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The Mary Parsons Charity Service Returns to Sheffield Cathedral

Published: 10th January 2022

The annual Mary Parsons Charity service for retired silversmiths returned to Sheffield Cathedral on December 27th 2021. Here at Sheffield Assay Office, we were delighted to see the service take place as it had been cancelled last year due to the pandemic. The service was taken by the new Dean The Very Reverend Abigail Thompson. Despite Covid safety restrictions in place, the service was well attended by beneficiaries of the charity and guests. Following the service everyone enjoyed refreshments, and the opportunity to catch up for the first time in 2 years.

Mary Parsons Service 2021  

The Sheffield Assay Office now administers this unique charity for the retired silversmiths’ of Sheffield and our Assay Master, Ashley Carson who has been the Chairman of the Mary Parsons Charity, commented:

“The service is a great occasion to bring the silversmiths’ of the City of Sheffield together to give thanks for their skills and craftsmanship and remember those who have passed. We are most grateful to those who have contributed to the charity in 2021, grateful thanks to the trade and The Seahorse Trust, a charitable arm of The Worshipful Company of Pewterers, for their continued support”

Mary Parsons Service 2021

Left to Right: The Chairman of the Mary Parsons Charity Mr Ashley Carson, Trustee Mr Brett Payne, The Very Reverend Abigail Thompson, the Dean of Sheffield, The Seahorse Trust, Worshipful Company of Pewteres Mr Chris Hudson and Trustee Mr Keith Tyssen.

The High Alters featured silver made by James Dixon and Sons and hallmarked at Sheffield Assay Office.

For anyone wishing to make a donation, cheques should be made payable to 'Mary Parsons Charity' and sent to:
Sheffield Assay Office, Guardians' Hall, Beulah Road, Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 2AN

Click here to find out more about The Mary Parsons Charity


The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.

To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us,

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