People who won trophies from the Guild last year are being asked to return them in preparation for this year’s festival.

The Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival, better known as The Guild, will be celebrating its 126th anniversary during Guild week from April 20 to 28 at the Villa Marina.

One important part of the Guild is its trophies.

Some 200 trophies are presented throughout the duration of the Guild.

The oldest trophy still awarded is the Transvaal Shield, which was presented to the Festival in 1907. Other trophies are newer, with nine new trophies being awarded this year.

Chairman of the Guild Sarah Kelly said: ’The Guild is extremely proud of its heritage and the trophies form a very important part of our history.

’They have been donated throughout the years in memory of Guild performers, committee members and friends of the festival, or by Manx societies from around the world.

’Trophies have been given from as far afield as South Africa but also from London, Manchester, Canada and of course, the most coveted Cleveland Medal presented annually by the Cleveland Ohio Manx Society in America.

’We allow the trophy winners to take their trophy home for 11 months, but we then ask them to return it to us, engraved and clean to the Peter Norris Music shop on Buck’s Road who have kindly acted as our collecting point for many years.

’We are very grateful to Ken and Robert Mitchell for their help, and we are now asking all 2017 winners to have their trophies back to us by March 31.’

The Guild trophies are displayed in the Villa Marina Royal Hall throughout the week of the festival.

Dr Jacqueline Yates, secretary of the Guild, said: ’The trophies form a wonderful focal point in the Royal Hall.

’They are a stunning display and as the week goes on, the trophy display diminishes until there are none left - they have all been won for another year, and we then celebrate the amazing week we will have enjoyed with our Festival’s Finest showcase on Saturday, April 28. Some of the week’s winners are invited to perform showcasing the diversity of the music, speech and dance that is featured during the week.’

The Festival’s Finest showcase will also include the first performance by the 2018 Cleveland Medal winner, with Finals evening being held on the Friday night.

Season tickets for the Manx Music Festival are now available from the box office at a cost of £35 for all sessions during the week, with the exception of the Festival’s Finest concert which will cost £10 admission. General admission for morning sessions will be £4, evening sessions £5 and is free for under 18s.

Trophies should be returned to Peter Norris Music, Bucks Road by March 31.

The Guild is sponsored by the Dandara Group, a property development company.