Success for Porlock Vale Repair Café

The Repair Café is made up of a group of 14 skilled volunteers who so far have managed to repair 37 items for members of the public.

One item that was transformed was a metal horse ornament which had a crack in the metal and was starting to look dull and tarnished.

Volunteer James Macbeth fixing a leaf blower that had a mind of its own. Pictured: John Kemp and James Macbeth (Photo by Ella Keal)

Joe Roake, one of the volunteers worked his magic by repairing the crack, reattaching the reins, and fixing it on a new wooden base to bring it back to life, leaving the owner ecstatic.

Other items that have been fixed have been a jumper which had holes in both elbows which was repaired with patches making it as good as new, a 70-year-old teddy bear that had lost his squeak, a leaf blower, various appliances such as kettles and toasters and plenty of gardening tools have been sharpened so far.

Volunteer Oli sharpening garden shears ready for the summer (Photo by Ruth Walker)

Porlock Vale’s Repair Café is being held every month moving around Porlock Vale. The next one will take place on Saturday 28th May from 10am until 12 noon at the Allerford Village Hall (Hare Park, Allerford, TA24 8HL).

Future dates:
• Saturday, May 28, 10am-12pm at Allerford Village Hall
• Saturday, July 2, 10am-12pm at Wootton Courtenay Village Hall
• Saturday, July 30, 10am-12pm at Porlock Village Hall

Stan is repairing a customer’s vacuum (Photo by Ruth Walker)

The Repair Café has a team of skilled volunteers who are giving their time to help repair the public’s belongings to save perfectly good items from ending up in landfill.

The time taken to repair the item will be free; the team just asks for a voluntary donation to help keep the Repair Café going and a small charge may be required for items needed for the repair.

There will also be refreshments on-site for attendees to purchase drinks and cake whilst they wait.

A 70-year-old teddy receiving a new squeak (Photo by Ella Keal)

Find us on Facebook (4R’s Waste Reduction in Porlock Vale) or keep an eye out for posters in your local area for the latest updates and to hear about the next Repair Café in Porlock Vale.

Anyone with a hobby, skill, or expertise and would like to volunteer your time to the Repair Café, please contact 4Rsporlockvale@gmail.com

Our wonderful café volunteers serving refreshments to the public whilst they wait for their repair. Pictured from left to right: Abigail Lewis, Lesley Roake, Anne Godfrey (Photo by Ruth Walker)