Further lockdown cancellations would hit Eisteddfod’s finances

But any further cancellations could lead to problems.

The annual festival celebrates a range of skills, such as acting, singing, cooking, languages and arts. Costs are usually covered with a mixture of sponsorship and ticket sales.

But this year’s popular music and acting events had to be cancelled after Guernsey entered its second lockdown.

Society general secretary Barbara Minta said continued sponsorship was still important and currently the society was in a reasonable financial position.

‘We are OK for funds, but we couldn’t sustain the festival should we have more cancellations.’

The arts and crafts exhibition will return to Beau Sejour in June for the society’s centenary year.

‘We are delighted that we’re able to get in there as always and had been uncertain if it could go ahead because we didn’t know how much space was needed for the community vaccination centre,’ said Mrs Minta.

From Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 June it will open to the public, from 9am Wednesday to Friday, but closing at 5pm on Saturday.

‘I don’t know how many people will take it on – who knows? It is quite a mammoth task to set it all up, so I hope we have lots of entries.’

This was the second year that the pandemic has caused problems for the Eisteddfod, which usually runs in February and March.

‘Last year we got as far as the end of speech and drama,’ Mrs Minta said.

‘We had no exhibition, no music and no Guernesiais sections.

‘We’re hoping to hold some of the Guernesiais later in the year.

Hopes are high for a successful festival, to reschedule the Guernesiais class later this year, and to keep Covid well managed.

‘We seem to have got it well under control, with Dr Brink and the powers that be. This year is our centenary of the foundation, not of the first festival, but the society, which was formed in 1921. We had all sorts of extra competitions planned and trophies to mark the year.’

There will also be two concerts at St James in June as a replacement for the cancelled events.

These have been arranged after some Year 13 students approached the society because it would be their last Eisteddfod.

‘So we are putting on the concerts mainly for that age group to showcase what they have learned,’ said Mr Minta.

‘We are hoping people come along and support them because it is very much their idea. There will be individual, group and school classes.’

These will be held on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 June at St James, with tickets costing £5 for children and £8 for adults.

‘I hope it all goes well this year and that next year we can have a good festival to celebrate our centenary a year late.’

. Entries are now open for the arts and crafts section and entry forms must be taken to the Grammar School on Saturday between 10am and 12.30pm.

Refund details

Entry fees for the music, speech & drama and modern language sections can be claimed in person between 10am and 1pm on Saturday at the Grammar School. ID must be shown.

Refunds for entries made by music, dance and theatre schools, States schools and colleges on behalf of performers will be repaid to them to pay out to individuals as required.

Anything not claimed on the day will go towards future expenses.