SwapShop and Repair Café returning to Newtown’s Platform 1

A community SwapShop and Repair Café will return to Newtown next month as organisers team up with Platform 1 at the town’s railway station.

Open Energy, a project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, will hold the joint event on Saturday, March 7, from 10am until 2pm at Platform 1.

The group recently hosted a Spring Sharefest at Hope Church in collaboration with Cultivate, bringing together a range of sustainable activities including a seed swap, clothes, book and toy swap shop, indoor gardening crafts and tool sharpening. Wales Seed Hub also attended to offer advice ahead of the spring growing season.

One attendee described the event as “such a lovely event” and said they particularly enjoyed making “seed bombs” to plant in their garden at home.

Organisers say those who missed the Sharefest will have another opportunity to get involved at the March Repair Café. Repair cafés act as free meeting places where visitors can bring items to be fixed at no cost, helping to extend their lifespan and reduce landfill waste.

On the day there will be a small SwapShop to exchange books and craft materials, along with free repair services for clothes and textiles, soft toys, tool sharpening and small electrical items. A PAT testing service will also be available.

The event will also include children’s craft workshops and refreshments, all free of charge.

Organisers stress that everyone is welcome, even if they do not have anything to swap or repair.