IN FORCE TO ‘MUSIC STREET’
streets for flats, you’ve only got one Womanby Street.”
Matthew Talfan was on the march with his wife and children He said it was important to bring his kids along to the march.
He said: “I’m getting a bit long in the tooth but this is for the younger generation coming up. It’s important that they have a place that they can own and they feel they belong that says something about this city that is not the same as the corporate bland brand that we see around. Womanby Street is that place.”
Grant Jones, from the Creative Republic of Cardiff, the group of former staff at the Full Moon bar who on Friday evening reopened the venue after it had recently shut, said he couldn’t quite take everything in but it was important the support from those on the march stretched far beyond one day.
“This is a beautiful thing. When I get a rest on Monday I’ll be able to take it all in. Let’s hope this support carries on for many years to come. It can’t be a one-time thing. Let’s make Cardiff the best city in this country.
Musician Tomos Lewis added: “People realise it won’t get looked after by people who purely want to make profit, it will get looked after by the people.
“It’s amazing to think that there is this much love and this much support for Cardiff’s music scene.”
As the march arrived outside Cardiff City Hall, Save Womanby Street campaigner Ewan Moore addressed the crowd and relayed his own very personal story.
He said: “A year and a half ago I was broken and depressed.
“What brought me back from the edge was Womanby Street.
“The music in our streets, the venues, the community, everyone who makes this street so special.
“The joy, the love and support lifted me up in my darkest moment.
“Whilst we, you and I have beautiful, unique memories of the street, it’s the collective that makes the street so valuable and irreplaceable.”
He added: “We cannot stand idle as our venues close and mourn them when they’re gone.
“Womanby Street is the beating heart of grass roots music in Wales and the first step for thousands of bands.”
Politicians including Cardiff Central MP Jo Stevens, LibDem leader Elizabeth Clark, Cardiff council leader Phil Bale and Plaid Cymru’s Neil McEvoy also addressed the crowds outside City Hall.