Students stage musical protest at Newport council cuts

South Wales: GWENT music students, parents and alumni gathered for a tuneful protest against a proposal by a council to axe funding to the region’s music service.

As part of Newport council’s draft budget proposals for 2013/14 the authority is looking at axing its contribution of £292,000 to Gwent Music Support Service (GMSS).

About 80 people gathered for a mini-concert in support of the service and to protest against the cutbacks.

One campaigner said they didn’t think GMSS, which also receives funding from Torfaen and Monmouthshire, would cope without the cash from Newport council.


Protesters sung and played an arrangement created especially for the event, featuring hymns such as Cwm Rhondda and Abide with Me.

They were conducted by Ben Teague, secretary of the anti-GMSS cuts committee, who organised a petition that has attracted more than 2,000 signatures.

- southwalesargus.co.uk