We are fundraising to purchase a new PA system for our Chapel venue.

Who we are: The Sheffield General Cemetery Trust is responsible for the maintenance and development of the Sheffield General Cemetery, a heritage park and nature reserve at the heart of the Sharrow and Nether Edge Communities. Charity Number: 1103158

Thank you to everyone who has donated, we are just over halfway to our target which has already enabled us to purchase new speakers and a new mixing desk. These have already seen much use at all our live events. It has improved our music nights incredibly and has made major improvement to the spoken word events in the Chapel.

Our venue: The Trust is establishing a community, education and performance hub in Samuel Worth Chapel, which was saved from dereliction and brought back into use in 2018.

Events: In the past year we have run over 60 events, we hosted a range of events and exhibitions including live music events featuring 60 bands and solo musicians which achieved over 2,000 attending.

Our small capacity, 60, and unusual location has attracted a lot of interest from audiences and musicians. We have also developed distinctive brands for some events for example, Into the Trees and the Cemetery Sessions, which regularly sell out and have a waiting list of bands who want to perform. We have also developed successful partnerships, including with the Sharrow Festival and Jazz at the Lescar.

The events are staffed by volunteers, except those required by our license, such as security.

Why do we need your support? We regularly have sell-out gigs, but as our capacity is strictly limited to 60 people including event staff, our margins are very tight and limit our ability to make a future investments in a PA.

Investment in a PA will benefit musicians and performers, our audiences and wider community. It will make our venue more accessible to a broader range of community events events and musicians who may not have access to a PA.

A new adaptable PA will also increase the range of community events held in the chapel and open up the venue to new audiences as we will be able to programme a broader range of events, helping new and younger musicians and those from a wider range of musical backgrounds.

Our Just Giving crowdfund page has been live for just over a year and we are so grateful for the brilliant response we’ve had. You have raised over £2.3k and that has allowed us to buy new audio equipment for The Samuel Worth Chapel including speakers, a mixing desk and microphones. These items are being used and have made major improvements, especially to our spoken word events in the Chapel. Running a small events venue can be challenging, especially with the added complexities of our building’s age and historical status. Its hard but it’s what makes us unique and we love it. We regularly have sell-out gigs, but as our capacity is strictly limited to 60 people including event staff, our margins are very tight. Every penny donated helps to ensure we can continue to run a brilliantly eclectic programme of events in our beautiful venue. We know times are hard for so many people, especially on the run up to Christmas but if you can donate, we would really appreciate it.

If you aren’t able to donate, then following us on social media and sharing events at The Samuel Worth Chapel with your networks, friends and family would mean the world to us. Thank you for your support to keep our unique heritage building alive for everyone to enjoy.

For more information, please contact:

- Emma Larsson-Revitt: emma.larsson-revitt@gencem.org

- Andy Smith: andy.smith@gencem.org