Waitrose Community Matters is a new scheme. Each month the Barry Branch donates £1000 between three local good causes chosen by their customers!
When you purchase your groceries, etc., at Waitrose Barry, at the checkout you’ll receive tokens which you can then be place in the box of the good cause you’d most like to support. the more tokens a cause gets, the bigger donation they receive,……..simple!!!
Guys, spread the word and tell your relatives, neighbours, friends, whoever, to get down to Waitrose Barry during July and ‘do the business’!!!

Born in Cardiff, from a very early age Lynise has always had a fascination for electronic sounds and made up his mind that electronics and music was where his future laid. Lynise went on to study electronics at Llandaff Tech in 1980 before deciding to forge a career in music Technology.  “I started working in small project studios programming music using early sequencers and this led to me becoming a session musician working along side such producers as Tim Lewis and Greg Haver who went on to produce the Manics”. Eventually I opened my own studio in Cardiff Bay and worked with a lot of famous clients at the time, playing and programming all the music for clients. After owning my own studio I decided that I wanted to move on and work with young people and pass on the  knowledge that I had gained through the music industry, this led me to working for Immtech in Cardiff and then eventually been asked to work for Vibe in Barry. However coming to Major Music is a great challenge and opportunity to build on and expand the music workshops that are currently running. I hope to bring a lot of experience to the role and there some exciting plans for Major Music in the not too distant future.

It’s Bank Holiday ‘Plug & Play Night’ at The Blacksmiths Arms, Llanmaes on Sunday 30th May. Here’s another opportunity for all parents and friends of Major Music to relax and enjoy an evening of live music. Its also a chance for the music maestros amongst you to air your talents in the friendly atmosphere of the local pub whilst raising much needed funds for Major Music. The evening kicks off around 7.30 with each act performing 20 minute slots, so get there early to get your name on the list for the evening. Normal licensing laws apply.

The evening was attended by the family and friends of those young people performing, in addition to a number of sponsors and supporters of Major Music, local Councillors, Vale Officers and Jane Hutt –AM.

Trustee of Major Music, and compere for the evening Chris Williams took the opportunity of welcoming all those attending and commending the efforts of those young people who had been working hard practicing over the past weeks to perform at tonight’s event, and which included in each set a Beatles number. Chris also made reference to the achievements and success of this innovative project over the past ten years and to the two co-founders, Dave Roberts and Phil Kirkham who had the vision, tenacity and commitment in setting up Major Music. As Chris further outlined, ‘ ….the success of Major Music would not have been possible without the ongoing support received from a number of businesses, organisations and individuals and in particular the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Roland (UK)…..’.

In attendance also at the event was Mark Davies, Officer from the Vale’s Children and Young People’s Partnership  who commented, ‘…..throughout it’s ten years Major Music continues to provide an important service to young people, it is a privilege to be involved and help celebrate young people’s skills, abilities and achievements….’.
Alyson Jones, the mother of two young people involved with Major Music made reference to the fact, ‘……Major Music is giving children and young adults confidence they may not have in other areas of their life. It also gives them a focus and builds on the talent they already have. Major Music has supported both my children and enabled them to perform music they enjoy…..’.
Acts performing throughout the evening included The Resistance, Lucy Atkins, Gareth Jones, Red, Turf – with Davey, Breaking the Silence and Skate Ketchup. There was also a surprise in store at the end of the evenings performance, and which saw a number of the mentors and volunteers involved with Major Music take to the stage themselves and do a couple of songs including the Beatles hit – Hey Jude!
Appreciation was also given to all of the staff at the Arts Centre who’s support had been invaluable in promoting this and other Major Music events.
Major Music continues to hold it’s weekly workshops at the Llantwit Major Youth Centre on a Tuesday evening, and where young people also have the opportunity to access the state of the art recording studio. There are plans to hold workshops during the school holidays and other innovative events – watch this space!
If you would like to know more about Major Music; to volunteer at the weekly workshops, offer sponsorship or support, or wish to attend the workshops then contact Phil on 01446-792543.

Photographs by Derek Naylor, ifotoevents.

Here’s a blast from the past that some of you might not remember…

The Automatic officially open the Major Music Recording Studio – 24th September 2006

‘Well, what a fantastic day! All the hard work led by Phil and Dave over the past few years finally culminated in the opening, by The Automatic, of our fab new music recording studio. A big thanks to all the Major Music crew, who as ever, pulled together to sort out the technical gremlins that appeared in the morning and provided our guests with the most fantastic hospitality. A special mention to Paul for setting up the CCTV footage that was sent around the building, Scott for bailing us out last minute when the computers didn’t arrive and Pam for providing the delicious Major Music cake! A massive thanks to The Automatic and their manager Martin Bowen who took time out of their day off to come and open the studio. To be able to ask The Automatic, who were gigging with Major Music bands a few years back as White Rabbit, to come back and do this for us just shows how we continue to go from strength to strength and should inspire our current members to greater things!

It’s Easter Bank Holiday ‘Plug & Play Night’ at The Blacksmiths Arms, Llanmaes on Sunday 4th April. Here’s another opportunity for all parents and friends of Major Music to relax and enjoy an evening of live music. Its also a chance for the music maestros amongst you to air your talents in the friendly atmosphere of the local pub whilst raising much needed funds for Major Music. The evening kicks off around 7.30 with each act performing 20 minute slots, so get there early to get your name on the list for the evening. Normal licensing laws apply.

Following on from the success of  Xmas Rocks, Major Music is hosting its first ever ‘Tribute Night’ . The evening is a show piece event for all the Major Music Bands and will also feature our surprise special guest band. One to watch out for!!
Each of our bands will be given the opportunity to perform up to three songs each, and to keep with the flavour of the evening at least one of the songs is to be a Beatles number.
Tickets are £5.00 available in advance from St Donats Arts Centre, or at the door on the night.
Major Music meets every Tuesday evening between 7.00pm and 9.00pm at the Llantwit Major Youth Centre.