Show tunes make eisteddfod finale

Richard Brunstrom was honoured at the 2006 eisteddfod

The 2006 National Eisteddfod has closed with the best male voice choir competition and a concert of show tunes in Welsh.

On Saturday the main pavilion hosted the male voice choir of the week award and the "show time" finale.

The festival's final full day was also devoted to Welsh learners with classes and workshops for anyone wanting to improve their Welsh language skills.

Average daily attendance this year was slightly down from the 2005 festival.

According to festival figures, total attendance for the week was 155,437 compared to the 157,820 visitors at the Eryri eisteddfod in 2005 but several thousand up on Newport in 2004 when 147,785 attended.

Honours awarded at the 2006 eisteddfod include the North Wales Police chief constable, Richard Brunstrom, who was created a high-ranking member of the Gorsedd of Bards.

And the winner of the eisteddfod's chair competition, for writing an ode in strict metre, was Gwynfor ab Ifor from Sling near Tregarth, Bangor.

It's a lot of fun and you get to see some good music as well BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stevens

The alternative "Maes B" festival, which draws in Wales' younger festival-goers, also finishes on Saturday with two concerts.

The 2006 Maes B has been able to showcase a "thriving" Welsh pop scene, according to BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens.

"The eisteddfod week is the highlight in musical terms of Welsh language music in Wales.

"You've got a captive audience in terms of people with money to spend in the pocket wanting to buy Welsh stuff," said Stephens, who has been going to the eisteddfod since he was a baby.

"There's Maes B, there's the Cymdeithas yr Iaith (Welsh Language Society) gigs which are happening in Swansea city centre and in Pontlliw, at the Glamorgan Arms as well.

"The Welsh music scene is definitely thriving at the moment in both languages, so there's a lot of things going on, you just need to tap into it a bit.

"It's a lot of fun and you get to see some good music as well," he added.

Meanwhile, Cardiff has been confirmed as the venue for the 2008 National Eisteddfod.

The site has not yet been chosen but Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna fields and Bute Park are all being considered.