FARNHAM Maltings will throw open its doors this Saturday for a free event to celebrate the venue’s 50th birthday.

Everyone is invited to join in the ’Maltings at 50’ festivities, including live music, family activities, performances and more, from 10am to 5pm.

Enjoy acoustic music in the courtyard, try out the Silent Disco or play with the life-sized interactive arcade games.

Dabble in a new craft at a taster workshop, listen to a series of inspiring talks and join the Maltings’ regular groups at their have-a-go sessions.

Visitors can also watch Ignite, a celebratory showcase of the Maltings’ participation work, and treat themselves to afternoon tea with musical accompaniment.

BBC Radio Surrey will also be broadcasting from the Maltings from 9am.

Gavin Stride, Maltings’ director, said: “Since that day in 1969, apparently started with a conversation on a golf course – when a group of local people decided to save the Maltings for the town – we have been focused on repairing and adapting the buildings.

"In this work, we have benefited from the efforts and care of thousands of volunteers, board members, staff and supporters.

“But the buildings are just a set of things. As interesting is what we might do with them.

“Over the next 50 years I think you will see us increasingly expressing our purpose as a cultural organisation contributing to the quality of everyone’s lives.

“We want to make Farnham feel special.

“I am certain you will see us organising events and activities we have not imagined yet, working with politicians, the health service, with young people, with schools and voluntary groups, and with artists to make a difference to the town.

“We are trying to listen to the aspirations and needs of our community and respond, test new ideas, connect with others and forge unlikely alliances as a means to reach new audiences.

“You will see us running drop-in craft sessions, a choir for people with dementia and their carers, a Men in Sheds project and workshops for young carers.

“I have no idea what we will become over the next 50 years but I know we are committed to being the democratic space in the town for all.

"I also know we have, and I am thankful to, a confident ambitious staff team who are curious and care passionately about making a difference to peoples’ lives.”

For the full programme see www.farnhammaltings.com .