CHIPPING Norton has a public piano with its big launches this weekend.

The community piano has been installed on the covered walkway at Withers Court with a host of local musicians stepping forward on Saturday and Sunday to give everyone a flavour for how it should sound.

Cotswolds musicians from The Cantacordi Piano Trio and the Wychwood Choracle play on Saturday from 1pm with Susie Allan (noon) and Lionel Sainsbury (1.30) showcasing their talents on Sunday.

Chipping Norton Town Council thanked the Co-op Midcounties for granting a license for the piano which was donated to the town by Carolyn Iley from Ascott under Wychwood and transported for free by House and Carriage Removals.

The mayor, Councillor Georgia Mazower, said: “There are so many people in and around Chipping Norton who are involved in music and performance or who are learning the piano, and there are a huge number of fantastic choirs, as well as some top pop stars and of course music festivals.

“It is an area rich in musical talent and I hope the piano, in a small way, helps to illuminate that richness.

“ We invite residents, teachers and visitors of all ages to have a tinker or use it to practice performing in public without the pressure of a formal setting.

“I’ve had great encouragement from the town’s piano teachers and we know music brings huge joy and that’s what we need now.”

The Town Council commissioned four A level art students from Chipping Norton School to paint the piano to personalise it.

Zoë Robertson has gone on to study illustration at Arts University Bournemouth, Seb Harvey is studying animation at Falmouth University, George Ford is working at Jodie Douglas Framing and on commissions and Ethan Bissett is studying the history of art at Nottingham University.

The council intends to create a small town piano group that will take a particular interest in this new addition to the town.

Those interested in joining should contact the council on 01608 642341 or via email: townclerk@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk