SOPHIE EDWARDS AND RORY SHEEHAN

A MUSIC studio is to be created in memory of a teenage musician who died earlier this year.

The Delta Academy of Dance and Performing Arts in Queensway, Caia Park, is hosting a fun day on June 15 to raise money towards the studio which will be based on the estate.

Dianne Hughes, 56, from Bangor-on-Dee, who runs the academy lost her son Bradley Hughes suddenly on March 6 this year. He was just 19.

A former pupil at the Maelor School in Penley, Bradley battled mental health issues for much of his life but was a keen singer, songwriter and rapper.

Ms Hughes said she hopes the studio will provide a fitting tribute to her son, and give other youngsters in the area who are just as passionate about performing the opportunity to do so.

She said: “The music studio will be for our pupils but it will be open for other community groups too.

“There is only really the Vic Studio in the town centre for people to use and while Bradley loved that place, and went there a few times, it was often difficult to get a spot.

“It’s also difficult to get to if you can’t get to the town centre, so this will be good for youngsters who live on the estate. We are already forming really strong links in Queensway with the Venture and other community groups.”

Ms Hughes said that one of Bradley’s favourite groups was Wrexham’s rising pop punk band Neck Deep.

She added: “Although he couldn’t play an instrument he loved to pull a tune out of the piano when I was at home, and he wrote a lot of his own songs.

“He likes rapping, and would perform in pubs and clubs.

“Bradley had mental health issues and he was under CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) for most of his childhood, he used to self-harm and was in a very dark place a lot of the time.

“He loved music and maybe if he had a place like this (the studio) he would have had an outlet to express himself and keep occupied.”

The fun day will be held on the Sylvia Jeffreys car park near the academy in Queensway all day on June 15 from 10am to 4pm, with entry 50p.

Funds raised will go to The Queensway Community Group Limited set up by Ms Hughes, with the aim of helping troubled and underprivileged youngsters, and to build the recording studio.

It is hoped it will become a place children and young adults can go to escape from their troubles and find solace in experimenting with music.

Ms Hughes said: “There will be stalls, a car boot sale, children’s entertainment, a comedian, a singing competition, and all different kinds of entertainment throughout the day.

“The money will go towards the studio, somewhere young people can walk to and use free of charge, and book it for band rehearsals.

“We have a crowdfunding campaign and have raised a lot of money already to start building it, and this fun day will really help with that.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bradleysproject