MIXING IT; Like many DJs, Stuart Maccallum, aka DJ Fat Stu, started mixing his decks from his bedroom at home. Photo; Rob Davies

MID Wales DJ Stuart Maccallum is set to run his own drum and bass night in Newtown on Christmas Eve, with acts from across the UK playing. 'Bass Invaders', as the event will be called, aims to attract new and up-and-coming talent locally and nationally for fans of drum and bass music, and dubstep - a form of electronic music which shares its roots with London's garage scene.

With four years of experience behind him, including tours of Liverpool, Manchester, Northampton and Shrewsbury, and DJing for big names such as Random Concept, Innovation and Ghost, as well as alongside the likes of Drumsound, Chase and Status, Break, Lomax, Shy FX and with warm-up sets for Pendulum and Sub Focus for their album tours, it is safe to say that Stuart Maccallum is a rolling stone.

But he sticks to his roots, stating that he first started listening to house and techno styles of music, "and I've never lost passion for that genre," he explains. Though drum and bass seems to be the style that works best for him when he says, "I found that my calling card was in the Drum and Bass industry."

The calling card has been answered with many gigs and shows added to his CV, though Stu urges other local DJs to get in touch and become part of his 'Bass Invaders' spectacular. "I'm hoping to get as many local upcoming names as I can, to give them a chance of playing," he said.

When asked how it all started, Stu praises Sonny Wharton (pictured above), a DJ who's local to Welshpool, for the influence and how he began. "I started when Fuze (in Newtown) began selling records and this is where I met Sonny, he was the person to start my passion for DJing.

"I used to run there every day after school just to chat about new music and where Sonny was DJing next. I loved it! Every moment I had to waste would be in there."

Stu has been listening to names such as Welsh DJ and record producer Sasha, John Digweed, drum and bass musician, producer and DJ, LTJ Bukem and the fast-mixing Andy C along the years, but still says his biggest influence is Sonny Wharton.

"He also got me my first gig at the infamous 'TRASHED', which now has world-wide success. I have everything to thank Sonny for because if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have the courage to go out there and get what I want from music.

"I also give a lot of thanks to another up-and-coming local DJ who is now making his mark in Cardiff, Tom Davey."

Stu typically uses CDJs, which are similar to the traditional vinyl turntables classically used in DJing, but made for CDs, and also Technics turntables and desks when at home or in the studio, but he says the equipment he uses varies from club to club.

"When I'm not DJing and I get into producing, I use Ableton, Albino and Native Instruments products," Stu explains.

The biggest forward musical push will be when he travels to Manchester University this November to study Musical Production, something he has already turned his talent to.

"I have my fingers crossed for a few tracks that I've produced that have been given to big names, labels and artists, who are seeing plays from them.

"The tune that I'm looking to get released early next year is a liquid drum and bass track with influences from early Motown records and features a lot of bass driven styles."

Stu is pushing his music 100 per cent at the moment, travelling to places such as Berlin and Lithuania to perform inside clubs to hundreds of drum and bass fanatics.

But before another trigger is pulled, his event 'Bass Invaders', which is to be held in Newtown this Christmas Eve, will be a chance for him and other local talent to shine. To find out more information and if you're interested in playing at this event contact Stu at stuart_Maccallum_5@msn.com.

This event is set to make a very loud impact on the drum and bass scene so reach in before the opportunity is blasted away!

Dear Sir,
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the County Times for giving work experience opportunities to youngsters learning their vocation in journalism.
An article about my website, "Family website turns up some black sheep'", appeared in the County Times, written by James Wilson, who is currently studying towards a BSC honours degree in journalism. I was very impressed by his attitude and style of questioning, complimented by a professionally written article.
I was delighted to receive an e-mail today from a researcher for BBC Radio Cymru, who having read James' article, would like more information from me about the website, www.penmon.org   This resulted in an interview on the popular Welsh radio programme, 'Jonsi'. 
Had James not spotted the potential for an article, this wonderful opportunity would never have occurred. Thank you James and thank you County Times.

Ken Davies, Newtown, Powys.

"NAPLES was the city of song and laughter," reminisced Ada Rosinski from her home in Newtown.

"People were always singing in the street. Life was beautiful, everyone was happy. Men worked while the girls stayed at home to cook and clean, as it was back in those days.

"I remember the occasional parties in the streets for weddings or birthdays. I had a beautiful voice and used to sing and dance for people. But then it all changed."
Life was pleasant for Ada Rosinski, a 17-year-old at the time, as she was greeted by sunny, easy going mornings with her family. But all of a sudden, "it became very, very hard."

The sun faded away on November 1, 1940, when Naples was bombed for the first time after reports war was coming.

"Announcements were made over the radio," Ada told the County Times. It disrupted happy families when males as young as 16 joined, were taken, or were convinced to fight against the enemy and support their home country.

Shopkeepers abandoned their businesses and fled as air sirens pitched the skies acting un-purposely like a warm up sound before the plane engines came to be heard. Life in a beautiful, peaceful city had just taken a turn for the worse, with soldiers invading the streets.

"Water and food, they were taking over everything," says Ada, looking down as she slightly shakes her head to the horrible memories, with her right hand's two first fingers touching her lip.

"There was a pump in the middle of the town which the boys would try and rush to to pick up some water for the family. But sometimes they would never return.

"Some were found dead in the street." Mothers used to hide their sons in their rooms to protect them from lurking soldiers, who, when knocked on their doors, used to ask for the men. "There's no one here," Ada said they used to claim, "Sometimes they would break in and search the house and if boys were found, they were taken.

"They had no respect, breaking everything around. They were awful, and cruel. We saw a few soldiers far away, we would never dream of going near them. They started shooting if someone went near."

Food was scarce and findings were carefully rationed, but shared with the neighbours as community friends stuck together through, what must have been, a nightmare.

"We used to sleep fully clothed just in case we heard the sirens, then we'd all run to the basement. Myself, my mum and my sister were terrified."

Meanwhile, in Poland, a young man had just started his own printing company.

But as news broke that war had begun, Czes Rosinski, who had to serve his country, crossed over to England to fight against the Nazi German soldiers, "walking miles and miles every day," says Ada, who had never met or heard of this man at the time.

Czes was captured by the invading Germans and held prisoner before managing to escape and travelling to London where he stayed for a long time.

After noticing a place in the paper, he moved to Newtown, which seemed like a much quieter, more peaceful place to live in.

He stayed in Newtown working at a printing company, which is now where St Mary's Close flats have been erected after the demolition years ago.

After the war had ended in 1945, Ada's sister, Olga, had found love with a British soldier in Naples. They got married and both moved to his home here in Newtown to find work. But Olga was feeling very home-sick leaving her mother and sister behind especially after the family-uniting war and the times they had experienced together over the last few years and decades.

Seeing as Olga was so happy being with her new husband, but missing the rest of her family, her mother moved to Newtown to be with them - and Ada joined. This was another hard time for the family, in a strange new place with a different language and a different culture. But once again, they fought through it.

"We started going to the Catholic church. And one day they announced a 'dance' up on the top floor of the Pryce Jones building," said Ada. "It was a St Patrick's Day dance and I went with a friend."

It was there that Czes noticed Ada and they began to chat, which led to a few more meetings and only six months after Ada had introduced Czes to her family, who were a bit wary before the meeting. But soon they were engaged, and not long after Ada and Czes, as refugees from Poland and Italy, were married in Wales.

It was the war that moved people around, only for them to find love. Whether it be the need for comfort, the vulnerability of peace, or the celebration of happiness, the impact had affected the lives of millions around the world and for people to find love after it, Ada's story shows that with determination and support for one another then happiness can be found after anything, no matter how hard. 

 COUNTY TIMES AND EXPRESS

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