The Oggymen to Perform in Support of Save the Lizard Chapel Campaign

The Oggymen are set to perform on Thursday 15th January at Tregullas Barn in support of the campaign to save the Lizard Chapel. The group, who have appeared this year at Glastonbury, Hall for Cornwall and headlined at the Falmouth Shanty Festival, will take to the stage to raise funds for the Save the Lizard Chapel campaign.

Tickets are limited and expected to sell out quickly. They are available through the lizardchapel.org website, by emailing savethelizardchapel@gmail.com or calling 07725 581808. The evening will include a licensed bar, hot drinks, a raffle and what organisers describe as the promise of an unforgettable night.

Charity Status and Fundraising Efforts

The campaign has now been officially registered as a charity under the name Lizard CATCH, charity number 1215559. CATCH stands for Chapel for Arts, Theatre, Community and Heritage.

A crowdfunding campaign is live at Crowdfunder. The original target of £2,000 for professional advice and publicity costs was reached quickly, prompting a new fundraising goal. Several individuals have pledged a combined £50,000, and applications for grants will be submitted to local and national bodies.

Anyone wanting to get involved can contact the campaign through savethelizardchapel@gmail.com or by calling 07725 581808.

A Historic Chapel With a New Vision

The chapel, a listed Methodist building dating back to 1865, sits in the heart of Lizard village. Built by local families, farmers and fishermen, it seats around 250 people and is known for strong acoustics suited to concerts and theatre. Seating is available on both the ground floor and the first floor gallery.

The secondary space, already used by community groups, is fully accessible and has the potential to house a café and a small museum telling the story of the Lizard village and peninsula. Facilities include a kitchen, toilets and a small outside area with limited parking.

Touring theatre companies, including Miracle Theatre, and other arts groups are currently looking for a venue of this size in this part of Cornwall.

The long term vision is to promote Cornish culture, arts and heritage for both residents and visitors. Plans include providing an affordable venue for community groups, offering space for concerts and theatre for up to 250 people, creating a small museum, and holding arts exhibitions and seasonal festivals.

The Challenge Ahead

Lizard CATCH aims to raise at least £200,000 to make an offer to purchase the chapel. Further funds will be required for refurbishment that meets Grade 2 listing requirements, allowing the building to become a safe and welcoming environment with catering facilities and flexible spaces.

The charity is led by villagers already involved in local cultural activities. Public meetings have been held to gather community views, and more than 200 pledges of support have been received.

The campaign says it is continuing to raise awareness and to work towards securing the future of the chapel for the whole community.