Sadly, Coronavirus put a stop to many of the events due to take place in Biddulph last year as people in the town and the rest of the country were told to stay at home and gatherings were banned.

But with a vaccine currently being rolled out and the worst days of the pandemic (hopefully) close to being behind us, what are the chances of events returning to Biddulph in 2021?

This was a topic of discussion at a meeting of Biddulph Town Council's Town and Community Committee last night (Tuesday).

Councillors were informed of which events the town is still hoping to hold this year.

The authority's events and partnership officer Jodie Hancock explained that major events may not return until around September, but once this can happen the council is aiming to fill the remaining months of the year with several events.

She said: "With everything being as it is, with most events, people aren't really planning anything major until September. From September, we're looking the heritage weekend, which would be the classic car show and the Grange would have their open weekend as well.

"In October we would have the pumpkin trail at the country park, and we're hoping to bring back the dementia cinema which we've missed a lot.

"In November the Royal British Legion is celebrating 100 years, so there would be quite a lot going on as part of that.

"Then we will have the Christmas lights switch on, Santa, another toy appeal, and we'd like to have a wedding fair at the town hall."

Cllr John Jones asked if there was any chance of the Biddulph Festival taking place in the summer, saying: "Are we not even countenancing having any kind of Biddulph Festival this summer?"

To which Jodie replied: "We are looking at having some kind of pocket festival, so a short festival with only key events, just doing what they can do."

Cllr Jones added: "So it's a possibility, and if things go well we may have a shorter one."

Cllr Charlie Smith also asked if there was any scope for the ethical fair to return to the town hall.

It was explained that the council is hoping to start bringing the markets back in 2021, and that the ethical fair was classed as being within those markets.

Rounding off the discussion, Cllr Jones said: "I said that I would be hoping to have a really good party when all this finished in April, but that won't happen now, so I'm relying on my successor as mayor to throw that party!"