As part of a mini-tour of the Humber region, the Prime Minister took an active part in demonstrations of the Music4U early years project All Aboard!, whilst visiting The Ropewalk in Barton-upon-Humber. The presentation was led by North Lincolnshire based community musician Steve Le Voguer, a graduate of the Music4U community music for practitioners training course.

The Prime Minister was joined by a delegation from Barbados including the High Commissioner of Barbados, Head of Museums and the Minister for Pan African Affairs as well as being accompanied by UK Government officials, including Secretary of State Alan Johnson MP and North Lincolnshire Council representatives. Andy Carver, the Regional Executive of Arts Council England Yorkshire, was also present.

Liz Bennet of The Ropewalk said: “It was a pleasure to show such high profile guests the ground breaking work that Music4U do in the Humber Region. The Prime Minister of Barbados was particularly interested in the application of technology through music.”

The visit formed part of the regional commemorations to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of slavery. The delegation's tour of the region was at the invitation of the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce.

-Ends-

<sub>Notes to Editors:

1. Music4U is the Humber Region Youth Music Action Zone. Music4U is co-ordinated by the National Centre for Early Music working in partnership with the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire Councils. The Action Zones have been instigated and funded by Youth Music and are supported by Arts Council England, Yorkshire.
More info is available www.humber-music4u.com

2. Youth Music is a UK-wide charity that funds and facilitates music making for young people up to the age of 18, particularly those living in areas of social and economic need. By 2010, Youth Music aims to have reached 3 million children and young people in a UK-wide strategy to support youth music making. More info is available at http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/ . Since the creation of the first Youth Music Action Zone in 2000, the concept has been rolled out over 24 regions across England and Wales, some of which are now in their sixth year of operation. With a remit to support music-making activities for some of the UK’s most disadvantaged young people, Youth Music Action Zones have gone on to reach over 230,000 children and young people, encouraging their talents, building their confidence and transforming the landscape of musical opportunity throughout the UK.  The music making supported is of the widest variety, from hip-hop and dj-ing to classical and jazz.</sub>