"This event was supported by us the tax payers to the tune of £360,000 already this year. The Assembly must not give them any more cash. I visited the event this year in Newport and was surprised that people were rude to me just because I don't speak Welsh. If the Eisteddfodd Council could attract more people to the event they wouldn't need extra funding. How do they attract more people? Well they could start by treating people decently and perhaps dropping the admission price. I believe the £10 entrance fee kept many people away."
News - Cuts vital for festival survival
Andrew Jenkins from Newport enjoyed his first competition experience: "I won the Baritone over 25 competition. Organisers, fellow competitors helped me with translation and information relating to my event. I suppose it's healthy for the Eistedfodd to have individuals from the area taking part.
"My personal achievement will live with me for ever. I have sung in choirs since the age of 13 and been a member of Risca Male Choir for nearly 15 years. I wish to pass on my personal thanks to my tutor Martin Hodson MBE, my family, and friends for their support."
Steffan from Cardiff thinks there is a degree of ignorance about the Eisteddfod: "I find it strange that so many people were surprised to discover that the event is a Welsh language affair. I understand why some also expected more arts and crafts, as these take a more important place in school eisteddfodau.
"However, it was good to see so many non-Welsh speakers having a good time.
"As for the clown who had to stop his performances (click here for details), I think he should take up the issue with the organisation that employed him. Many bodies who have stalls on the Maes seem to be completely ignorant about the actual event, and perhaps the Eisteddfod organisers are a little too keen to take the cash off them without explaining what it is.
"All in all a good Eisteddfod, but nowhere near as good as '98."
Glyn Davies from Pontypool was a steward at this year's event: "I went to my first Eisteddfod when it was in Lanelli in 2000. At the time I only spoke a few words of Welsh, but still enjoyed the experience.
"This year, with four more years of learning Welsh under my belt, I went to the Eisteddfod and worked there all week as a steward, as did my England born non-Welsh speaking wife. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves although it was a very tiring week. Neither of us heard any negative comments all week and we obviously spoke to a great number of people because of our role as stewards.
"I was very pleased to hear so much English being spoken on the Maes and to see so many people with the simultaneous translation devices - the Eisteddfod is for everyone and not just Welsh speakers. We met a lot of old friends, worked with some wonderful people from all parts of Wales, and made many new friends.
"If one goes to a cultural event such as the Eisteddfod then it should be with an open mind. It is obvious from some of the comments that the person making them was determined to find fault no matter what. It is also obvious that some of the comments have been made by people who either did not visit the Maes or who went around with their eyes shut.
"Both my wife and I will be volunteering to steward at the Eisteddfod again next year and at future Eisteddfodau."
Gareth Williams from Caerleon has been inspired to learn Welsh: "As a non-Welsh speaker, I had been really looking forward to the Eisteddfod coming to Newport. I took my wife and children along on Thursday (£10 per adult did seem a bit steep)a nd we had a great time. Not speaking Welsh didn't cause any problems, although there was a sense of being an outsider within my own country which was a little odd.
"The children loved the S4C performances even though they couldn't understand a word! I felt there was plenty of Welsh culture on display, but the only minus point was being unable to locate the Learners Tent (reading the comment below I now know why) - but I will definitely be taking steps to learn Welsh."
16 year old Hannah Evans from Caerphilly took her first trip to the Maes on Saturday 7 August: "I had been looking forward to it all week and finally managed to drag along my family. I am not a Welsh speaker. However, it has always been compulsory in my school to have Welsh lessons, and if I'm honest I have always enjoyed learning my national language - I wish that I could speak it more fluently.
"I went today expecting to find much resentment and disapproval from the native Welsh speakers having been told English is almost forbidden, and that some Welsh speakers point blankly refuse to speak English even when it is clear that someone can't speak Welsh. However I was surprised to find nothing of the kind, and most people happy to speak English if need be.
"I was expecting to find a mass of Welsh crafts and products and tents giving information about Wales and the Welsh culture. I was looking forward to the event as it is so near to my own town and where some of my family live (Newport). Also I am interested in the Welsh culture, the language and the traditions.
"However I was bitterly disappointed. After paying an extortionate amount to get in I found nothing of what I was hoping for. There were some very nice craft areas, though not the Welsh produce I was expecting. I found few cultural areas showcasing the Welsh Heritage - instead tents for building societies and banks and the like.
"I left feeling disappointed, overcharged and without the more rewarding cultural experience I was hoping for."
These are archive messages - to air your views please visit our new 
