Exhibition to be created as organisers cancel Shropshire arts event due to pandemic
A popular arts event which usually attracts hundreds of people has been cancelled this year due to the pandemic, organisers say.
The 59th Minsterley Eisteddfod had been due to take place in March but organisers say they have taken the tough decision to cancel the event.
However, they are instead hoping to create an exhibition of work for anyone who wants to showcase their talent.
Lesley Holder, of the eisteddfod committee, said: "Do you have poems, stories, song or hymn words hiding in a notebook, a computer file or a box at the back of the wardrobe?
"If so, we would love to see them and share them in an exhibition of written work as part of Minsterley Eisteddfod 2021.
"Sadly, we will not be able to hold the eisteddfod in its usual format, but we hope to create an opportunity for people to share their work at a Covid-19 compliant event on our usual eisteddfod weekend, March 20, at Minsterley Parish Hall."
People are asked to send their work to L Holder, Broomhill, Pulverbatch, Shrewsbury, SY5 8EQ or email holders7@hotmail.co.uk by February 8.
Lesley added: "It can be old or new, something you have shared before or something that you have kept secret.
"No set titles, adjudications or entry fees – it’s all just for fun but if you would like to have a go at a limerick then the title is 'The singers can’t sing anymore', and there is a helpful tutorial on our Facebook page on how to write a limerick.
"As well as showcasing written talents, we would also like to create a virtual showcase of musical, spoken and vocal performances.
"We are inviting people to submit a video performance which will be uploaded to our website and shared with the eisteddfod community."
The video submission could be an instrumental performance, a spoken poem or a song.
It could be classical, folk, musical theatre, religious, groups, duets or solos in any style and any genre.
It may be a piece someone has performed at the eisteddfod before or an opportunity for a debut.
People are asked to submit their entries at minsterleyeisteddfod.btck.co.uk or via its Facebook page by February 15.
Lesley added: "In a time where the arts are suffering and opportunities to perform are being stifled, please help us to keep the arts alive by sharing your talents."
Minsterley and District Eisteddfod began back in 1962 when the Rea Valley Choir, having been to an eisteddfod themselves, decided to set up their own event in the village of Minsterley.
The first event was held in March 1963.
Over the years the eisteddfod has brought people from the area together to celebrate music and literature.
