A BASINGSTOKE Arts Society has been able to support two initiatives from the town that were hit hard by the pandemic.

The Arts Society based in Basingstoke have offered a grant of £250 each to The Musication Station for buying new instruments and the Proteus Theatre Company for a new musical.

According to the Arts Society volunteers, The Anvil is going to use the money to support the purchase of instruments for their Musication Station.

It is an event that happens several times a year and provides an opportunity for young people to experience playing musical instruments with the help of musicians. The next Musication Station will take place during December 11-19 at Basingstoke Sports Centre.

The Arts Society is also supporting the Proteus Theatre Company for a week-long development process of a new musical, ‘Mermaids’, co-created by Harry Blake and Jennifer Fletcher.

Meanwhile, the society has also supported a young flautist who received high marks in the Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival 2021. The £250 grant from the society has been put towards the purchase of a new flute for the young musician. This bursary will be available again next year and young people are asked to apply, following the instruction in the festival programme.

Gill Waller, chairperson of the Arts Society, said the it has been a very difficult time for many people during the pandemic.

She added: “The grant has been made available from the contribution of Arts society members, And we are trying to do more like this in the future.”