DELAYED due to the Covid pandemic, a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service was presented to the team behind the annual Isle of Wight Music, Dance and Drama Festival (IWMDDF) on Sunday.
Fittingly, the presentation took place on stage at Shanklin Theatre on the first day of the 2022 event.
The volunteers were awarded the prestigious accolade in 2020, but because of the Covid restrictions, were not able to have an official presentation.
Trustee Chris Hartley said: "We were very honoured that the Queen's representative on the Island, Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon, attended the morning session of our Pop and Rock day at Shanklin Theatre to present us with the actual magnificent crystal award.
"It was received by Gioia Minghella, our president, Chris Booth, our chair, and Ellen Weeks, our vice chair.
"This is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and we feel privileged and delighted that the efforts of our committees and other volunteers over many years has been recognised."
The 92nd IWMDDF will include three weeks of music, dance, speech and drama classes.
There has been a festival, except for the war years, every year since 1924 – and even Covid couldn’t stop it from being held, albeit virtually.
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