This week, young actors and actresses took to the stage for the Speech and Drama component of the Eisteddfod, which began at Wests’ Diggers on Tuesday.

It follows a successful week of dance performances and choral speech competition, which was met with rave reviews by judges and audience members.

Young performers and their parents have travelled from all parts of the region and beyond to perform at the Tamworth Eisteddfod, even coming from Port Macquarie and Singleton to test their talents in the spotlight and in front of the judges.

Eisteddfod committee chairman Chris Jackson said adjudicators were impressed with the high standard of the entries to this year’s event.

He said organisers were also delighted with how smoothly the historic event, being the 70^th,  was progressing.

“We’re absolutely pleased with how it’s all going,” Mr Jackson said.

“Lyndi Walley who was adjudicating the dancers said the children danced with style.

“She was impressed with the quality of the performers and we should be very proud of the effort the teachers and the dance studios have been putting into their routines and quality of their work.”

The fun doesn’t stop there though, with the Eisteddfod set to continue until next Wednesday, June 21.

Mature aged performers took to the stage of the Tamworth Community Centre on Friday evening to have their chance in the spotlight.

The day also marked the beginning of the Eisteddfod’s musical component.

“The Town Hall personnel have been amazing in supporting the Eisteddfod and setting it up,” Mr Jackson said.

“I think the year has been the easiest for us, dance wise, as far as getting people on and off the stage is concerned.”

This year the Eisteddfod is celebrating 70-years of operation in the city.

*Turn to pages 18,19 for more photos from the Eisteddfod this week.