A project to capture the sounds of the Manx countryside and landscape are among the first to be awarded funding by a new cultural scheme.

Manx-based film production company Dark Avenue Film have been backed by the new ’Treisht 2020’ project, created by Culture Vannin, to produce a library of sounds of the Isle of Man, including the sounds of waves washing over a beach, rivers running through glens and trams running over the tracks.

The sound archive will be made available for other film makers to utilise and mix together into their own productions of Manx music, sound and film.

In the first couple of weeks of the Treisht 2020 project, the scheme has backed 16 different projects.

Artists and photographers, including Phil Kneen, Valerie Caine, Matthew Clayton, John Davis, Beth Louella, Juan Moore, Graham Rider, Debra Tracey-Carney and Milen Stankov have been backed to help them produce various collections of images relating to the Manx language and culture.

Also, musical projects undertaken by local composers, including Peddyr Cubberley, Phil Gawne, Ruth Keggin, David Kilgallon and Rory Murphy will create online tutorials and electronic backing tracks which will be shared online to help people around the world learn about Manx music, dance and culture.

The Treisht 2020 project was formed to help local artists create cultural projects during this period of uncertainty by re-purposing grant and development money from cancelled events and projects.

’The reaction from freelancers was amazing and immediate,’ said Dr Breesha Maddrell, director of Culture Vannin.

’They were delighted to have positive paid work at a time when much of their scheduled work was cancelled or uncertain.

’We have such amazing talent all around us, and board members and officers felt and feel a sense of responsibility to support and promote Manx culture wherever and whenever we can.

’Creating small but meaningful projects is a way to make sure that everyone benefits, from the freelancers themselves to the general public, who will be able to enjoy the new work online.’