Full of beans

Karen Neville

Posted on

Remember when the only choice for a coffee was white or black? Times have changed and ordering a coffee is now akin to reciting War and Peace. However you like your caffeine shot (or not) support National Coffee Week this month

Cappuccino, latte, flat, white, Americano, affogato – however you like yours, as a nation, we in Britain drink around a whopping 95 million cups of coffee a day!

So, the only way to mark National Coffee Week, October 16th to 22nd, is by raising a cup in whichever style you prefer. The week is the biggest celebration of coffee, raising funds for Project Waterfall which brings clean drinking water to coffee growing communities.

Since 2011, the UK Coffee Week community has raised more than £800,00 for Project Waterfall, reaching over 45,000 people with clean drinking water, sanitation and education.

Funds raised during the 2023 campaign will support Project Waterfall’s latest project in the Berbere district of Ethiopia. The country is considered the biological and cultural home of coffee but 82% of households in the Berbere area use water from unprotected sources.

Working in partnership with the local government as well as WaterAid, Project Waterfall will build a solar powered multi-village gravity-flow water system, that will provide water to 40,000 people. The new infrastructure will be climate resistant and accessible to everyone in the area.

How can you get involved and do your bit to help? Hospitality businesses of all shapes and sizes fundraise by donating from every cup or bag of coffee sold, or by running events and competitions.

Whether you serve, sell, sip or roast the much-loved bean – which is actually a fruit – you can take part in UK Coffee Week and support coffee-growing communities. Among the vendors locally taking part are Fieldhouse Coffee, Rose Brae, Woodlands, Windlesham and COLCO Coffee, Unit 3, Manor Farm, Common Road, Eton Wick, Windsor. Explore their selection of hand roasted coffee from around the world including Colombian Speciality Coffee, Single Origin Coffees and Premium House Blends. A percentage of their coffee proceeds goes to support great causes, why not grab a bag today?

Also participating is Art Cafe, Bonn Square, Oxford where, as the name suggests you can appreciate some work from local artists as you enjoy your cuppa.

There are more coffee shops than you can shake a bean at so why not try one of these which serve up a little something extra?

In picturesque Ripley, you’ll find Nest Home & Café, part café, part home / gift shop with a reputation for excellent service, world-class coffee and eclectic shopping. All food and drink is served in recyclable trays, cutting down on waste too. You’re also welcome to take along your own favourite cup or mug and enjoy a discount on your coffee.

Here’s a coffee shop with a difference, the Terrace Lounge Coffee Shop at Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary in Shere boasts stunning views over the Surrey Hills. Recently opened, could there be a better way to enjoy some ‘me time’ in stunning surroundings and while you’re there why not combine it with some healing?

Described as a ‘curious coffee shop and gift shop’, Hemingways in Haslemere has found a special place in the hearts of locals with its ‘marvellous mix of old and new, classy and comfortable, lively and relaxing with a wonderfully eclectic decor and range of gifts and homeware that combine to make a special and favourite place for all those who visit’. It is also heavily involved in the community, supporting many local charities and organisations.

Cappuccino with a cavapoo? No problem at Cantine in Fleet. The dog-friendly café offers a warm welcome to our furry friends as well as their owners with a delicious range of sweet treats and a recently launched full English breakfast to tuck into too. Take your pooch along and they can tuck – or lick – into dog ice cream and the popular Puppicino treat too. There’s local art on the walls and regular quiz nights too to test your little grey cells.

Never has the saying from little acorns been more apt for Acorns Coffee Roastery which operates from The Shed in Bordon. From the early days as a mobile coffee shop in a converted horsebox, the team and passion for coffee grew with the addition of Head Roaster Matt whose knowledge means you can now enjoy Acorns small batch roasted coffee anywhere in the country.

At Coffee Under Pressure, the two baristi who created it believe that great coffee is an affordable luxury, but also an everyday need which is why, when visiting the shop in St Mary’s Butts, Reading you will find passionate and knowledgeable baristi with attention to detail and persistence for the best brew every time. Chat to them about how to explore new flavours and brewing methods and ask every detail you wish to know about their coffees or teas.

All things gluten-free are celebrated at YayLo in Cross Street, in Reading town centre. You may recognise the only gluten-free coffee shop in town, it was previously the award-winning Nibsy’s. Now under a new name and new ownership, it is proud to be gluten-free and serving up ‘awesome-licious gluten-free’ pastries, donoughts and cakes alongside its equally delicious coffee.

Robyn’s Nest at Moss End Cafe, Warfield, isn’t just offering great tasting coffee and cakes, during the pandemic they provided cake boxes for the NHS and keyworkers and now offers business networking events as well as a play area so you can enjoy your coffee – while it’s hot – while your little ones play.

The Collective in Church Road, Caversham, is a speciality coffee shop, licensed cafe, lifestyle store and grocer with community at its core. It has won awards for bringing together a love of incredible coffee, great quality food, design and living well into one destination.

If it’s all about the coffee for you Spoon in Duke Street, Henley, proudly serves Extract Coffee. Ethically sourced, kind to farmers and utterly delicious. Often dubbed ‘the best coffee in Henley’, they sell pre-ground Original Espresso in-store so you can take Extract’s heavenly blend home with you to sip at your leisure.

The Pantry in Thatcham has its own specially blended coffee from their partner coffee supplier Kingdom Coffee. The Pantry Blend is a full bodied, smooth coffee with a creamy mouth feel and notes of berry fruits, chocolate and molasses. Sounds delicious and each and every cup is expertly crafted for you by the trained staff making it stand out in so many ways.

A former Wesleyan chapel is the location for Community Hub cafe at City Arts.The barista coffee machine and home made cakes sit alongside the current art exhibition. Cakes are baked by local bakers and can be enjoyed with great barista coffee and a selection of high quality teas. Browse and buy the unique cards on sale from local artists too.

Elaine’s in The Courtyard, Hungerford and Hughendon Yard, Marlborough believe everyone should be able to eat out knowing they are able to choose food that is right for them and is delicious and nutritious, no matter what diet they are committed to. Alongside wholesome fare, you can enjoy your coffee in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

The award-winning Hampstead Norreys Community Shop is a true gem on a mission to serve its community in every way. Stocking essential and speciality groceries, it champions sustainable and locally made products not least in its cafe where you’ll feast on delicious home-made food, barista coffee and other beverages.

If it’s location you’re after while you sip on your coffee, then head to The Tea Shop by the canal at Newbury, this can be found in a unique grade II listed building on the Kennet and Avon waterway.

Coffee for a cause is the idea dreamed up by James at Coffi Lab opposite the Town Hall in Marlborough. The venture combines his love of Labradors, creating a coffee brand and making a difference. The cafes, of which there are eight, are not a dog café as such, but open venues; a focal point of leafy neighbourhoods where family and friends come together without having to leave their canine companions at home. As it says on the website, Coffi Lab is ‘driven by a desire to do good’ and to that end they have so far raised in excess of £60,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Cappuccino with a cavapoo? The Dog’s Spot in Abingdon is a unique place for dogs and their owners. A place to meet, socialise, enjoy good coffee and cakes, in a relaxed dog-centred space with its own doggy menu. In the shop they offer a range of high-quality food, treats and accessories, as well as being home to grooming spa.

Oxford’s Grand Cafe can stake a unique claim to fame – it is housed in the spot where the very first coffee shop in England was founded in 1650. According to a number of sources, including Samuel Pepys, an entrepreneur named Jacob established the first English coffee house in High Street almost 400 years ago. There’s a challenger for this accolade with Queen’s Lane Coffee House, established in 1654, saying it is ‘the longest established coffee house in Europe’. The difference? Queen’s Lane has always been a coffee shop whereas the Grand Cafe has actually been a variety of businesses over the years. Both have great historical value and serve an exceptional cup of coffee and more!

Society Café is an independent speciality coffee shop in the heart of Oxford city centre. Their focus is on making great coffee sourced directly from the best coffee producing farms in the world and roasted by the best roasters in the world. Try a cup and see.

Location, location, location – one of the best is surely that occupied by The Waterfront Cafe at Benson. Relax with your brew on the vast decking as you watch the boats gliding up and down the river. The perfect spot to watch the world go by. The decking and covered outside areas are also dog friendly.

Head to the Vale and Download Museum in Wantage for coffee and a little history or for some rustic charm how about Cogges Kitchen in the old milking parlour at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney. Tuck in to tasty cake with a good cup of locally roasted coffee.

And if you like your coffee among plants then head to Root One Garden Centre in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell where you can enjoy some delicious sweet treats too.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Mo & The Red Ribbon Newbury

Karen Neville

Posted on

Breathtaking promenade show presented by Corn Exchange Newbury and 101 Outdoor Arts on September 30th

Corn Exchange Newbury and 101 Outdoor Arts – National Centre for Arts in Public Space – present the breathtaking promenade show Mo & The Red Ribbon for one night only in Newbury.

With a route starting at 7pm at the Newbury Clocktower and ending by The Wharf, this joyful, childish, playful and poetic show combines spectacular staging and emotional storytelling to explore the experience of migration from a child’s perspective, offering an ultimately optimistic look at the world we inhabit and those we share it with.

This free production follows the journey of Mo, a child refugee separated from his family, and his fantastical journey towards a new life. Told through large-scale puppetry over a promenade route through the centre of Newbury, French artists L’Homme Debout tell Mo’s story through a beautifully crafted giant puppet and a sequence of colourful and larger than life scenes.

There will also be an opportunity for local people to participate in the show, learning skills in outdoor performance and working closely with the French company and production team from 101. If interested please email [email protected].

Danielle Corbishley, Head of 101 and Outdoor Programmes says: “Mo & the Red Ribbon is an incredible outdoor performance that invites the whole of Newbury to come together to welcome Mo, a giant puppet, on a journey through Newbury Town Centre. Please join us for this moving story told on a grand scale!”

The Corn Exchange and 101’s outdoor programme is supported by Arts Council England and Greenham Trust. The event does not require booking.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Identities, a play about boobs

Karen Neville

Posted on

Close To Home Productions, a female-led group of artists, have created a play about boobs. Exploring womanhood, our breasts and the adventures they go on; good and bad

From bra fittings to breast cancer diagnosis, Lucy’s boobs tell her story in 60 minutes – the time it takes to perform a standard lumpectomy.

After a successful 5* tour in 2022, Close To Home are thrilled to be touring the UK again with their debut play. Supported by Culture Warrington, Prevent Breast Cancer and Arts Council England coming the Oxford Playhouse on 27th (with a Q&A) and 28th September.

Identities was inspired by writer Rae Bell’s personal story. Her mum Marion was diagnosed with breast cancer when Rae was just 13. Marion got the all-clear about 13 years ago but it was not long after Rae started to write a play about the subject that she had her own health scare, finding a lump on her right breast. More information on Rae’s story here.

Working alongside Prevent Breast Cancer and a cohort of artists from the North West, the team have spoken with those who have had breast cancer and those who treat them, intertwining all the stories to form identities. Prevent Breast Cancer is the only UK breast cancer charity funding ground-breaking research solely aimed at preventing the disease future generations.

Community outreach and Workshops

Alongside the studio tour, the company has developed a version of the show to take to community spaces throughout the tour including; Breast Cancer Support Groups, Hospital Trusts, Women’s Groups and Women’s Interfaith groups. Aiming to provide information in an entertaining, impactful way to those who would not usually have access to this or are not likely to attend the theatre. These performances are Pay-What-You-Decide, supported by Arts Council England.

In addition to the performances, the company will be taking workshops into local schools and universities (ages 15+). This practical workshop will explore play, collaboration and devising that allows you to delve into the Close to Home methodology. The workshop offers participants the opportunity to gain confidence and realise how accessible and fun theatre making can be.

At every venue a post-show Q&A will be held. With the support of Prevent Breast Cancer, this will be an opportunity to engage further with audiences with the topics of the play and the creative process.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Autumn unfolds at Ramster Garden

Karen Neville

Posted on

Whether you are looking for foresting bathing or a seasonal walk visit Ramster Garden. Rosie Glaister from Ramster Hall, shares her top five things not to miss that capture the dazzling beauty of autumn colour

With over 1,500 catalogued trees and shrubs in the garden, there is plenty to see as you wander down leaf covered woodland paths that meander past established shrubs, mature plants, and peaceful views.

Avenue of Acers

Our ancient avenue of acers must be the most photographed spot in the garden during autumn. The 120-year-old gnarly twisted trunks and branches create dramatic shapes covered with fiery red and orange leaves.

Liquidambar

This is one of the best trees for autumn colour. It has large maple shapes leaves which transform from crimson colours red, to purple then gold. It is one of my favourite trees within the garden because of its amazing spectrum of colours.

Handkerchief or Dove Tree

During the spring you will see flower-like bracts that flutter gently in the breeze that resemble doves or handkerchiefs. During autumn, the leaves turn a stunning golden yellow to orange.

Cornus

We have an excellent collection of flowering Dogwoods, but perhaps our best is Cornus ‘Normal Hadden’, fantastic for its stunning autumn colour and peculiar red fruits that appear to float on the ends of branches.

Nuts and berries!

There is something so magical seeing all the autumn berries dress the garden with natural decoration. The woodland floor is also a feast of colour and texture from fallen leaves and shiny conkers from our towering horse chestnut tree. Toadstools and fungi complete the enchanting woodland scene – if only we had fairies!

Visiting our garden

Ramster Garden is open 10am-5pm on Thursday, Friday, and weekends until 12th November. We have twenty-five acres of peaceful woodland garden for you to explore and a Tea House which serves homemade soup, quiches, sandwiches, and cakes. You can also enjoy a range of drinks including our own blend of coffee. Parking is free and we welcome dogs (on short leads). No need to pre-book, just come along and enjoy a wonderful walk.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Frimley goes pink for organ donation

Karen Neville

Posted on

Organ Donation Week runs from September 18th to 24th and Frimley Park and Wexham Park hospitals will be lit up pink, the colour of the donation card

This year (April 2022/ March 2023) 39 organs were donated at Frimley and Wexham Park Hospitals, irreversibly changing 39 lives. 

This is a fantastic result for Frimley Health, however, more than 50 per cent of the population still have not registered their decision about donating an organ. To put this into context, although there were 3,029 transplants last year nationally, there are still over 7,000 people on the transplant list. Of those who are waiting, 782 are in the South-East region, of which Frimley Health is a part, so there is still a long way to go.  

With Organ Donation Week just around the corner, 18th-24th September, it’s vital we raise awareness of this important issue in the hope that more people will register their decision at  NHS Organ Donation and make their wishes known to their loved ones so that even more people can be saved. 

To highlight this issue and help start conversations, we’ll be going pink! 

Throughout Organ Donation Week, we will be lighting up our acute hospitals – Frimley Park and Wexham Park in pink – the colour of the Organ Donation card. 

Talking organ donation with Frimley Health specialist nurse

To explain the process of organ donation, we spoke to Brooke Timms, specialist nurse organ donation, who has been based at Frimley Park Hospital for the past 18 months.  

Brooke, who has been a nurse for the last seven years has worked in various intensive care units ever since she graduated from the University of Greenwich. Her passion is helping those who are most in need on their road to recovery. 

Why organ donation?

I have always worked in intensive care where organ donation is a part of all end-of- life care considerations. Working in intensive care during the Covid-19 pandemic was incredibly challenging and unfortunately many patients did not survive their admission. After the pandemic I wanted a change of direction. I have always been passionate about advocating for patients and their end of life wishes, and so becoming a specialist nurse in organ donation seemed the right path for me. 

Working as part of the organ donation team is a privilege. It’s also rewarding as more than 50,000 lives have been saved through organ donation and transplantation in the UK. 

Can you explain the process of organ donation?

The journey of organ donation involves many people and several different organisations – though the patient and their family and friends are always front and centre. 

When a patient is referred to the service as part of their end-of-life care planning, usually by the intensive care unit, our first responsibility is to access the organ donor register (ODR) to ascertain whether the patient has registered an organ donation decision in their lifetime. This is essential as we need to be aware of their wishes prior to continuing our assessment. We then work to assess the patient’s organ donor potential. If they are in a position to be able to help others through organ donation, we will have a discussion with the patient’s designated next of kin, family and friends to ascertain their end of life wishes.  

As a specialist nurse my role is to support those involved and to ensure the process is as safe as possible for everyone. We collect important clinical information and once this is complete, begin to look for potential organ recipients.  

Once suitable recipients are found, specialist transplant retrieval teams come to the hospital to perform the organ donation operation. Once organs are retrieved, they are transported to the recipient hospitals to be transplanted – to give the precious gift of life. Wherever possible, we contact families to let them know how their loved one’s organs have been used to save lives, something we know gives them great comfort at a difficult time. 

What myths would you like to debunk?

When speaking with families they often feel their loved ones would be unable to donate their organs due to certain medical conditions or age. This is untrue. While there are some conditions that mean organ donation cannot happen, in the majority of cases tissue donation, such as corneal (eye) donation can still go ahead – giving someone the life changing gift of sight.  

What would you like to highlight about organ donation?

There is a profound disparity between ethnic groups, organ donation and transplantation. As of 2021/22, people of Asian heritage accounted for 3% of deceased organ donors but made up 18% of those on the transplant waiting list. Similarly, those of black heritage represented 2% of deceased organ donors but made up 10% of the transplant waiting list.  

Organs are more likely to be matched to someone of the same ethnic background and therefore it’s vital that we’re reaching out to all communities. In 2022/23 the consent rate for those of black and Asian heritage was at 40% compared to the consent rate for white donors which was 71%.   

Changes since Max & Kiera’s law?

In 2019 the Government initiated the opt-out law change, meaning that everyone in England was considered to have no objections to becoming an organ donor if they had not registered an organ donation decision. Also known as Max & Kiera’s Law after Kiera who courageously donated her heart to save a young boy named Max.  

Since the law change, we’ve found that people are talking more about organ donation and their end of life wishes which is great, but we need them to continue to do so. Although many are aware of the law change, it is still paramount that people register an organ donation decision. This is simple and easy to do, you can register online at:  www.organdonation.nhs.uk, by calling 0300 123 23 23, picking up a leaflet or by registering on your driving license or at your GP.  

Hardest and most rewarding parts of the job?

The hardest part of this role is that I see a lot of people experiencing the worst times of their lives, losing their loved ones, however it is a privilege to be able to support them. The most rewarding aspect of this job is being an advocate for the patient/donor and their families to ensure that their precious end-of-life wishes are met. 

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

A new lease of life

Karen Neville

Posted on

Second Hand September, upcycling furniture and repair cafes are all fabulous ways to fall in love again with something you once cherished, not only will it save you money but you’ll be doing your bit to help save the planet too!

How often have you bought something (often on impulse) got it back home only for it to loiter in the back of your wardrobe unworn for years? It’s probably something we’ve all been guilty of at one time, so this month rather than a) buy it at all or b) leave it lurking unloved, why not get involved in Second Hand September?

Find out how to get involved where you live

Berkshire
West Berkshire & Wiltshire
Oxfordshire
Surrey & Hants

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

A new lease of life

Karen Neville

Posted on

Second Hand September, upcycling furniture and repair cafes are all fabulous ways to fall in love again with something you once cherished, not only will it save you money but you’ll be doing your bit to help save the planet too!

How often have you bought something (often on impulse) got it back home only for it to loiter in the back of your wardrobe unworn for years? It’s probably something we’ve all been guilty of at one time, so this month rather than a) buy it all or b) leave it lurking unloved, why not get involved in Second Hand September?

The Oxfam run project has been going since 2019 inspiring people to shop in a way that is kinder to the planet and with the recent record temperatures much of Europe has been experiencing it’s only too easy to see the effect of climate change.

In September 2022 more than 26,000 people only bought second hand during the campaign and as one shopper remarked when the initiative launched “I didn’t buy any new clothes for 30 days. Then it became two months and now it’s been nearly four years!”

By buying, wearing and donating second hand clothes you’re helping to reduce the demand for new and thus helping to reduce the damage to the planet. Did you know an estimated 16.2kg of CO2 is emitted for every pair of jeans made, that’s the same as driving around 58 miles in a car.

And it doesn’t just stop with clothing, Oxfam shops and online offer an extensive range of homewares, books and toys too. There are stores aplenty all over, visit Find your local Oxfam Shop to find your nearest one and get donating and buying pre-loved now.

The wonderfully named Absolutely Mintage is the home of upcycled furniture in Bracknell where owner Julia fuses modern and vintage furniture to help keep your traditional home furnishings by turning them into something beautifully decorative and current.

She fell in love with painting furniture as a result of a home renovation in 2015 but adds that while she loves this, “I also have a healthy respect for the craftsmanship of vintage and antique furniture due to the beauty of the wood and the design. Sometimes it is better to showcase the wood and its grain with sanding and oiling or staining, so I spend time assessing each piece I am thinking about painting.”

“As time goes on, my horror of the amount of material waste that goes into landfill increases,” Julia explains. “I have seen perfectly good furniture discarded as it no longer ‘fits’ with a person’s decor and yet through refreshing a piece, it looks as good as new! My motto is very much ‘don’t throw it away!’. Upcycling has allowed me to embrace my passion and explore the limitless number of options there are to create unique finishes while still being able to enjoy the beautiful designs and workmanship of antique furniture.”

If you’re looking for inspiration to revive a much-loved piece of your own, Julia also runs workshops in upcycling, decoupage and furniture painting. Check out her website for more at Upcycled furniture – Absolutely Mintage.

A love of old things, balancing elegance with rustic finishes and authentic materials is the basis of White Door Antiques, founded by Pangbourne antique dealer Elise Harris. Her brocante events bring the affordable style of a French brocante to the countryside with a beautiful array of antique and vintage dealers from all over the country. Look out for future events at White Door Brocante.

Pretty much anything can be recycled, upcycled or repaired and if you need a little help then head to a repair café. The free meeting places invite you to repair your toaster or other appliance, a bike or piece of furniture and just about any items you can think of! They’ll provide all the tools and materials you need there’s expert help on hand to assist you. Repair cafés aim to bring about a shift away from consumerism and viewing household items as disposable.

“If it’s broken, bring it along and we are sure to have a go or at least provide some advice about what your best course of action might be.” So say Reading Repair Café who also invite you to come along with repairs you want to do yourself or craft projects you’re working on. The event is run entirely by volunteers and anyone can pop in! As well as repairs, you can pop in for a cuppa and homemade cake. Everything is free, but donations are encouraged to ensure the cafe can keep running.

Their next meetings are: Sept 17th – The Greyfriar, Reading; Oct 15th – RISC, London Street; Nov 19th – rLab Reading Hackspace, Weldale Street.

The helpful folk at Hungerford Repair Café have recently fixed a toy boat, a winter coat with a torn seam and a blocked soda stream. They want to help the community learn how to repair their broken things in an enjoyable and sociable setting. Volunteers are able to either help mend or advise the owners about how to fix or obtain spare parts, regularly saving about 50kg of waste going into landfill or other recycling facilities. They next meet at The Croft on September 16th and November 18th.

To find a repair cafe near you go to repaircafe.org/en/visit/

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

A new lease of life

Karen Neville

Posted on

Second Hand September, upcycling furniture and repair cafes are all fabulous ways to fall in love again with something you once cherished, not only will it save you money but you’ll be doing your bit to help save the planet too!

How often have you bought something (often on impulse) got it back home only for it to loiter in the back of your wardrobe unworn for years? It’s probably something we’ve all been guilty of at one time, so this month rather than a) buy it at all or b) leave it lurking unloved, why not get involved in Second Hand September?

The Oxfam run project has been going since 2019 inspiring people to shop in a way that is kinder to the planet and with the recent record temperatures much of Europe has been experiencing it’s only too easy to see the effect of climate change.

In September 2022 more than 26,000 people only bought second hand during the campaign and as one shopper remarked when the initiative launched “I didn’t buy any new clothes for 30 days. Then it became two months and now it’s been nearly four years!”

By buying, wearing and donating second hand clothes you’re helping to reduce the demand for new and thus helping to reduce the damage to the planet. Did you know an estimated 16.2kg of CO2 is emitted for every pair of jeans made, that’s the same as driving around 58 miles in a car.

And it doesn’t just stop with clothing, Oxfam shops and online offer an extensive range of homewares, books and toys too. There are stores aplenty all over, visit oxfam.org.uk/shops/ to find your nearest one and get donating and buying pre-loved now.

Got clothes you don’t want anymore or just don’t know how to make the most of them, don’t throw them away, help is at hand from Oxfordshire’s Lucy Briggs who combines a love of clothes with her passion for sustainability. She advises being ruthless with your wardrobe, divide your clothes into three piles – keep, maybe and nope.

The “nope” pile is key. Lucy says: “It’s OK to let go. Give it a new home where someone else can love it. Moving our clothes on responsibly takes more effort but dramatically lowers their carbon footprint. Gift to friends and family, attend a clothes swap, donate to charity shops, resell or upcycle.”

Clothes swapping or swishing is a fun, budget-friendly and sustainable way to update your wardrobe, as Lucy says: “The concept is simple – bring the clothes you don’t want and swap them for new ones!” Swishing events are becoming more commonplace – you never know what gems you could unearth. Visit her website at Sustainably Styled.

You can also do your bit for the environment by upcycling and repairing and buying vintage. The Shed in Abingdon offers a hive of treasures, Owner Siobhan Sargeant has always fostered a ‘make do and mend culture’, saying: “The idea behind The Shed was to do my bit for mother nature, zero landfill, an eco-sustainable shop, with eclectic one-off finds, past treasures, make do and mend culture, passing on my ideas.

“I love looking for stock at flea markets, a good rummage is the best feeling ever, the rustier the better, more damage, scratches, layers of paint is a bonus.”

And once she’s hunted down her prey, it’s then the work starts to restore that piece of furniture, ensuring the wood retains as much of its character as possible, sanded back and waxed or painted. Visit her shop in Stert Street, Abingdon and unearth a gem of your own.

Oxford’s Annie Sloan is revolutionising the world of paint and with it how we look at our furniture. Her Chalk Paint is the epitome of upcycling with a palette of gorgeous colours to suit any colour scheme and home you can transform something that may have seen better days into a stylish piece that looks like new and you’ll be saving money too. It couldn’t be simpler to use with in most cases no sanding or prep required and can be used to paint wood, metal, melamine and flooring. It can be used to dye fabric, and is so versatile it can even be used to paint glass!

Visit her website for oodles of ideas, tips and techniques and to see the gorgeous array of colours, there’s sure to be one to revive that chair. More at anniesloan.com

Pretty much anything can be recycled, upcycled or repaired and if you need a little help then head to a repair café. Repair cafés are free meeting places where you can repair your toaster or other electrical appliance, a bike or piece of furniture and just about any item you can think of! They’ll provide all the tools and materials you need and there’s expert help on hand to assist you.

Repair Cafés welcome everyone, if you have nothing to repair you can visit and enjoy some cake or tea or lend a hand with someone else’s repair job. The purpose of the events is to bring about a shift away from consumerism and viewing household items as disposable. The focus is on skill-sharing and building community, as attendees will be invited to learn how to fix their broken item alongside the repairers instead of throwing them in the bin.

Volunteer run, there is a network of more than 100 groups across Oxfordshire. Find your nearest one at repaircafeoxfordshire.org

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

A new lease of life

Karen Neville

Posted on

Second Hand September, upcycling furniture and repair cafes are all fabulous ways to fall in love again with something you once cherished, not only will it save you money but you’ll be doing your bit to help save the planet too!

How often have you bought something (often on impulse) got it back home only for it to loiter in the back of your wardrobe unworn for years? It’s probably something we’ve all been guilty of at one time, so this month rather than a) buy it at all or b) leave it lurking unloved, why not get involved in Second Hand September?

The Oxfam run project has been going since 2019 inspiring people to shop in a way that is kinder to the planet and with the recent record temperatures much of Europe has been experiencing it’s only too easy to see the effect of climate change.

In September 2022 more than 26,000 people only bought second hand during the campaign and as one shopper remarked when the initiative launched “I didn’t buy any new clothes for 30 days. Then it became two months and now it’s been nearly four years!”

By buying, wearing and donating second hand clothes you’re helping to reduce the demand for new and thus helping to reduce the damage to the planet. Did you know an estimated 16.2kg of CO2 is emitted for every pair of jeans made, that’s the same as driving around 58 miles in a car.

And it doesn’t just stop with clothing, Oxfam shops and online offer an extensive range of homewares, books and toys too. There are stores aplenty all over, visit oxfam.org.uk/shops/ to find your nearest one and get donating and buying pre-loved now.

Once you’ve revamped your wardrobe, how about revamping your wardrobe itself, by giving that piece of furniture a new look rather than just consigning it to the tip.

That’s exactly what Gillian does at GP Restorations in Newbury. She wants to reuse, recycle and repurpose your treasured possessions. Unwilling to see any well-made item to go to waste or neglect, she will help you through all the possibilities for future use, from repainting to redesigning. It is, Gillian says, this “up-cycling” process that helps extend the useful life of all styles and ages of furniture and is a great way to ensure their continued use in the home. Check out her website to see examples of just some of the restoration projects she has taken on, lovingly reviving your treasures; visit gp-restorations.co.uk/

A rather old and dilapidated tall boy sparked Claire’s passion for all things wood which she is now passing on with upcycling and recycling courses at the Old Dairy, Parsonage Farm, Collingbourne Kingston, just outside Marlborough. The tall boy had stood unloved at the back of a garage for 10 years when Claire decided to transform it and show it some love afresh. Delightfully, the piece now takes pride of place in her bedroom. She says: “I find pieces all over the place, from charity shops, private sales, auctions and sometimes even pieces left by the road side with ‘free to take away’ signs on.” Claire holds beginners classes, workshops and master classes throughout the year and also designs special courses to suit craft groups, schools, and elders. Find out more at wgwoollies.co.uk/furniture-upcycling-1

The delightfully eclectic and delightfully named The Cat’s Whiskers is two floors of decorative and vintage goodies for the home and garden, together with unusual gifts in Marlborough’s High Street. A charming little courtyard is crammed with treats for your garden. Specialising in the quirky, expect to find everything from vintage kitchen paraphernalia to antique fire extinguishers and French enamelware. They are they say “inveterate recyclers”, who are ingenious in finding new uses for items others would dispose of. Pop in and see what you can find.

Pretty much anything can be recycled, upcycled or repaired and if you need a little help then head to a repair café. Repair Cafés are free meeting places where you can repair your toaster or other electrical appliance, a bike or piece of furniture and just about any item you can think of! They’ll provide all the tools and materials you need and there’s expert help on hand to assist you.

Repair Cafés welcome everyone, if you have nothing to repair you can visit and enjoy some cake or tea or lend a hand with someone else’s repair job. The purpose of the events is to bring about a shift away from consumerism and viewing household items as disposable. The focus is on skill-sharing and building community, as attendees will be invited to learn how to fix their broken item alongside the repairers instead of throwing them in the bin.

The helpful folk at Hungerford Repair Café have recently fixed a toy boat, a winter coat with a torn seam and a blocked soda stream. They want to help the community learn how to repair their broken things in an enjoyable and sociable setting. Volunteers are able to either help mend or advise the owners about how to fix or obtain spare parts, regularly saving about 50kg of waste going into landfill or other recycling facilities. They next meet at The Croft on September 16th and November 18th.

To find a repair cafe near you please visit repaircafe.org/en/visit/

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

A new lease of life

Karen Neville

Posted on

Second Hand September, upcycling furniture and repair cafes are all fabulous ways to fall in love again with something you once cherished, not only will it save you money but you’ll be doing your bit to help save the planet too!

How often have you bought something (often on impulse) got it back home only for it to loiter in the back of your wardrobe unworn for years? It’s probably something we’ve all been guilty of at one time, so this month rather than a) buy it at all or b) leave it lurking unloved, why not get involved in Second Hand September?

The Oxfam run project has been going since 2019 inspiring people to shop in a way that is kinder to the planet and with the recent record temperatures much of Europe has been experiencing it’s only too easy to see the effect of climate change.

In September 2022 more than 26,000 people only bought second hand during the campaign and as one shopper remarked when the initiative launched “I didn’t buy any new clothes for 30 days. Then it became two months and now it’s been nearly four years!”

By buying, wearing and donating second hand clothes you’re helping to reduce the demand for new and thus helping to reduce the damage to the planet. An estimated 16.2kg of CO2 is emitted for every pair of jeans made, that’s the same as driving around 58 miles in a car.

And it doesn’t just stop with clothing, Oxfam shops and online offer an extensive range of homewares, books and toys too. There are stores all over, visit oxfam.org.uk/shops/ to find your nearest one and get donating and buying pre-loved now.

You can also do your bit for the environment by upcycling furniture, just because that chest of drawers has seen better days don’t consign it to landfill, show it some TLC and revamp it.

Passion for preloved and recycled furniture led to Jane Goodman setting up Home Office Chic in 2017 in Horsell. Initally focussing on creating upcycled furniture for home offices, she came up with the idea of rejuvenating old bureaus, chairs and other work-related pieces which came into its own during lockdown with more people home working. As Jane says: “Home workers often do not have a dedicated office and artisan recycled bureaus and reupholstered chairs add individuality – you can make a desk area as plain or funky as you choose; as well as being more sustainable.

“Since the early days the business has been about sustainability – helping people to save furniture from landfill, so commissions range from anything from a shoe cupboard to a six-foot dresser!”

Want to give it a go yourself? Join one of Jane’s workshops and you’ll get tips and advice on how to transform a piece of your own taken along on the day and there’s cake and refreshments too. The next workshops run on September 24th, October 22nd and November 12th. Find out more and book your place at homeofficechic.co.uk/workshops-2/

The Upholstery Yard near Blackmore has been helping clients to give a new lease of life to their furniture for two years now under the expert tuition of Georgina. Classes cater for mixed abilities and are run in a friendly environment with Georgina on hand to provide guidance, encouragement and tea. She says: “These days customers who use our upholstery and recovering services are keen to refresh or upcycle sofas, chairs and headboards that might once have ended up in landfill. We aim to make them comfy and stylish again giving them – and often their owners too – a whole new lease of life!”

The Upholstery Yard’s new autumn term of furniture upholstery classes starts at the beginning of September. Designed for beginners or those with some past experience, the classes are small and friendly and take place in a workshop near Blackmoor in the Hampshire countryside. Find full details at theupholsteryyard.co.uk

Making something out of nothing has always been the passion of Paula at Maisy Gray based at Langham Stables in Lodsworth. “Restyled vintage furniture is unique with its own imperfections, character and individuality,” she explains. “I have always been one for recycling and I have been upcycling and refinishing old furniture for some time now, it’s all about sustainability. I just hate to see good quality furniture tossed into the dump or landfill. We seem to have adopted a throw away culture.”

If you have a piece of furniture you’d like to fall in love with again visit maisygray.co.uk to see what Paula can do for you.

Pretty much anything can be recycled, upcycled or repaired and if it’s not your forte then head to a repair café. There you’ll find helpful folk who can turn their hand to just about anything with the help of an array of tools. Repair Cafés are free meeting places where you can repair your toaster or other appliance, a bike or piece of furniture and just about any item you can think of! They’ll provide all the tools and materials you need and there’s expert help on hand to assist you.

The Guildford Repair café is at The Hive, Park Barn Drive where they meet from 10am to midday one Saturday a month, the next dates for your diary are September 9th and October 14th – start going through your cupboards and get repairing! Follow their ethos: “As a society we throw away vast amounts of stuff. Even things with almost nothing wrong, and which could get a new lease on life after a simple repair. The trouble is, lots of people have forgotten that they can repair things themselves or they no longer know how. Repair Cafés can change all that.”

Part of a worldwide movement started in 2007, there are cafes all around, visit repaircafe.org/en/visit/ to find your nearest.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter: