ST Clare Hospice is putting a call out for donations of popular music vinyl. This sells particularly well in the Hospice’s specialist book and music charity shop in Bishop’s Stortford, but they are very low on stock. 

The sale of vinyl records helps to raise money to fund St Clare Hospice’s care and bereavement support in West Essex and East Herts. The Hospice is asking everyone to look in the loft and go through their collections and donate anything that no longer want or listen to. 

Dave Whyte, who has a lifelong interest and love for music, works in the Hospice’s music and book shop in Bishop’s Stortford. He has been working in the shop for the last five years. “In all my time here there has always been a steady flow of good vinyl records coming through. But in the last 4 months we have seen a 75% reduction in donations, impacting on sales dramatically.”

“Whereas we used to have good back-room stocks to replenish the shop floor, we are now down to the bare bones. We sold much of our stock at the recent late night shopping event in the town. We are desperate for rock, pop, prog rock, soul, reggae, punk, new-wave, metal, ska, 2-tone, modern jazz and other genres of vinyl. Every donation will help generate the money needed to fund hospice care for local people.”

“The great thing about donating your unwanted or no longer listened to records is they are bought by every generation who love the music as much as you do. They will have many years of enjoyment from your vinyl. You’ll also be helping to raise funds to support our local Hospice who provide a much-needed service to the community.”

The St Clare Music and Book shop has an excellent range of musical instruments, CDs, good quality books, audio-books, DVDs and cassettes. They sell 7″ and 12″ singles from 50p, a large range of bargain LPs from £1; most of the vinyl record LPs sell for £5 up to £25, depending on title, pressing and condition.

Dave added, “We sometimes have more collectable releases at higher prices and have been very lucky in the past. The highest individual record sale so far has been £800 for the Czar album from 1970. This beat the previous best of £650 for an album by English folk group Tudor Lodge, from 1971. We’d love to see you in the shop, so please support St Clare and make a donation.”

If you have vinyl you would like to donate, you can take it to your local St Clare charity shop where it will be passed on to the Music and Book shop in Bishop’s Stortford, or to the Hospice in Hastingwood.