Property development firm the Dandara Group is to sponsor the Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival for a further three years.

The company became the first ever headline sponsor of the festival, also known as the Guild, in 2015.

The financial details of the sponsorship have not been disclosed.

The Guild has grown and this year more than people took part.

The festival has expanded its community involvement, for example bringing flautist and composer Simeon Wood to the island to inspire young woodwind players at workshops and performances in Sulby and Douglas, and hosting the Guild Goes South concert showcasing festival-standard song, instrumental, dance and drama performances.

The festival also arranged a Competing in Dance workshop, overseen by acclaimed dance adjudicator Jill Baldock, to prepare teachers and students for new dance categories introduced since 2015.

Festival chairman Sarah Kelly said: ’During the last three festivals we have been very appreciative of the sponsorship of the Dandara Group, not only for its generous financial support but also for the skill and imagination of their marketing team which has helped us enormously.

’This year we celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Guild, a remarkable achievement. We have weathered the storms of the years and continued to nurture and develop the finest singers, musicians, dancers, actors and speakers, and our audiences have learnt to appreciate the high standard of performance. While we look back to those who founded the festival in 1892 and to all who have served, guided and supported the Festival since, we also look forward to the future with confidence that the best is yet to come.

’The Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival is one of the oldest, but certainly the largest festival of its type in the British Isles. We have much to be celebrating, and long may it continue to spread its valuable influence on the lives of the people of the Island and give happiness and enjoyment to those who value and strive for all that is finest and best in the art of music, speech and dance.’

Dandara Group managing director Seamus Nugent added: ’The Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival is the largest participation event in the Isle of Man’s cultural scene and we were honoured to become the first headline sponsor in its long and illustrious history.

’Over the past three festivals we have been impressed by the hard work of the committee and everyone involved in the Guild as they worked towards enhancing the programme to attract new participants and larger audiences. While preserving and celebrating the traditions of the Festival, the committee has introduced diverse new classes, new performances and new community events which have reinvigorated the Guild.

’We had no hesitation in renewing our partnership for a further three years, which will see our headline sponsorship continue until at least 2020, and we look forward to seeing the Guild continue to flourish.’

The next Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival takes place April 20 to 28 next year.