THIS month, The Musication Station is opening its doors once again for everyone to drop in and have a go at playing a variety of musical instruments, but this time it has a new home.

Marking a new partnership between two local charities The Anvil Trust and Basingstoke Sports Trust, The Musication Station will set up for two weekends from Saturday, August 14, in the Customer Lounge on the first floor of the Sports Centre in Festival Place. Instruments such as electric guitar, bass, keyboards and electric drums are all available to pop in and play – and all free.

Matthew Cleaver, chief executive of Anvil Arts, said: “We’re very pleased to re-open The Musication Station this summer, bringing music to Basingstoke and families back into the town centre. We are very grateful to Basingstoke Sports Centre for making it possible and look forward to working with the Basingstoke Sports Trust in future. We also thank Barratt Homes for their contribution to making sure The Musication Station can continue this year.”

Andrea Heath, of Basingstoke & District Sports Trust Ltd, added: “We are really excited to welcome The Musication Station to Basingstoke Sports Centre, forming a new charity partnership offering further diversity to the range of activities and services we provide to our community.”

The Musication Station will be run in a Covid-safe way. Masks will be expected but not enforced, and instruments will be cleaned before and after use.

The Musication Station will be open from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 14, Sunday 15, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 August. It will be open for drops-ins; booking is not required. Visit anvilarts.org.uk for more information.

The Musication Station will also be at War Memorial Park on Friday, August 13 from 11am to 3pm as part of Basingstoke Festival’s Fri-YAY programme. This will be an unplugged Musication Station, so no amps, but there will be acoustic guitars, cajons and electric violins with headphones, and smaller percussion instruments for younger children.