School pupils who had hoped to take part in an island-wide traditional music and dance awards scheme have been urged to film or record their routines instead.

The Manx Folk Awards were originally scheduled to begin this weekend, on Sunday, March 29.

Pupils from many of the island’s schools regularly take part in the competition, organised in a joint effort between Culture Vannin and the Department of Education, Sport and Culture.

Children at key stage one and two take part by performing a traditional Manx song or dance, or play a folk tune, either solo or in a group.

There is also a separate day of competition for any secondary school students.

However, the hard-hitting restrictions brought in to minimise the spread of the coronavirus forced the event to be cancelled, meaning that months of planning, rehearsals and preparation were seemingly for nothing.

However, Chloe Woolley, from Culture Vannin, said that children can still take part in the folk awards by demonstrating their dances and music online.

’We thought it would be a good idea for children to record themselves singing their songs, playing their instruments or reciting their poem in English or Manx,’ said Chloe.

’We will be able to have them played on the "Goll as Gaccan" Manx Radio show, presented by Simon Clarke and Phil Gawne, to be broadcast on Sunday afternoon, March 29, from 2pm.

’We just thought it was such a shame not to see or hear the work that the children put so much effort in to for their entries for the Manx folk awards.

’Also the event has become so popular over the past few years and the standard of children’s performances has noticeably grown year on year too.

’We want to encourage the children to keep on entering and we feel by having the chance to have their song or recitation played on the radio that they would feel their efforts have been worthwhile.’

Anyone wanting to enter their performance should upload the video or audio files, along with the name of the children, school and what they are performing, to a special Google Drive folder, the address of which can be obtained by contacting Chloe or fellow organiser Jo Callister at [email protected]

’Obviously they can’t play all of the entries,’ said Chloe.

’But hopefully the children will be able to hear themselves played on the radio.’

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers