manx celtic music and dance

Perree Bane at Lowender Peran, Kernow

07 Nov 2011


A great time was enjoyed by Perree Bane and the band at the popular festival in Perranporth. Unlike previous years, members used most forms of transport, car, plane and boat/ train. Car was useful for families with all their bits, the numerous changes made rail travel somewhat fraught and flying quickest and most reliable, as the bad weather on Monday made most surface travellers’ return much later than expected as the boats were cancelled.

All the Celtic nations were represented as usual, with a fine Breton contingent and Scots via London (good dancers nonetheless). Our old friends Pen y Fai were there from Wales and numerous Cornish groups - it was good to see the local dancing so strong. A lot more Cornish language was in evidence since our last visit, too. The Manx were well represented, for apart from Perree Bane there was the Mollag Band, Kipperceili and Kirsty and Katie Lawrence. Most of King Chiaullee were also in evidence, but just down for the jolly.

With the withdrawal of funding, the schools outreach visits did not happen, nor the road closure for the parade, but ingenuity prevailed for the parade; using the fi eld below the hotel and the prom, a colourful procession wound its way down from the hotel and then split up to take turns at entertaining the public. We were lucky with the weather, some showers of rain but not when it mattered!

Last on for the Dance Spectacular, we were able to see some of the groups beforehand and then the usual trek through the hotel and waiting with bated breath on the stairs for our entrance. The performance went well, to the usual rapturous applause. It was interesting that we were the only group to do a choreographed performance - other groups did a series of individual dances. All in all, this was another triumph for our Artistic Director, Carol Hayes.

Good to be home again, albeit a day late, thanks again to Merv Davey and the team for inviting us and for the musicians who rallied round at a late stage when the original musicians pulled out. Oh and for future festival-goers it’s in the hotel again next year. Lhiuish - John Dowling

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