A REGISTERED charity has been putting the beat back into the heart of Herts. Sound Base in Bancroft, Hitchin, was set up to offer innovative music and art opportunities to disaffected young people. As well as having provided training and support for hundr

A REGISTERED charity has been putting the beat back into the heart of Herts.

Sound Base in Bancroft, Hitchin, was set up to offer innovative music and art opportunities to disaffected young people.

As well as having provided training and support for hundreds of young people focusing on their future it also holds regular events to create contact between the trainees and professionals in their chosen area.

Sound Base recently hosted leading London based music group NASTY which has 14 members including DJs, MCs, rappers and producers.

The group, formed around DJ Marcus Nasty, have performed at major events Sidewinder, La Cosa Nostra, Sun City and Garage Nation, including performances in Amsterdam and Ayia Napa.

Their music, described as "grime", a mixture of UK garage, drum 'n' bass, punk and hip hop, has resulted in a major club hit In Da Place and the number one spot on Channel U. Ex-members of the group, Kano and Ghetto, have also achieved notoriety as solo acts.

The group performed in front of Sound Base attendees, past and present. They invited local talent to share the stage, took part in a Q&A and advice session and promised to offer feedback on the CD's collected from the trainees.

Sound Base is inviting professionals to give talks and workshops in the near future.

The charity offers NVQ qualification training and has facilities for Music Production, Web Design, Video Production, Multi Media, Digital Photography and Graphic Design.

Adult students attend the centre two days a week. It also runs an under 16 group in the evening designed to address anti-social behaviour.

It is one of first organisations to receive capital funding from the Home Office which pays for the premises and equipment and, due to the success of the project, will be opening another centre in the near future.

Anyone interested in joining the Sound Base programme should ring 01462 421122 or visit www.soundbase.org.uk for more information.