Following on from some struggles last year, which threatened to derail the long-running City of Tamworth Eisteddfod, organisers say things are looking better for 2013.

Following some generous offers of sponsorship, the eisteddfod society yesterday said it was happy to announce the 2013 gala would 

go ahead with all sections, including music, dance, speech, choral speech, debating, and the mature- age performance offered to contestants.

Early last year, the 2012 eisteddfod looked in danger of being cancelled or having the music categories scrapped completely because of a lack of volunteers, music convenors and school marshalls. At one stage there were only four volunteers on the committee.

But the show went on and finished on a high with the dance section one of the biggest in its history although local participation in some categories was way down. 

This year the prospects are much brighter.

Spokeswoman Jan Morris said Tamworth Regional Council had provided a grant of $5800, which will cover the town hall hire, the venue for the dance and music sections. 

“Wests League Club is providing $2000, which will cover hall hire, prize money, and all the costs of running the speech and performance section, and a grant of $1500 from Essential Energy will cover the considerable costs of printing the syllabi and programs,” Mrs Morris said. 

The eisteddfod starts on May 18 with music, followed by speech and performance from May 28, mature performers on May 30, choral speech from June 3 to 5 and the program will be completed with dance starting on June 5. 

There will also be a debating section with dates for heats still being organised with schools. 

“The committee is buoyed by the generosity of its sponsors, adjudicators are being hired, and all potential competitors are being encouraged to hone their skills for what, hopefully, will be a lively and entertaining, and big, program,” Mrs Morris said.

“The syllabus will be sent to schools and music, dance, and speech teachers. Copies can be ordered by phoning 6765 9478.”