Culcheth Community Day has been cancelled because of heavy rain, putting a soggy stop to what should have been one of the village's feel-good calendar highlights.
It is properly disappointing. Community days take plenty of organising, goodwill and volunteer effort, and Culcheth is usually rather good at turning up for its own. But there is a limit to British optimism, and attempting an outdoor event in relentless rain is less "plucky village spirit" and more "insurance claim waiting to happen".
The decision will not have been taken lightly, particularly for the organisers, local groups and businesses involved. Still, it is the sensible call. Wet grass, waterlogged ground and miserable weather do not make for a safe or enjoyable day out, however determined we are to pretend a damp coat and lukewarm tea count as summer entertainment.
For now, Culcheth will have to save its community cheer for a drier day. The rain may have won this round, annoyingly, but it has not cancelled the village's knack for pulling together.