THE Monmouthshire National Eisteddfod came to an end on Saturday 6th August, after a week-long celebration of Welsh language and culture.

In total, 140,297 visitors from Wales and beyond set foot on the Maes over the course of the week.

The final day saw the best attendance figure for seven years, with 19,086 people attending. A major highlight of the day was the competition for the Welsh Association of Male Choirs Cup. It featured stirring performances by both Monmouth and Caldicot Male Voice Choir, as eight choirs competed against each other.

In front of a packed audience hall on the pavilion stage, the eight choirs each performed three Welsh language pieces within respective 12 minute sections.

Although neither local choir won, both were praised for their passion and diction as non-Welsh speaking choirs.

It was Monmouth Male Voice Choir’s first National Eisteddfod performance after the choir was formed four years ago. Choir Chairman Huw Edwards said: “The choir were thrilled with how it went.

“The standard of competition was exceptionally high as we were up against incredible Welsh speaking choirs.

“It was fantastic to represent the local area alongside Caldicot Male Voice Choir. Credit must go to everyone who helped set up and run the Eisteddfod.

“It was a great feeling after the performance, there was a great crowd and it was broadcast on TV, watched not only in Wales but further afield.

“It was an unforgettable experience, and great fun. The camaraderie afterwards was a highlight, as we were all at the bar singing together.”

The final performance of the competition saw 74 members of Caldicot Male Voice Choir filling the stage. Choir chairman Mark Stocker said: “It was a fantastic experience, and it came after seven months of hard work as we’re not a Welsh speaking choir. One of the group is fluent in Welsh which helped us, but it has taken a lot of work and practise.

“The last six weeks especially have been very intense. It was an absolute pleasure to perform, and every person couldn’t have done better; the adjudicators said the diction was perfect.

“Two of the choir started in March, so this was their first concert with us. It was an absolute pleasure to perform, and every person couldn’t have done better.”

Further local success was Usk Brass Band winning the Third Section brass band competition on 30th July. There are five graded brass band sections, with varying degrees of difficulty, from the top championship section to the bottom fourth section.

The band won on their competition debut, and are currently fourth section champions of Great Britain.

A highlight of the week was the crowning ceremony, in which poet Elinor Gwynn won the Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod Crown.

The theme of the competition was ‘Llwybrau’ (paths), and 33 poets entered the competition.

The crown was presented by the Abergavenny Welsh Society, and was created and designed by Usk-based artist Deborah Edwards.

The design is made up of a series of windows, the outline of which is taken from Tintern Abbey and frames a different view of Monmouthshire.

Chief executive of the National Eisteddfod said: “Thank you to the people of Monmouthshire for their welcome over the past two years and to the council for the fantastic working relationship.

“It’s taken us over a hundred years to return to Monmouthshire and I think the whole of Wales and beyond has fallen in love with the area.”

The Beacon would like to thank those that took the time to visit the Monmouthshire and Chepstow Beacons and Abergavenny Chronicle stall.

Details on the raffle draw are to follow.