THE arrival of a new piece of equipment has been music to the ears of staff at Bewdley’s community and arts hub.

St George’s Hall is now home to a “superb” Yamaha piano, which was set up just in time to celebrate the renovated venue’s first anniversary, on Saturday, August 9, after the Helen Mackaness Charitable Trust grant-funded the instrument.

Peter Barnett, director of Bewdley Youth Festival, wrote the successful application and will use the piano to support young musicians in Wyre Forest.

He said: “It will create opportunities for performance experience and help young people gain confidence and enhance their skills and talents.

“St. George’s Hall has flexible performance facilities, which make it a natural hub and, consequently, we are very grateful for the generous support from the trust, including the funding of this marvellous, superb instrument.

“Thanks also to Broughton Pianos, who recognised Bewdley Youth Festival’s charitable aims through a generous discount.

“We are currently planning two competitions for young musicians in Wyre Forest and the piano will be a central part of those plans.

“In addition, we hope that music teachers and schools will take advantage of its availability to give their students valuable performance experience.”

The grant from the Helen Mackaness Charitable Trust will also fund a portable digital keyboard and support youth music development activities.

Maynard Burton, chairman of the trust, said: “All of the trustees were delighted to be able to help St George’s Hall to enable them to purchase a piano and feel sure that, given Helen’s great interest in music and the townsfolk of Bewdley, that she would have fully approved.”