Sarah, who was elected to the position on Friday 13th November at the Annual General Meeting, has been attending and competing at the festival for more than 40 years.
Until the age of 20, Sarah was a member of Aeg Threshlyn Choir, run by her Aunt, Eleanor Shimmin. The choir was very successful at the Guild over the years and won the Vancouver Shield more than any other. Mrs Shimmin also took the Aeg Threshlyn Choir off-island several times and Sarah competed with them at the Blackpool Music Festival.
She was a pupil of Pat Corrin and entered many Spoken Word Classes in her junior days, including at the Southport Festival. More recently Sarah has competed with The Corrinettes in the Adult Group Theme and Choral Speaking Classes.
Sarah, who is the Centre Manager of Manx Cancer Help, said she was asked to consider standing by outgoing Chairman Ken Bawden.
‘I was honoured to have been approached by Ken, who after many years decided to step down,’ she said. ‘I am grateful to the committee for nominating me and I am very excited to see the development of the new classes, with the support of our sponsors Dandara.’
Festival Secretary, Jacqueline Yates, continued: ‘We would like to wish Sarah well in her new role and thank Ken Bawden for his contribution as Chairman and for continuing on the Executive Committee to bring his experience to bear. The committee would like to pay tribute to Peter Fletcher, David Cowley and Linda Harding, who will continue as 'Company Members' but who have stood down from the Executive Committee after many years of devoted service.’
The AGM was also an opportunity to pay tribute to many of the Guild’s stalwart supporters with the presentation of Long Service Awards for at least 25 years' service. The awards were presented to Noel Cringle OBE (40 years), Peter Fletcher, Enid Kellett, Marilyn Kissack, Wendy McDowell, Ian Pendlebury, John Riley, Eleanor Shimmin BEM and Allan Wilcocks MBE.
The ‘Competing in Dance’ workshop took place on Sunday 15th November at which Jill Baldock, a renowned dancer, choreographer and producer, delivered an inspirational and informative session. The workshop was organised by the Manx Music Festival ahead of the introduction of new dance and rock and pop classes in 2016. Jill was assisted by dancers, Alex Walker, Chloe Corrin and Kiara Mackey whose participation allowed Jill to demonstrate how adjudicators give feedback and just what they are looking for in a performance.
The Manx Competitive Music, Speech and Dance Festival is presented in association with Dandara and the Competing in Dance Workshop was funded with support from the Lord Cockfield Memorial Trust.
Image - Long Service Awards: (left to right) Ian Pendlebury, Enid Kellett, Marilyn Kissack, Allan Wilcocks, Wendy McDowell and Peter Fletcher
