The search to find the next poetic voice of the island’s youth gets underway soon.

Entries are now being accepted from young writers who fancy their chances at being named the next Manx Youth bard.

Prospective bards, aged up to 18 years old, are being asked to submit their poems over the next couple of months, with the deadline for entries being on Monday, February 28.

The new bard will be chosen on Friday, March 4.

The current Manx Youth Poet is Brintha Yasodaran (above), who has been praised by the chair of the Bard committee, Bridge Carter.

’I think Brintha has raised the bar again this year, having been most instrumental in many projects,’ said Bridge, who said that she has formed something of a double act with Manx Bard Owen Atkinson.

’They have in fact started to challenge and try to change the world together too. ’What a truly dynamic duo we have had and, in times of Covid, they have proved to be just the tonic too.’

More details are available by emailling [email protected]