An age-old concert tradition was spectacularly revived at Trinity Methodist Church.

Over 50 years since the last Douglas Eisteddfod was held in Bucks Road, Olivia Black, with help from many of her musical colleagues, and in connection with Reverends Hall and Hooton, brought the Eisteddfod back to life on Saturday night.

Compered by Zoe Cannell, the evening began with ’Hymn Raising’, with individuals singing the first line of a popular hymn and then joined by the audience, with the winner being the person deemed to start closest to the original musical key.

Organist Gareth Moore provided piano accompaniment and musical assistance throughout the night.

’From the outset, there was a super and supportive atmosphere among the crowd, with people enthusiastically taking to the stage to perform a variety of classes, which included a Spelling Bee, Men’s Solo, Ladies’ Solo, Impromptu Speech and Duets/Ensembles,’ said Zoe.

’It was open to all, you didn’t have to express any advance interest. The organisers let it be known that this was to simply be an enjoyable and relaxed event.’

Olivia was joined by music teacher and fellow-guild regular Mandy Griffin to provide short adjudications and award certificates.

However, Zoe said that the taking part and providing entertainment were the most important elements of this Eisteddfod.

’Children were welcomed and encouraged to take part in, not only a dedicated class for them, but in everything else as well,’ she said.

’The ’Unpunctuated Reading’ proved to be a surprising hit, and the brave participants should be congratulated for getting up and having a go at reading a short piece about the Ben-My-Chree containing no punctuation whatsoever.

’Unsuspectingly, they read how they’d like to ’lie down on the car deck’. This led to gales of laughter from the audience who, in advance, had been read how the piece was supposed to sound,’ she said.

’The ’Own Composition’ class produced some truly moving material and it, once more, highlighted the real wealth of talent on this Island.

’It’s hoped that after such a marvellous evening combining artistic aptitude, banter and a community feel, this could become an annual event.’

Zoe thanked the ladies of the Church, who provided a magnificent supper of a huge assortment of sandwiches and cakes.

The hymn raising class was won by Debbie Gooding, who also took the ladies solo class, and the impromptu speech class was awarded to Cat Jenkins.

Zac Colligon won the children’s class, and the unpunctuated speech class was shared by Angela Southern and Nigel Crowe.

Graham Crowe and Chris Jagus tied in the men’s solo, and Matthew Cho won the ’own composition’ class.

Breeshey Kelsey, Joshua Mooney, Zac Colligan and Ethan Whyley shared the Duet and Ensemble Class, and Chris Jagus and Debbie Gooding battled to the end in the spelling bee.