The Devizes Eisteddfod seeks to provide performance opportunities for children and young people each year.

We are committed to ensuring safe environments for children and young people and believe that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to recommend best practice which protects them.

This policy applies to our Committee Members, Volunteers and paid Adjudicators.

We recognise that:
• the welfare of the child/young person is paramount.
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

The purpose of the policy:
• to provide protection for the children and young people who participate in our event.
• to provide volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm.

We will seek to safeguard children and young people by:
• valuing them, listening to and respecting them
• adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and safe working practice for staff and volunteers
• recruiting volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
• sharing information about child protection and safe working practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
• sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately

The Devizes Eisteddfod uses the following procedures to create a safer Eisteddfod for everyone:
1. One designated Eisteddfod Safeguarding Officer (ESO) Name: Pam Jolley
2. Best practice advice in the form of Eisteddfod Child Protection leaflets, with support for all Eisteddfod volunteers. Including clear reporting procedures for anyone with a concern about a child.
3. Appropriate recruitment and induction procedures for all new Eisteddfod volunteers responsible for providing safe environments for everyone attending / performing at the Eisteddfod.
4. All Eisteddfod personnel wear an official badge. All teachers/parents/guardians /carers are asked to report all incidents of any nature to anyone wearing a badge.
5. For the duration of the Eisteddfod all teachers/parents/guardians/carers are responsible for the continuous care and supervision of their own children/pupils. If they are unable to attend personally, they must delegate their responsibilities to an identified adult and ensure that their children/pupils are aware of the identity and name of the person responsible for their care. This includes supervision throughout all Eisteddfod venues, practice and changing areas that may be provided. Single sex changing facilities will be provided where necessary. The Eisteddfod cannot take responsibility for any property left unattended.
6. No unauthorised photography, audio or video recording of children and young people is allowed at the Eisteddfod. Where parents/guardians/carers do not wish photos to be taken at all, then the responsible adult attending should ensure that their child is not included in official photos.
7. Some children and vulnerable adults may have specific needs in order to take part. If this is the case we ask the responsible teachers/parents/guardians/carers to contact the Entry Secretary at the time of entry. The Eisteddfod actively seeks wherever possible to meet these needs, but must know beforehand in order to prepare support – or to advise that help cannot be provided on this occasion.
8. The Eisteddfod’s Child Protection Policy is published explicitly in our Syllabus, Programme and Website. By completing and signing the entry form all parents / guardians / carers and teachers of entrants under 18 confirm that they give (or have obtained) the necessary consents for the entrants to take part in the Eisteddfod. Without consent the entry to the Eisteddfod cannot be accepted.

Further information and guidance can be obtained by emailing the General Administrator
lisa@devizeseisteddfod.org.uk or calling 07979 542042 during working hours.

The Devizes Eisteddfod is a performing arts organisation run entirely by volunteers and registered with the Charity Commission (No 1044341).

This policy explains how we use any personal information we collect about you:

What information do we collect about you?
We collect information about you when you register to compete in the Eisteddfod, apply to become a member of the Eisteddfod/Friend of the Eisteddfod or volunteer as a steward and also if you voluntarily complete surveys or give feedback. We will only ask for such information as is necessary for the efficient administration of the Eisteddfod. We do not collect ‘sensitive personal data’ unless there is a legitimate reason for this – where an entrant may need support to participate in a class.

How will we use the information about you?
We collect information about you in order to process your entry to classes in the Eisteddfod and for any other administrative functions of the Eisteddfod. Access to this data will be restricted to those personnel who administer the Eisteddfod.

Access to your data and correction
You have the right to request a copy of the information that we hold about you. This can be obtained, without charge, by application to the Director (email: mdjmusic@gmail.com). We want to make sure that your personal information is accurate and up to date and all reasonable efforts will be made to ensure this is the case. You may ask us to correct or remove information you think is inaccurate.

Do we share this information with anyone else?
The Eisteddfod will not pass collected data to any third party unless required to do so by law, but it should be noted that names (only) of performers will appear in the Eisteddfod programme and possibly in press coverage of the event. If you do not wish your name to appear in this way, please inform either the Administrator or the Director.

Cookies.
Cookies are small files that we store on your computer to facilitate the operation of this website. We only store generic cookies, such as Google Analytics, which enable us to make the website work and to monitor website usage.

Other Websites
Our website provides links to other websites. This privacy policy only applies to this website, so when you link to other websites you should read their own privacy policies.

Entry: All performers in competitive classes must be aged 18 or under on 1 September 2024. The Eisteddfod reserves the right to refuse any entry. Adult performers may take part in the Non-Competitive Classes.

Entry Restrictions: With the exception of the Creative Arts and Non-Competitive Classes no entrant may enter more than once in the same class: this also applies to duets, groups, ensembles and choirs.

School Entries: Solo performers and members of groups entered as a school must be pupils of the School on the day of performance at the Eisteddfod.

How to Enter: Entry to the Music, Speech and Drama classes is via the online entry form and must reach the entry secretary no later than Friday, 4 October 2024 together with the required remittance. Entry fees cannot be  refunded other than under exceptional circumstances.

Official Accompanists: Official accompanists are available for all music classes but must be requested in advance on the entry form. A fee of £3.00 per class will be charged and is non-refundable. Performers may be able to arrange a rehearsal before the Eisteddfod at a fee to be arranged privately. A copy of the music to be performed must be sent to the Entry Manager when the entry is made and no later than Friday 4 October 2024. An accompanist will not be allocated to entries without accompanying music and the relevant payment. Copies should be marked clearly with the performer’s name and class number. Please indicate the speed required by adding (or altering) a metronome mark. If submitting a photocopy please ensure it is in playable format (no staples please). The published copy must be available for the accompanist on the day of the class. The Eisteddfod reserves the right to refuse to accept certain items of repertoire if the complexity of the music is such that preparation time would be too long.

Data Protection: The Eisteddfod will hold data contained in the entries for the purpose of administering the festival and will not pass on any information to third parties. Please refer to page 40 of the Syllabus for further information.

Electrical equipment: Electrical equipment must be provided by the performer and may be used as an accompaniment for Non-competitive, Vocal, Musical Theatre and Drama classes only. Equipment must be pretested and approved safe (PAT tested) and marked to that effect. This applies to anything that requires a mains socket. Set up time must be before the start of the class.

Programmes: Programmes will be available for collection from Wansbroughs Solicitors, Northgate House, Devizes, SN10 1JX  and Devizes Books, Sidmouth St, Devizes SN10 1LD from Wednesday 6 November 2024 and will cost £3.00. They will also be available at the Eisteddfod. If you would like a programme posted to you please fill in the relevant box on the online entry form and include the additional postage and packing cost of £2.50.

Adjudication: In all cases the adjudicator’s decision will be final. All written communication regarding adjudication matters must be addressed to the Director via the website. In all questions and disputes the Executive Committee’s decision will be final. Any immediate issues must be addressed to an Eisteddfod steward. Communication with the adjudicator in all classes is strictly forbidden.

Order of Performance: The order of performance is decided by the entry team and for ease of timetabling. The Executive Committee reserves the right to make minor alterations, including sub-dividing classes, for the smooth running of the event.

Time Limits: Performers will not be placed if the time limit is exceeded and the performance may be stopped at the discretion of the adjudicator.

Class Times: Times of classes and venues will be sent via email to all applicants no later than Thursday, 17 October 2024. Please note that the organisers will endeavour to programme the festival as shown on the calendar on page 5 of the Syllabus but they reserve the right to make changes if circumstances make this unavoidable

Awards: Please see the relevant class pages in the Syllabus.

Certificates and Comments Sheets: All performers will receive a certificate and comments sheet. These must be collected from the adjudicator’s clerk at the end of each class. The Executive Committee will endeavour to have the full list of results available one hour after the end of each class although this cannot always be guaranteed. Results will be displayed on the website and upstairs in the Town Hall Foyer for all performance classes and in the Foyer of Lavington School for dance classes. Any performance certificates and comments sheets not collected at the end of the class will be sent to the Eisteddfod office in the Town Hall Council Chamber (during the festival only).
Those certificates and comments sheets not collected by the end of the festival will be sent to Wansbroughs Solicitors, Northgate House, Northgate St, Devizes SN10 1JX for collection fromMonday 18th November until Friday 29 November. Any paperwork not collected by then will be destroyed.

Award Categories: Results will be shown by means of categories.  Award categories are not issued for non-competitive classes. All performers in competitive classes will receive a certificate showing one of the following categories: Developing, Progressing, Merit, Commended, Honours, Outstanding, Exceptional.

Admission to the 2024 Eisteddfod : Admission for spectators for the performance classes is free.

Eisteddfod Office: The Eisteddfod Office will be open on November 8,9,15,16,17 only and can be found upstairs in the Council Chamber, Devizes Town Hall. Please note this is for adjudicators and stewards to report and urgent issues only. All performers should go directly to the venue of their class. All information required by performers should be found in the Eisteddfod Programme.

Eisteddfod Financial Assistance Programme: To make access to the Eisteddfod as affordable as possible, the Executive Committee may be able to help with the cost of class entry and/or transport costs directly related to participation in the 2024 event. If your school/child/ student would like financial help with entering or getting to the event, please send an application email stating why you have a need to the Director at mdjmusic@gmail.com by Monday 8 July 2023. Applications will be considered by the Committee after that date and available funds will be shared and distributed as soon as possible.

GENERAL GUIDANCE
In those classes where a standard rather than an age is indicated, performers are expected to enter the class appropriate to their current standard, regardless of age. Own choice pieces do not have to be from an examination list in graded classes which merely show the standard expected.

OFFICIAL ACCOMPANISTS
Official accompanists are available for all music classes but must be requested in advance on the entry form. A fee of £3.00 per class will be charged and is non-refundable. Performers may be able to arrange a rehearsal before the Eisteddfod at a fee to be arranged privately. A copy of the music to be performed must be sent to the Entry Manager when the entry is made and no later than Friday 4 October 2024. An accompanist will not be allocated to entries without accompanying music and the relevant payment. Copies should be marked clearly with the performer’s name and class number. Please indicate the speed required by adding (or altering) a metronome mark. If submitting a photocopy please ensure it is in playable format (no staples please). The published copy must be available for the accompanist on the day of the class. The Eisteddfod reserves the right to refuse to accept certain items of repertoire if the complexity of the music is such that preparation time would be too long.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Electrical equipment must be provided by the performer and may be used as an accompaniment for Non-competitive, Vocal, Musical Theatre and Drama classes only. Equipment must be pretested and approved safe (PAT tested) and marked to that effect. This applies to anything that requires a mains socket. Set up time must be before the start of the class.

PERFORMANCE
It is required that performers announce their chosen piece before presentation which adds to the enjoyment of the audience. Please note that introductions and tuning must be included in the time limit. The time limits stated are maximum limits not minimum. Music must be made available for the adjudicator before the start of the class. Music stands will be provided.

ADJUDICATOR COPIES
A copy of the music to be performed must be provided for the Adjudicator on the day.

TIME LIMITS
The time limits stated are maximum limits not minimum. Introductions and tuning are included in the time limit.

CLASS SIZES
The Eisteddfod Committee reserves the right to restrict the number of entries in any class or subdivide a large-entry class in order to facilitate timetabling on the day or to merge very small classes where appropriate.

COPYRIGHT
The use of photo or other facsimile copies of printed music without the publisher’s permission is forbidden and against the law. A copy may be made for the adjudicator provided the performer has an original copy of the music available on the day. The photocopy will be retained and then destroyed by the Executive Committee. No arrangement of music still under copyright is permitted, unless with written consent of the publisher.

Failure to comply with the Music Rules may result in the performance being adjudicated but not placed.

ENTRY
The entry fee for all speech, drama and mime classes is £7.50 except where indicated.

REPERTOIRE
Performers entering ‘own choice’ classes must ensure that the selected pieces are of a suitable standard for the age group. Teachers and students are requested to be aware of the sensitivity of the audience regarding the content of the scenes. Language likely to cause offence must not be included.

PROPS
None but hand props (e.g. fan, stick, handkerchief, scarf, etc) will be permitted. Properties are not permitted in mime classes

PROMPTING
The adjudicator and stewards will not prompt if words are forgotten; therefore performers are advised to provide their own prompter who must not be their teacher. In case of difficulty performers are asked to contact the General Administrator. Gesture and movement are not permitted in the verse speaking classes.

ADJUDICATOR COPIES
A copy of the words to be performed must be provided for the Adjudicator on the day.

COACHING
No instruction, mouthing of words or gestures by teacher, tutor or parent is allowed during the performance.

COPYRIGHT
It is the responsibility of the performer and teacher to ensure their chosen author allows their work to be performed.

TIME LIMITS
Competitors will not be placed if the time limit is exceeded.

STATUS
Entrants must be bona-fide amateurs and not be in full time vocational students. For the purpose of the Eisteddfod an amateur is defined as someone who does not derive his/her livelihood from this branch of performance. The Dance Manager reserves the right to accept/refuse an entry.

ENTRIES
Entries must be made online on this website.  Entries are filed on a first come, first served basis until the classes have reached capacity. In the event of the Eisteddfod being oversubscribed the Committee reserves the right to return any entry that cannot be accommodated. Solo entries are non-transferable and fees will be forfeited when entries definitely registered are cancelled. Any entries received after full capacity is reached will have their fees returned. The committee may combine sections or classes where entries are small and divide a class where entries are large. Manual entries for duets, trios or quartets to be on one form with one cheque or BACS payment. Group entries cannot be accepted without the name of the group being clearly stated.

CLASSES
Any performer withdrawing from the event should notify the Dance Manager before the commencement of the class.

PERFORMANCE ORDER
Performers must dance in the order given in the programme. Any competitors missing at this time are called at the end of the class. Any performer who has insufficient time to change their costume will also be called at the end of the class. No performer may enter the same class more than once in their own age group for each solo section and twice for each technique in a duet or trio section. A minimum of five dancers constitutes a group. Solo dancers may not be substituted but in the unavoidable absence of a partner, one substitute will be allowed in a duet, two in a trio/quartet and three in a group.

PERFORMANCE TIMES
Performers and their supporters must be aware that timings are approximate and dancers must be ready to dance 30 minutes prior to their advertised class time. It is the responsibility of the dancer to advise their supporters of this rule. Any performer arriving late (excluding costume change) may run the risk of disqualification. Re-starts, apart from equipment malfunction, will only be allowed for performers aged 9 years or under.

COMMUNICATION
Performers, teachers or parents are not permitted to communicate with the Adjudicator at any time. Any necessary communication should be made via the Adjudicator’s Scribe or to a steward at the reception desk.

SPECIAL NEEDS
The Eisteddfod welcomes entries from performers who have special needs, but notification of the nature of any condition must be made to the Dance Manager when entries are submitted. A full explanation of the condition would be appreciated together with documentary evidence, if appropriate. It is necessary for parents and teachers to be aware of their responsibilities in entering any performers with limited  physical capabilities or special needs, bearing in mind the limitations imposed by the stage and surrounding environment and changing areas.
There are only two changing rooms, one for male performers and one for female. At no time can both sexes share a changing room. It is the responsibility of the parent or teacher to ensure that there are adults of the same sex as the performer to assist with changing.

AGE LIMITS
Age Limits for classes relate to the performer’s age on 1st February 2025.

ARRIVAL
Access to the changing areas will be allowed up to 60 minutes before the beginning of classes

ACCOMPANIMENT MUSIC

We will not take music on CDs this year. We will require you to upload music files in advance of the festival. Details of how to do this will be emailed to all entrants in their entry acknowledgement emails.

STAGE
The stage and stage wings are out of bounds to all except authorised personnel and those about to perform. Authorised persons are Eisteddfod personnel and one parent/teacher/carer if the child is 6 years or under or with special needs. Parents who refuse to obey this rule run the risk of their child being disqualified. Any props should be small enough for the performer to put them on stage (7 years and over). No live props are allowed. In the interests of Health and Safety, no props will be accepted side stage until prior to the class for which they are needed and must be removed immediately the class finishes.

ADJUDICATION
All performers will receive an adjudication sheet and a certificate showing the class category of their performance. Where there are three or fewer in a class only a winner’s medal (gold) will be awarded. In classes of four then a 2nd place medal (silver) may be awarded. In classes of five or more a 3rd place medal (bronze) may be awarded. In order to receive any medal the mark must be at least 80. Medals for those in groups may, if the appropriate mark is achieved, be purchased at the reception desk for £2.

SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Please be aware of the Eisteddfod Safeguarding Policy as detailed on pages 9 & 10 of the syllabus. Signature on the entry form confirms that this policy has been read. When an entry is made by a young person under 18 the entry form must be countersigned by a parent/guardian/responsible adult.

GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION
To comply with new legislation which came into force in May 2018, before an entry can be accepted it is essential the Eisteddfod has permission to hold the data collected. If you are agreeable please tick and sign the appropriate box on the entry form. Please refer to page 6 of the Syllabus.

COPYRIGHT
The Eisteddfod is bound by copyright law and cannot allow flash photography, tape or video recording during any performance or adjudication. The Eisteddfod does not accept any liability for the infringement of copyright, recording or performing rights. Teachers and choreographers using CDs created from recordings are advised that they themselves are responsible for seeking permission to re-record.

CREATIVE ARTS

Classes are offered in story writing, poetry, handwriting, art, ceramics, pottery, graphics, textiles, photography and original music composition.

Entrants must be aged 18 & under on 1st September 2024 for all classes except Art where adults may also enter.

Entry for all classes is £3 and must be made using the online booking system via the Eisteddfod website www.devizes-eisteddfod.org.uk, which will open on Monday 2nd December 2024.

There is no limit to the number of times an entrant may enter each class.

All submitted work must be sent or delivered to Mrs Claire Magill, c/o Devizes Books, Sidmouth Street, Devizes, SN10 1LD (Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm) between Monday 2nd December 2024 and no later than Friday, 31st January 2025. Please make sure that all work is clearly marked with the entrant’s name and the Eisteddfod class number together with the title of the item submitted. Mark the envelope ENTRIES and please include a copy of the Acknowledgement email that you will receive when making the entry, and your cheque if paying by cheque.

All entrants are invited to the Creative Arts Day in the Town Hall on Thursday 20th March 2025 to meet the Adjudicators and discuss their work. See the Creative Arts page on this website for further details.

CERTIFICATES AND COMMENTS SHEETS
Each class winning entrant will be given a trophy, certificate and comment sheet from the adjudicator at the Creative Arts Presentation evening on Thursday 20th March 2025. All submitted work, as well as certificates and comment sheets for other entrants, will be returned to Partnership schools during the week beginning 24th March 2025 or can be collected from Wansbroughs Solicitors from this date

ENTRIES FOR ALL CREATIVE ARTS CLASSES
Entrants may enter as many times as they wish in each section of the Creative Arts classes.
Entry is now online only, via this website. The class ages relate to the entrant's age at 1st September 2024.

ENTRIES FOR YOUNG WRITERS, POETRY AND HANDWRITING CLASSES
All work is to be submitted on A4 size paper and should be marked with the entrant’s name and the Eisteddfod class number. Copyright of the work submitted will remain with the Eisteddfod Committee. The Committee cannot guarantee that work submitted will be returned.

YOUNG WRITERS AND POETRY CLASSES
Entries must be the original and unpublished work of the entrant and should not have been entered in a previous Eisteddfod. Entrants are advised to keep a copy of their work. The adjudicator will be looking for originality, imagination and lucidity: spelling, grammar and punctuation should also be accurate. Entries in these classes may be typed but spell check should not be used as spelling will be adjudicated.

HANDWRITING CLASSES
All entries must be on unlined paper. Entries on lined paper will be disqualified. Entries may be in any style of writing. The adjudicator will be looking for overall layout, texture of writing, clarity and neatness. Attention must be given to letter, word and line spacing with an emphasis on individual style and potential.

ENTRIES FOR ART CLASSES
The entrants name,class number and title must be put on the back of the submitted work. Unlabelled work cannot be judged.

ENTRIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES
Photographs can be any size, in colour or mono and on any subject.