A FESTIVAL being held in Basingstoke on Saturday will still go ahead as planned, following The Queen’s death, it has been confirmed.

All in the Mind Festival takes place in Glebe Gardens, near Basingstoke town centre on Saturday, September 10.

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Organisers said that following “careful consideration” they have decided that the annual festival will still be held as planned to allow people to “express our emotions in even the toughest of times”.

Fluid Motion Theatre Company, the mental health charity behind the festival, said it “champions coming together to explore ways to improve mental wellbeing and help tackle the difficult times we all face at some time in our lives”.

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The free festival from 11am to 6pm, which has 40 acts and attractions to entertain all ages, is now in its seventh year and offers an inspiring selection of music, dance, spoken work, theatre, interactive activities, and – for the first time – live comedy.

The aim of the festival is to celebrate the power of the arts to boost mental wellbeing, ignite more open conversations and combat stigmas around mental health issues.

A statement from Fluid Motion Theatre Company said: “We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen and send our condolences to the Royal Family and indeed the millions of people around the world who will be touched by her loss.

“After careful consideration, we have decided that our annual All in the Mind Festival will still go ahead as planned.”

It added: “We are a mental health charity that champions coming together to explore ways to improve mental wellbeing and help tackle the difficult times we all face at some time in our lives.

“For many, connected and being with others is important in times of sorrow as well as celebration. Our Festival is carefully curated to promote themes such as reflection, resilience, community and hope as well as ways to express our emotions in even the toughest of times.

“We understand that some of our audience won’t feel like joining us following this sad news, but we do hope that we can still provide a safe and positive space for those who still wish to attend.”