THE Eisteddfod box office claimed its biggest success this week. A busy day of competitions and superb weather yesterday encouraged 22,438 people through the gates at Tredegar House.

That is far higher than Monday's figure of 18,080 and adds to the strong turnout for this year's event.

Last year Wednesday was also a big day at Meifod - 23,242 turned up, but at St David's in 2002 only 18,201 showed.

For one elderly Gwent farmer it was a very emotional day. He got a huge surprise as he watched a 70-year-old filmshow about folk dancing - and realised he was on it.

Welsh dance enthusiasts recently found a tape made in 1931 of schoolchildren at Llanover School dancing in the playground. Iorwerth James, 82, of Llanellen, was at the Eisteddfod to watch current pupils of the school performing the Lady Llanover reel.

But he was amazed when the school showed the ancient clip to the audience - and he instantly recognised the skinny ten-year-old dancing with two girls.

Mr James said: "What an incredible coincidence. "I can't remember this being filmed but I remember the names of all my classmates. Seeing this brings so much back."

The pupils aged ten to 11 years, from Llanover School, near Abergavenny, put on a display to celebrate Lady Llanover Day and her support of the Eisteddfod.

The school keeps the dance of Lady Llanover alive and the eldest pupils performed in the dance pavilion.

Headteacher Barbara Thomas said: "Mr James is one of our oldest past pupils and has talked to the children about the history of the dance."