Positive Shire Attitude

Stay Loyal · Stay Bearded · Stay a Villain

2018Since
11Brothers listed
14UK & Ireland chapters
161Chapters worldwide
100%Profit to charity

Who we are

Our mission

We at the Black Shire Villains (BSV) are committed to our Brotherhood globally. As a UK based Not-for-profit organisation, our aim is to help raise money through merchandise sales which will benefit local charities.

All 'profit' made from each run of products is donated to a charity in our area (North England). The charities change but the aim stays the same, to benefit others!

The beard and the villain image are the surface of it. Underneath is brotherhood, loyalty, friendship, and using that community to do something useful for people who need it.

Much Love & Respect.

Our history

How we got here

2018
The chapter is founded
Black Shire is established as a chapter of the Bearded Villains brotherhood. "Est 2018" has been on the crest ever since.
2020
Woodlands Ward, Harrogate
The chapter raised money for the children's ward at Harrogate District Hospital, given through the Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity. It paid for artwork on Woodlands, to make the ward a less frightening place to be a child. One of the co-captains' daughters had been cared for there.
2023
Ramfest MMXXIII
Over £3,000 raised across the day, between donations and the charity items the chapter had made for it. The board everyone signed is still about somewhere.
2024
Ramfest 2024
£2,000 raised for Pendleside Hospice, at the Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen in Leeds. Offended and V.O.P played, Rune Silk donated, and a good number of people travelled a long way for a night that was there to do some good.
2026
Ramfest returns
After a year off, Ramfest ran again. The total raised is still being counted — it will be here as soon as it is in.

What we've done

The chapter picks a cause and raises money for it. Patches are produced for Ramfest and other events, and the profit goes straight to the nominated charity rather than back into the chapter.

Pendleside Hospice, the children's ward at Harrogate District Hospital, and Crohn's and Colitis UK are among the causes that money has gone to.

Ramfest alone has raised more than £5,000 across 2023 and 2024. It is not a large chapter, and none of it stays with us.

We also work alongside other Bearded Villains chapters, and collaboration pieces have been produced for joint fundraising.

Ramfest

Ramfest is a community and charity festival: live music, food, friends and family, and fundraising at the heart of it. It is not a private club event — it is a good weekend that happens to raise money for a cause.

It runs at the start of July, with bands on and charity items made for the day. Each one has its own patch and its own cause: 2024 was at the Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen in Leeds and raised £2,000 for Pendleside Hospice. 2025 was a year off; 2026 brought it back.

The next date, venue and tickets go out on Instagram first — follow @black_shire_villains and you will not miss it.

Get in touch

The quickest way to reach us is a message on Instagram at @black_shire_villains.

If you are interested in the brotherhood, say hello and we will point you towards the right chapter for where you are.

One brotherhood, one ship

Every run of merchandise funds a charity in our area. Wear it, share it, or come and say hello — the beard is the surface, the brotherhood is the rest.

Shop and support Message the chapter