The Overton Repair Café is up and running and ready to dust the dirt off that push-bike of yours that’s seen better days.
CommunityAd caught up with the Overton Repair Café to find out how it works, how the launch event in November went and dates for local residents to look out for in the future.
A spokesperson for the café told us: “The first Overton Repair Café – independent of the Saturday Market – was a very successful and well attended event. Our repairers had a busy morning and were able to fix many items including lamps, hoovers and items of clothing. One or two items had to be taken away for a bit of extra love and care and these were handed back to their owners at the January 2022 market.
“We now have a calendar of monthly Repair Cafés which will be run between 10am and 12pm on a Saturday once a month in the Overton Community Centre. No appointment is necessary although you might have to wait a few minutes to see a repairer, but you can always pop across the road to the Saturday Market in St Mary’s Hall for a drink and a piece of cake and a look round the stalls while you wait.
“You may have to go away and buy a part so that the item can be repaired at a future event, or we hope to be able to mend it on the day. If you are happy with the repair, please make a small donation to enable the Repair Café to become self-funding.
“We will have repairers who can mend wooden and electrical items (including mobile phones) as well as someone who can repair bikes. Why not bring your children’s bike (or your own) along for a safety check so that is all ready to go when the good weather arrives?
“We also have people who can carry out simple sewing tasks such as mending a seam or hole in clothing, mending a soft toy or putting on a badge or button. They can also show you how to do this so you can do it for yourself next time.
“Sometimes, it might not be possible to mend an item in the Repair Café, and so the café are compiling a list of local repairers to point you in the right direction if they are unable to help.
“The way that the Repair Café is run is evolving all the time so if you have visited us, please give us your feedback and ideas.”
If you have any questions about an item you want fixed or if you can help out with repairs then please contact [email protected].
Future dates: 5th March, 2nd April, 14th May, 11th June, 2nd July, 6th August, 3rd September, 1st October, 19th November and 10th December