Tramlines Festival have announced a series of community-focused initiatives, which nurture local talent, support environmental sustainability, and boost local businesses.
Tramlines is investing in the future of Hillsborough Park, with a donation of £5,000 that will fund the planting of new trees, enhancing the park’s green credentials and ensuring that the park remains a welcoming green space for all.
The new trees will be planted during the next winter tree planting season in Autumn 2024, with expert guidance from the Community Forestry Team at Sheffield City Council who will talk to the local community and Friends of groups about the best place to plant the new trees.
Cllr Richard Williams, Chair of the Charity Trustee Sub-committee at Sheffield City Council, said:
“The benefits of Tramlines to the city goes beyond, music, culture and exposure.
“The festival organisers raise funds for Sheffield-based charities, offer work placements to local people and students, donate tickets to local communities and offer paid opportunities to local and emerging artists.
“All of this, along with the additional donation for new trees to be planted in Hillsborough Park is welcomed.”
Event organisers have also announced their support for some of Sheffield’s young residents with a new sponsored scholarship, in partnership with WaterBear Music College.
The three-year scholarship at the newly established Sheffield campus will cover tuition for a BA course, aiming to empower aspiring musicians with top-tier education and opportunities.
This collaboration with WaterBear is just one of many activities ran by Tramlines, which support young residents and education. The festival offers hands-on shadowing experiences with the technical production and press teams.
They also host a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour for journalism students at the University of Sheffield. They have provided 48 paid graduate work placements since 2018, and members of the Tramlines team give regular talks to Sheffield Hallam, the University of Sheffield, and Sheffield College.
Additionally, Tramlines is continuing to support the local economy. They continue to shine a spotlight on Hillsborough’s businesses through the ‘Hillsborough Hotspots’ guide, showcasing where to visit before heading to the main event.
In addition to promoting these local businesses online and at the festival, Tramlines has provided heavily subsidised stalls for local traders in their ‘Little Hillsborough’ area, with all infrastructure provided by the festival. An independent study in 2023 showed a £3.8million annual boost to the Sheffield economy generated by the festival.
Tramlines has also maintained its tradition of collaborating with Sheffield company, Tickets for Good to distribute free tickets to NHS staff, charity workers and those affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
This initiative extends the festival’s reach and accessibility, allowing more community members to engage with and enjoy the event. They also distribute a significant number of free and discounted tickets to local residents.
Timm Cleasby, Operations Director of Tramlines, said: “We are always looking for ways to keep Tramlines supporting the Sheffield community.
“I love the little touches like school tea towels produced by Hillsborough Primary School, which feature the kid’s drawings of our bands.
“I’m pleased we’ve found ways to support local businesses at the festival, improve the park, and provide a brilliant scholarship opportunity with WaterBear.”
Whilst Tramlines in Hillsborough Park is ticketed event, 2024 sees the return of the Fringe at Tramlines.
Taking place across outdoor spaces, pubs, bars and music venues across the city centre and beyond, visitors to Sheffield expect a whole load of free events to suit all music tastes.
The event will take place alongside the main festival between the 26th and the 28th July 2024.
Visit Welcome to Sheffield for more details: https://www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/visit/headline-events/the-fringe-at-tramlines/
