Mary Parson's Charity Distributes Funds to Sheffield Silversmiths
Published: 8th January 2026
The Mary Parsons Charity Service at The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul gives thanks to the Silversmiths and Jewellers of the city on The Feast of St John the Evangelist
High on a wall in the Nave of Sheffield Cathedral is a plaque dedicated to John Parsons, an early silversmith of Sheffield. In 1815, Mary, his sister who held affectionate regard to her brother’s memory bequeathed £1,500 to be invested in public funds, the interest and dividends thereof to be annually distributed among infirm and poor Sheffield Silversmiths and Platers.
The service on Saturday 27th December was officiated by The Revd Canon Justin Dodd, Canon Missioner who in his sermon kindly offered to remember Mary and John Parsons and the Silversmithing community past and present in the city and talked of community being of great importance at this time. The carols were uplifting, and the service exceptionally well attended.
Chairman of the Mary Parsons Charity and Assay Master, Mr Ashley Carson, Sara Hale, Head of Commercial Operations for Sheffield Assay Office, Executive Member and Managing Director of British Silverware, Jackie Tear, CK Crafthouse, Chris Perry, Trustees Brett Payne, Chris Hudson and Emma Paragreen, along with representatives of the trade, beneficiaries of the charity, silversmiths and jewellers attended the service.
Beneficiaries of the Mary Parsons Charity received their cheques after the service, tea, coffee and mince pies were served.
Assay Master, and Chairman of the Mary Parsons Charity commented.
"I am really grateful to The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul for giving a profile of this unique Charity, remembering John and Mary Parsons and the Silversmiths and Jewellers of the City.
I especially want to thank Revd Justin Dodd for officiating the service, Tom Daggett, Director of Music, The Organist, the Choir and Junior Organ Scholar Freddie Wright and those in the trade who have donated to the charity this year to support the beneficiaries.
Special thanks go to The Sea Horse Trust of The Worshipful Company of Pewterers, Sheffield Assay Office, David Scott Walker, Carrs of Sheffield, IBI International, Brett Payne, Rebecca Joselyn, CK Crafthouse, Brown and Newirth and those who wish to remain anonymous."
If you would like to find out more about the charity more information is available via https://calendarcustoms.com/articles/sheffield-mary-parsons-charity/ and The Mary Parsons Charity | Sheffield Assay Office
Anyone wishing to make a donation for 2026 can do so via bank transfer to
The Mary Parsons Charity
Sort Code 20-76-92
Account Number 33363791
or cheques can be made payable to 'Mary Parsons Charity' and sent to: Sheffield Assay Office, Guardians' Hall, Beulah Road, Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 2AN
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