Donation brings youth music zone

Young people with disabilities took part in African drumming workshops

An anonymous benefactor has come forward to help make a north Wales island a youth music zone for the next two years.

Twenty Youth Music Action Zones are already up-and-running in England but Anglesey is the first area in Wales to take part in the project, thanks to £250,000 from the generous donor.

The initiative was launched in Llangefni, on Friday when hundreds of children were given a taste of what the scheme will have to offer over the next two years.

They took part in African drumming workshops and performances by local youth theatre companies

He or she has been dealing with the project through a solicitor and we don't even know whether this person is Welsh or not Mari Pritchard, Menter Môn

Anglesey's project is called Ynys Môn Ardal Swnllyd (YMAS) - Anglesey Noise Zone.

It is the 21st action zone launched with funding from Youth Music, a UK charity that funds music schemes for people up to the age of 18, particularly those living in areas of social and economic need.

The aim is to reach youngsters who might otherwise miss out.

Music-making

The money will be spent on six projects running over the next two years, including Miri Meithrin, a project for pre-school age children, gospel singing and a rock project called Soundbox.

It will also be spent on a music club for children with special needs, a composing project and a mobile performance unit which will promote music-making in local communities.

"We are determined to reach those children and young people who have little or no access to music making," said Christina Coker, Chief Executive of Youth Music.

Organisers have no idea who the benefactor is or why he or she decided to give £250,000 to bring the project to Wales.

"No one knows who it is, not even Youth Music themselves," said Mari Pritchard from Menter Môn - one of the organisations that will take the project forward.

The local team will develop the project for the next two years

"He or she has been dealing with the project through a solicitor and we don't even know whether this person is Welsh or not."

The Ynys Môn zone brings together Anglesey County Council's Department of Education and Leisure, Theatr Ieuenctid Môn (TIM - Anglesey Youth Theatre), the Education Advisory Service and the School's Music Service, who between them have attracted £130,000 of the funding.

A partnership in Merthyr Tydfil hopes it will be successful in bidding for the rest of the money

"We look forward to a noisy two years!" said John Rees Thomas, Anglesey council's head of service for lifelong learning and information.