Former Horsham resident Chris Bellman plays the restored piano from Horsham Town Hall. Picture: CONTRIBUTED
An old grand piano from Horsham Town Hall has come to life again, being played by former Horsham resident Chris Bellman.
The C Bechstein piano now belongs to Brian Spassord of Melbourne, who bought it about 20 years ago from a Hamilton man, who in turn had bought it from Horsham Town Hall.
Mr Spassord then spent six years restoring the 1913 piano.
Mr Spassord was left in a wheelchair after a serious accident in 2000 and he has not been able to play the piano since.
He was put in touch with Mr Bellman, who offered to play the piano for him.
Mr Bellman, with his cousin Amy Bellman of Horsham, spent a day playing the piano and talking about music with Mr Spassord.
"He seemed to really enjoy it," Mr Bellman said.
"He was really happy to hear it played again and liked talking about music with us."
Mr Bellman said the old piano had a magnificent sound and he really enjoyed playing it.
"It sounded like a piano with a great history," he said.
Mr Bellman hopes to play for Mr Spassord again soon.
"I really want to take my recording software there and record my own music on it," he said.
Mr Bellman has been learning music for the past seven years.