Andy Warnock

Jeremy Miles meets culture unions @bectu.bsky.social, @wearethemu.bsky.social, @writersguildgb.bsky.social and @equityuk.bsky.social at TUC Cymru's Eisteddfod stand.

Jeremy Miles yn cwrdd â undebau creadigol Bectu, Undeb y Cerddorion, Undeb y Sgwennwyr ac Equity ar stondin Eisteddfod TUC Cymru.

Musicians’ Union members at the National Eisteddfod 2025

Musicians’ Union information in Welsh

It’s great to be at the @eisteddfod.cymru today with @wearethemu.bsky.social members, @equityuk.bsky.social @bectu.bsky.social @writersguildgb.bsky.social and @tuccymru.bsky.social. We’re really pleased we now have Welsh materials thanks to support from members, get in touch if you want some

I’ll be in Llandudno for Welsh Labour Conference over the weekend, with a @wearethemu.bsky.social motion on strengthening support for culture. Get in touch if you’d like to arrange a chat while I’m there via wswe@themu.org

I’m happy to see if I can help

Celebrate Union Pride with the MU at Tolpuddle 2025 Members are invited to join us at this year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival - the biggest celebration of the trade union movement in the Southwest - taking place 18 to 20 July in the beautiful Dorset vil...

We're really pleased to be attending Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival in Dorset again this year.
 
Information on the festival and how to get in touch if you're going and would like to be involved (including joining us for procession on Sunday) is on the website here: musiciansunion.org.uk/news/celebra...

MU Welcomes Cardiff Music School’s Decision to Remain Open and Urges More Support for Arts in Higher Proposals to close the School of Music at Cardiff University won’t go ahead, but further work is needed on the detailed plans and culture across Wales.

This is something that @naomipohl.bsky.social and I discussed with the Cabinet Secretary for Education on Thursday and that I hope to continue working on with the culture and education teams.

musiciansunion.org.uk/news/mu-welc...

MU Welcomes Cardiff Music School’s Decision to Remain Open and Urges More Support for Arts in Higher Proposals to close the School of Music at Cardiff University won’t go ahead, but further work is needed on the detailed plans and culture across Wales.

The University must continue to work with unions to avoid redundancies.

It's also crucial that Welsh Government works with universities, unions, and businesses to ensure arts and humanities subjects are available across Wales given the economic importance of the creative industries.

It's good that Cardiff University has cancelled its plans to close the School of Music, although it's concerning that today's update indicates this may include lower student numbers.

Well done and thanks to @cardiffucu.bsky.social and the UCU music group for their ongoing work on this.

Room in Swindon set up for the MU Local Members’ Day and Portable Appliance Testing

Ruth, our Regional Officer, is set up in Swindon for our Local Members’ Day and Portable Appliance Testing happening today

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Swindon This is an opportunity to ensure that your equipment is safe, and that you are able to provide assurances for your insurance, venues and bookers. Available for all MU members based in Wales and South ...

There are only a few spaces left for our free Portable Appliance Testing and Local Members' Day tomorrow 7 June in Swindon.

Book a slot for free testing here: musiciansunion.org.uk/events/free-...

Book a one-to-one session here: musiciansunion.org.uk/events/wswe-...

@wearethemu.bsky.social

We'll continue to engage with Welsh Government on the National Music Service, to:
- seek additional funding (at least £5m/year)
- work on improving pay and conditions for instrumental and vocal teachers
- secure a union seat on the advisory board, in line with social partnership principles

However, it's disappointing that the amount (£4m/year) is actually a real terms cut of over 21% compared to 2022, when the service was created. Extra funding is needed to support Welsh Government’s ambition of increasing access to music education for all young people.

Welsh Government to Fund National Music Service for a Further Three Years The MU welcomes the news, although funding levels still aren’t sufficient to meet the Welsh Government's ambitions for music education.

We're pleased that the Welsh Government has announced funding for the National Music Service for another three years. This clarity is important for music services and our members across Wales, and it's a shame the announcement hasn't come until June.

musiciansunion.org.uk/news/welsh-g...

Information on the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grants programme and an information session at 1pm 14 May

The @britishcouncil.bsky.social Connections Through Culture grants programme is open: arts.britishcouncil.org/get-involved...

A bilingual information session for Wales-based potential applicants is on Zoom at 1pm today: forms.office.com/e/q2SubrLH8U

Info via @cymrugreadigol.bsky.social

WSWE Local Members' Day: Swindon This free Members' Day in Swindon includes workshop sessions, portable appliance testing (PAT) and one-to-one advice sessions with MU Officials.

MU in person events in WSWE for the rest of 2025:
- Local Members' Day Swindon, 7/6/25: musiciansunion.org.uk/events/wswe-...
- Regional Members' Day Bristol, 20/9/25 (provisional)
- Local Members' Day Cardiff, October date TBC

Get in touch:
wswe@themu.org
musiciansunion.org.uk/contact/wale...

Musicians’ Union banner and leaflets

We’re in the @focuswales.bsky.social Marshall artists’ zone next to Llwyn Isaf with @wearethemu.bsky.social merch. @helpmusicians.bsky.social and @musicmindsmatter.bsky.social are here too. Come and say hi and everyone’s welcome to our mixer tomorrow afternoon: www.ticketsource.co.uk/focus-wales/...

I’m at @focuswales.bsky.social until Sunday. Come and say hi if you’d like to chat about how @wearethemu.bsky.social can help you with your career or supporting music in Wales, and everyone’s welcome to our mixer on Saturday afternoon: www.ticketsource.co.uk/focus-wales/...

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