St James’ Repair Café in Chipping Campden has been nominated and shortlisted for a North Cotswolds Award in the Sustainability category.
The North Cotswold award recognises outstanding businesses in the region. The sustainability category highlights organisations with a demonstrated commitment to environmental responsibility.
Michael Smedley, founder and co-ordinator of the Repair Café, said: “Knowing very little about this award previously, we received at email at the church office letting us know we’d been shortlisted for the Sustainability category, and invited to attend the awards evening on 25 November.”
St James’ Church Repair Café helps to fix, maintain, or repurpose items free of charge, offering practical advice on a wide cross section of items such as vacuum cleaners, radios, and leaf blowers.
Michael explained: “We help people with simple repairs, sometimes as basic as changing a vacuum cleaner filter. We have fixed miscellaneous items, like restringing dolls, painting and glazing ceramics, fixing pot lids. We’ve also repaired radios, cd players, old tapes.
“We are all enthusiastic amateurs, and we recommend professionals where we can if repairs are beyond our skills. We will continue to recommend a specialist for older clocks and watches – however battery clocks we can often repair.
“For many, especially our older visitors, navigating modern technology can be challenging, so we offer guidance.”
The Repair Café runs monthly, on the second Saturday, from 10am to 12.30pm, and visitors can sit and chat over complimentary hot drinks and light refreshments. It is completely staffed by volunteers.
Michael commented: “It is amazing how much talent there is in the congregation for repairers. We have electricians, engineers. It’s an amazing demonstration of the gifts that may lie hidden in a small town congregation.
“It began with members of the congregation but it has expanded and the team has been added to from outside of the church. We all work together extremely well.”
There has been positive feedback from the community about the café, including from customer Catherine who said:
“Just a note to say how pleased I am that the Nutribullet mixer I brought in yesterday has been repaired and is now working. I had almost given up on it and it was ready for the ‘small electricals’ tip. I am very grateful to Neville for his patience.
“It was good to experience the repair café and see what a hive of activity it is. The community is very lucky.”
The Revd Canon Craig Bishop, Team Rector of Chipping Campden commented: “St James, Chipping Campden is one of a number of churches from within the Vale and Cotswold Edge Team that is on an eco-church journey. I was delighted when the idea of a Repair Café was mooted: we should all be thinking ‘reuse, repair and recycle’.
“Appreciating, protecting and caring for creation is part of fulfilling the first commandment in scripture (Genesis 2:15), “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” The Repair Café allows the church to build relationships with people in the community whilst graciously communicating of faith in Jesus Christ in whom all things have been created.”
The next Repair Café at St James takes place on Saturday 14 December at the St James’ Church Rooms, on the corner of Church Street and Calf Lane, from 10am to 12.30pm.
They are looking for potential repairers to volunteer at the café: “We’d always be pleased to add you to our team,” Michael said. “As well as repairs, there is an opportunity for repairers and clients alike to enjoy the delicious cakes, coffee and tea. It is all free of charge as are the repairs (materials only at cost). Donations are invited to cover expenses and for supporting charities chosen by the repairers. Perhaps it’s a hobby at the moment, but you could put your skills to community use.”
If you are interested in volunteering, or more more information, Contact Michael Smedley via email or on 07798 533129.
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