STROUD BREWERY is to host a night of live music on Thursday, July 25 to raise money for the campaign to buy the Heavens Valley on behalf of the community.

Three bands have agreed to play for free to help the cause, and the organisers hope the event will raise thousands of pounds towards the purchase of Stroud’s special rural oasis.

The event, called the For Heavens’ Sake Music Festival, will feature SUSAN the Band, The Greater Good, and Natalie Shay with Joey Oscar. 

This is the latest fundraising event organised by the Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society, which has been working hard behind the scenes to try to secure the purchase of the much-loved Heavens.

The Society’s fundraising coordinator, Annabel Richmond, said: “We are now at a crucial point in the process of trying to secure this much-loved ‘slice of Heaven’ for the people of Stroud, so our fundraising events are more important than ever.

“We are so grateful for the generous support of these three fabulous bands, and to Stroud Brewery for hosting our second music fundraiser.

"The gig there by award-winning singer and songwriter Emily Barker in May raised £1,700 and we hope that the For Heavens’ Sake event will be equally successful.”

More than £250,000 has already been pledged by local people, and the HVCBS hopes soon to have a full membership of share-owning members of the community.

Annabel added: “We feel incredibly lucky to have so many in the local community behind us – we are at a critical stage in the process so it is vital that as many people as possible support us in terms of pledging donations and becoming share-holders and to help to spread the word about our campaign.

“The event falls at the same time as the WOMAD festival so it will be a great alternative for anyone who failed to get a ticket or who could not afford the entry price.

"For any music fans who are staying local, it's the perfect alternative!”

The event is from 7pm to 11pm on Thursday 25 July (doors open at 7pm), at Stroud Brewery’s Balcony Bar, Kingfisher Business Park, Stroud, GL5 2BY

Tickets (£10 in advance, £15 on the door) can be booked here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/61743?

For further information about the Heavens campaign, to pledge support or to join the team of volunteers: http://www.heavensvalley.org.uk