Upset at plan to scrap Shugborough events

Cash-cutting plans that could see scores of popular events and shows at Staffordshire's Shugborough Estate axed were today described as "upsetting" by visitors and performers.

A review of Shugborough's events programme has been launched to reduce the attraction's £1 million annual budget. Among the events thrown into doubt are the Christmas Candlelit evenings, which attract thousands of people.

The Cannock Ex-Serviceman's Club Male Voice Choir has performed at the event for the past four years. And chairman David Rimmer said he was "upset" at the prospect they may not be performing next year.

Mr Rimmer said: "We have always really enjoyed it and it has a lovely atmosphere and it is something we always look forward to.

"We performed each evening, and one of the nights our spouses come along too, which makes it extra special for us, so knowing this may not happening again is upsetting.

Stephen Thornton, aged 28 of Bloxwich in Walsall, was one of the 9,000 people who attended this year.

The bankworker said: "It made us feel really Christmassy. The house looked beautiful and there were coach-loads of people turning up. It would be such a shame to lose an event like this in Staffordshire and we had said we wanted to come again next year, which obviously may not be happening."

Other events at the estate include a Country Show, Classic Car Show, nature themed shows and open-air theatre productions. But Maddy Kerr, of Heartbreak Productions which staged productions of Pride and Prejudice and Pinocchio this year, said the company had been booked again for next year.

Visitor numbers rose from 113,844 last season to 127,458 this season at Shugborough but Staffordshire County Council, which manages the attraction in Stafford, said it was still losing money.

Some workers at the estate, which is owned by the National Trust, have been placed on notice of redundancy.

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