The Blackdown Repair Café is back, inviting locals to breathe new life into their broken household items while fostering a spirit of community and sustainability. After a summer break, the café resumes its monthly sessions starting Saturday, September 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Churchinford Village Hall.
This volunteer-driven initiative has become one of the region’s most active environmental efforts, helping residents save money and reduce waste by repairing instead of replacing. With more than 30 dedicated volunteers, the café handles a wide range of repairs—from faulty electrical appliances and wobbly furniture to broken jewellery and clocks. All repairs are conducted on-site, offering a free service with voluntary donations welcomed to help offset costs such as tools, materials, and hall hire. Visitors are requested to bring no more than two items, and a nominal fee applies for sharpening knives and tools.
Coordinator Carolyn Dare highlighted the café’s dual focus on repair and community: “It’s inspiring to witness our volunteers’ commitment and the gratitude from those who bring their broken items. Moving to Churchinford for our September session and then returning to Hemyock bi-monthly allows us to reach more people. While our primary goal is fixing household items, we’re also nurturing connections and encouraging a culture of repair over replacement.”
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Since its inception, the Blackdown Repair Café has repaired around 74% of over 1,000 items brought in, demonstrating tangible environmental and economic impact. Volunteer Neil Arnold, who specializes in electrical repairs, noted, “Many everyday appliances like vacuum cleaners, kettles, and toasters can be restored, saving money and preventing landfill waste. It’s rewarding to help the community and contribute to environmental protection.”
The next repair session will take place on Saturday, November 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hemyock Village Hall. The café’s efforts are part of a broader global movement encouraging repair, reuse, and waste reduction through community action.