today’s communication regarding CliffeFest, and after careful consideration and discussion with all of the Trustees and Management, the majority of us all have unfortunately voted that, in order to protect the condition and availability of the football pitches for the 2026–27 season, we are unable to allow CliffeFest to be held on either of the football pitches in September 2026.
KCA does not take this decision lightly, and we all regret having to make it. We recognise the importance of CliffeFest to many families and the wider village, and we fully support the principle of community events being held in Kings Cliffe.
As Trustees and Management of KCA, however, we have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the charity, to safeguard its assets and to ensure that our facilities remain available for the charitable purposes for which they are provided. This includes maintaining suitable facilities for sport and recreation and ensuring that the football pitches are available and in an appropriate condition for the teams, children and other users who rely upon them throughout the football season.
We considered whether alternative arrangements could be made and put forward recommendations for our other hard-standing facilities to be considered as a possible location for CliffeFest. Unfortunately, given the timelines involved, it was not possible to replan the event to use those facilities on this occasion.
A significant consideration for the Trustees is the timing of CliffeFest in relation to the start of the 2026–27 football season. The event would take place at a time when the pitches are already under considerable pressure during pre-season, with the football season due to commence in the same week. We cannot responsibly expose the charity to the risk of additional damage, significant repair costs or the loss of use of the pitches at the beginning of the season.
As a charity, KCA has limited funds and those funds must be used responsibly in furtherance of our charitable purposes. We therefore cannot commit charitable funds to potentially significant additional remedial work arising from holding the event at a time when the pitches need to be protected for the forthcoming football season.
This decision is therefore not a decision against CliffeFest. It is a decision about the timing and location of the event and the Trustees’ responsibility to protect KCA’s facilities and charitable resources for the benefit of the wider community.
The majority of Trustees and Management would be very supportive of CliffeFest returning in June 2027. Holding the event at this time would provide a much more suitable window for the pitches to recover following the event before the start of the 2027–28 football season in September.
Subject to the appropriate arrangements being agreed, we would be very happy to welcome CliffeFest back onto the grass pitches at that time and would look forward to supporting the event.
We hope everyone understands that this has been a difficult decision. It has been made after careful consideration, with the intention of protecting KCA’s charitable assets and ensuring that our facilities continue to benefit sport, recreation, children, football clubs and the wider Kings Cliffe community for many years to come.
Regards,
Guy Varty
Chair of Trustees
Sent on behalf of all KCA Management and Trustees
