Music Train through the decade

Back in 2012 Martin and Liz Gray moved to Bristol from Manchester with their son, who has autism, and after a few months of living in Bristol, Liz was at carers group, and they wanted someone to represent them at the Autism Planning Group. Liz volunteered and at her first meeting she heard of grants being offered to improve the life of people who have autism. They were looking for ideas around inclusive music events and Liz also had this idea around a bike program that offered adapted bikes for people with supportive needs, and this is where both The Music Train and Warmley Wheelers were born!

Milestones Trust helped support Liz with both projects and over the past 10 years have had over 400 free live music events and approximately 11,000 bike rides. In August last year, we held a special concert at Avon Valley Railway in Bitton to celebrate the Music Train’s 10th anniversary. It was amazing to look back on the ten years since Liz Gray set up The Music Train in 2013 – a decade in which there were over 400 events across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. The concert featured performances by some of The Music Train’s much-loved regular musicians, and a big birthday cake helped to make the day extra special.

Martin, who is on the Learning Difficulties Partnership Board at South Gloucestershire Council – comments on the success of The Music Train after helping run the project for ten years and counting! “It’s a wonderful opportunity for adults with learning disabilities who are unable to access social music events in the evening, to attend and perform with professional musicians and interact with the whole community.”

Recently the Music Train was featured on BBC Bristol Radio where both Liz Gray and Dina Stanley featured on Joe Sims’ breakfast show, tune in and listen in Joe Sims – 02/05/2024 – BBC Sounds go to 45.50 to hear all about it.

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