Named after the climbing rocks that are a big feature in Heeley People’s Park, The Big Boulder Music & Outdoors Festival is a part of a concerted effort by Heeley Trust to bring music, creativity and art into our park and neighbourhood.

Our community is full of talented and creative people and we believe that is something to celebrate and be proud of. A park that is full of life and people, and that has a friendly atmosphere, is a park that is safe and happy and is contributing to the community around it.

The Big Boulder Music & Outdoors Festival is now in its seventh year and growing in popularity and size.

Heeley Trust is the charity that came out of the community’s work to transform the derelict space that was left after plans for a new bypass were shelved. In 1996, the Trust took ownership of the 3.5 hectares of land through a 125 year lease from Sheffield City Council and since then, the Trust’s staff and community volunteers have worked tirelessly to build and maintain the “Heeley People’s Park“.

But that’s not all…the Trust has grown and its work reaches way beyond the park. It now provides adult education in the community and runs projects like ReCycle Bikes, hosts the Heeley Festival and The Big Boulder in the park and most recently the Trust has played a key role in keeping Meersbrook Hall in community hands. Heeley Trust is committed to developing ‘assets of community value’ (that’s the technical term) – land and buildings that are an investment for our neighbourhood – like Sum Studios (the former Anns Grove School) and The Heeley Institute. These generate income for the Trust that can be reinvested in the community.

What binds all of our activity is that it’s about making Heeley a thriving, inclusive community and a great place to live!

Now over 20 years old, you can find out more about the ongoing work of the Trust at www.heeleytrust.org