Page 43 - Oundle Life September 2024

REPAIR
CAFE
Mend and make do
People throughout Oundle and its local area have really taken the Repair Café to their heart since our relaunch in April 2022. Our motto
of “repair, reuse and recycle” really encourages people to get more from their possessions, and we get many requests for help when we
items such as electric kettles and irons which need replacement cords, and coffee machines which needed attention. We’ve repaired broken dragons – don’t ask – and fixed bikes. We’ve sewn and darned clothing, patched up old
run our cafes, every quarter.
Since that date, we have been able to
help dozens of people solve hundreds
of problems, with our talented and
dedicated team of volunteers both
fixing things and giving advice on what
can be done next. We have fixed half of
the nearly 470 different items brought
in to us, and given advice on what can
be done for a further 20% of items – meaning we have been able to see some 70% of items brought in to us repaired immediately or within a few weeks. That’s some record, and we’re very proud of it.
Some of the items brought in over the last, nearly, 30 months range from toys which have been kept for over 50 years and have incredible sentimental value, to practical
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We have fixed half of the nearly 470 different items brought in to us
chairs and spades, fixed umbrellas and clocks, mended jewellery and sharpened no end of items such as shears, scissors and kitchen knives.
However, the current organiser – who by his own admission can never be regarded as a repairer – is ready to hand over the reins to someone else, as his other work is impinging on his ability to continue to organise the
Repair Café well, and to the standards which customers and volunteers deserve. It’s a great job, and immensely rewarding to see the joy that people express once they’ve been to even only one café. Many of our customers have been to several events, although we’re sure things aren’t just being broken so that they can come along!
The team comprises over a dozen different repairers, a couple of individuals who manage