AFTER the great success of the 2011 Gwˆyl Gerdd Dinas Powys Music Festival, preparations are underway for the 2012 Music Festival, which will be held between Saturday, 12 May, and Sunday, 20 May 2012 - so keep your diary free for that week!

The programme, to be published soon, will be of a similar format to that of the well-supported 2011 Festival - wide and varied and offering something for everyone - all at reasonable prices!

However, the Festival does not stand still. New ideas are always being explored. The venues for concerts and other events will include Dinas Powys Parish Hall, Dinas Powys Methodist Church, St Andrew's and St Peter's churches.

The Annual General Meeting of the Music Festival is being held at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 9 November 2011, in the Committee Room at the Parish Hall, Britway Road, Dinas Powys, and all are welcome to attend.

The committee of the Music Festival were delighted to receive grants towards the 2011 Festival from the Vale of Glamorgan Council and from the Dinas Powys Civic Society.

The festival continues to receive support, both financial and in kind, from Dinas Powys Community Council and from many organisations in the village. A grant has also been awarded from the Waitrose Music Matters Award Scheme - the only one awarded for the whole of Wales and the West of England.

Quite an achievement! Such support, and that given by the Patrons of the Music Festival, is essential if the Music Festival is to continue as an important aspect of village life in future years.

This year will see the introduction of a 'Corporate Patrons' scheme which will enable local businesses and organisations to become associated with the Music Festival and, if they wish, the opportunity to sponsor particular concerts or events during the Festival week.

If you wish to become a patron or a corporate patron of the Music Festival, and/or are interested in sponsoring an event, please contact, by email, John Fanshaw at jrfanshaw@talktalk.net

Patrons and sponsors will receive early information about the programme and other events and their contribution towards the Festival will be acknowledged.

Of course, the only way in which the success of the Music Festival can continue to be part of Dinas Powys life is through village residents coming to the concerts and other events.

The Music Festival committee will strive to provide a programme that appeals to all and looks forward to receiving, once again, support and goodwill from Dinas Powys during this Festival week.