A free music-making weekend is coming to Romford in a bid to fill a gap caused by cuts to musical education on the school curriculum.

It is open to all ages and even beginners who might not be able to put a tune together.

They can try their hand at any instrument and check out whether they’ve got rhythm at the PMT music store in Eastern Avenue from October 11 to 13.

It’s being staged as part of a campaign by the Music for All charity pressing for more music in mainstream education, which follows a similar event at Easter in Romford Market Place staged by Focus Music company based in Collier Row.

Music For All now wants to inspire, encourage and “enable new and lapsed music makers” to get involved, at a time of current cuts to arts education.

Access to music education is “steadily decreasing with reductions in funding”, the charity says.

“The music weekend is needed now more than ever,” the charity’s Sonali Banerjee insists. “We want to inspire as many people as possible to make music, particularly youngsters who may not have the chance of music lessons at school.”

Music for All is pressing for everyone to have equal access to music and helps disadvantaged youngsters and community projects by giving away instruments every year.

Music challenges the mind and strengthens memory, the charity’s research has found. It creates a break from life’s stresses and gives back a sense of achievement.

Musician Jamie Cullum, an ambassador for the charity, said: “Sadly not everyone has the chance to have these experiences. But the charity is changing lives through music.”

The charity runs online tutorials by professional musicians who have included in the past names like Jools Holland, Alison Balsolm, Anne Denholm, Rob Rolfe and Dave Tench.

The tutorials are available on the charity’s You Tube channel or through their musicforall.org.uk website to find the closest venue.