A NEW lease of life for Haslemere children’s centre – axed in a cost-cutting move in 2019 by Surrey County Council – promises to be a big educational benefit to the whole town.

St Bartholomew’s School governors agreed to open Tennyson’s children’s centre on site in 2010 and have been debating a new use for the building by children and the wider community since it shut.

Tennyson’s is now a community music centre, thanks to the school’s partner Milford Music Works.

Founded by Andy Hart, the Music Works is a community interest company with a mission to make music education as accessible as possible to all.

It has helped deliver a fully equipped facility that will be open for the school in the day and to the general public for lessons in the evenings and on Saturdays.

The new St Bart’s music school comprises two group teaching rooms and two one-to-one tuition rooms, all kitted out with state-of-the-art Yamaha equipment.

The building conversion and fitting has now been completed by The Music Works and everything is up and running to welcome children and adults, who want to learn contemporary music.

There are drums, electric guitar, keyboard, vocals, band and adult choir sessions available, along with ukulele for the under sevens.

Teaching is primarily in small groups of four delivered by the Music Works’ team of fully Yamaha-accredited tutors.

For St Bart’s head Charles Beckerson, who is also a professional musician, the venture is a dream come true.

Mr Beckerson said: “This is music for everyone and it could have been purpose-built to be used as a music school.

“Music Works is a not for profit organisation and any proceeds go back into the community.

“This is incredible opportunity for someone like me who cares passionately about everyone getting opportunities.

“Haslemere Fringe Festival chair Ken Griffiths is hugely behind this and Music Works will run a stage at The Fringe.

“The key thing is it’s not just for St Bart’s but for whole community. It’s open to everyone.

“It fills me with excitement that we can give children the opportunities I never had – they have state-of-the-art equipment and teaching at their disposal. Who knows, we might even have the next Ed Sheeran in town.

“With a narrow curriculum you run a real risk of narrow outcomes. Our responsibility is to give our kids these rich opportunities. I feel absolutely over the moon. This is community-based in Haslemere, but you can come from Midhurst or Farnham – however far you want to travel.”

• For full details go to: www.themusicworks.co