Newbury & Thatcham Repair Café: Fix it, don’t throw it away

“Don’t throw it away – get it fixed,” says Rebecca Foster from the Newbury and Thatcham Repair Café.

From replacing umbrella handles to fitting a new drive belt on an 1896 phonograph, the café’s skilled volunteers have tackled an extraordinary range of repairs.

Launched in February 2024, Newbury and Thatcham Repair Café is part of a global network of more than 3,800 repair cafés. The movement began in Amsterdam in 2009 and has grown rapidly as people increasingly see throwing things away as a last resort.

Repairing isn’t just about protecting the environment. It saves money, strengthens community spirit, and helps pass on practical skills that risk being lost.

In just two years, the café has built a team of 55 volunteers of all ages and assessed nearly 1,600 items. More than 1,300 of those – around 3,000 kilos – have been saved from landfill, an impressive success rate of 85%.

Electrical and electronic repairs are especially in demand, with vacuum cleaners, toasters, coffee machines, sewing machines and hi-fi systems among the most common items brought in.

But the volunteers’ talents extend much further. They also tackle toys, clothing and textiles, jewellery and ceramics. IT advice and blade sharpening are popular too, and there is particular satisfaction in restoring treasured possessions to working order – especially sentimental items such as vintage teddy bears.

Repairers relish the challenge as well. Volunteer Geoff says: “Every month brings a new set of puzzles and the chance to learn something new.”

Fellow volunteer Tim adds: “We never know what will come through the door or the story behind it. Some repairs are straightforward, while others make us think creatively and ask each other for help. It’s a real team effort – and great fun.”

Visitors value the time and advice they receive, even when a repair proves impossible, and many feel proud to be supporting a greener way of living.

One grateful visitor reflected: “It reminded me how my grandparents in Italy used to fix things. Thinking about that helped me rediscover a more sustainable way of living.”

The café’s volunteers also keep the event running smoothly by helping with organisation and refreshments, offering tea, coffee and biscuits while visitors wait. Many people return month after month, enjoying the chance to chat with volunteers and neighbours.

Repairs are free, but donations help cover costs such as hall hire, equipment, supplies, PAT testing devices and first aid training for volunteers.

So when you’re spring cleaning, don’t throw broken items away. Gather up faulty appliances, ripped jumpers and blunt secateurs and bring them along.

Events alternate between Newbury’s Methodist Church Hall and Thatcham’s Frank Hutchings Community Hall, usually on the last Sunday of the month from 2pm to 4.30pm.

Visit tinyurl.com/NTRepairCafe or find the group on Facebook.

Repair cafés also operate in Andover, Baughurst, Bucklebury, Hungerford and Purley.

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