Burlesque festival organisers say the show must go on after devastating floods

Four of the venues used for the festival were badly flooded, but organisers say they are hopeful they can rehouse some of the events and still “paint Yorkshire fabulous”.

Producers Heidi Bang Tidy and Lady Wildflower said: “Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged in the worst floods our little corner of Yorkshire has seen in almost 70 years.

“Many friends and supporters of the festival lost their homes and their livelihoods when a month’s rain fell in just 24 hours.

“All four of the marvellous venues that we use for the festival were badly flooded. The clean-up operation is still in full swing but as it stands it looks very unlikely that either Mytholmroyd Community Centre, where we stage our Bazaar Shopping Event and our workshop, or Todmorden Hippodrome, our Burlesque Gala venue, will be back up and running in time to host events for us this year.

“Our plan was to announce lineups and put tickets on sale on January 1, but given the circumstances we have been forced to delay this. We are currently working to secure alternative venues for this year’s events.

“We are hopeful we can rehouse the effected events so that we can once again come together to paint Yorkshire fabulous.

“With more storms forecast our valley needs you more than ever to get behind them and come and come and spend your hard-earned in our incredible independent shops, cafes and pubs over the festival weekend.

“Please don’t make other plans for that weekend. The show MUST go on.

“It’s just going to take us a little time and a bit of shuffling to make it work.

“Thank you for all your messages of support. The people of Calderdale are a rare and magnificent breed - we might be damp but we’re certainly not defeated.”

If you would like to donate to the relief fund, visit localgiving.com/appeal/Flooding