Sidmouth Repair Café's first project > a bus stop bench

Last month, Sidmouth's repair café was launched:
Futures Forum: Hello Fixers, Handyfolk and Repairers! > Sidmouth Repair Café needs you!

Here's the latest poster:

This week, a special project was initiated: here's the latest press release:

SIDMOUTH REPAIR CAFÉ

PRESS RELEASE

Monday 9^th July 2018

SIDMOUTH REPAIR CAFÉ’S FIRST PROJECT: A BUS STOP BENCH

The Repair Café group in Sidmouth, set up only weeks ago, already has its first project – to fit and spruce up a replacement bench for a much-used bus stop in Woolbrook.

The group’s lead, Angie Carney, says she has had several conversations with locals about there not being a seat at the bus stop opposite the fire station in Woolbrook Road.

“It is very well used, and it would be brilliant to see some seating provided for the less mobile members of our community.”

Tim Harris, Streetscene Area Manager at East Devon District Council, responded immediately with the offer of two old benches which could be fixed with some help from the local community.

Understandably, the council is not willing to pay for a brand new bench at a spot which has been regularly vandalised – but would be more than happy to provide something second hand, plus a pot of paint.

The Repair Café’s Dave Rafferty says that he is already building up a team of ‘fixers’.

“We’ve already got a couple of people who could tackle this job; they’ve got the skills and know-how and are ready and willing to help put up the bench for the community. We would even like to get a couple of youngsters involved, perhaps to do a bit of the painting.”

The group met up earlier in the week at the Youth Centre, where the first proper Repair Café will take place on Saturday 29^th September.

Angie and Dave were in Exeter last week to meet up with other new groups in the area, all supported by Devon County Council.

“Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things,” says Dave.  “Visitors bring their broken items from home and together with the specialists they start making their repairs in the Repair Café.”

The Sidmouth group is now looking specifically for volunteer ‘fixers’ and ‘menders’ for the first formal session in September.

If you are interested in getting involved and becoming a volunteer repairer, please get in touch with Dave on drafferty@hotmail.com or 07977064498.

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